bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Do Consumer Characteristics Affect the Bias in Measuring Willingness to Pay for Innovative Products?
Authors: Hofstetter Reto , Miller Klaus M. , Krohmer Harley , Zhang Z. John
Published: June 2013

Getting the price right is essential for successful new product introductions. An accurate estimate of consumers' willingness to pay is a crucial part of this task. Measurement of willingness to pay for innovations, however, often yields biased results. In this paper, we investigate consumer‐related characteristics and motives that might underlie this bias. Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model, we develop a conceptual model to identify consumer characteristics relevant for preference measurement for innovative products. In doing so, two main factors that potentially influence hypothetical bias are distinguished: ability and motivation. Our conceptual discussion and empirical results demonstrate that the validity of willingness to pay statements is higher among consumers who show a high ability to assess the new product's utility and who are truly interested in purchasing the new product. Counter to intuition, willingness to pay statements from innovators, consumers with good product category knowledge, or consumers who perceive the new product to be highly innovative are relatively more biased and should be interpreted with caution.

This research is among the first to look at consumer characteristics rather than methodological issues when it comes to measuring consumer willingness to pay for innovative products. Our conceptual discussion and empirical examination of the drivers of hypothetical bias can be used to refine the validity of the results of the direct willingness to pay approach. These findings should help improve new product pricing surveys and open new avenues for research in measuring consumer preferences.
Shouldn't Customers Control Customized Product Development?
Authors: Smets Lydie P. M. , Langerak Fred , Rijsdijk Serge A.
Published: June 2013

Nowadays, customized product development (CPD) is increasingly prevalent in business‐to‐business settings, which has motivated manufacturers into development approaches wherein the customer plays an active role. When the customer is merely viewed as a passive receiver of the customized product, the manufacturer won't be able to truly empathize with the customer and might lack important suggestions to create and improve the customized product. It is, after all, the customer that holds pertinent development information and/or expertise. Yet, customers are not always motivated to participate and often need to be convinced about the manufacturer's ability to develop customized products in a timely and cost‐effective manner. Prior literature on interorganizational relationships suggests the use of formal control, i.e., process and/or output control, to fashion activities in line with expectations so that development goals can be attained. Thereupon, this study posits that the customer's use of such formal controls may stimulate customer participation in CPD. In addition, this study investigates whether manufacturers can indeed benefit from customer participation in CPD through improved new product performance. To accomplish the research objectives, survey‐based and accounting data are collected on 63 collaborative CPD projects between a plastics manufacturer and its industrial customers. In conjunction with an add‐on experimental study regarding the effect of formal control on customer participation, this study reveals that the customer's use of formal control significantly increases the level of customer participation in CPD. Additionally, this study confirms that customer participation positively impacts new product performance. Together, these results imply that letting the customer use process and/or output control helps the customer to believe more in the pursuit of CPD goals and successful product customization, thereby encouraging the customer to participate more actively in CPD. Besides, the findings imply that increased access to market and customer need‐related information obtained through customer participation is indeed critical for successful CPD.
The Relationship Between Resting Heart Rate Variability and Erectile Tumescence Among Men with Normal Erectile Function
Authors: Harte Christopher B.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) have been shown to display lower heart rate variability (HRV), suggesting dysregulation of cardiac autonomic function. No studies have explored whether HRV is predictive of erectile response among men with clinically normal erectile function.

Aim

The study aims to examine associations between resting HRV and objective measures of genital response (i.e., resting penile circumference; erectile tumescence) and self-reported sexual function.

Methods

The sample comprised 59 male community volunteers (mean age = 20.15 years; SD = 2.52) selected from the control conditions of two previously published studies. Participants reported erectile function in the normal range (scoring ≥ 26 on the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]) and had no history of cardiovascular disease or myocardial infarct. During a laboratory visit, self-report, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and electrocardiographic data were assessed, as well as resting penile circumference and erectile tumescence in response to viewing an erotic film.

Main Outcome Measures

Resting penile responses, erectile tumescence (circumferential change via penile plethysmography), self-reported sexual function per the IIEF, and both time-domain (standard deviation of beat-to-beat [NN] intervals, square root of the mean squared difference of successive NN intervals, and percent of NN intervals for which successive heartbeat intervals differed by at least 50 msec [pNN50]) and frequency-domain (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], LF/HF ratio) parameters of HRV were assessed.

Results

Higher-resting HF power and lower-resting LF/HF ratio were associated with greater erectile tumescence. There were marginally significant positive associations between mean NN interval and pNN50 and penile tumescence. HRV was not associated with self-reported sexual function or with resting penile circumference.

