bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of association between atherogenic index of plasma and intima‐media thickness of the carotid artery for subclinic atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Yildiz Gürsel , Duman Alptekin , Aydin Hüseyin , Yilmaz Abdulkerim , Hür Ender , Mağden Kemal , Çetin Gülay , Candan Ferhan
Published: April 2013

Incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the patients having chronic kidney disease (CKD) is between 25% and 60%. This increased rate is proposed to be associated with “accelerated atherosclerosis.” Increased carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) is a subclinical atherosclerosis marker. Small‐dense low‐density lipoprotein particles are a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis. It was shown that atherogenic index of plasma (AIP = log(TG/HDL‐c)) is correlated with size of the lipoprotein particles. We investigated the correlation between AIP and CIMT which is a subclinical atherosclerosis marker, in hemodialysis (HD) patients. A total of 62 persons with 31 patients under HD therapy and 31 volunteers were included in the study. In all the participants, CIMT was measured and AIP were calculated. AIP and CIMT values of the participants were compared with blood pressures, lipid profiles and the other risk factors. AIP (0.39 ± 0.32) and CIMT (0.57 ± 0.13) were found significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (0.04 ± 0.36 and 0.45 ± 0.119, respectively); (P = 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between AIP and increased CIMT in the patient group (P = 0.0001, r = 0.430). Among the lipid parameters, the strongest correlation was found between CIMT and AIP. We demonstrated the significant increase of AIP and CIMT in HD patients. A correlation was found between AIP and CIMT. AIP was found to show a correlation with a greater number of risk factors, both classical and CKD specific, than CIMT. These data suggest that AIP might be a method which can be used both in diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis and in deceleration processes of its progression.
Validation of a new panel of automated chemiluminescence assays for von Willebrand factor antigen and activity in the screening for von Willebrand disease
Authors: Verfaillie C. J. , De Witte E. , Devreese K. M. J.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) largely depends on the results of von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen and activity. Recently, a new automated VWF:RCo assay on Acustar was developed. This assay panel for VWD also contains a new antigen (VWF:Ag) test. In this study, both chemiluminescence tests (HemosIL VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo) were evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Imprecision, limit of detection (LOD), and linearity were evaluated. Method comparison (with VWF:Ag latex assay and VWF:RCo by aggregometry) was performed and diagnostic performance of the new test panel was examined.

Results

The imprecision was 7%, and the LOD was 0.2 IU/dL for both assays. Dilution series showed a large linearity for both HemosIL VWF:Ag (0–300 IU/dL) and VWF:RCo (0–200 IU/dL) and method comparison studies revealed good agreement with the currently used VWD panel. The new panel showed adequate diagnostic performance: diagnostic sensitivity was 100% and diagnostic specificity 82% compared with the VWF:Ag latex assay and VWF:RCo by aggregometry. In addition, the new HemosIL Acustar VWF:Ag and HemosIL Acustar VWF:RCo are more sensitive for VWD than the currently used assays.

Conclusions

This new VWD test panel has adequate laboratory characteristics and allows fully automated and simultaneous analysis of the VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo.
Live or let die: posttranscriptional gene regulation in cell stress and cell death
Authors: Thomas Marshall P. , Lieberman Judy
Published: April 2013

Studies of the regulation of gene expression historically focused on transcription. However, during stress and apoptosis, profound gene expression changes occur more rapidly and globally than is possible by regulating transcription. Posttranscriptional changes in mRNA processing and translation in response to diverse stresses shut down most protein translation to conserve energy and lead to rapid remodeling of the proteome to promote repair. Pre‐mRNA splicing and mRNA stability are fundamentally altered under some stress conditions. Stress pathways coordinate a cytoprotective repair response, while simultaneously initiating signaling that can ultimately trigger cell death. How the cell mediates the decision between repair and apoptosis is largely not understood. In some stresses, microRNAs may tip the balance. Here, we review what is known about posttranscriptional gene regulation during stress, focusing on what is still unknown and how new technologies might be used to understand what changes are most physiologically important in different forms of stress and death.
The emerging role of microRNAs in regulating immune and inflammatory responses in the lung
Authors: Foster Paul S. , Plank Maximilian , Collison Adam , Tay Hock L. , Kaiko Gerard E. , Li JingJing , Johnston Sebastian L. , Hansbro Philip M. , Kumar Rakesh K. , Yang Ming , Mattes Joerg
Published: April 2013

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many of these disorders can be attributed to abnormal immune responses to environmental stimuli and infections. As such, understanding the innate host defense pathways and their regulatory systems will be critical to developing new approaches to treatment. In this regard, there is increasing interest in the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of pulmonary innate host defense responses and the inflammatory sequelae in respiratory disease. In this review, we discuss recent findings that indicate an important role for miRNAs in the regulation in mouse models of various respiratory diseases and in host defense against bacterial and viral infection. We also discuss the potential utility and limitations of targeting these molecules as anti‐inflammatory strategies and also as a means to improve pathogen clearance from the lung.
Graphene‐Supported Ce–SnS2 Nanocomposite as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Qiufen , Huang Ying , Miao Juan , Zhao Yang , Zhang Wei , Wang Yan
Published: April 2013

