bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Stream Restoration Project Effectiveness Using a Programmatic Evaluation of Salmonid Habitat and Fish Response
Authors: O'Neal Jennifer S. , Roni Phil , Crawford Bruce , Ritchie Anna , Shelly Alice
Published: June 2016

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on stream restoration projects to benefit salmonids and other aquatic species across the Pacific Northwest, though only a small percentage of these projects are monitored to evaluate effectiveness and far fewer are tracked for more than 1 or 2 years. The Washington State Salmon Recovery Board and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board have spent more than US$500 million on salmonid habitat restoration projects since 1999. We used a multiple before-after–control-impact design to programmatically evaluate the reach-scale physical and biological effectiveness of a subset of restoration actions. A total of 65 projects in six project categories (fish passage, instream habitat, riparian planting, livestock exclusion, floodplain enhancement, and habitat protection) were monitored over an 8-year period. We conducted habitat, fish, and macroinvertebrate surveys to calculate the following indicators: longitudinal pool cross section and depth, riparian shade and cover, large woody debris volumes, fish density, macroinvertebrate indices, and upland vegetation condition class. Results indicate that four categories (instream habitat, livestock exclusions, floodplain enhancements, and riparian plantings) have shown significant improvements in physical habitat after 5 years. Abundance of juvenile Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch increased significantly at fish passage projects and floodplain enhancement projects, but significant results were not detected for other fish species. Moreover, the biological response indicators of juvenile salmonid abundance and macroinvertebrate indices showed declines at instream habitat and habitat protection projects, respectively. Our results indicate that a subset of projects can be effectively evaluated programmatically, but power and sample size estimates indicate that two or more years of preproject data are necessary to adequately determine the effectiveness of many project types, particularly for fish. Programmatic evaluations of project effectiveness should include adequate preproject sampling and multiseason monitoring for fish species to address issues of variability that are likely to be encountered in large-scale monitoring programs.

Received September 16, 2015; accepted February 7, 2016 Published online June 6, 2016
What Can We Learn about the Effects of Food Stamps on Obesity in the Presence of Misreporting?
Authors: Almada Lorenzo , McCarthy Ian , Tchernis Rusty
Published: June 2016

There is an increasing perception among policy makers that food stamp benefits contribute positively to adult obesity rates. We show that these results are heavily dependent on one's assumptions regarding the accuracy of reported food stamp participation. When allowing for misreporting, we find no evidence that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation significantly increases the probability of being obese or overweight among adults. Our results also highlight the inherent bias and inconsistency of common point estimates when ignoring misreporting, with treatment effects from instrumental variable methods exceeding the nonparametric upper bounds by over 200% in some cases.
Who Really Benefits from Agricultural Subsidies? Evidence from Field‐level Data
Authors: Kirwan Barrett E. , Roberts Michael J.
Published: June 2016

If agricultural subsidies are largely capitalized into farmland values through their effect on rental rates, then expanding support for agriculture may not benefit farmers who rent the land they farm. Existing evidence on the incidence of subsidies on cash rental rates is mixed. Identification is obscured by unobserved or imprecisely measured factors that tend to be correlated with subsidies, especially land quality and time‐varying factors like commodity prices and adverse weather events. A problem that has received less attention is the fact that subsidies and land quality on rented land may differ from owned land. Since most farms possess both rented and owned acreage, farm‐level measures of subsidies, land values, and rental rates may bias estimated incidence. Using a new, field‐level data set that, for the first time, precisely links subsidies to land parcels, we show that this bias is considerable: where farm‐level estimates suggest an incidence of 42–49 cents of the marginal subsidy dollar, field‐level estimates from the same farms indicate that landlords capture just 20–28 cents. The size of the farm and the duration of the rental arrangement have substantial effects. Incidence falls by 5–15 cents when doubling total operated acres, and the incidence falls by 0.1–0.8 cents with each additional year of the rental arrangement. Low incidence of subsidies on rents combined with the farm‐size and duration effects suggest that farmers renting land have monopsony power.
MetalPredator: a web server to predict iron–sulfur cluster binding proteomes
Authors: Valasatava Yana , Rosato Antonio , Banci Lucia , Andreini Claudia
Published: June 2016

Motivation: The prediction of the iron–sulfur proteome is highly desirable for biomedical and biological research but a freely available tool to predict iron–sulfur proteins has not been developed yet.

Results: We developed a web server to predict iron–sulfur proteins from protein sequence(s). This tool, called MetalPredator, is able to process complete proteomes rapidly with high recall and precision.

Availability and Implementation: The web server is freely available at: http://metalweb.cerm.unifi.it/tools/metalpredator/.