Conclusions

Results suggested that, among men without ED, relatively elevated parasympathetic tone was predictive of larger erectile tumescence. Limited variance in sexual function scores may have accounted for the lack of association between HRV and IIEF scores.
Do Romantic Partners' Responses to Entry Dyspareunia Affect Women's Experience of Pain? The Roles of Catastrophizing and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Lemieux Ashley J. , Bergeron Sophie , Steben Marc , Lambert Bernard
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Entry dyspareunia is a sexual health concern which affects about 21% of women in the general population. Characterized by pain provoked during vaginal penetration, introital dyspareunia has been shown by controlled studies to have a negative impact on the psychological well-being, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of afflicted women. Many cognitive and affective variables may influence the experience of pain and associated psychosexual problems. However, the role of the partner's cognitive responses has been studied very little.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between partners' catastrophizing and their perceptions of women's self-efficacy at managing pain on one side and women's pain intensity, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction on the other.

Methods

One hundred seventy-nine heterosexual couples (mean age for women=31, SD=10.0; mean age for men=33, SD=10.6) in which the woman suffered from entry dyspareunia participated in the study. Both partners completed quantitative measures. Women completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale. Men completed the significant-other versions of these measures.

Main Outcome Measures

Dependent measures were women's responses to (i) the Pain Numeric Visual Analog Scale; (ii) the Female Sexual Function Index; and (iii) the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction scale.

Results

Controlled for women's pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy, results indicate that higher levels of partner-perceived self-efficacy and lower levels of partner catastrophizing are associated with decreased pain intensity in women with entry dyspareunia, although only partner catastrophizing contributed unique variance. Partner-perceived self-efficacy and catastrophizing were not significantly associated with sexual function or satisfaction in women.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that partners' cognitive responses may influence the experience of entry dyspareunia for women, pointing toward the importance of considering the partner when treating this sexual health problem.
Carbon sink strength of a Mediterranean cork oak understorey: how do semi‐deciduous and evergreen shrubs face summer drought?
Authors: Correia A.C. , Costa e Silva F. , Correia A.V. , Hussain M.Z. , Rodrigues A.D. , David J.S. , Pereira J.S.
Published: June 2013

Questions

How do semi‐deciduous and evergreen shrubs exploit environmental resources during summer drought? What is the contribution of the understorey shrubby layer to ecosystem carbon assimilation? To what extent are carbon balance and transpiration impacted by a rain pulse?

Location

Cork oak open woodland in the Mediterranean region.

Methods

We used closed dynamic light and dark chambers to measure gas exchange (CO2 and H2O) in the dominant shrub understorey species Cistus salviifolius, Cistus crispus (semi‐deciduous) and Ulex airensis (evergreen), together with plant physiological and morphological measurements during summer drought and autumn recovery. A hyperbolic light response model constrained by vapour pressure deficits was fitted for up‐scaling shrub photosynthesis to the ecosystem level. The data were compared, on a daily and daytime basis, with gross primary productivity estimates from ecosystem eddy‐covariance flux measurements.

Results

The onset of summer drought led to a significant leaf area reduction in semi‐deciduous species. A general decrease in photosynthesis in all species was observed, while evapotranspiration and above‐ground respiration fluxes contrasted among species during summer progression and autumn recovery. The shallow‐rooted C. salviifolius was able to use light more efficiently than the other two species, although with poor stomatal control over water loss and consistently higher above‐ground respiration rates, leading to lower water and carbon use efficiencies when compared with C. crispus. The deep‐rooted shrub U. airensis maintained higher leaf water potentials and very low photosynthetic rates while decreasing transpiration rates throughout the summer drought. A summer rain pulse showed that shallow‐rooted shrubs use water in an opportunistic way, with immediate leaf rehydration and concomitant photosynthesis increments. Conversely, deep‐rooted shrubs (U. airensis) were unresponsive, only recovering photosynthesis with high soil water content. An opportunistic growth response may be disadvantageous to shallow‐rooted shrubs in a future climate with extended dry summers and higher probability of rain pulse events. The prominent increase in transpiration rates and plant respiration costs observed during the dry conditions that followed the rain pulse, led to a reduced plant ability to recover after autumn rains.

Conclusions

The shrubs that naturaly colonized this montado understorey showed contrasting strategies to overcome summer drought, suggesting an efficient mosaic exploitation of seasonal environmental resources. The contribution of these shrubs to total ecosystem CO2 uptake during summer and autumn recovery was 17%. This high contribution implies that shrub density management decisions should consider a carbon balance perspective.
Unionization and Labour‐market Discrimination: A Closer Look at Non‐unionized Workers
Authors: Picault Julien
Published: June 2013

This paper introduces a model that examines the effects of unions on pay and hiring gaps between non‐unionized men and women in the context of imperfect competition. Although the model does not question the advantages unions obtain for their members, it does show that (1) unions increase wage and occupational discrimination for non‐unionized workers; (2) the non‐unionized sector does not constitute a good comparison group for use in analysing the impact of unions on gender discrimination; and (3) public policies targeting gender differences in occupational sorting can also have a positive impact on gender wage differentials.
Double‐blind cluster randomised controlled trial of wheat flour chapatti fortified with micronutrients on the status of vitamin A and iron in school‐aged children in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Ahmed S. , Ahmed Tahmeed , Ahmed Faiz , Alam Mohammad S. , Wahed Mohammad A. , Sack David A.
Published: June 2013