A graphene‐supported Ce–SnS2 (Ce–SnS2/graphene) nanocomposite has been synthesized via a hydrothermal route. Structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the composites were studied by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman, XPS, TGA, and electrochemical measurements. The Ce–SnS2 crystal particles with a flower‐like structure were distributed on the graphene sheets (GNS). The particle sizes of each petal are in the range 50–100 nm with clear lattice fringes. The atomic ratio of Sn, S, Ce, C, and O is estimated to be 1:2:0.05:3.11:0.64 and the content of Ce–SnS2 composite is 80 wt.% in the as‐synthesized sample. The Ce–SnS2/graphene composite exhibits high initial discharge capacity (1638.3 mAh/g at 0.5 C), high capacity retention (707 mAh/g at 0.5 C after 50 cycles), and good rate capability due to the synergy effect between Ce–SnS2 nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets. The superior performance is ascribed to the presence of graphene keeping the structure stable.
Age and race differences in racial stereotype awareness and endorsement
Authors: Copping Kristine E. , Kurtz‐Costes Beth , Rowley Stephanie J. , Wood Dana
Published: April 2013

Age and race differences in race stereotype awareness and endorsement were examined in 382 Black and White fourth, sixth, and eighth graders. Youths reported their own beliefs and their perceptions of adults' beliefs about racial differences in ability in two domains: academics and sports. Children's own endorsement of race stereotypes was highly correlated with their perceptions of adults' race stereotypes. Blacks reported stronger traditional sports stereotypes than Whites, and 4th‐ and 6th‐grade Blacks reported roughly egalitarian academic stereotypes. At every grade level, Whites reported academic stereotypes that favored Whites, and 6th‐ and 8th‐grade Whites reported sports stereotypes that favored Blacks. Results support the tenets of status theory and have implications for identity development and achievement motivation in adolescents.
Responsibility judgments and responses to people living with AIDS in China: testing an attributional perspective
Authors: Zhang Aiqing , Rivkin Inna , An Na
Published: April 2013

With one in five individuals in the world living in China, there is an urgent need for HIV prevention and understanding HIV/AIDS stigma in China. This study applies an attributional analysis to Chinese students' responses to AIDS, examining effects of attributions of causal controllability for HIV infection on reactions to people living with HIV/AIDS. Students (n = 309) read one of two scenarios describing an AIDS patient and manipulating controllability of AIDS onset. Controllability of AIDS onset contributed to responsibility judgments, less positive affect, and lower desires to personally interact with the patient. Responsibility judgments predicted interaction wishes directly and indirectly through positive affect. Results provide support for Weiner's interpersonal attributional model. Implications for responses to AIDS in China are discussed.
Whole body application of a potent topical corticosteroid for bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Terra J.B. , Potze W.J.B. , Jonkman M.F.
Published: April 2013

Background

Current standard of treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is systemic oral corticosteroids (CS). However, significant iatrogenic morbidity and mortality is reported. Studies have shown that topical potent CS is safer than oral prednisolone in BP.

Objectives

To examine the local and systemic efficacy and adverse effects of whole body clobetasol propionate cream application in patients with mild or severe BP.

Methods

Open, clinical records‐based retrospective analysis of a series of mild (n = 40) and severe (n = 34) BP patients, treated with ranging doses (20–40 g/day) clobetasol propionate cream. For assessing systemic effects, we observed in selected cases eosinophil count and morning urine cortisol level.

Results

Patients with mild BP achieved in 90.0% disease control and in severe BP in 73.5%. Complete remission was achieved in mild BP in 64.1% (35.9% off therapy and 28.2% on therapy) vs. 41.2% in severe BP (5.9% off therapy and 35.3% on therapy). Local adverse effects were mainly skin atrophy (14.9%) and purpura (5.4%). Systemic adverse effects were rare (n = 3) and consisted of deep vein thrombosis, hypertrichosis and adrenocortical insufficiency. Systemic effect was witnessed by immediate drop of eosinophil count, and decrease in the morning urine cortisol in selected cases.

Conclusions

Topical whole body application of clobetasol propionate cream as monotherapy can be effective and safe in the induction phase of treatment in mild BP and severe BP. When relapse occurs adjuvant systemic medication is mandatory. Potent CS works locally and systemically against BP, at the price of significant local and less significant systemic adverse effects.
Clinical Experience of Modified Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging Protocol for Lesion Detection in Transient Global Amnesia: An 8‐Year Large‐Scale Clinical Study
Authors: Kim Jungeun , Kwon Yooseok , Yang Youngsoon , Jang Il Mi , Chang YoungHee , Park Young Ho , Jang Jae Won , Kim Jae Hyoung , Kim SangYun
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The detection rate of typical transient global amnesia (TGA) lesions on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) can be improved, up to 85% with optimal DWI parameters and imaging time. There is limited evidence that these findings are similar to those observed in large‐scale consecutive patients with TGA in clinical practice.

METHODS

Patients with clinically diagnosed TGA underwent magnetic resonance imaging studies, consecutively, with three sets of DWI parameters (standard clinical DWI protocols, the TGA DWI protocol I and the TGA DWI protocol II) in which the resolution, slice thickness, and the time interval between symptom onset of DWI were varied over an 8‐year period.