Contact:  andreini@cerm.unifi.it

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Predicting regulatory variants with composite statistic
Authors: Li Mulin Jun , Pan Zhicheng , Liu Zipeng , Wu Jiexing , Wang Panwen , Zhu Yun , Xu Feng , Xia Zhengyuan , Sham Pak Chung , Kocher Jean-Pierre A. , Li Miaoxin , Liu Jun S. , Wang Junwen
Published: June 2016

Motivation: Prediction and prioritization of human non-coding regulatory variants is critical for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and promoting personalized medicine. Existing tools utilize functional genomics data and evolutionary information to evaluate the pathogenicity or regulatory functions of non-coding variants. However, different algorithms lead to inconsistent and even conflicting predictions. Combining multiple methods may increase accuracy in regulatory variant prediction.

Results: Here, we compiled an integrative resource for predictions from eight different tools on functional annotation of non-coding variants. We further developed a composite strategy to integrate multiple predictions and computed the composite likelihood of a given variant being regulatory variant. Benchmarked by multiple independent causal variants datasets, we demonstrated that our composite model significantly improves the prediction performance.

Availability and Implementation: We implemented our model and scoring procedure as a tool, named PRVCS, which is freely available to academic and non-profit usage at http://jjwanglab.org/PRVCS.

Contact:  wang.junwen@mayo.edu, jliu@stat.harvard.edu, or limx54@gmail.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Accurate self-correction of errors in long reads using de Bruijn graphs
Authors: Salmela Leena , Walve Riku , Rivals Eric , Ukkonen Esko
Published: June 2016

Motivation

New long read sequencing technologies, like PacBio SMRT and Oxford NanoPore, can produce sequencing reads up to 50 000 bp long but with an error rate of at least 15%. Reducing the error rate is necessary for subsequent utilization of the reads in, e.g. de novo genome assembly. The error correction problem has been tackled either by aligning the long reads against each other or by a hybrid approach that uses the more accurate short reads produced by second generation sequencing technologies to correct the long reads.

Results

We present an error correction method that uses long reads only. The method consists of two phases: first, we use an iterative alignment-free correction method based on de Bruijn graphs with increasing length of k-mers, and second, the corrected reads are further polished using long-distance dependencies that are found using multiple alignments. According to our experiments, the proposed method is the most accurate one relying on long reads only for read sets with high coverage. Furthermore, when the coverage of the read set is at least 75×, the throughput of the new method is at least 20% higher.

Availability and Implementation

LoRMA is freely available at http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/lmsalmel/LoRMA/.
Is Odette an Artist? Approaching Female Creativity in Proust’s
À la recherche du temps perdu
Authors: Hartley Julia Caterina
Published: June 2016

This article proposes to broaden our understanding of artistic activity in Proust’s
À la recherche du temps perdu
through the example of Odette Swann’s act of self-fashioning in the conclusion of ‘Autour de Mme Swann’. The article opens with an overview of the relationship between women and the arts in
À la recherche
: Proust’s female characters, apart from actresses, do not express themselves through the canonical arts. But Proust also depicts creative activities of a more domestic nature, not usually considered art forms. This article posits that
À la recherche
destabilizes hierarchical categorizations of what should be considered superior or inferior forms of creative expression. As a result, the passages concerned with Odette’s
toilettes
should be considered as integral parts of the novel’s exploration of the nature of art. Odette’s transformation from the Botticellian ‘pièce de musée’ desired by her husband into a new artefact of her own design is considered in dialogue with Charles Baudelaire’s essay ‘Le Peintre de la vie moderne’. Proust’s Odette can be viewed as a response both to Baudelaire’s suggestion that female adornment is an aesthetic endeavour and to the complex twofold temporality that Baudelaire finds behind both beauty and great art.
Towards Biopolitical Ecocriticism: The Example of the
Manifeste pour les ‘produits’ de haute nécessité
Authors: Hardwick Louise
Published: June 2016

This article undertakes a cultural and political examination of the
Manifeste pour les ‘produits’ de haute nécessité
, a manifesto co-authored by a collective of leading Martiniquan cultural figures, including Patrick Chamoiseau and Édouard Glissant, in response to the general strikes of 2009 in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, and Réunion. These strikes focused metropolitan attention on the high cost of living or ‘la vie chère’. After a discussion of the aesthetics of the manifesto, with particular attention to the dichotomy it develops between
le prosaïque
and
le poétique
and the wider role of culture in challenging neo-liberalism’s global hold which is advanced by the
Manifesto
, this article introduces the new methodology of biopolitical ecocriticism. A biopolitical ecocritical reading of the manifesto, building on the biopolitical work of Foucault through reference to ecocriticism and the philosophical works of Edgar Morin and André Gorz, reveals the fundamental links between global governance and natural life, raising urgent questions about the relationship between language, life, the environment, history, and politics.
Assessment and Management of Root Lesion Nematodes in Montana Wheat Production
Authors: May David B. , Johnson Wendy A. , Zuck Peter C. , Chen Chengci C. , Dyer Alan T.
Published: June 2016