Food fortification is a cost‐effective and sustainable strategy to prevent or correct micronutrient deficiencies. A double‐blind cluster (bari) randomised controlled trial was conducted in a rural community in Bangladesh to evaluate the impact of consumption of chapatti made of micronutrient‐fortified wheat flour for 6 months by school‐aged children on their vitamin A, haemoglobin and iron status. A total of 43 baris (group of households) were randomly selected. The baris were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. The intervention group received wheat flour fortified with added micronutrients (including 66 mg hydrogen‐reduced elemental iron and 3030 μg retinol equivalent as retinyl palmitate per kilogram of flour), while the control group received wheat flour without added micronutrients. A total of 352 children were enrolled in the trial, 203 in the intervention group and 149 in the control group. Analyses were carried out on children who completed the study (191 in the intervention group and 143 in the control group). Micronutrient‐fortified wheat flour chapatti significantly increased serum retinol concentration at 6 months by 0.12 μmol L−1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06, 0.19; P < 0.01]. The odds of vitamin A deficiency was significantly lower for children in the intervention group at 3 months [odds ratio (OR) = 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07, 0.89; P < 0.05] and 6 months (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.68; P < 0.01). No demonstrable effect of fortified chapatti consumption on iron status, haemoglobin levels or anaemia was observed. Consumption of fortified chapattis demonstrated a significant improvement in the vitamin A status, but not in iron, haemoglobin or anaemia status.
In vitro and In vivo Antiproliferative Effect of a Combination of Ultraviolet‐A and Alkoxy Furocoumarins Isolated from Umbelliferae Medicinal Plants, in Melanoma Cells
Authors: Kimura Yoshiyuki , Sumiyoshi Maho , Sakanaka Masahiro , Taniguchi Masahiko , Baba Kimiye
Published: June 2013

We examined the effects of six furocoumarins with alkoxy groups at the C‐5 or C‐8 position isolated from Umbelliferae medicinal plants on cell proliferation, and their mechanisms of action against B16F10 melanoma cells or in melanin‐possessing hairless mice implanted with B16F10 cells, under UVA irradiation. Three furocoumarins with an alkoxy group at C‐5, isoimperatorin (1), oxypeucedanin (2) and oxypeucedanin hydrate (3), showed antiproliferative activity and caused G2/M arrest at concentrations of 0.1–10.0 μm. Furthermore, three furocoumarins with an alkoxy group at C‐8, imperatorin (4), heraclenin (5) and heraclenol (6), inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells and cell cycle at G2/M at concentrations of 0.1–1.0 μm. UVA plus 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 reduced tumor growth and final tumor weight in B16F10‐bearing mice at a dose of 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 mg kg−1 (intraperitoneal injection). UVA plus 1, 3 and 6 increased Chk1 phosphorylation and reduced cdc2 (Thr 161) phosphorylation in melanoma cells. We suggest that the antitumor actions of UVA plus furocoumarins with an alkoxy group at C‐5 or C‐8 were due to G2/M arrest of the cell cycle by an increase in phosphor‐Chk1 and decrease in phospho‐cdc2.
The Effects of Competitive Environment on Supply Chain Information Sharing and Performance: An Empirical Study in China
Authors: Huo Baofeng , Zhao Xiande , Zhou Honggeng
Published: June 2013

Information sharing in supply chains has become an important topic over the past decade. This study uses data from 617 Chinese manufacturing firms to investigate the relationships among competitive environments, supply chain information sharing (SCIS), and supply chain performance. The results of structural equation modeling analysis show that (i) international competition is positively related to all three types of SCIS whereas local competition is not significantly related to any of the three types, (ii) internal information sharing is positively related to external information sharing with suppliers and customers, and (iii) internal information sharing and information sharing with customers are positively related to superior supply chain performance, whereas supplier information sharing is not significantly related to performance. The findings enhance our understanding of the relationships among competitive environment, SCIS, and supply chain performance in Chinese manufacturing settings.
Constructive and Destructive Marital Conflict, Parenting, and Children's School and Social Adjustment
Authors: McCoy Kathleen P. , George Melissa R. W. , Cummings E. Mark , Davies Patrick T.
Published: June 2013

This study addresses the links between destructive and constructive marital conflict and mothers' and fathers' parenting to understand associations with children's social and school adjustment. Multi‐method, longitudinal assessments of 235 mothers, fathers, and children (129 girls) were collected across kindergarten, first, and second grades (ages 5–7 at time 1; ages 7–9 at time 3). Whereas constructive marital conflict was related to both mothers' and fathers' warm parenting, destructive marital conflict was only linked to fathers' use of inconsistent discipline. In turn, both mothers' and fathers' use of psychological control was related to children's school adjustment, and mothers' warmth was related to children's social adjustment. Reciprocal links between constructs were also explored, supporting associations between destructive marital conflict and mothers' and fathers' inconsistent discipline. The merit of examining marital conflict and parenting as multidimensional constructs is discussed in relation to understanding the processes and pathways within families that affect children's functioning.
Jealousy in Firstborn Toddlers within the Context of the Primary Family Triad
Authors: Szabó Nóra , Dubas Judith Semon , van Aken Marcel A. G.
Published: June 2013