RESULTS

TGA lesion detection rates were up to 88% with a modified TGA DWI protocol. The lesion detection rate was the highest using TGA DWI protocol I, with b = 3,000 s/mm2, a slice thickness of 3 mm, and performed on the third day after symptom onset, and TGA DWI protocol II, with b = 2,000 s/mm2 and a slice thickness of 2 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

A modified TGA DWI protocols for detecting TGA lesions are useful in large‐scale clinical practice for confirming the diagnosis of TGA patients with clinical findings.
Medical management of paediatric burn injuries: Best practice part 2
Authors: D'Cruz Rachel , Martin Hugh CO , Holland Andrew JA
Published: April 2013

Burns remain a leading cause of injury in the paediatric population in Australia despite efforts in prevention. Advances in surgical management include novel debridement methods and blood conserving techniques. Patients with severe burns (>20%) remain significantly more complex to manage as a result of extensive alterations in metabolic processes. There appears increasing evidence to support the use of pharmacological modulators of the hyper‐metabolic state in these patients. The management of a child with burns involves acute, subacute and long‐term planning. This holistic approach seems optimally co‐ordinated by a Burns Unit in which each discipline required to provide care to these children in order to achieve optimal outcomes is represented.
Inoculum Density Relationships for Infection of Some Eastern US Forest Species by Phytophthora ramorum
Authors: Tooley Paul W. , Browning Marsha , Leighty Robert M.
Published: April 2013

Our objectives were to establish inoculum density relationships between P. ramorum and selected hosts using detached leaf and whole‐plant inoculations. Young plants and detached leaves of Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak), Q. rubra (Northern red oak), Acer rubrum (red maple), Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) and Rhododendron ‘Cunningham's White’ were dip‐inoculated with varying numbers of P. ramorum sporangia, and the total number of diseased and healthy leaves recorded following incubation at 20°C and 100% relative humidity. Calibration threshold estimates for obtaining 50% infected leaves based on linear analysis ranged from 36 to 750 sporangia/ml for the five hosts. Half‐life (LD50) estimates (the number of spores for which the per cent of diseased leaves reaches 50% of its total) from asymptotic regression analysis ranged from 94 to 319 sporangia/ml. Statistically significant differences (P = 0.0076) were observed among hosts in per cent infection in response to increased inoculum density. Inoculum threshold estimates based on studies with detached leaves were comparable to those obtained using whole plants. The results provide estimates of inoculum levels necessary to cause disease on these five P. ramorum hosts and will be useful in disease prediction and for development of pest risk assessments.
Information in Launch Messages: Stimulating the Adoption of New High‐Tech Consumer Products
Authors: Talke Katrin , Snelders Dirk
Published: April 2013

This research investigates how the adoption of new high‐tech consumer products can be stimulated by communicating product‐related information in launch messages. In an initial pilot study, the authors find that for making an adoption decision, consumers require different types of product‐related information, i.e., technical information, financial information, and personal/social information. In three experiments, the authors then examine how adoption intention and behavior is affected by communicating these information types. The first experiment shows that communicating personal/social information results in the highest adoption intention. This effect is moderated by the way in which the information is represented in the message. Adoption intention is highest when personal/social information is communicated in an abstract manner, while financial and technical information are most effective when communicated in a concrete manner. The second experiment shows that the effects hold for actual adoption behavior. In addition, visual imagination is found to mediate these effects. In the last experiment, visual imagination is directly manipulated by thematic priming and has a direct effect on adoption behavior. The results emphasize that activating the imagination in a product‐relevant situation stimulates adoption behavior.
Burnout among therapists working with persons with autism after the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy: a longitudinal comparative study
Authors: Valenti M. , La Malfa G , Tomassini A. , Masedu F. , Tiberti S. , Sorge G.
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary

This study was the first attempt to evaluate burnout occurrence in mental health therapists working in a highly exposed setting, characterized by prolonged exposure to an autism‐related work frame and a post‐earthquake aftermath.

Results strongly suggest that autism therapists exposed to a disruptive earthquake are at higher risk of burnout than caregivers working in typical conditions. In presence of high‐risk exposures, burnout occurs rapidly (1 year) with respect to times to event described in the literature (4 years or later).

Efforts are required to help mental health workers, including psychiatric nurses, to cope with the devastating situation determined by an earthquake. Assuming that return to good work conditions, supervision support, and natural adaptation are plausible determinants in reducing burnout risk, a periodical monitoring of mental health status is recommended in mental health works.