Root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) hinder dryland wheat production worldwide. Montana, a leading U.S. wheat production region, has climatic conditions favorable for Pratylenchus spp. A 2006-2007 statewide soil survey revealed damaging populations of Pratylenchus neglectus, primarily in winter wheat production areas of Montana, whereas P. thornei was not found. Analyses of wheat yields in infested fields revealed negative correlations between yields and spring nematode populations (all P < 0.05 and all R2 > 0.2). Statewide yield losses due to root lesion nematodes were an estimated 12 and 15% for winter wheat in 2006 and 2007, respectively. A subsequent study conducted in 2008 to 2009 revealed significant differences in reproductive success of P. neglectus among seven rotation treatments (P < 0.001). Nematode populations persisted from spring to fall under fallow, barley, pea, and camelina; increased under winter wheat and canola; and decreased under lentil. Populations were sustained through winter following winter wheat and barley but declined following canola, camelina, pea, lentil, and fallow. A screening of 19 barley lines for resistance to P. neglectus revealed significant variation in resistance among entries (P < 0.001), with ‘Harrington’ barley displaying promising levels of resistance. Development of resistant wheat cultivars remains a principal goal in managing this nematode.
Weighted parallel contributions of binocular correlation and match signals to conscious perception of depth
Authors: Fujita Ichiro , Doi Takahiro
Published: June 2016

Binocular disparity is detected in the primary visual cortex by a process similar to calculation of local cross-correlation between left and right retinal images. As a consequence, correlation-based neural signals convey information about false disparities as well as the true disparity. The false responses in the initial disparity detectors are eliminated at later stages in order to encode only disparities of the features correctly matched between the two eyes. For a simple stimulus configuration, a feed-forward nonlinear process can transform the correlation signal into the match signal. For human observers, depth judgement is determined by a weighted sum of the correlation and match signals rather than depending solely on the latter. The relative weight changes with spatial and temporal parameters of the stimuli, allowing adaptive recruitment of the two computations under different visual circumstances. A full transformation from correlation-based to match-based representation occurs at the neuronal population level in cortical area V4 and manifests in single-neuron responses of inferior temporal and posterior parietal cortices. Neurons in area V5/MT represent disparity in a manner intermediate between the correlation and match signals. We propose that the correlation and match signals in these areas contribute to depth perception in a weighted, parallel manner.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Vision in our three-dimensional world’.
Defining the V5/MT neuronal pool for perceptual decisions in a visual stereo-motion task
Authors: Krug Kristine , Curnow Tamara L. , Parker Andrew J.
Published: June 2016

In the primate visual cortex, neurons signal differences in the appearance of objects with high precision. However, not all activated neurons contribute directly to perception. We defined the perceptual pool in extrastriate visual area V5/MT for a stereo-motion task, based on trial-by-trial co-variation between perceptual decisions and neuronal firing (choice probability (CP)). Macaque monkeys were trained to discriminate the direction of rotation of a cylinder, using the binocular depth between the moving dots that form its front and rear surfaces. We manipulated the activity of single neurons trial-to-trial by introducing task-irrelevant stimulus changes: dot motion in cylinders was aligned with neuronal preference on only half the trials, so that neurons were strongly activated with high firing rates on some trials and considerably less activated on others. We show that single neurons maintain high neurometric sensitivity for binocular depth in the face of substantial changes in firing rate. CP was correlated with neurometric sensitivity, not level of activation. In contrast, for individual neurons, the correlation between perceptual choice and neuronal activity may be fundamentally different when responding to different stimulus versions. Therefore, neuronal pools supporting sensory discrimination must be structured flexibly and independently for each stimulus configuration to be discriminated.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Vision in our three-dimensional world'.
Marine Ecosystems as Complex Adaptive Systems: Emergent Patterns, Critical Transitions, and Public Goods
Authors: Hagstrom George I. , Levin Simon A.
Published: June 2016