Childhood jealousy has typically been examined in a limited number of jealousy‐evoking contexts and mainly with the mother only, thus providing a narrow view on the manifestations of jealousy. The aim of the present article is to examine childhood jealousy within parent–child dyads and (mother–father–child) triads and across multiple contexts. The sample included 87 Dutch families with a toddler (38 girls, 49 boys, Mage: 23 months). Children were challenged in several jealousy‐evoking situations using social and non‐social objects as rivals during videotaped family play sessions. Children's jealous behavior (e.g., negativity, distraction) and jealous emotions (e.g., anger) were coded. We found the most jealous behavior in contexts including a doll as a rival and the least in the non‐social object conditions. Children showed more jealous behavior toward mothers than fathers. Children showed elevated levels of anger in most jealousy situations.
Remobilization of hematopoietic stem cells with high‐dose methotrexate and cytarabine in patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma after failure to mobilize with chemotherapy and cytokines
Authors: Park Seong Joon , Yoon Dok Hyun , Kim Shin , Lee Kyungmin , Park Jung Sun , Jang Seongsoo , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Chi Huyn‐Sook , Park Chan‐Sik , Huh Jooryung , Suh Cheolwon
Published: June 2013

Background

High‐dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and fit patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, failure rates of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization are estimated to be between 5 and 30%, respectively. Thus, we investigated the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy of high‐dose methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine with granulocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) as a remobilization method in those who failed a prior mobilization and collection with chemotherapy and G‐CSF.

Study Design and Methods

Mobilization failure was defined as a collection of fewer than 5 × 106 CD34+ cells after three to five apheresis procedures. MTX (3500 mg/m2 in a 120‐min infusion) on Day 1 and cytarabine (3000 mg/m2 infusion for 120 min) on Day 4 and Day 5 were followed by G‐CSF (10 μg/kg daily).

Results

A total of eight patients (six NHL and two MM; median age, 55 years) who had failed in prior mobilization with conventional chemotherapy and G‐CSF underwent the second mobilization as described in the method. Successful collection of CD34+ cells (> 5 × 106/kg) was achieved in six patients (75%) with three to five apheresis procedures. The total yield of CD34+ cells/kg body weight was 6.28 × 106/kg (median; range, 1.53 × 106‐10.09 × 106/kg).

Conclusions

This preliminary result warrants further investigation of high‐dose MTX and cytarabine plus G‐CSF as a means to remobilize stem cells in those with prior failure to mobilize stem cells with chemotherapy and G‐CSF.
Cross‐border and Foreign Affiliate Sales of Services: Evidence from German Microdata
Authors: Kelle Markus , Kleinert Jörn , Raff Horst , Toubal Farid
Published: June 2013

We merge German balance‐of‐payments and foreign‐affiliate‐trade statistics to obtain data about trade in commercial services at the firm level. We use these data to study export market participation and the choice of export mode: cross‐border versus foreign affiliate sales. We find that for firms in our sample productivity is both a statistically significant and economically important determinant of the export participation and export mode choice. We also identify the role of industry‐ and country‐specific determinants.
Effects of Winglet Geometry on the Aerodynamic Performance of Tip Leakage Flow in a Turbine Cascade
Authors: Zhou Chao , Hodson Howard , Tibbott Ian , Stokes Mark
Published: June 2013

Experimental and numerical methods were used to investigate the aerodynamic performance of a winglet tip in a linear cascade. A flat tip and a cavity tip were studied as baseline cases. The flow patterns over the three tips were studied. For the cavity tip and the winglet tip, vortices appear in the cavity and the gutter. These vortices reduce the discharge coefficient of the tip leakage flow. The purpose of using a winglet tip is to reduce the driving pressure difference. The pressure side winglet of the winglet geometry studied in this paper has little effect in reducing the driving pressure difference. It is found that the suction side winglet reduces the driving pressure difference of the tip leakage flow near the leading edge, but increases the driving pressure difference from midchord to the trailing edge. This is also used to explain the findings and discrepancies in other studies. Compared with the flat tip, the cavity tip and the winglet tip achieve a reduction of loss. The effects of the rounding of the pressure side edge of the tips were studied to simulate the effects of deterioration. As the size of the pressure side edge radius increases, the tip leakage mass flow rate and the loss increase. The improvement of the aerodynamic performance by using a winglet remains similar when comparing with a flat tip or a cavity tip with the same pressure side radius.
Supercomplex Assembly Determines Electron Flux in the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain
Authors: Lapuente-Brun Esther , Moreno-Loshuertos Raquel , Acín-Pérez Rebeca , Latorre-Pellicer Ana , Colás Carmen , Balsa Eduardo , Perales-Clemente Ester , Quirós Pedro M. , Calvo Enrique , Rodríguez-Hernández M. A. , Navas Plácido , Cruz Raquel , Carracedo Ángel , López-Otín Carlos , Pérez-Martos Acisclo , Fernández-Silva Patricio , Fernández-Vizarra Erika , Enríquez José Antonio
Published: June 2013

Respiration Refined

Cells derive energy from redox reactions mediated by mitochondrial enzymes that form the electron transport chain. The enzymes can form large complexes, known as supercomplexes, whose function has been controversial.