The aim of this study was to follow up the occurrence of burnout in therapists of children and adolescents with autism experiencing the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, and to discuss implications for burnout prevention after disasters. A longitudinal study was carried out, measuring burnout outcomes according to the Maslach Burnout Inventory in 11 exposed and 53 unexposed therapists. Staff in the exposed group appeared to report significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion after 1 and 2 years of follow‐up than the unexposed staff. As to lack of personal accomplishment, the exposed groups shows increasingly lower scores with respect to the unexposed group, with personal accomplishment (PA) values falling from 41.0 [standard deviation (SD) 3.7] to 33.4 (SD 4.1) after 2 years, whereas PA values remain stable over time in the unexposed group. As to depersonalization, data show no significant difference between groups. Burnout occurrence is induced by the exceptional stressors related with natural disasters like earthquakes. Efforts are required to help mental health workers, including psychiatric nurses, to cope with the devastating situation determined by an earthquake. A periodical monitoring of mental health status is recommended in mental health works, especially with regard to help with post‐traumatic stress disorder, coping with work and therapeutic relationships, family and social life and economic impact.
Nerve Injury-Induced Protein 1 (Ninjurin-1) is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cavernous Nerve Injury-Induced Erectile Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: Yin Guo Nan , Kim Woo Jean , Jin HaiRong , Kwon MiHye , Song KangMoon , Choi Min Ji , Park JinMi , Das Nando Dulal , Kwon KiDong , Batbold Dulguun , Kim KyuWon , Ryu JiKan , Suh JunKyu
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer can not only induce cavernous nerve injury (CNI) but also result in structural changes in the cavernous tissues. Nerve injuryinduced protein 1, Ninjurin1 (Ninj1), is known to be involved in neuroinflammatory processes and to be related to vascular regression during the embryonic period.

Aim

The study aims to determine whether and how Ninj1 neutralizing antibody (Ninj1Ab) restores erectile function in mice with CNI.

Methods

Twelveweekold C57BL/6J mice were used and distributed into four groups: sham operation group and CNI groups receiving a single intracavernous injection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) control antibody, lowdose Ninj1Ab (1.0 μg/20 μL), or highdose Ninj1Ab (2.5 μg/20 μL).

Main Outcome Measures

One week after bilateral cavernous nerve crush, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The penis was harvested for histologic examinations and Western blot analysis.

Results

The cavernous expression of Ninj1 protein was upregulated up to 7 days after CNI and returned to baseline levels thereafter. Local delivery of Ninj1Ab significantly increased penile neuronal nitric oxide synthase and neurofilament contents, induced cavernous endothelial proliferation and phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and decreased endothelial cell apoptosis in the CNI mice by upregulating angiopoietin1 and downregulating angiopoietin2. Highdose Ninj1Ab induced profound restoration of erectile function in the CNI mice (91% of sham control values), whereas lowdose Ninj1Ab elicited partial improvement.

Conclusion

The dual neurotrophic and angiogenic effects of Ninj1 blockade may provide a good opportunity for treating erectile dysfunction resulting from radical prostatectomy.
Physicochemical Interpretation of Acid‐Base Abnormalities in 54 Adult Horses with Acute Severe Colitis and Diarrhea
Authors: Gomez D.E. , Arroyo L.G. , Stämpfli H.R. , Cruz L.E. , Oliver O.J.
Published: April 2013

Background

The quantitative effect of strong electrolytes,pCO2, and plasma protein concentration in determining plasmapHand bicarbonate concentrations can be demonstrated with the physicochemical approach. Plasma anion gap (AG) and strong ion gap (SIG) are used to assess the presence or absence of unmeasured anions.

Hypotheses

The physicochemical approach is useful for detection and explanation of acid‐base disorders in horses with colitis.AGandSIGaccurately predict hyperlactatemia in horses with colitis.

Animals

Fifty‐four horses with acute colitis and diarrhea.

Methods

Retrospective study.Physicochemical variables were calculated for each patient.ROCcurves were generated to analyze sensitivity and specificity ofAGandSIGfor predicting hyperlactatemia.

Results

Physicochemical interpretation of acid‐base events indicated that strong ion metabolic acidosis was present in 39 (72%) horses. Mixed strong ion acidosis and decreased weak acid (hypoproteinemia) alkalosis was concomitantly present in 17 (30%) patients. The sensitivity and specificity of AG and SIG to predict hyperlactatemia (L‐lactate > 5mEq/L) were 100% (95% CI, 66.4–100;P < .0001) and 84.4% (95% CI, 70.5–93.5P < .0001). Area under the ROC curve for AG and SIG for predicting hyperlactatemia was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.86–0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.83–0.99), respectively.

Conclusion and Clinical relevance

These results emphasize the importance of strong ions and proteins in the maintenance of the acid‐base equilibria.AGandSIGwere considered good predictors of clinically relevant hyperlactatemia.
Systemic, Renal, and Colonic Effects of Intravenous and Enteral Rehydration in Horses
Authors: Lester G.D. , Merritt A.M. , Kuck H.V. , Burrow J.A.
Published: April 2013

Background

Intravenous (IV) and intragastric (IG) administration of fluid therapy are commonly used in equine practice, but there are limited data on the systemic, renal, and enteric effects.

Hypothesis

IVfluid administration will increase intestinal and fecal hydration in a rate‐dependent manner after hypertonic dehydration, but will be associated with significant urinary water and electrolyte loss. Equivalent volumes ofIGplain water will result in comparatively greater intestinal hydration with less renal loss.

Animals

Six Thoroughbred geldings.

Methods

Experimental study. 6 by 6 Latin square design investigating constant rateIVadministration at 50, 100, and 150 mL/kg/d over 24 hours in horses dehydrated by water deprivation. Equivalent volumes ofIGplain water were administered by 4 bolus doses over 24 hours.