Complex adaptive systems provides a unified framework for explaining ecosystem phenomena. In the past twenty years, complex adaptive systems has been sharpened from an abstract concept into a series of tools that can be used to solve concrete problems. These advances have been led by the development of new techniques for coupling ecological and evolutionary dynamics, for integrating dynamics across multiple scales of organization, and for using data to infer the complex interactions among different components of ecological systems. Focusing on the development and usage of these new methods, we explore how they have led to an improved understanding of three universal features of complex adaptive systems, emergent patterns; tipping points and critical phenomena; and cooperative behavior. We restrict our attention primarily to marine ecosystems, which provide numerous successful examples of the application of complex adaptive systems. Many of these are currently undergoing dramatic changes due to anthropogenic perturbations, and we take the opportunity to discuss how complex adaptive systems can be used to improve the management of public goods and to better preserve critical ecosystem services.
AFM-assisted investigation of conformal coatings in electronics
Authors: Szocinski Michal
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to presents a new method of investigation of local properties of conformal coatings utilized in microelectronics.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique supplemented with the ability of local electrical measurements, which apart from topography acquisition allows recording of local impedance spectra, impedance imaging and dc current mapping. Potentialities of the proposed AFM-assisted approach have been demonstrated on commercially available epoxy-coated electronic printed boards in as-received state and after six-year service.

Findings

The technique proved to be capable of identification, spatial localization and characterization of conformal coating defects.

Practical implications

The proposed approach can be utilized for assessment of protective film state in such demanding fields as electronics or electrotechnics where the classical techniques of anticorrosion coatings investigation cannot be employed due to small element dimensions and relatively low coating thickness.

Originality/value

The approach adopted by the author is novel in the field of organic coatings investigation.
The corrosion behavior of Cu/Cr containing tube pile steel in half-immersion environment
Authors: Liu X.Q. , Liu Z.L. , Hu J.D. , Hou Z.G. , Tian Q.C. , Wang H.Z.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the corrosion behaviors of tube pile steel with the addition of 0.2 per cent Cu and 0.2 per cent Cu-0.2 per cent Cr in half-immersion environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of tube pile steel with different alloy-elements addition were identified using the polarization curve method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. Corrosion product and its morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

Results indicate that the most serious corrosion occurred in the liquid-air interface zone due to the higher oxygen and water concentration. With the addition of Cu and Cu-Cr, pits were getting smaller and denser, transforming the corrosion type from pitting corrosion to uniform corrosion gradually. Rust layer containing Cu/Cr tended to compact and inhibited the anodic process, while the enrichment of Cu/Cr in rust layer decelerated the dissolution of substrate, thus the expanding of pits was suppressed.

Originality/value

This paper studied the corrosion behaviors of liquid-air interface zone of tube pile steel and verified the transformation of corrosion type with adding Cu, Cu/Cr elements.
Corrosion behaviors of weathering steel 09CuPCrNi welded joints in simulated marine atmospheric environment
Authors: Gong Lihua , Xing Qing , Wang Huihuang
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of welding procedure on the corrosion behaviors of weathering steel 09CuPCrNi in marine atmospheric environment. The corrosion processes of weathering steel 09CuPCrNi and its welded joints in marine atmospheric environment were simulated by a salt spray dry-wet test.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion behaviors of the base metal and the welded joints at corrosion times of 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 weeks were investigated by weight loss test, electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). The corrosion rates, as well as the morphologies and electrochemical characteristics of corrosion products, the distribution of major alloying elements in rust layer were obtained. The influence of welding on the atmospheric corrosion of 09CuPCrNi was studied.

Findings

The results indicate that the corrosion rate of the 09CuPCrNi welded joints decreases gradually with the corrosion time, and the major alloying elements are enriched in the inner rust layer, which are similar to that of the base metal. In the early stage during the corrosion process, the welded joints with inhomogeneous structure show the poorer corrosion resistance than that of the base metal. However, it looks the opposite way around in the late corrosion stage, when the uniform corrosion products with even thickness of the base metal tend to detach from the substrate easier and earlier and resulting in cracks, which increase the corrosion rate comparatively with that of the welded joints.

Originality/value

09CuPCrNi low alloy steel is a kind of typical weathering steel developed in China which is similar to Corten A developed by USA. Nowadays, 09CuPCrNi low alloy steel is widely adopted in many fields which require welding processes. In the past years, the research of weathering steel welded joints was mainly concentrated on the strength, toughness and weldability. Less work has been done to investigate the difference of corrosion evolution and characteristics between the base metal and its welded joints. Thus, the main objective of the present work was to analyze the influence of welding on the atmospheric corrosion.
The corporate governance and social responsibility nexus in the Lebanese banking industry
Authors: Gali Nazha , Hajjar Dima , Jamali Ibrahim
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contrasting views of banks and banking authorities in Lebanon regarding the corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) nexus.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey responses collected from the managers of five Lebanese banks and banking authorities, the authors conduct a qualitative comparative study of the opinions on CG, CSR and CG–CSR nexus.