Lapuente-Brun
et al.

(p.
1567
) discovered that a mouse protein, supercomplex assembly factor I (SCAFI), specifically modulates assembly of respiratory complexes into supercomplexes. Formation of the supercomplexes appears to cause electrons to be processed differently, depending on the substrate from which they are derived.
Temperature Drives the Continental-Scale Distribution of Key Microbes in Topsoil Communities
Authors: Garcia-Pichel Ferran , Loza Virginia , Marusenko Yevgeniy , Mateo Pilar , Potrafka Ruth M.
Published: June 2013

Desert Soil Shuffle

Soil microorganisms make up a substantial fraction of global biomass, turning over carbon and other key nutrients on a massive scale. Although the soil protects them somewhat from daily temperature fluxes, the distribution of these communities will likely respond to gradual climate change.

Garcia-Pichel
et al.

(p.
1574
, see the cover; see the Perspective by

Belnap

) surveyed bacterial diversity across a range of North American desert soils, or biocrusts—ecosystems in which photosynthetic bacteria determine soil fertility and control physical soil properties such as erodability and water retention. Most of the sites were dominated by one of two cyanobacterial species, but their relative proportions were controlled largely by factors related to temperature. Laboratory enrichment cultures of the two species at different temperatures also showed temperature as a primary determining factor of bacterial diversity. It is unknown if temperature will affect the distribution of other soil microorganisms, but the marked shifts of these two keystone bacterial species suggest further change is in store for these delicate ecosystems.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 26 June 2013
Authors: Hammond Paula T. , Frisk Megan
Published: June 2013

In this podcast, Paula Hammond discusses a new multilayered coating for implants that promotes bone growth.
Fitting the Genes into Your Waist
Authors: Neale Benjamin M.
Published: June 2013

The relative size of a woman’s waist is influenced by seven genetic loci, whereas these loci have little effect on waist size in men.
Clinical Impact of the Analytical Specificity of the Hybrid Capture 2 Test: Data from the New Technologies for Cervical Cancer (NTCC) Study
Authors: Gillio-Tos Anna , De Marco Laura , Carozzi Francesca Maria , Del Mistro Annarosa , Girlando Salvatore , Burroni Elena , Frayle-Salamanca Helena , Rossi Paolo Giorgi , Pierotti Paola , Ronco Guglielmo
Published: June 2013

The Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) test targets 13 human papillomavirus (HPV) types. Here, cross-reactivity with non-HC2-targeted HPV types is described. We aimed to define the proportion of HC2-positive women who had negative results with HC2-targeted HPV types and estimate its determinants and impact on women's health management. The New Technologies for Cervical Cancer (NTCC) trial was followed in two predetermined phases. Women in the experimental arm were tested for the presence of HPV DNA by HC2 following a sample collection in PreservCyt (first phase) or Digene specimen transport medium (STM) (second phase). HPV genotyping was performed on DNA samples from HC2-positive women by PCR with GP5
+
/GP6
+
primers and reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization. Untyped samples were submitted to direct sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariate logistic regression analysis estimated the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) between the presence of HC2-targeted types and age, viral load, and type of transport medium. Out of 2,920 HC2-positive samples, 2,310 (79.1%) were positive on RLB for HC2-targeted types, 396 were positive (13.6%) for only non-HC2-targeted types (mostly represented by HPV-53, HPV-66, and HPV-70), and in 214 (7.33%) samples, no HPV types were detected. The probability of detecting HC2-targeted types increased with increasing viral load expressed as the relative light unit/positive-control specimen ratio (RLU/PC) (OR for unitary increase of log RLU/PC, 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30 to 1.42) and with STM versus PreservCyt (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.84). If only the samples containing HC2-targeted types tested positive, the positive predictive value (PPV) would have increased from 7.0% (95% CI, 6.1% to 8.0%) to 8.4% (95% CI, 7.3 to 9.6), although 4.9% (95% CI, 2.4% to 8.8%) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2
+
(CIN2
+
) cases would have been missed. In conclusion, STM use and an increased cutoff would reduce the HC2 analytical false-positive rate and increase the positive predictive value for high-grade CIN. The gain in clinical sensitivity by detecting non-HC2-targeted HPV types is limited.
Platelet-rich therapy in the treatment of patients with hip fractures: a single centre, parallel group, participant-blinded, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Griffin Xavier L , Achten Juul , Parsons Nick , Costa Matt L
Published: June 2013

Objective

To quantify and draw inferences on the clinical effectiveness of platelet-rich therapy in the management of patients with a typical osteoporotic fracture of the hip.

Design

Single centre, parallel group, participant-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

UK Major Trauma Centre.