Results

Water deprivation resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of fecal water, and increases in serum and urine osmolality.IVfluids administered at 100 and 150 mL/kg/d restored fecal hydration, but increasing the rate from 100 to 150 mL/kg/d did not confer any additional intestinal benefit, but did result in significantly greater urine production and sodium loss. Equivalent 24‐hour volumes of plain water resulted in greater intestinal water and less urine output.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

IVpolyionic isotonic fluids can be used to hydrate intestinal contents in situations where enteral fluids are impractical.IVfluids administered at three times maintenance are no more efficacious and might be associated with adverse physiological findings after withdrawal. Bolus dosing ofIGwater can be used to restore intestinal water with minimal adverse effects.
Benign Cephalic Histiocytosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Patsatsi Aikaterini , Kyriakou Aikaterini , Sotiriadis Dimitrios
Published: April 2013

Benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) is a rare type of non‐Langerhans histiocytic disorder, usually presenting with small, yellow‐red or yellow‐brown, asymptomatic papules, located mostly on the head and neck of infants and young children. The histopathologic hallmark of BCH is a well‐circumscribed histiocytic infiltrate in the superficial to mid‐reticular dermis. BCH is a self‐healing disorder, with the eruptions regressing spontaneously in most cases; therefore no treatment is required. We present a case of BCH in a 7‐month‐old boy who was referred to our department with multiple, asymptomatic, yellow‐red papules located on his face, and we review 55 cases published in the English‐language literature in an effort to better describe and understand this unusual entity.
Results of single‐center screening for chronic hepatitis E in children after liver transplantation and report on successful treatment with ribavirin
Authors: Junge Norman , Pischke Sven , Baumann Ulrich , Goldschmidt Imeke , Manns Michael , Wedemeyer Heiner , Pfister Eva‐Doreen
Published: April 2013

RNA screening for HEV in 22 liver‐transplanted children with chronic graft hepatitis out of a cohort of 267 liver‐transplanted children detected a single patient with chronic HEV infection. Although this patient remained viremic for 33 months, anti‐HEV‐IgG was not detectable with MP assay but with Wantai assay. We present the first case of successful ribavirin therapy in an immunosuppressed child with chronic HEV infection. In conclusion, chronic HEV infection in immunosuppressed children may not be detectable employing serological assays. Therefore, the most reliably screening method is screening for HEV‐RNA. Chronic HEV infection in children can successfully be treated with ribavirin.
Hierarchical Screening for Capacity Allocation in Supply Chains: The Role of Distributors
Authors: Chen Ying‐Ju , Deng Mingcherng , Huang Ke‐Wei
Published: April 2013

We consider a two‐stage principal–agent screening environment in a decentralized supply chain with retailers, distributors, and a supplier. The retailers possess private information regarding their local market profitabilities. The distributors can partially observe the retailers' profitabilities and are heterogeneous with regard to the precision of that information. The supplier determines the level of production, but knows neither the local market profitabilities nor the precision of the distributors' information. The supplier first allocates finished products to distributors, and the distributors then contract with local retailers with a capacity constraint. We find that due to the distributors' superior information, the quantity distortion on the retailers' side is mitigated, and the upstream information asymmetry subsequently affects the quantity allocation among the downstream retailers. The supplier may not benefit from contracting with the distributors. In addition, no distributor is excluded based on the heterogeneity of the information precision, even though some distributors do not have better information than the supplier. In the numerical examples, we further analyze how the local market heterogeneity and inventory costs affect the capacity allocation, the retailers' payoffs, and the supply chain profits. We document some counter‐intuitive quantity allocation rules that arise from the distributors' information advantage.
Economic and Environmental Assessment of Remanufacturing Strategies for Product + Service Firms
Authors: Ovchinnikov Anton , Blass Vered , Raz Gal
Published: April 2013

This article provides a data‐driven assessment of economic and environmental aspects of remanufacturing for product + service firms. A critical component of such an assessment is the issue of demand cannibalization. We therefore present an analytical model and a behavioral study which together incorporate demand cannibalization from multiple customer segments across the firm's product line. We then perform a series of numerical simulations with realistic problem parameters obtained from both the literature and discussions with industry executives. Our findings show that remanufacturing frequently aligns firms' economic and environmental goals by increasing profits and decreasing the total environmental impact. We show that in some cases, an introduction of a remanufactured product leads to no changes in the new products' prices (positioning within the product line), implying a positive demand cannibalization and a decrease in the environmental impact; this provides support for a heuristic approach commonly used in practice. Yet in other cases, the firm can increase profits by decreasing the new product's prices and increasing sales—a negative effective cannibalization. With negative cannibalization the firm's total environmental impact often increases due to the growth in new production. However, we illustrate that this growth is nearly always sustainable, as the relative environmental impacts per unit and per dollar rarely increase.
Intergenerational Mobility in the United States and Great Britain: A Comparative Study of Parent–Child Pathways
Authors: Blanden Jo , Haveman Robert , Smeeding Timothy , Wilson Kathryn
Published: April 2013

