bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective treatment by glycolic acid peeling for cutaneous manifestation of familial generalized acanthosis nigricans caused by FGFR3 mutation
Authors: Ichiyama S. , Funasaka Y. , Otsuka Y. , Takayama R. , Kawana S. , Saeki H. , Kubo A.
Published: January 2016

Background

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) can occur as a cutaneous manifestation of genetic diseases, one of which is associated with activating mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3).

Objective

We explored familial AN patients with FGFR3 mutations and examined the effectiveness of glycolic acid (GA) peeling in improving their skin manifestations.

Methods

Sanger sequencing was performed for the genomic DNA extracted from leucocytes of the family members involving familial AN. GA peeling was carried out for the two patients of familial AN once every 2 weeks.

Results

Heterozygous c.1949A>C (p.K650T) mutation in FGFR3 was identified for the affected family members examined, whereas the wild‐type sequence was found for two unaffected individuals. Hyperpigmentation and coarseness of the skin were improved by GA peeling at regular intervals with few adverse effects.

Conclusion

We diagnosed our cases as familial generalized AN caused by heterozygous c.1949A>C (p.K650T) mutation of FGFR3. We propose that GA peeling is a useful and safe therapeutic option to treat familial AN.
Population demographics of American eels Anguilla rostrata in two Arkansas, U.S.A., catchments that drain into the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Cox C. A. , Quinn J. W. , Lewis L. C. , Adams S. R. , Adams G. L.
Published: January 2016

The goal of this study was to compare American eel Anguilla rostrata life history in two inland river systems in Arkansas, U.S.A., that ultimately discharge into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River and the Red‐Atchafalaya catchments. From 21 June 2011 to 24 April 2014, 238 yellow‐phase A. rostrata were captured in the middle Ouachita River and tributaries using boat electrofishing and 39 in the lower White River using multiple sampling gears. Most of them were caught downstream of dams in both basins (61%). Medium‐sized A. rostrata ranging from 225 to 350 mm total length (LT) were the most abundant size group in the Ouachita River basin, but they were absent from the White River. Mean LT at age 4 years (i.e. youngest shared age) was 150 mm greater for the White River than the Ouachita River basin. Anguilla rostrata appeared to have a greater initial LT (i.e. minimum size upon arrival) in the White River that allowed them to reach a gonado‐somatic index (IG) of 1·5 up to 4 years earlier, and downstream migration appeared to occur 5 years earlier at 100 mm greater LT; these differences may be related to increased river fragmentation by dams in the Ouachita River basin. Growth and maturation of A. rostrata in this study were more similar to southern populations along the Atlantic coast than other inland populations. Adult swimbladder nematodes Anguillicoloides crassus were not present in any of the 214 swimbladders inspected. Gulf of Mexico catchments may be valuable production areas for A. rostrata and data from these systems should be considered as range‐wide protection and management plans are being developed.
Endoscopic prediction of recurrence in patients with early gastric cancer after margin‐negative endoscopic resection
Authors: Na Hee Kyong , Choi Kee Don , Ahn Ji Yong , Lee Jeong Hoon , Kim Do Hoon , Song Ho June , Lee Gin Hyug , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Kim Jin‐Ho
Published: January 2016

Background and Aim

Although follow‐up endoscopy is routinely performed after endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC), it remains unclear whether resection scar biopsies should also be taken. This study sought to predict local recurrence at the ER scar on the basis of endoscopic criteria after margin‐negative EGC resection and to determine the necessity of taking scar biopsies.

Methods

All consecutive patients with EGC who underwent margin‐negative ER in June 1995 to December 2011 and developed recurrence at the scar were identified. Each case was matched by four controls with EGC and margin‐negative ER but without local recurrence for age, sex, and en‐bloc resectability (en‐bloc vs. piecemeal resection). Endoscopic data were reviewed by consensus of two endoscopists. Key endoscopic criteria were gross morphology (evenly elevated, unevenly elevated, and flat), hyperemic change, mucosal defect, and spontaneous bleeding.

Results

Of 3037 cases, which underwent margin‐negative ER, 22 developed local recurrence (mean age, 63.8 years; 72.9% male). En‐bloc resection was achieved in 20 of the 22 (90.9%). Flat endoscopic morphology without hyperemic changes predicted non‐recurrence at the scar with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 95.5%, 68.2%, 2.6%, 99.94%, and 73.6%, respectively. For patients who underwent en‐bloc resection for differentiated EGC, these values were 100%, 71.4%, 3.0%, 100%, and 75.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Routine follow‐up biopsies may be unnecessary when follow‐up endoscopy reveals flat mucosa without hyperemic changes at the scar, especially for en‐bloc resected and differentiated EGCs.
Investigating the debate of home birth safety: A critical review of cohort studies focusing on selected infant outcomes
Authors: Elder Heather R. , Alio Amina P. , Fisher Susan G.
Published: January 2016

Aim

There is a debate within the medical community regarding the safety of planned home births. The presumption of increased risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality at home due to limited access to life‐saving interventions is not clearly supported by research. The aim of the present study was to assess strengths and limitations of the methodological approaches of cohort studies that compare home births with hospital births by focusing on selected infant outcomes.