Participants

200 of 315 eligible patients aged 65 years and over with any type of intracapsular fracture of the proximal femur. Patients were excluded if their fracture precluded internal fixation.

Interventions

Participants underwent internal fixation of the fracture with cannulated screws and were randomly allocated to receive an injection of platelet-rich plasma into the fracture site or not.

Main outcome measures

Failure of fixation within 12 months, defined as any revision surgery.

Results

Primary outcome data were available for 82 of 101 and 78 of 99 participants allocated to test and control groups, respectively; the remainder died prior to final follow-up. There was an absolute risk reduction of 5.6% (95% CI −10.6% to 21.8%) favouring treatment with platelet-rich therapy (χ2test, p=0.569). An adjusted effect estimate from a logistic regression model was similar (OR=0.71, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.40, z test; p=0.325). There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcome measures excepting length of stay favouring treatment with platelet-rich therapy (median difference 8 days, Mann-Whitney U test; p=0.03). The number and distribution of adverse events were similar. Estimated cumulative incidence functions for the competing events of death and revision demonstrated no evidence of a significant treatment effect (HR 0.895, 95% CI 0.533 to 1.504; p=0.680 in favour of platelet-rich therapy).

Conclusions

No evidence of a difference in the risk of revision surgery within 1 year in participants treated with platelet-rich therapy compared with those not treated. However, we cannot definitively exclude a clinically meaningful difference.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials,ISRCTN49197425,http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN49197425
Challenges to quality testing for bovine tuberculosis in Ireland; perspectives from major stakeholders
Authors: Meskell P. , Devitt C. , More S. J.
Published: June 2013

Within the national bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme in Ireland, concern has been expressed about the quality of testing by veterinarians. However, there is little published evidence supporting this concern, or the challenges that undermine quality testing. Qualitative research methods were used to gather the perspectives of major stakeholders in the bTB eradication (BTE) scheme on the challenges to quality testing for bovine tuberculosis in Ireland. These stakeholders included private veterinarians, government veterinarians, senior managers and herd owners, on the quality of bTB testing and the barriers to improvement. Results are grouped into challenges that exist in the testing environment (ie, at a farm level), and challenges associated with the skills environment (ie, professional skills involved with conducting the test). Challenges in the testing environment include inadequate on‐farm testing conditions; lack of clarity on responsibility to ensure adequate testing environment; and the influence of the veterinarian‐client relationship. Challenges in the skills environment include deficiencies in the development and supervision of testing skills among trainees and newly qualified veterinarians; and deficiencies in testing standards at a practice level. Regular supervision of testing is necessary to ensure standards. The importance of a continued understanding of the disease (and its eradication) supported by a partnership, cooperative approach between all stakeholders, is emphasised.
Activation of nucleotide oligomerization domain containing protein 1 induces lipolysis through NF-κB and the lipolytic PKA activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Purohit Jaanki S. , Hu Pan , Chen Guoxun , Whelan Jay , Moustaid-Moussa Naima , Zhao Ling
Published: June 2013

Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLR) and NOD-like receptors (NLR) are two families of pattern recognition receptors that play important roles in the immune response and inflammation in adipocytes. Activation of TLR4 has been shown to stimulate lipolysis from adipose tissue or adipocytes. However, effects of activation of nucleotide-oligomerization domain containing protein 1 (NOD1), one of the prominent members of NLRs, on adipocyte lipolysis have not been studied. Here we report that NOD1 activation by the synthetic ligands (Tri-DAP and C12-iEDAP) stimulated lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. C12-iEDAP-induced lipolysis was attenuated with NOD1 siRNA knockdown, demonstrating the specificity of the effects. Moreover, inhibition of the protein kinase A (PKA)/hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and NF-κB pathways by the pharmacological inhibitors attenuated the lipolytic effects of C12-iEDAP. Furthermore, we show NOD1 activation induced PKA activation independent of cAMP production and inhibition of NF-κB pathways attenuated phosphorylation of selected PKA lipolytic targets (phosphorylation of Perilipin Ser 517 and HSL Ser 563). Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel role of NOD1 activation, via NF-κB/PKA lipolytic activation, in inducing lipolysis in adipocytes and suggest that NOD1 activation may contribute to dyslipidemia in obesity.
STATISTICAL PHYSICS OF ISOTROPIC-GENESIS NEMATIC ELASTOMERS: I. STRUCTURE AND CORRELATIONS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES
Authors: LU BING-SUI , YE FANGFU , XING XIANGJUN , GOLDBART PAUL M.
Published: June 2013