We build on cross‐national research to examine the relationships underlying estimates of relative intergenerational mobility in the United States and Great Britain using harmonized longitudinal data and focusing on men. We examine several pathways by which parental status is related to offspring status, including education, labor market attachment, occupation, marital status, and health, and perform several sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of our results. We decompose differences between the two nations into that part attributable to the strength of the relationship between parental income and the child's characteristics and the labor market return to those child characteristics. We find that the relationships underlying these intergenerational linkages differ in systematic ways between the two nations. In the United States, primarily because of the higher returns to education and skills, the pathway through offspring education is relatively more important than it is in Great Britain; by contrast, in Great Britain the occupation pathway forms the primary channel of intergenerational persistence.
Identification of A*29:47, previously typed as A*29:19, in a Mexican bone marrow donor from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico
Authors: Alaez C. , Munguía A. , Flores H.‐A. , Gorodezky C.
Published: April 2013

The A*29:47 allele was identified in a Mexican Mestizo unrelated bone marrow donor from the state of Hidalgo.
Safety, Sensitivity and “Distant” Epistemic Luck
Authors: Freitag Wolfgang
Published: April 2013

Prominent instances of anti‐luck epistemology, in particular sensitivity and safety accounts of knowledge, introduce a modal condition on the pertinent belief in terms of closeness or similarity of possible worlds. Very roughly speaking, a belief must continue to be true in close possibilities in order to qualify as knowledge. Such closeness‐accounts derive much support from their (alleged) ability to eliminate standard instances of epistemic luck as they appear in prominent Gettier‐type examples. The article argues that there are new Gettier‐type examples which are grounded in “distant” epistemic luck. It is demonstrated that sensitivity and safety theories cannot handle such examples.
Variation of motivation between weekday and weekend donors and their association with distance from blood donation centres
Authors: Poon C. M. , Lee S. S. , Lee C. K.
Published: April 2013

Background

Maintenance of an effective pool of regular donors is important for protecting public health. In planning the development of blood donation services, motivation for repeat donation would need to be considered in context of the location of blood donation centres in the community.

Study Design and Methods

Donors giving blood in January 2012 were invited to participate in a cross‐sectional study by completing an anonymous online questionnaire. Residence and work/school locations were collected together with demographics and donation histories. Motivated donors were compared with less motivated ones in terms of their timing of blood donation and the spatial relationship with the donor centres.

Results

A total of 3744 questionnaires were completed, representing a response rate of 16·4%. Weekday centre donors were less likely to have returned for blood donation within a year [odds ratio (OR) = 0·79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·65–0·96] and intend to donate in the following 6 months (OR = 0·69, 95% CI = 0·49–0·97). Living further away from the donor centres gave a higher OR for giving blood during weekdays among motivated centre donors, but such association was absent among less motivated centre donors. Regardless of the level of donors' motivation for blood donation, fewer weekday donations were made if the distance between location of school or workplace and donor centre increased.

Conclusion

Blood donation behaviour was associated with both the accessibility of donor centres and daily commuting patterns of the residents. Motivated centre donors were making more donations, regardless of the distance.
Protecting the Heart and Mind from Stress
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: April 2013

Through independent mechanisms, TLR9 increases stress tolerance in nonimmune cells while initiating inflammation in immune cells after tissue injury.
Diagnosis and management of feline hyperthyroidism
Authors: Mardell Ellie
Published: April 2013

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder of cats, and the diagnosis of a feline patient with an overactive thyroid is routine in general practice these days. Despite the familiar presentation, the ever‐increasing appreciation of sequelae such as cardiac disease and hypertension, and possible comorbid conditions such as chronic kidney disease, make the disease more interesting and increases the complexity of its management. This article discusses the clinical presentation and diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, and the various management options including surgery and radioactive iodine treatment, or long‐term medical management using anti‐thyroid drugs.
Practical and effective management of foot lameness in dairy herds
Authors: Atkinson Owen
Published: April 2013

Dairy cow lameness is at an unacceptably high level in the UK and has been identified by the Farm Animal Welfare Council as an important area for improvement. For the veterinary practitioner, it can be a daunting and difficult task to establish a foothold in this important area of herd health. This article describes some of the elements of a successful approach to lameness reduction and briefly describes the DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme, which is an example of an advisory and training package that can be offered as a fee‐earning service to dairy clients by suitably trained veterinary surgeons.
Choosing the right drug 2. Anticonvulsants used for second‐ line therapy, other anticonvulsants and alternative therapies
Authors: Rusbridge Clare
Published: April 2013

Many epileptic patients will have satisfactory seizure control using the first‐line anticonvulsants phenobarbital and/or bromide, as discussed in the first article of this series (In Practice, March 2013, vol 35, pp 106‐113). However, some patients will continue to have an unacceptable number or severity of seizures despite adequate drug serum concentrations. Some patients have a compromised quality of life because of the adverse effects of their medication. In this article, the anticonvulsant drugs used for second‐line therapy are discussed, together with other anticonvulsants and alternative therapies.
Predicting the substituent and solvent effects on the radical scavenger activity of ethoxyquin derivatives: a DFT/B3LYP study
Authors: Najafi Mohammad , Najafi Meysam , Najafi Malihe
Published: April 2013