Methods

Studies were identified that assess the risk for at least one of three infant outcomes (mortality, Apgar score, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU]) of home births compared with hospital births.

Results

Fifteen cohort studies were included. Two studies of low‐risk births and two including higher risk births found home births to be at an increased risk of neonatal mortality. However, mortality is rare in developed nations and may not be the best measure of safety. When studies focused on low‐risk pregnancies, planned birth location, and well‐trained birth attendants, there was no difference in neonatal morbidity (Apgar score and NICU admission).

Conclusion

Many methodological challenges were identified among these studies. This review contributes to the home birth published work by identifying key strengths and limitations that need to be accounted for in the interpretation of study findings and the development of future studies. Based on this review, the key variables that would strengthen future studies are birth attendant identification, documented planned birth location, and specification of the birth risk level. Uniformity of data collection and minimizing missing data are also critical.
Prefrailty in community‐dwelling older adults is associated with nutrition status
Authors: Chang Shu‐Fang , Lin Pei‐Ling
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

This study investigated the differences of demographic characteristics and nutrition status between prefrail and nonfrail older adults. Meanwhile, the factors related to the nutrition status of community‐dwelling older adults were also studied.

Background

The World Health Organisation has actively developed prevention programmes to address geriatric frailty. However, few previous studies have focused on the relationship between prefrailty and nutrition status.

Design

This study adopted a cross‐sectional and correlational research design.

Methods

Community‐dwelling older adults were recruited for this study. The participants’ nutrition status was assessed using the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment tool, and their frailty status was evaluated based on the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures indicators. The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures criteria comprise the following three items: >5% loss in total body weight within one year; inability to rise five times from a chair without assistance and a self‐reported lack of energy. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years, living independently at home and exhibiting neither mental impairment nor acute disease.

Results

Data were gathered from 152 participants; most were men, lived alone and had a level of education lower than elementary school. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the association between variables and nutritional status, the results of which revealed that prefrailty and body mass index were independently related to the participants’ nutrition status.

Conclusions

The results showed that nutritional assessment can be employed with community‐dwelling older adults. In particular, prefrailty and body mass index were key factors that affected nutritional status in older adults.

Relevance to clinical practice

Community nurses must understand the risk factors related to nutritional status in community‐dwelling older people. If nurses use this approach, prefrail older adults are likely to experience improved confidence in maintaining their health and a decreased incidence of frailty and malnutrition.
Developing Evidence‐Based Practice questionnaire for community health nurses: reliability and validity of a Spanish adaptation
Authors: Zabaleta‐del‐Olmo Edurne , Subirana‐Casacuberta Mireia , Ara‐Pérez Ana , Escuredo‐Rodríguez Bibiana , Ríos‐Rodríguez María Ángeles , Carrés‐Esteve Lourdes , Jodar‐Solà Glòria , Lejardi‐Estevez Yolanda , Nuix‐Baqué Núria , Aguas‐Lluch Asunción , Ondiviela‐Cariteu Àngels , Blanco‐Sánchez Rafaela , Rosa García‐Cerdán María , Contel‐Segura Juan Carlos , Jurado‐Campos Jeroni , Juvinyà‐Canal Dolors
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to translate the community nursing version of the Developing Evidence‐Based Practice questionnaire, adapt the Spanish translation to the primary care context in Spain, and evaluate its reliability and validity.

Background

Instruments available in Spanish to date are not designed to rigorously evaluate barriers and incentives associated with evidence‐based practice implementation in community health nursing.

Design

Classical Test Theory approach.

Methods

The 49‐item Developing Evidence‐Based Practice questionnaire was translated, back‐translated and pilot‐tested. Two items were added to assess respondents’ ability to read and understand the English language. During the first six months of 2010, 513 nurses from 255 primary health care centres in Catalunya (Spain) voluntarily participated in the study. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated. Internal structure was analysed by principal component analysis. A randomized, controlled, parallel‐design study was carried out to test scores’ sensitivity to change with two groups, intervention and control. The intervention consisted of eight hours of in‐person training, provided by experts in evidence‐based practice.

Results

Of 513 nurses, 445 (86·7%) nurses responded to all 51 items. Factor analysis showed six components that explained 51% of the total variance. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were satisfactory (Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficients >0·70). A total of 93 nurses participated in the sensitivity‐to‐change tests (42 in the intervention group, 51 controls). After the training session, overall score and the ‘skills for evidence‐based practice’ component score showed a medium (Cohend = 0·69) and large effect (Cohend = 0·86), respectively.