Isotropic-genesis nematic elastomers (IGNEs) are liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) that have been randomly, permanently cross-linked in the high-temperature state so as to form an equilibrium random solid. Thus, instead of being free to diffuse throughout the entire volume, as they would be in the liquid state, the constituent LCPs in an IGNE are mobile only over a finite, segment specific, length-scale controlled by the density of cross-links. We address the effects that such network-induced localization have on the liquid–crystalline characteristics of an IGNE, as probed via measurements made at high temperatures. In contrast with the case of uncross-linked LCPs, for IGNEs these characteristics are determined not only by thermal fluctuations but also by the quenched disorder associated with the cross-link constraints. To study IGNEs, we consider a microscopic model of dimer nematogens in which the dimers interact via orientation-dependent excluded volume forces. The dimers are, furthermore, randomly, permanently cross-linked via short Hookean springs, the statistics of which we model by means of a Deam–Edwards type of distribution. We show that at length-scales larger than the size of the nematogens this approach leads to a recently proposed, phenomenological Landau theory of IGNEs [Lu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett.108, 257803 (2012)], and hence predicts a regime of short-ranged oscillatory spatial correlations in the nematic alignment, of both thermal and glassy types. In addition, we consider two alternative microscopic models of IGNEs: (i) a wormlike chain model of IGNEs that are formed via the cross-linking of side-chain LCPs; and (ii) a jointed chain model of IGNEs that are formed via the cross-linking of main-chain LCPs. At large length-scales, both of these models give rise to liquid–crystalline characteristics that are qualitatively in line with those predicted on the basis of the dimer-and-springs model, reflecting the fact that the three models inhabit a common universality class.
Investigations at High Temperature with Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry Under Equilibrium and Kinetic Conditions
Authors: Kobertz Dietmar , Müller Michael
Published: June 2013

This article includes equilibrium and kinetic orientated investigation with instruments using molecular beam mass spectrometry. In particular, the Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometer (KEMS), Skimmer Coupled Mass Spectrometer with Thermal Analysis System (STAMS), and High Pressure Mass Spectrometer (HPMS) are described. Four examples on complex systems of ashes including sulfates, chlorides, oxides, carbonates and hydroxides and measurements on aluminum nitride (AlN) as a potential material for application in microelectronics, electronic substrates, chip carriers, and light emitting diodes (LED) will be introduced. Finally, the transmission probability of the molecular beam in KEMS is discussed, based on relevant laboratory observations.
Composition and Properties of Saturated Vapor over NaBr-LnBr3 (Ln = La, Lu) Binary Systems
Authors: Ivanov D. A. , Kudin L. S. , Butman Mikhail F.
Published: June 2013

The NaBr−LnBr3 (Ln = La, Lu) binary systems and their individual components NaBr, LaBr3 and LuBr3 were studied by the Knudsen effusion cell mass spectrometry (KEMS) and the density functional theory (DFT). The complex molecules NaLnBr4, Na2LnBr5 and both positive Na2LnBr4
+, Na3LnBr5
+ and negative NaLnBr5
− complex ions have been observed in saturated vapor along with the molecules and ions inherent to the pure components. Molecular parameters and energy characteristics of species were obtained by quantum-chemical calculations. The partial pressures of molecules have been obtained. The equilibrium constants of dissociation reactions of complexes were determined and the enthalpies of reactions have been calculated using the second and third laws of thermodynamics. The enthalpies of formation of complex molecules and ions have been obtained.
The Process of Developing a Multi-Cell KEMS Instrument
Authors: Copland E. H. , Auping J. V. , Jacobson Nathan S.
Published: June 2013

Multi-cell KEMS offers many advantages over single cell instruments in regard to in-situ temperature calibration and studies on high temperature alloys and oxides of interest to NASA. The instrument at NASA Glenn is a 90° magnetic sector instrument originally designed for single cell operation. The conversion of this instrument to a multi-cell instrument with restricted collimation is discussed. For restricted collimation, the ‘field aperture’ is in the copper plate separating the Knudsen Cell region and the ionizer and the ‘source aperture’ is adjacent to the ionizer box. A computer controlled x-y table allows positioning of one of the three cells into the sampling region. Heating is accomplished via a Ta sheet element and temperature is measured via an automatic pyrometer from the bottom of the cells. The computer control and data system have been custom developed for this instrument and are discussed. Future improvements are also discussed.
Thermochemical Characterization of the Gas Circulation in the Relevant Cement Industry Processes
Authors: Armatys K. , Miller M. , Wolter A.
Published: June 2013

The article is a part of kinetic vaporization studies of complex industrial materials and systems in cement clinker production. Though the vaporization processes are mainly non-equilibrium, reaction the method of Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry gives the opportunity to analyze quasi-equilibrium states and to determine thermodynamic data. These data are essential input for modeling calculations.
Activity Determination in the Alumina-Dysprosia System by Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Motalov V. B. , Butman Mikhail F. , Kudin L. S. , Markus Torsten
Published: June 2013

The vaporization of Al-Dy-O mixtures has been investigated by the Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry technique. The saturated vapor has been found to consist of the atoms Al, O and the molecules AlO, Al2O, DyO. At the initial stage the vaporization of Dy2O3 and Al2O3-Dy2O3 mixtures was found to be incongruent and accompanied by some loss of oxygen. An attainment of congruently vaporizing composition and equilibrium state takes quite a long time. The activities of binary oxides have been measured at T = 2130 K. The Gibbs energies and enthalpies have been derived for formation of the compounds Dy4Al2O9, DyAlO3 and Dy3Al5O12 from sesquioxides.
High-Temperature Fuel Cells Hardware Experience
Authors: Yuh Chao-Yi , Chen Ling , Franco Adam , Farooque Mohammad
Published: June 2013