The radical scavenger activity of X1- and X2-substituted ethoxyquin derivatives has been investigated in the gas phase and water. The reaction enthalpies of radical scavenger activity of the studied derivatives have been calculated and compared with corresponding values of ethoxyquin. Results show that electron-withdrawing group substituents increase the bond dissociation enthalpy and ionization potential, while electron-donating group substituents cause a rise in the proton affinity. The ethoxyquin derivatives with the lowest bond dissociation enthalpy, ionization potential, and proton affinity values were identified as the compounds with high radical scavenger activity. Results show that the substituents in the X1 position have high potential for synthesis of novel ethoxyquin derivatives. Results show that ethoxyquin derivatives can process their protective role via hydrogen atom transfer and sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanisms in the gas phase and solvent, respectively. The calculated reaction enthalpies of the substituted ethoxyquins have linear dependences with Hammett constants and energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital that can be utilized in the selection of suitable substituents for the synthesis of novel radical scavengers based on ethoxyquin.
Amniotic Pocket Changes Following Wu-Ling-San Treatment for Gestational Edema
Authors: Makimoto Fukashi , Akiyama Jitsuo , Sato Kenichiro , Watanabe Kazushi , Ushiroyama Takahisa
Published: April 2013

To determine whether the maternal administration of Wu-Ling-San during pregnancy affects amniotic fluid volume, we measured the fluid levels in pregnant women who either had or hadn't been administrated Wu-Ling-San. We investigated 504 amniotic pocket (AP) measurements in 61 healthy pregnant women, 437 AP measurements in 71 untreated pregnant women who exhibited pretibial edema during pregnancy, and 82 AP measurements in 21 pregnant women who exhibited pretibial edema during pregnancy and were treated with Wu-Ling-San therapy (Goreisan, 7.5 g/day). Among the 3 groups, differences in AP were not observed prior to 35 weeks of gestation. After 36 weeks of gestation, AP measures were significantly higher in the Wu-Ling-San-treated group (3.78 ± 0.81 cm), compared to the untreated group (3.34 ± 0.79 cm) (p = 0.0036). We identified no significant AP differences between the Wu-Ling-San-treated and control groups. Our findings indicate that the administration of Wu-Ling-San to pregnant women with pretibial edema can prevent subsequent reductions in amniotic fluid volume. Thus, Wu-Ling-San may be helpful in the treatment of oligoamnios.
ACCELERATION OF PARTICLES AS A UNIVERSAL PROPERTY OF ERGOSPHERE
Authors: ZASLAVSKII O. B.
Published: April 2013

We show that recent observation made by Grib and Pavlov, [A. A. Grib and Yu. V. Pavlov, Europhys. Lett.101, 20004 (2013)] for the Kerr black hole is valid in the general case of rotating axially symmetric metric. Namely, collision of two particles in the ergosphere leads to indefinite growth of the energy in the center-of-mass frame, provided the angular momentum of one of the two particles is negative and increases without limit for a fixed energy at infinity. General approach enabled us to elucidate why the role of the ergosphere is crucial in this process.
ON THE BOUNDEDNESS OF AN ITERATION INVOLVING POINTS ON THE HYPERSPHERE
Authors: BINDER THOMAS , MARTINETZ THOMAS
Published: April 2013

For a finite set of points X on the unit hypersphere in ℝd we consider the iteration ui+1 = ui + χi, where χi is the point of X farthest from ui. Restricting to the case where the origin is contained in the convex hull of X we study the maximal length of ui. We give sharp upper bounds for the length of ui independently of X. Precisely, this upper bound is infinity for d ≥ 3 and [Formula: see text] for d = 2.
SHELL-CROSSINGS IN GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
Authors: JOSHI PANKAJ S. , SARAYKAR RAVINDRA V.
Published: April 2013

An important issue in the study of continual gravitational collapse of a massive matter cloud in general relativity is whether shell-crossing singularities develop as the collapse evolves. We examine this here to show that for any spherically symmetric collapse in general, till arbitrarily close to the final singularity, there is always a finite neighborhood of the center in which there are no shell-crossings taking place. It follows that in order to study the visibility or otherwise of the ultra-dense region close to the final singularity of collapse where physical radius of the matter cloud shrinks to an arbitrarily small value, we can always consider without loss of generality a collapsing ball of finite comoving radius in which there are no shell-crossings.
RÉNYI FUNCTION FOR MULTIFRACTAL RANDOM FIELDS
Authors: LEONENKO NIKOLAI N. , SHIEH NARN-RUEIH
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the basic scheme and the log-normal, log-gamma and log-negative-inverted-gamma scenarios to establish the Rényi function for infinite products of homogeneous isotropic random fields on Rn; in particular for random fields on the sphere in R3. The motivation of this paper is the test of (non-)Gaussianity on the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) in Cosmology. In the presentation, we need to employ spherical harmonics for some concrete computations.
OPTIMIZATION OF CAR SOUND PACKAGE WITH STATISTICAL ENERGY ANALYSIS MODEL USING GREY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS AND TAGUCHI METHOD
Authors: CHEN SHUMING , WANG DENGFENG , CHEN JING , LIU BO , LI CHUANBING
Published: April 2013