Findings

The findings of this paper reveal that while a CG culture is well-instituted by the authorities and that some forms of CSR are already practiced by banks, disagreements exist between the Lebanese banks and banking authorities in defining the CG–CSR nexus. While CG is viewed as an all-encompassing concept by the banking authorities, most banks ascribe to the paradigm that CG is component of CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of this paper consists of large banks that have clear CG and CSR agendas. The results, therefore, cannot be generalized for the wider population of Lebanese companies that are characterized by family ownership and non-separation of ownership and control.

Practical implications

This paper informs both managers and policymakers on the differing views of the CSR–CG nexus while also contributing to informing the policy dialogue. Theoretically, this paper sheds light on the CG–CSR nexus in a developing country context.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of research on the CG–CSR nexus in the context of developing countries and for the banking sector in specific. This paper aims to address the gap in the literature by providing an in-depth qualitative examination of the CG, CSR and the CG–CSR nexus in the context of the Lebanese banking sector.
A hybrid of state regulation and self-regulation for remuneration governance in Australia
Authors: Riaz Zahid
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore an alternative approach to regulation for addressing governance problems relating to director and executive remuneration in publicly listed firms. The author investigates the development of hybrid regulatory framework, composed of state regulation and self-regulation, for remuneration governance in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The synthesis of constructs borrowed from agency and institutional theories and its contextual analysis examines the effectiveness of formal (state regulation) and informal (self-regulation) institutions for the development of a hybrid of regulation. Thereafter, the author examines the impact of hybrid regulation on remuneration disclosure behavior in Australia.

Findings

The author finds that improvement in disclosure is primarily driven by the establishment of remuneration committees and separate role of chief executive officer (CEO) and chairperson but weakened by the presence of CEO at remuneration committee and presence of remuneration consultant.

Originality/value

Global crises have called for greater transparency and protection of investors through state regulation alone. However, corporate governance, being a social practice that is shaped by diverse interests, calls for a holistic approach. A useful contribution of this study is that through an in-depth examination into the stages and actors of the government interventions involving the balancing of tension between conflicting forces, it provides insights for developing an effective regulatory hybrid which has greater acceptance for corporate governance. In conclusion, it implies the significance of priming the social arena through active engagement of diverse market forces prior to introducing state regulation.
The impact of IT-based knowledge management systems on internal venturing and innovation: a structural equation modeling approach to corporate performance
Authors: Del Giudice Manlio , Della Peruta Maria Rosaria
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived importance of information technology (IT) as a core factor enabling innovation in knowledge management (KM). The aim is to propose an approach for using the IT tools for KM involved in the design of effective learning applications to help the firms to guide internal venturing development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design at the base of the present research has provided a survey which was conducted on a sample consisting of 187 different companies located in the Italian provinces of Naples and Caserta, from the segments of the electronics, the computer and network systems, the software (SW) development, aimed at deepening connections and influences of the use of IT-based knowledge management system (KMS). Structural equation modeling technique has been performed to get results.

Findings

Consistent with what has been observed in previous studies (Del Giudice and Straub, 2011), the empirical analysis developed has confirmed that 72 per cent of companies surveyed has defined themselves much agree on the ability of KMS for supporting complex phenomena such as internal venturing: both encouraging the individual to become “intrapreneur”; and helping the employee to improve their performances within business processes in which they are likely to be involved.

Originality/value

This paper reviews key research literature issues on IT revolution for KM. With the growth of new and exciting IT opportunities, however, comes the daunting opportunity to experiment interoperable, easy to use, engaging and accessible IT applications that communicate the right information needed to reconfigure innovative mechanisms for entrepreneurism and organizational performance.
Giving back to the community: microbial mechanisms of plant–soil interactions
Authors: Herrera Paredes Sur , Lebeis Sarah L.
Published: June 2016

The role of both plants and soil microbes on ecosystem functioning has been long recognized, but the precise feedback mechanisms between them are more elusive. Definition of these interactions is critical if we aim to achieve an integral understanding of ecosystem functioning, and ultimately explain natural, agricultural and synthetic systems.

Advances in genomic technologies and the development of more appropriate statistical, mathematical and computational frameworks enable researchers to almost fully describe and measure the diversity of microbial communities in soil, rhizosphere and plant tissues. Under the scaffold of community ecology, we integrate the observed patterns of microbial diversity with current mechanistic understanding of plant–microbe mutualistic and pathogenic interactions, and propose a model in which plant microbial communities are shaped by different ecological forces differentially through the plant life cycle.

The same genomic technologies, applied on natural and reconstructed systems, establish that plant genotype has a small, but significant, effect on the microbial community composition in, on and around plant organs. Despite these advances, technical limitations are still important and only a handful of studies exist where a precise genetic element definitively participates in these interactions.