Conclusions

The Developing Evidence‐Based Practice questionnaire adapted to community health nursing in the primary care setting in Spain has satisfactory psychometric properties.

Relevance to clinical practice

The Developing Evidence‐Based Practice questionnaire is a useful tool for planning and evaluating the implementation of evidence‐based practice in community health nursing.
Clinical and urodynamic effects of baclofen in women with functional bladder outlet obstruction: Preliminary report
Authors: Chen Chi‐Hau , Hsiao Sheng‐Mou , Chang Ting‐Chen , Wu Wen‐Yih , Lin Ho‐Hsiung
Published: January 2016

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and urodynamic effects of baclofen in women with functional bladder outlet obstruction.

Methods

Between January 2011 and December 2012, women who underwent baclofen treatment for functional bladder outlet obstruction, defined as <15 mL/s maximum flow rate and >20 cmH2O detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate, but without significant anatomic causes, were retrospectively reviewed. Urodynamic variables at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment were compared.

Results

Twenty women with functional bladder outlet obstruction underwent 12 weeks of baclofen treatment (oral baclofen 5 mg, three times daily). All patients reported improvement in voiding dysfunction symptoms after treatment, and no significant adverse effects were found on review of medical records. All patients underwent urodynamic studies after 12 weeks’ treatment. Voided volume, voiding efficiency and maximum flow rate at voiding cystometry were significantly improved (mean, 273 vs. 368 mL, P = 0.002; 62.8% vs. 73.6%, P <0.001, and 10.3 vs. 11.6 mL/s, P = 0.046; respectively). Moreover, baclofen did not affect continence function, as indicated by non‐significant changes in the parameters of urethral pressure profiles.

Conclusions

Oral baclofen can improve symptoms of voiding dysfunction, voided volume, voiding efficiency and maximum flow rate in women with functional bladder outlet obstruction. None of the patients experienced intolerable side‐effects. Thus, oral baclofen may be used as an initial treatment for women with symptoms of voiding dysfunction.
Thymol accelerates the recovery of the skeletal muscle of mice injured with cardiotoxin
Authors: Cardoso Eroneide S B , Santana Tayse A , Diniz Polyana Borges França , Montalvão Monalisa M , Bani Cristiane C , Thomazzi Sara M
Published: January 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of thymol in in vivo muscle inflammation and regeneration on cardiotoxin-induced injury.

Methods

Mice were pretreated (p.o.) with thymol (10–100 mg/kg), and after 1 h, cardiotoxin (25 μM, 40 μl) was administrated into the gastrocnemius muscle. The quantification of the areas of inflammation and regeneration of muscle tissue (3, 7 and 10 days) in HE-stained slides as well as the count of total mast cells and different phenotypes of mast cells were made. Sirius red staining was used to analyse total collagen expression.

Key findings

The pretreatment with thymol significantly reduced the area of inflammation (30 and 100 mg/kg) and increased the area of regeneration (100 mg/kg) 3 days after the cardiotoxin injection. Thymol at 30 and 100 mg/kg increased the area of collagen in 3 days and also decreased this area in 7 and 10 days, compared to the injured group. The pretreatment with thymol did not affect the number of total mast cells; however, it was able to change the number of mucosal mast cells within 10 days.

Conclusions

This study suggests that thymol ameliorates inflammatory response and accelerates regeneration in cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury.
Mobilizing Migrant Workers’ Rights in “Non-immigration” Countries: The Politics of Resonance and Migrants’ Rights Activism in Israel and Singapore
Authors: Kemp Adriana , Kfir Nelly
Published: January 2016

How are the rights of migrant workers mobilized in non-immigration regimes? Drawing on an ethnography of human rights NGOs in Israel and Singapore, two countries that share similar ethnic policies but differ in their political regime, this study contributes to scholarship on migrants’ rights mobilization by expanding cross-national analysis beyond the United States and West Europe and diverting its focus from legal institutions to the places where rights are produced. Findings show that differences in the political regime influence the channels for mobilizing claims but not the cultural politics of resonance that NGOs use when dealing with the tensions between restrictive ethnic policies and the expansion of labor migration. While restraints in authoritarian Singapore operate mainly outside the activists’ circle, in the Israeli ethno-democracy they operate through self-disciplining processes that neutralize their potential challenge to hegemonic understandings of citizenship. Paradoxically, success in advancing rights for migrants through resonance often results in reinforcing the non-immigration regime.
Exploring Citizen Assessments of Unilateral Executive Authority
Authors: Braman Eileen
Published: January 2016