Optimization design of the structures and thicknesses of the sound packages is performed for automotive interior acoustic performance and lightweight characteristics. A SEA model of the car was created, and its interior noise of the automobile was predicted and validated at speed of 120 km/h. The contributions of some major subsystems to interior noise were calculated at 120 km/h. Both of major characteristic indices including interior SPL and total weight of sound packages are selected to evaluate automotive interior acoustic performance and lightweight characteristics, and four selected optimization parameters are structures and thicknesses of the sound package of firewall and front floor. The problem of multiple performance indices is simplified into single performance index by using grey relational grade. The optimal combination of sound package parameters is determined by employing grey relational analysis method. Furthermore, the validation tests show that the values of interior SPL and overall weight of sound packages decrease by 1.31% and 60.36%, respectively. Also, the comparison of the overall SPL for automotive interior noise experiments between original and optimized structures and thicknesses of the sound packages shows that automotive interior acoustic performance is obviously improved from 200 Hz to 10,000 Hz. Therefore, it is demonstrated that it is an effective way to deal with optimization problems by using the presented approach in this research.
ESTIMATION ERRORS IN 1/fγ NOISE SPECTRA WHEN EMPLOYING DFT SPECTRUM ANALYZERS
Authors: GIUSI G. , SCANDURRA G. , CIOFI C.
Published: April 2013

Spectra estimation in the field of low frequency noise measurements (LFNMs) is almost always performed by resorting to Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) based spectrum analyzers. In this approach, the input signal is sampled at a proper frequency fs and the power spectrum of sequences of N samples at a time are calculated and averaged in order to obtain an estimate of the spectrum at discrete frequency values fk = kΔf, where the integer k is the frequency index and Δf = fs/N is the frequency resolution. As the number of average increases, the statistical error, which is inversely proportional to the resolution bandwidth, can be made very small. However, if the spectrum of the signal is not a slowly changing function of the frequency, as in the case of 1/fγ processes, spectra estimation by means of the DFT also results in systematic errors. In this paper we discuss the dependence of these errors on spectral parameters (the spectrum amplitude, the frequency f, the spectral exponent γ and the DC power) and on measurement parameters (the spectral window, the resolution bandwidth Δf and the instrumentation AC cutoff frequency). Quantitative expressions for the systematic errors are obtained that, besides helping in the interpretation of the results of actual LFNMs, can be used as a guideline for the optimization of the measurement parameters and/or for the estimation of the maximum accuracy that can be obtained in given experimental conditions. This quantitative analysis is particularly important since while we find that, in general, the systematic error at a given frequency fk = kΔf can be made small if k is made large, which implies that Δf must be much smaller than fk, possibly in contrast with the need for a Δf as large as possible in order to reduce the measurement time, the magnitude of the error depends on the selected spectral window. The role of the instrumentation AC cutoff frequency f AC on the systematic error is also investigated and quantified and it is demonstrated that the error increases as f AC reduces. This last result is very important since, often, f AC is chosen much lower than the frequencies of interest and this choice may result in an increase of the systematic error.
COMPLEXES OF SPATIALLY MULTISTABLE DEFECTS AS THE SOURCE OF 1/f NOISE IN GaAs DEVICES
Authors: SHMELEV EVGENY I. , KLYUEV ALEXEY V. , YAKIMOV ARKADY V.
Published: April 2013

In order to determine the origin of 1/f noise in devices made on the basis of GaAs the structure and spatial multistability mechanism of complexes of defects originated by donor–acceptor pairs are researched. Examples of complexes, which potentially exist in n- GaAs : Si , are such pairs as SiAsSiGa , VGaSiGa , VGaVAs , VAsSiAs and VGaISi . For instance, VGaSiGa complex contains a gallium vacancy (VGa) and an atom of silicon (SiGa), which substitutes the nearest atom of gallium in the crystal lattice. The mechanism of spatial multistability of the entire complex of defects is linked with the influence of the Jahn–Teller effect on the complex or one of its elements. The ability of VGaSiGa complex to be one of the sources of 1/f noise is analyzed. It is assumed that 1/f noise may be generated by defects influenced by the Jahn–Teller effect.
QUATERNIONIC CONSTRUCTION OF THE W(F4) POLYTOPES WITH THEIR DUAL POLYTOPES AND BRANCHING UNDER THE SUBGROUPS W(B4) AND W(B3) × W(A1)
Authors: KOCA MEHMET , AL-AJMI MUDHAHIR , KOCA NAZIFE OZDES
Published: April 2013

Four-dimensional F4 polytopes and their dual polytopes have been constructed as the orbits of the Coxeter–Weyl group W(F4 ) where the group elements and the vertices of the polytopes are represented by quaternions. Branchings of an arbitrary W(F4 ) orbit under the Coxeter groups W(B4) and W(B3) × W(A1) have been presented. The role of group theoretical technique and the use of quaternions have been emphasized.
BILINEAR ESTIMATES AND APPLICATIONS TO GLOBAL WELL-POSEDNESS FOR THE DIRAC–KLEIN–GORDON EQUATION ON ℝ1+1
Authors: CANDY TIMOTHY
Published: April 2013

We prove new bilinear estimates for the [Formula: see text] spaces which are optimal up to endpoints. These estimates are often used in the theory of nonlinear Dirac equations on ℝ1+1. As an application, by using the I-method of Colliander, Keel, Staffilani, Takaoka and Tao, we extend the work of Tesfahun on global existence below the charge class for the Dirac–Klein–Gordon equation on ℝ1+1.