Studies at the field or ecosystem level are dominated by agricultural settings, examining microbial species and communities effects on plant productivity; and conversely, that plant genetics and agricultural practices can potentially impose selective pressures on specific microbes and microbial communities.

Revitalized interest in plant–soil microbial feedbacks requires researchers to systematically pose and evaluate more complex hypotheses with increasingly more realistic microbial settings. Despite the advances reviewed here, most studies focus on one aspect of plant, microbe and soil interactions. Experiments that simultaneously and methodically manipulate multiple components are necessary to establish the ecological principles, and molecular mechanisms, which drive microbially mediated plant–soil interactions. This knowledge will be critical to predict how environmental changes affect microbial and plant diversity, and will guide efforts to improve agricultural and conservation practices.
Do pelvic floor muscle exercises reduce postpartum anal incontinence? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Johannessen HH , Wibe A , Stordahl A , Sandvik L , Mørkved S
Published: June 2016

Objective

To evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) for postpartum anal incontinence (AI).

Design

A parallel two‐armed randomised controlled trial stratified on obstetrical anal sphincter injury with primary sphincter repair and hospital affinity.

Setting

Ano‐rectal specialist out‐patient clinics at two hospitals in Norway.

Population

One hundred and nine postpartum women with AI at baseline.

Methods

The intervention group received 6 months of individual physiotherapy‐led PFME and the control group written information on PFME. Changes in St. Mark's scores and predictors of post‐intervention AI were assessed by independent samples t‐tests and multiple linear regression analyses, respectively. The study was not blind.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was change in AI symptoms on the St. Mark's score from baseline to post‐intervention. Secondary outcome measures were manometry measures of anal sphincter length and strength, endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) defect score and voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Results

There was a significant difference in the reduction of St. Mark's scores from baseline to post‐intervention in favour of the PFME group (−2.1 versus −0.8 points, P = 0.040). No differences in secondary outcome measures were found between groups. Baseline St. Mark's, PFME group affinity and EAUS defect score predicted post‐intervention St. Mark's score in the imputed intention‐to‐treat analyses. The analysis on un‐imputed data showed that women performing weekly PFME improved their AI scores more than women in the control group did.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that individually adapted PFME reduces postpartum AI symptoms.

Tweetable abstract

Performing regular pelvic floor muscle exercises may be an effective treatment for postpartum anal incontinence.
Housing Wealth Effects: Cross‐sectional Evidence from New Vehicle Registrations
Authors: Gillitzer Christian , Wang Jin Cong
Published: June 2016

We investigate the relationship between housing wealth and consumption using postcode‐level variation in house prices and administrative data on new passenger vehicle registrations as a proxy for consumption. We find a robust cross‐sectional relationship, and in our preferred specification estimate an elasticity of new passenger vehicle registrations with respect to gross housing wealth of 0.4–0.5, which based on our preferred calibration implies a marginal propensity to consume for total consumption of less than 0.5 cents. Notably, we find evidence that the relationship between house prices and new vehicle registrations is heterogeneous in income.
Eliciting Consumer WTP for Food Characteristics in a Developing Context: Application of Four Valuation Methods in an African Market
Authors: Alphonce Roselyne , Alfnes Frode
Published: June 2016

We elicit willingness to pay for conventional, organic and/or food‐safety‐inspected tomatoes in a traditional African food market. We identify four elicitation methods that can be conducted with one respondent at a time, and use them in a field setting: the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak mechanism, multiple price lists, multiple price lists with stated quantities, and real‐choice experiments. All four methods give similar results; showing that consumers are willing to pay a premium for organic and food‐safety‐inspected tomatoes. However, the size of the premium is significantly larger when consumers choose between alternatives than when they indicate their reservation price. The new multiple price lists with stated quantities were easy to explain in the busy market setting, gave the respondents the opportunity to determine the amount they wanted to buy, and had valuations in line with the other non‐comparative valuation methods.
Why mutual trust leads to highest performance: the mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment
Authors: Cheung Millissa FY , Wong Chi‐Sum , Yuan Gong Yuan
Published: June 2016

In this study we extend the work of Brower, Lester, Korsgaard and Dineen (2009) on mutual trust by proposing and testing whether and how the interactive effects of trust in the supervisor and trust in the subordinate account for subordinates’ task and contextual performance through the mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment. We tested our mediated moderation model on 182 supervisor−subordinate dyads of three service firms in Hong Kong. Results indicated that fulfillment of psychological contract fully mediated the effects of mutual trust between supervisors and subordinates on subordinates’ task and contextual performance.
Microwave Pasteurization of Cooked Pasta: Effect of Process Parameters on Texture and Quality for Heat‐and‐Eat and Ready‐to‐Eat Meals
Authors: Joyner (Melito) Helen S. , Jones Kari E. , Rasco Barbara A.
Published: June 2016