This study investigates the interaction between constitutional considerations and democratic context in evaluations of executive authority. An identical experiment is conducted using undergraduate and Mechanical Turk samples. A hypothetical article raising the question of executive power varies the (1) issue context, (2) expert assessment of constitutional authority, and (3) level of public support for proposed action. Measures of participants’ issue preferences and level of satisfaction with President Obama are also included in the analysis. Results indicate that participants think differently about the desirability and legitimacy of proposed executive action. Constitutional considerations and satisfaction with the President weigh most heavily in assessments of the appropriateness of executive conduct. Differences observed across samples demonstrate that institutional rules have the potential to constrain the influence of political factors in assessments legitimacy, but this is not inevitably the case. Feelings about the President may be especially important where experts agree that he lacks authority to take action. This could indicate that citizens will rally behind presidents they like, and think more critically of those they do not, in times of constitutional crisis.
The Two Faces of Law and Inequality: From Critique to the Promise of Situated, Pragmatic Policy
Authors: Seron Carroll
Published: January 2016

Over the course of my career, I have navigated a research agenda that moves between scholarly and policy-oriented research. Building on this experience, I argue that it is time for law and society scholars to take seriously a commitment to engaged scholarship that speaks to a wider audience of stakeholders and policymakers. Three themes frame my proposal to get back in the game of advocacy and policy. First, I consider why we need to rekindle this commitment at this historical moment: inequalities in wealth, income, and social mobility and the rise of mass incarceration and its collateral consequences diminish the foundation required for effective democratic governance to thrive. Second, what our scholarship has to say is key to the framing of pragmatic policy: law and society's focus on law in action and the culture of law are key to understanding the ways in which most policies tend to deliver unintended consequences. Finally, we need to consider how to go about the next step to make our work visible to a wider audience of stakeholders?
Huichol Migrant Laborers and Pesticides: Structural Violence and Cultural Confounders
Authors: Gamlin Jennie
Published: January 2016

Every year, around two thousand Huichol families migrate from their homelands in the highlands of northwestern Mexico to the coastal region of Nayarit State, where they are employed on small plantations to pick and thread tobacco leaves. During their four‐month stay, they live, work, eat, and sleep in the open air next to the tobacco fields, exposing themselves to an unknown cocktail of pesticides all day, every day. In this article, I describe how these indigenous migrants are more at risk to pesticides because historical and contemporary structural factors ensure that they live and work in the way of harm. I discuss the economic, social, political, and racial inequalities that exist in their every‐day environment and how these forms of structural violence are mitigated by their intersection with local cultural contexts and their specific indigenous lifeworld.
Moderately elevated maternal homocysteine at preconception is inversely associated with cognitive performance in children 4  months and 6  years after birth.
Authors: Murphy Michelle M. , Fernandez‐Ballart Joan D. , Molloy Anne M. , Canals Josefa
Published: January 2016

Prenatal methyl donor deficiency leads to homocysteine accumulation in the brain and impaired neurodevelopment in rats. We investigated the effect of moderately elevated preconception fasting total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) on child neurodevelopment in a prospective study of 67 and 76 mother–child pairs at 4 months and 6 years of age, respectively. Fasting blood samples at 2–10 weeks preconception, from the cord (nonfasting) and the mother and child 6 years after birth, were collected. Psychomotor and mental development were assessed at 4 months using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID) and cognitive development at 6 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). Highest tertile preconception tHcy (≥9.04 µmol/L) was categorized as moderately elevated and low‐mid tertile tHcy as normal. Children, born to mothers with moderately elevated compared to normal preconception tHcy, scored lower [mean (95% CI)] in the BSID psychomotor [115 (105, 124) vs. 126 (121, 130), p = 0.03] and mental [101 (93, 109) vs. 113 (107, 119), p = 0.03] development tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that moderately elevated compared to normal preconception tHcy was associated with greater probability, OR (95%CI), of scoring in the lowest tertile for BSID psychomotor development (≤120): 4.0 (1.1, 14.3) and lowest tertiles for WPPSI full (≤111), verbal (≤104) and performance (≤111), intellectual quotient: 6.0 (1.5, 23.7), 3.5 (1.1, 11.2) and 4.1 (1.1, 15.7), respectively. We conclude that moderately elevated preconception tHcy is inversely associated with psychomotor and cognitive development scores in infants and children.
Scope for genetic rescue of an endangered subspecies though re‐establishing natural gene flow with another subspecies
Authors: Harrisson Katherine A. , Pavlova Alexandra , Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Rose Rebecca , Bull James K. , Lancaster Melanie L. , Murray Neil , Quin Bruce , Menkhorst Peter , Magrath Michael J. L. , Sunnucks Paul
Published: January 2016