Because of its size, low emission, high temperature operation and resulting high efficiency, high-temperature fuel cell is ideally suited to commercial, industrial cogeneration and utility distributed generation applications. High-temperature operation facilitates fast fuel cell reaction kinetics and allows practical internal reforming and cogeneration/hybrid applications. Heat-resistant alloys have been extensively used in high-temperature fuel cells. The cell, stack and BOP hardware alloy selections are founded on many years of focused research. Alloy selection needs to take into account corrosion stability, mechanical properties and cost. The field hardware stability data confirms that the material solutions employed are robust to achieve desired long (approaching ten year) carbonate fuel cell service life. Material durability is well understood and solutions are available to further extend life.
Evaluation of Sensitivity of a Micro-CHP Unit Performance to SOFC Parameters
Authors: Kupecki Jakub , Milewski Jaroslaw , Badyda Krzysztof , Jewulski Janusz
Published: June 2013

The work presents outcomes of a study of micro-CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit with SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells). Numerical simulator of the entire micro-CHP system was created, and characteristics of auxiliary equipment were implemented. Typically, micro-CHP system with solid oxide fuel cells is capable of achieving electrical efficiency of over 45% at the scale of 1-3 kWel. This is possible only when proper cells are selected for the stack. In the work eights planar fuel cells with different properties were included in the analysis. Numerical tool was used to predict performance of each of the cells in the operating conditions corresponding to the studied system. Simulations allowed performing sensitivity evaluation of the power unit to fuel cell properties. Results clearly show that different SOFC materials and type of support strongly influence system performance. Efficiency of the system ranges between 38-50% LHV-based depending on a cell.
Internal Resistance Correction of Diagnostics to Elucidate the Degradation Factor Distribution in the Same Electrode on PEFC
Authors: Kawata Hikaru , Sugiura Kimihiko , Daigo Akihiko , Murakami Tetsuya
Published: June 2013

To improve the life performance of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC), the degradation behavior of the cell is diagnosed at the early stage, and an appropriate treatment should be applied to the cell. Our proposal diagnostics evaluates the transient response that includes the resistance polarization, the activation polarization and the diffusion polarization. The obtained diagnostic parameters from this transient response include the degradation factors. This paper aims the establishment of diagnostics by clarifying the correlation of diagnostic parameter and each polarization. Because the anode polarization is small extremely compared with the cathode polarization, the performance of most fuel cells are controlled by the cathode reaction. This paper focused on the cathode polarization and resistance polarization of the membrane as the diagnostic parameter. As a result, our diagnostics can diagnose each degradation factor that originates on cathode side, and the degradation factor distribution in the same electrode can be measured by applying this diagnostics to the quadrisection separator.
Proportion of MEA Design by Considering the Current Density Distribution
Authors: Date Tatsuya , Yamauchi Makoto , Sugiura Kimihiko
Published: June 2013

We developed a self-water management type of Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs). The self-water management MEA was designed by combining gas-diffusion layers (GDLs) with different properties. A GDL with high drainage properties was placed in the gas inlet, where the electrochemical reaction was active, and a GDL with high hydration properties was placed in the gas outlet. As a result, the cell performance was improved by using two types of GDLs. The joint of the two GDLs with different properties should be located at the rib of the separator. If the SGD-FP is applied to the cathode, the humidity of the cathode gas should be marginally reduced.
Expression of glutamine synthetase in the mouse kidney: localization in multiple epithelial cell types and differential regulation by hypokalemia
Authors: Verlander Jill W. , Chu Diana , Lee Hyun-Wook , Handlogten Mary E. , Weiner I. David
Published: June 2013

Renal glutamine synthetase catalyzes the reaction of NH4+ with glutamate, forming glutamine and decreasing the ammonia available for net acid excretion. The purpose of the present study was to determine glutamine synthetase's specific cellular expression in the mouse kidney and its regulation by hypokalemia, a common cause of altered renal ammonia metabolism. Glutamine synthetase mRNA and protein were present in the renal cortex and in both the outer and inner stripes of the outer medulla. Immunohistochemistry showed glutamine synthetase expression throughout the entire proximal tubule and in nonproximal tubule cells. Double immunolabel with cell-specific markers demonstrated glutamine synthetase expression in type A intercalated cells, non-A, non-B intercalated cells, and distal convoluted tubule cells, but not in principal cells, type B intercalated cells, or connecting segment cells. Hypokalemia induced by feeding a nominally K+-free diet for 12 days decreased glutamine synthetase expression throughout the entire proximal tubule and in the distal convoluted tubule and simultaneously increased glutamine synthetase expression in type A intercalated cells in both the cortical and outer medullary collecting duct. We conclude that glutamine synthetase is widely and specifically expressed in renal epithelial cells and that the regulation of expression differs in specific cell populations. Glutamine synthetase is likely to mediate an important role in renal ammonia metabolism.