Pasta presents a challenge to microwave processing due to its unique cooking requirements. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of microwave processing on pasta physicochemical and mechanical properties. Fettuccine pasta was parboiled for selected times, then pasteurized using a Microwave Assisted Pasteurization System and stored under refrigeration for 1 wk. Samples were analyzed using microscopy, mechanical testing, and chemical analyses after storage. While no significant differences were observed for free amylose among fresh samples, samples parboiled for ≤6 min had significantly higher free amylose, suggesting reduced starch retrogradation. Increased heat treatment increased degree of protein polymerization, observed in microstructures as increased gluten strand thickness and network density. Firmness and extensibility increased with increased parboil time; however, extension data indicated an overall weakening of microwave‐treated pasta regardless of total cooking time. Overall, microwave pasteurization was shown to be a viable cooking method for pasta.
Masking The Meaningful
Authors: Kitcher Philip
Published: June 2016

There are obvious reasons why citizens of the nations we mark out as democracies fail to support policies that address catastrophic threats. The current condition of many such nations allows for marked differences between preferences and interests (to the extent that the choice of the label ‘democracy’ can be seriously questioned). Failures in the transmission of crucial information are intensified because of market competition among media sources and widespread difficulties in understanding issues couched in terms of probabilities. Beyond these, however, are prevalent social conditions that interfere with citizens’ abilities to discern their interests. I suggest an account of the notion of interests (and of the related concept of freedom) in terms of an environment that provides opportunities for reflective choice. Such environments are highly vulnerable, and political and economic institutions within ‘democratic’ nations can systematically destroy them. Throughout, I use the example of responses to climate change to illustrate my claims.
Effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation after thoracoscopic pleurodesis for treating non‐small cell lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion and/or pleural dissemination
Authors: Liu Baodong , Liu Lei , Hu Mu , Qian Kun , Li Yuanbo
Published: June 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with palliative thoracoscopic pleurodesis (TP) for malignant pleural effusion and/or pleural disseminated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), diagnosed by thoracoscopy.

Methods

The study was composed of 40 patients with primary NSCLC with malignant pleural effusion and/or pleural dissemination recognized for the first time during thoracoscopic exploration. Twenty patients received TPR (TP plus RFA group), while the remaining 20 patients who underwent TP (TP group) represented the control. We evaluated technical success, safety, initial response rate, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

No procedure‐related deaths or major complications occurred in any of the 22 ablation procedures. Complete response was observed in 15% of patients, partial response in 50%, stable disease in 25%, and progressive disease in 15% of patients. The mean follow‐up was 15.5 months. The PFS at years one, two, and three were 77.5%, 38.8%, and 25.8%, respectively. The OS at years one, two, and three were 77.5%, 41.4%, and 27.6%, respectively. The PFS and OS were longer in the TP‐R group, indicating a better prognosis than that of the patients who underwent TP only (OS 24 vs. 18 months, P = 0.030; PFS 22 vs. 15 months, P = 0.036).

Conclusions

Palliative TP combined with percutaneous RFA is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure in patients with malignant pleural effusion and/or pleural disseminated NSCLC.
Effects of dark chocolate on NOX‐2‐generated oxidative stress in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Loffredo L. , Del Ben M. , Perri L. , Carnevale R. , Nocella C. , Catasca E. , Baratta F. , Ceci F. , Polimeni L. , Gozzo P. , Violi F. , Angelico F.
Published: June 2016

Background

Activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is considered a pathogenetic mechanism determining fibrosis and disease progression in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Polyphenols exert antioxidant action and inhibit NADPH oxidase in humans.

Aim

To analyse the effect of cocoa polyphenols on NADPH oxidase isoform 2 (NOX2) activation, oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis in a population affected by NASH.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study comparing 19 NASH and 19 controls, oxidative stress, as assessed by serum NOX2 activity and F2‐isoprostanes, and hepatocyte apoptosis, as assessed by serum cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) levels, were measured. Furthermore, the 19 NASH patients were randomly allocated in a crossover design to 40 g/day of dark chocolate (>85% cocoa) or 40 g/day of milk chocolate (<35% cocoa), for 2 weeks. sNOX2‐dp, serum isoprostanes and CK‐18 were assessed at baseline and after 2 weeks of chocolate intake.