Genetic diversity is positively linked to the viability and evolutionary potential of species but is often compromised in threatened taxa. Genetic rescue by gene flow from a more diverse or differentiated source population of the same species can be an effective strategy for alleviating inbreeding depression and boosting evolutionary potential. The helmeted honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops cassidix is a critically endangered subspecies of the common yellow‐tufted honeyeater. Cassidix has declined to a single wild population of ~130 birds, despite being subject to intensive population management over recent decades. We assessed changes in microsatellite diversity in cassidix over the last four decades and used population viability analysis to explore whether genetic rescue through hybridization with the neighbouring Lichenostomus melanops gippslandicus subspecies constitutes a viable conservation strategy. The contemporary cassidix population is characterized by low genetic diversity and effective population size (Ne < 50), suggesting it is vulnerable to inbreeding depression and will have limited capacity to evolve to changing environments. We find that gene flow from gippslandicus to cassidix has declined substantially relative to pre‐1990 levels and argue that natural levels of gene flow between the two subspecies should be restored. Allowing gene flow (~4 migrants per generation) from gippslandicus into cassidix (i.e. genetic rescue), in combination with continued annual release of captive‐bred cassidix (i.e. demographic rescue), should lead to positive demographic and genetic outcomes. Although we consider the risk of outbreeding depression to be low, we recommend that genetic rescue be managed within the context of the captive breeding programme, with monitoring of outcomes.
From barcodes to genomes: extending the concept of DNA barcoding
Authors: Coissac Eric , Hollingsworth Peter M. , Lavergne Sébastien , Taberlet Pierre
Published: January 2016

DNA barcoding has had a major impact on biodiversity science. The elegant simplicity of establishing massive scale databases for a few barcode loci is continuing to change our understanding of species diversity patterns, and continues to enhance human abilities to distinguish among species. Capitalizing on the developments of next generation sequencing technologies and decreasing costs of genome sequencing, there is now the opportunity for the DNA barcoding concept to be extended to new kinds of genomic data. We illustrate the benefits and capacity to do this, and also note the constraints and barriers to overcome before it is truly scalable. We advocate a twin track approach: (i) continuation and acceleration of global efforts to build the DNA barcode reference library of life on earth using standard DNA barcodes and (ii) active development and application of extended DNA barcodes using genome skimming to augment the standard barcoding approach.
Endosperm‐based postzygotic hybridization barriers: developmental mechanisms and evolutionary drivers
Authors: Lafon‐Placette Clément , Köhler Claudia
Published: January 2016

The endosperm is a nourishing tissue that serves to support embryo growth. Failure of endosperm development will ultimately cause embryo arrest and seed lethality, a phenomenon that is frequently observed upon hybridization of related plant species or species that differ in ploidy. Endosperm‐based interspecies or interploidy hybridization barriers depend on the direction of the hybridization, causing nonreciprocal seed defects. This reveals that the parental genomes are not equivalent, implicating parent‐of‐origin specific genes generating this type of hybridization barrier. Recent work revealed that endosperm‐based hybridization barriers are rapidly evolving. In this review, we discuss the developmental mechanisms causing hybrid seed lethality in angiosperms as well as the evolutionary forces establishing endosperm‐based postzygotic hybridization barriers.
Sperm dispersal distances estimated by parentage analysis in a brooding scleractinian coral
Authors: Warner Patricia A. , Willis Bette L. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: January 2016

Within populations of brooding sessile corals, sperm dispersal constitutes the mechanism by which gametes interact and mating occurs, and forms the first link in the network of processes that determine specieswide connectivity patterns. However, almost nothing is known about sperm dispersal for any internally fertilizing coral. In this study, we conducted a parentage analysis on coral larvae collected from an area of mapped colonies, to measure the distance sperm disperses for the first time in a reef‐building coral and estimated the mating system characteristics of a recently identified putative cryptic species within the Seriatopora hystrix complex (ShA; Warner et al. 2015). We defined consensus criteria among several replicated methods (colony 2.0, cervus 3.0, mltr v3.2) to maximize accuracy in paternity assignments. Thirteen progeny arrays indicated that this putative species produces exclusively sexually derived, primarily outcrossed larvae (mean tm = 0.999) in multiple paternity broods (mean rp = 0.119). Self‐fertilization was directly detected at low frequency for all broods combined (2.8%), but comprised 23% of matings in one brood. Although over 82% of mating occurred between colonies within 10 m of each other (mean sperm dispersal = 5.5 m ± 4.37 SD), we found no evidence of inbreeding in the established population. Restricted dispersal of sperm compared to slightly greater larval dispersal appears to limit inbreeding among close relatives in this cryptic species. Our findings establish a good basis for further work on sperm dispersal in brooding corals and provide the first information about the mating system of a newly identified and abundant cryptic species.
Resourcing the clinical complementary medicine information needs of Australian medical students: Results of a grounded theory study
Authors: Templeman Kate , Robinson Anske , McKenna Lisa
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to identify Australian medical students’ complementary medicine information needs. Thirty medical students from 10 medical education faculties across Australian universities were recruited. Data were generated using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and constructivist grounded theory method was used to analyze and construct data. Students sought complementary medicine information from a range of inadequate sources, such as pharmacological texts, Internet searches, peer‐reviewed medical journals, and drug databases. The students identified that many complementary medicine resources may not be regarded as objective, reliable, differentiated, or comprehensive, leaving much that medical education needs to address. Most students sought succinct, easily accessible, evidence‐based information to inform safe and appropriate clinical decisions about complementary medicines. A number of preferred resources were identified that can be recommended and actively promoted to medical students. Therefore, specific, evidence‐based complementary medicine databases and secondary resources should be subscribed and recommended to medical schools and students, to assist meeting professional responsibilities regarding complementary medicines. These findings may help inform the development of appropriate medical information resources regarding complementary medicines.
International R&D Collaboration and Strategic Trade Policy
Authors: Dong Baomin , Song Huasheng , Qian Xiaolin
Published: January 2016

We study an international trade model with symmetric countries and symmetric firms, with countries making strategic trade policies, anticipating the decisions of firms on R&D collaboration at the subsequent stage. In general we should observe a conflict between the equilibrium outcome and the efficient one. We find that an asymmetric outcome where one country unilaterally liberalizes trade while the other does not is likely to occur. We also find that while banning international R&D collaboration may help to reach free trade equilibrium in certain situations, it provides little assistance in reaching the outcome that maximizes global welfare.
American Silver Inflow and the Price Revolution in Qing China
Authors: Zhao Hongjun
Published: January 2016

Employing panel data from the Northern China Plain for the period 1736–1911, this paper tests the so‐called price revolution hypothesis. It finds that American silver inflow played an important role in raising grain prices when factors such as weather and population are controlled. This role is verified in two dimensions: the quantity dimension of American silver inflow into China; the value dimension of silver relative to copper coin and to gold. This paper provides the first econometric test of the so‐called price revolution hypothesis in the 18th and 19th century China and deepens our understanding of the role of American silver inflow in late imperial times of China.
Trade Creation Effects of Regional Trade Agreements: Tariff Reduction versus Non‐tariff Barrier Removal
Authors: Hayakawa Kazunobu , Ito Tadashi , Kimura Fukunari
Published: January 2016

This study uses the most disaggregated tariff line‐level trade data in a large number of countries in the world to empirically decompose the trade creation effects of regional trade agreements (RTAs) into those owing to tariff reduction and those owing to non‐tariff barrier (NTB) removal. Specifically, utilizing our detailed dataset, we employ the standard gravity equation and identify those effects by estimating the trade creation effects of RTAs for ineligible and eligible products for RTA preferential schemes separately. Our major findings are as follows. First, for the whole sample, there are significantly positive trade creation effects owing to tariff reduction while the effects for NTB removal are weak. Second, the trade creation effects of tariff reduction and NTB removal are substantially large in the case of trade among low‐income countries but weak among high‐income countries.
International Technology Transfer and Welfare
Authors: Kuo Ping‐Sing , Lin Yan‐Shu , Peng Cheng‐Hau
Published: January 2016

We investigate the welfare effect of international technology transfer in a quality model. A foreign innovator with a new quality product can license its innovation to the domestic firm(s) via a fixed fee. Findings show that the foreign innovator will license exclusively to the high‐quality firm under Bertrand competition, whereas it may exclusively license to the high‐quality firm, the low‐quality firm, or non‐exclusively to both firms under Cournot competition. Non‐exclusive licensing is necessarily welfare‐enhancing whereas exclusive licensing is welfare‐reducing if the quality of the new technology is not sufficiently superior to that of the domestic ones.
Foreign Acquisitions in China and Multinationals’ Global Market Strategy
Authors: Liu Qing , Qiu Larry D. , Li Zhigang
Published: January 2016

Using firm‐level data from 2000 to 2006, we find that foreign acquisitions in China change the target firms’ export extensive margins. We develop a three‐country model with cross‐border acquisitions to show that the acquirers can alter the targets’ export decision through three possible channels: fixed‐cost jumping, technology transfer and global market reorganization. We find evidence that foreign acquisitions change the Chinese target firms’ probability of exporting to a third market. Technology transfer is not observed. Evidence implies that fixed‐cost jumping is used to enable the targets to export, while global market reorganization is a key motive for the acquirers to withdraw the targets from the export market.
Congested Export Spillover in China
Authors: Bao Qun , Ye Ninghua , Song Ligang
Published: January 2016

This paper uses Chinese firm‐level data to investigate the possible nonlinear spillover caused by export congestion. We argue that there could exist an inverted‐U curve in terms of export spillover effect, resulting from the fact that once exporters become over‐agglomerated, export congestion is likely to cause negative export spillover. The estimation results support the hypothesis of an inverted‐U curve of export spillover effect. Further calculation shows that the degree of Chinese exporters’ congestion approximately ranges around 17–34% and demonstrates an increasing trend over time. The finding suggests that policies aimed at reducing export congestion such as industrial upgrading, improvement of firms’ efficiency and the current shift from export dependence towards domestic demand would be important for a more healthy development of China's exports in the future.
The Impact of Foreign Entry on Chinese Banks
Authors: Li Yuhua , Uchida Konari , Xu Tongsheng , Wu Zhaoyang
Published: January 2016