Results

Compared to controls, NASH patients had higher sNOX2‐dp, serum isoprostanes and CK‐18 levels. A significant difference for treatments was found in subjects with respect to sNOX2‐dp, serum isoprostanes and serum CK‐18. The pairwise comparisons showed that, compared to baseline, after 14 days of dark chocolate intake, a significant reduction in sNOX2‐dp serum isoprostanes and CK‐18 M30 was found. No change was observed after milk chocolate ingestion. A simple linear regression analysis showed that ∆ of sNOX2‐dp was associated with ∆ of serum isoprostanes.

Conclusion

Cocoa polyphenols exert an antioxidant activity via NOX2 down‐regulation in NASH patients.
Effects of corn straw or mixed forage diet on rumen fermentation parameters of lactating cows using a wireless data logger
Authors: Qin Chunfu , Bu Dengpan , Sun Peng , Zhao Xiaowei , Zhang Peihua , Wang Jiaqi
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different forage types on rumen fermentation parameters and profiles using a wireless data logger. Eight lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments with a low forage diet with corn straw (CS) or a high forage diet with mixed forage (MF) as the forage source, respectively. Dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content was 11.3% greater in CS. Dry matter intake and milk fatty acid content decreased upon CS (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH, temperature and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were monitored for 14 weeks. The CS group had significantly higher pH but lower temperature and ORP compared to MF (P < 0.01). With the CS diet regime, pH at the time before morning feeding, rumination and post‐ingestion were significantly higher than those in the MF group (P < 0.05). However, times with the ruminal pH below 6.0 and 5.8 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas ruminal pH below 5.6 tended to be lower (P = 0.07). The results indicated that rumen fermentation parameters were affected by forage types and dietary peNDF content might be predominant in ruminal pH regulation.
More than skin deep. Ten year follow‐up of delayed cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADR)
Authors: Graudins Linda Velta , Ly Jenny , Trubiano Jason , Aung Ar Kar
Published: June 2016

Aims

To determine the gaps in practice regarding appropriate ADR documentation and risk communication for patients diagnosed with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADR).

Methods

This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted using hospital coding and databases to identify inpatients diagnosed with CADR from January 2004 to August 2014. Hospital discharge summaries, ADR reports and pharmacy dispensing records were reviewed for ADR documentation. Patients still living in Australia and who did not opt out of being contacted were invited to be surveyed by telephone to determine their understanding of recommendations, re‐exposure rates and long‐term effects.

Results

Of 85 patients identified, median age was 59 (IQR 44–72) years and 47.1% were male. The most common diagnosis was TENS (49.4%). Ten patients (11.8%) died as inpatients. Of the 81 patients with a drug‐related causality, 47 (58%) had appropriate documentation in all three required medical record platforms. Of the 56 eligible patients, 38 (67.9%) were surveyed; 13% had no information provided upon discharge and 26.3% patients had a mismatch in knowledge of implicated medications. No surveyed patient had a relapse of CADR, but 23.7% had a subsequent unrelated allergic reaction. Thirteen patients (34.2%) reported long‐term effects.

Conclusions

We found gaps in the accuracy of ADR documentation and communication of risk at discharge, which indicated risks to patient safety. Electronic systems are being developed to improve documentation. Written information about CADR is being provided at discharge to improve patient understanding and knowledge.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: diagnostic criteria and therapeutical approaches
Authors: Pagano Livio , Valentini Caterina G. , Grammatico Sara , Pulsoni Alessandro
Published: June 2016

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare haematological malignancy derived from the precursors of plamacytoid dendritic cells, with an aggressive clinical course and high frequency of cutaneous and bone marrow involvement. Neoplastic cells express CD4, CD43 (also termed SPN), CD45RA and CD56 (also termed NCAM1), as well as the plasmacytoid dendritic cell‐associated antigens CD123 (also termed IL3RA), BDCA‐2 (also termed CD303, CLEC4E) TCL1 and CTLA1 (also termed GZMB). The median survival is only a few months as the tumour exhibits a progressive course despite initial response to chemotherapy. The best modality of treatment remains to be defined. Generally, patients receive acute leukaemia‐like induction, according to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)‐type or acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL)‐type regimens. The frequent neuromeningeal involvement indicates systematic pre‐emptive intrathecal chemotherapy in addition to intensive chemotherapy. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly when performed in first remission, may improve the survival. Preliminary data suggest a potential role for immunomodulatory agents and novel targeted drugs. Herein epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of BPDCN will be presented. In detail, this review focuses on the therapeutic aspects of BPDCN, proposing a treatment algorithm for the management of the disease, including induction chemotherapy, allogeneic HSCT and intrathecal prophylaxis at different steps of treatment, according to compliance, biological and clinical characteristics of patients.