Utilizing hand collected data concerning foreign ownership in the Chinese banking sector, we examine whether foreign ownership improves the efficiency of Chinese banks. Foreign banks tend to provide cooperation in retail banking rather than in corporate or private banking. We find no robust evidence of an improvement in the efficiency of an average bank that receives foreign strategic investments. However, the bank cost and profit efficiency significantly improve when foreign strategic investments provide retail banking and internal control assistance respectively to local banks. These findings suggest that foreign investment improves local bank efficiency when it transfers technologies that are lacking in local banks.
A Panel Smooth Transition Approach to Inflation and Relative Price Variability in China
Authors: Gu Biao , Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yi David
Published: January 2016

This paper examines the relationship between inflation and relative price variability (RPV) by using provincial level data from China. The data contains three different inflation regimes and evidence of smooth transition is statistically prominent and the province‐specific time‐varying marginal impact of inflation on RPV varies substantially across inflation regimes. The inflation–RPV linkage is stronger when inflation is moderately high, but tends to fade out and might eventually disappear when inflation is steadily low. The policy implication of this result is that inflation targets should be set within a range in which the inflation–RPV link is the weakest (i.e. low‐inflation regime) to minimize undesirable price dispersion induced by inflation.
Community‐based intervention for depression management at the primary care level in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam: a cluster‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Niemi Maria , Kiel Simone , Allebeck Peter , Hoan Le Thi
Published: January 2016

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention including psychoeducation and yoga for depression management at the primary healthcare level in one district in the Hà Nam province, Vietnam.

Method

The Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) was used for depression screening and follow‐up. Screened patients were further diagnosed with the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Diagnostic Interview, by a trained general doctor. A linear regression model, adjusted for age, gender and baseline PHQ‐9 score was used to assess whether the intervention leads to decreased depression severity compared to standard care in the control communes.

Results

Both groups had similar PHQ‐9 scores at baseline. The intervention group had on average significantly lower PHQ‐9 scores after the intervention than the control group. Almost half of the patients in the intervention group recovered from depression, whereas nobody did in the control group.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the intervention can be more effective than standard care in treating depression. The mean change of the PHQ‐9 score after the intervention is deemed to be of clinical relevance.
Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome: a dilemma for the gynaecologist and gastroenterologist
Authors: Issa Basma , Ormesher Laura , Whorwell Peter J , Shah Mrinal , Hamdy Shaheen
Published: January 2016

Key content

Chronic pelvic pain has a significant impact on health services, accounting for 20% of gynaecological referrals.

The overlap between irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis, two of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain, should not be overlooked.

Visceral sensitivity has been demonstrated in both conditions, further highlighting their similarities.

Close communication between gastroenterologists and gynaecologists should help to distinguish the causative condition and improve management.

Learning objectives

To understand the aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation and current national guidance on endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome.

To increase awareness of visceral hypersensitivity and its significance.

To appreciate the importance of good history taking in the approach to women with chronic pelvic pain, to distinguish between causative and incidental conditions.

Ethical issues

Are we unnecessarily posing risks and false diagnoses on a significant proportion of women with chronic pelvic pain?

Is it reasonable to have such a varied investigative approach to such women, depending on who they are first referred to?
Two‐Way Migration between Similar Countries
Authors: Kreickemeier Udo , Wrona Jens
Published: January 2016

We develop a model to explain two‐way migration of high‐skilled individuals between countries that are similar in their economic characteristics. High‐skilled migration results from the combination of workers whose abilities are private knowledge, and a production technology that gives incentives to firms for hiring workers of similar ability. In the presence of migration cost, high‐skilled workers self‐select into the group of migrants. The laissez‐faire equilibrium features too much migration, explained by a negative migration externality. We also show that for sufficiently low levels of migration cost the optimal level of migration, while smaller than in the laissez‐faire equilibrium, is strictly positive. Finally, we extend our model into different directions to capture stylised facts in the data and show that our baseline results also hold in these more complex modelling environments.
Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) control under drought stress with 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and glyphosate
Authors: Skelton Joshua J. , Ma Rong , Riechers Dean E.
Published: January 2016

Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) is a common and troublesome weed in cropping systems throughout the United States. With the potential for future periods of low rainfall or drought, the need for improved weed control under drought stress is necessary. Drought stress typically reduces herbicide efficacy by reducing the foliar uptake of herbicides and their translocation. The objectives of this research were to determine the efficacy of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and glyphosate, applied alone or when tank‐mixed, on waterhemp under varying levels of drought stress, the effect of the timing of drought stress in relation to herbicide application and the absorption and translocation of each herbicide in drought‐stressed waterhemp. At reduced herbicide rates, 2,4‐D had a greater level of control of waterhemp under drought stress, compared to glyphosate. The level of herbicide efficacy was lower when the amount of water that was applied to the plants was reduced. The level of waterhemp control was greatest when drought stress occurred before the herbicide application and when the plants were watered to saturation after the application, compared to when drought stress occurred after the herbicide application or restricted watering levels occurred throughout the entire study. Glyphosate absorption and translocation were reduced in the drought‐stressed plants, but 2,4‐D absorption and translocation were not altered. The absence of a reduction in 2,4‐D translocation in the drought‐stressed weeds has not been previously reported. Applying herbicides prior to a rainfall event could increase the weed control level, even if the weed is stressed. Determining how and why 2,4‐D absorption and translocation levels, compared to those of glyphosate, are unaffected by drought stress in waterhemp can aid in improving the control of drought‐stressed weeds with other postemergence herbicides.
An Extended Predictor–Corrector Algorithm for Variable-Order Fractional Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Parsa Moghaddam B. , Yaghoobi Sh. , Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: January 2016

This article presents a numerical method based on the Adams–Bashforth–Moulton scheme to solve variable-order fractional delay differential equations (VFDDEs). In these equations, the variable-order (VO) fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. The existence and uniqueness of the solutions are proved under Lipschitz condition. Numerical examples are presented showing the applicability and efficiency of the novel method.
Ti-Nb thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering on stainless steel
Authors: Gonzalez E. David , Niemeyer Terlize C. , Afonso Conrado R. M. , Nascente Pedro A. P.
Published: January 2016

Thin films of Ti-Nb alloys were deposited on AISI 316L stainless steel substrate by magnetron sputtering, and the structure, composition, morphology, and microstructure of the films were analyzed by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD), (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thin films of four compositions were produced: Ti85Nb15 (Ti-26 wt. % Nb), Ti80Nb20 (Ti-33 wt. % Nb), Ti70Nb30 (Ti-45 wt. % Nb), and Ti60Nb40 (Ti-56 wt. % Nb). Structural characterization by XRD indicated that only the β phase was present in the thin films and that the increase in the Nb content modified the alloy film texture. These changes in the film texture, also detected by TEM analysis, were attributed to different growth modes related to the Nb content in the alloy films. The mean grain sizes measured by AFM increased with the Nb amount (from 197 to 222 nm). XPS analysis showed a predominance of oxidized Ti and Nb on the film surfaces and an enrichment of Ti.
An ellipsoid convex enhancement filter for detection of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm candidates in CAD frameworks
Authors: Jin Ze , Arimura Hidetaka , Kakeda Shingo , Yamashita Fumio , Sasaki Makoto , Korogi Yukunori
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

Various kinds of enhancement filters have been developed in computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) frameworks for asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). However, many bending or branching portions on vessels are also enhanced by the conventional filters as false positives in 3.0 T MRA, which can visualize smaller vessels compared with 1.5 T MRA. To overcome this problem, this study focused on developing an ellipsoid convex enhancement (ECE) filter, which can selectively enhance aneurysms while reducing false positive contrasts on bending or branching portions on vessels, for detection of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm candidates in CAD frameworks.

Methods:

The ECE filter was mathematically designed to enhance various convex regions in the intensity space such as convex aneurysms, in which the ratio of the shortest and longest diameters for aneurysms corresponds to the ratio of reciprocals of the square roots of the first and third eigenvalues of a Hessian matrix. The proposed ECE filter was evaluated by measuring an average contrast for false positive models and free‐response receiver operating characteristic curves between two simple CAD frameworks using the ECE and conventional filters based on a leave‐one‐out‐by‐patient test. MRA images for thirty patients (male: 10, female: 20; age: 48–86 yr, mean: 69.2) with 31 unruptured aneurysms (longest diameter: 2.0–5.5 mm, mean: 3.7 mm) were selected for this study.

Results:

The average contrast for false positive models was reduced by 51.4% using the ECE filter, compared with the conventional filter for the convex regions with ratios of the shortest and longest diameters less than 0.4. The number of false positives per case was decreased from 41.1 to 22.8 on average at a sensitivity of 87% by using the ECE filter.

Conclusions:

The ECE filter would be useful for boosting the performance of the CAD framework of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms by providing higher contrast aneurysms and lower contrast false positives such as bending or branching portions on vessels.
Oxygen isotopic evidence for vigorous mixing during the Moon-forming giant impact
Authors: Young Edward D. , Kohl Issaku E. , Warren Paul H. , Rubie David C. , Jacobson Seth A. , Morbidelli Alessandro
Published: January 2016

Rehomogenizing the Earth-Moon system

A giant impact formed the Moon, and lunar rocks provide insight into that process. Young
et al.
found that rocks on Earth and the Moon have identical oxygen isotopes. This suggests that well-mixed material from the giant impact must have formed both the Moon and Earth's mantle. The finding also constrains the composition of the “late veneer”: material sprinkled onto Earth after the Moon-forming impact.

Science
, this issue p.
493