bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El papel de la Estadística en la metodología Seis Sigma: una propuesta de actuación en servicios sanitarios = The key role of statistical methods in Six-Sigma: a proposal of implementation in health care services
Authors: Huerga Castro Carmen , Abad González Julio Ignacio , Blanco Alonso Pilar
Published: May 2015

La metodología seis sigma es un programa de mejora continua de la calidad que, en base a hechos y datos, persigue reducir errores y avanzar hacia altos objetivos de calidad. Ofrece un enfoque estructurado, analítico y racional para el establecimiento de proyectos de mejora acordes con los objetivos planteados. Si bien la popularidad del seis sigma se deriva de su aplicación en los procesos productivos del sector industrial, cada vez está más extendida su aplicación en el sector servicios y, por ende, en los servicios sanitarios donde la “satisfacción del cliente” adquiere una relevancia vital.
La aplicación de seis sigma requiere el uso de un amplio abanico de herramientas estadísticas, de hecho, el término sigma representa la desviación típica de una distribución y es el factor clave para conocer la variabilidad de la misma. Por ello, en este trabajo señalamos las herramientas más apropiadas en cada etapa o fase de implementación del seis sigma (definir, medir, analizar, mejorar y controlar) y presentamos una propuesta de aplicación en un servicio sanitario.

Six-Sigma is a strategy for continuous quality improvement based on facts and data that attempts to reach higher quality standards and lower number of defects. Six-Sigma provides a structured, analytic and rational approach that allows the implementation of quality improvement projects according to the planned objectives. Although its current popularity is mainly due to its widespread implementation in the industrial sector, it is also being increasingly used in the services sector, such as in health care services, where the customer’s satisfaction has an even more crucial relevance.
Six-Sigma involves the use of a wide range of statistical tools; in fact, the term sigma means standard deviation, which is a key measure of the distribution’s variability. In this paper the statistical tools more suitable for each phase of Six-Sigma’s adoption are presented as well a proposal of its adoption in health care services
Preludio
Authors: Del Canto Canto Evaristo
Published: May 2015

Repaso de la crisis financiera desencadenada en 2007
A reexamination of the relationship between volatility, liquidity and trading activity
Authors: Kyaw Khine , Hillier David
Published: May 2015

Este trabajo investiga si la relación entre actividad negociadora en el mercado de acciones, la liquidez del mercado y la volatilidad a nivel de cartera, es similar a dicha relación a nivel deacciones individuales. Para las carteras de empresas de mayor tamaño, la mayor actividad negociadora está relacionada con mayor liquidez y más volatilidad. Sin embargo, a pesar de quela relación volatilidad-liquidez es la misma para las carteras de acciones pequeñas, encontramos que la mayor actividad negociadora está negativamente asociada con la liquidez para estaagrupación. Este contraste en las relaciones está causado por las interrelaciones dinámicas entre las tres variables y una vez que se controla por esas interrelaciones, dicho contraste en losresultados desparece. Estos hallazgos contribuyen al debate sobre el comportamiento del mercado, que ha adquirido un renovado interés en los últimos años.

We investigate whether the relationship between equity trading activity, market liquidity and return volatility at the portfolio level is similar to the relationship at the individual security level. For the very largest firm-size portfolio, higher trading activity is positively associated with greater liquidity and more volatile returns. However, despite the volatility-liquidity relationship being the same for smaller equity portfolios, we find that higher trading activity is negatively associated with liquidity for this grouping. These contrasting relationships are shown to be caused by the interdynamics between all three variables and once we control for these interrelationships, the contrasting results disappear. The findings contribute to the debate on market behaviour that has taken on renewed vigour in recent years.
Análisis de la integración y dependencia de las políticas monetarias de la Unión Europea
Authors: González Velasco María del Carmen , Brinckmann Roque
Published: May 2015

En este artículo se efectúa un análisis de la integración y dependencia de las políticas monetarias de la Unión Europea y, en concreto, de las políticas monetarias de la Unión Económica yMonetaria y de la zona no euro para el periodo comprendido entre Enero de 1999 y Septiembre 2009. Se aplica la metodología de la cointegración de Engle y Granger (1987) y de Johansen(1988) para contrastar la hipótesis de la paridad de tipos de interés no cubierta y se llega a la conclusión de que ambas políticas están cointegradas porque mantienen una relación de equilibrio a largo plazo. También se deduce una dependencia de la política del Banco de Inglaterra de la política del Banco Central Europeo, lo que confirma la importancia y el liderazgo de la Unión Económica y Monetaria.

This study is to investigate the long-run relationship and dependence between the UME´s monetary policy and non-euro zone´s monetary policy for the period from January 4, 1999 to September 30, 2009. We use cointegration methodology to test the Uncovered Interest Parity Hypothesis and the results indicate a long-run cointegration and empirical evidence testifies a leader-follower pattern between the two central banks. According to this pattern, the Bank of England does follow the European Central Bank.
Metodología financiera de gestión y cuantificación de riesgos de las entidades aseguradoras
Authors: Hernández Barros Rafael
Published: May 2015

El artículo describe las diferentes metodologías financieras de gestión integral de riesgos, detallando tanto aquellas utilizadas tradicionalmente en el sector asegurador para tarificar ycalcular las provisiones, y que ahora están siendo utilizadas para calcular la solvencia y los requerimientos de capital, como los modelos financieros más avanzados, tales como los modelosde “stress testing”, utilizados para analizar lo que podría ocurrir en determinados escenarios; la técnica de modelización del valor en riesgo (VaR), para calcular la pérdida máxima posible dentrode un periodo de tiempo y para un determinado nivel de probabilidad; la teoría del valor extremo, que se centra en el estudio de los extremos de la distribución de pérdidas y ganancias esperadas,tratando de estimar las pérdidas máximas que pueden producirse; y la aplicación de cópulas, para incorporar la dependencia entre diferentes tipos de riesgo. Supone también una aproximación aSolvencia II y a las nuevas exigencias de cuantificación del capital que trae consigo esta nueva legislación europea del sector asegurador.

The article describes the different methodologies of financial risk management, featuring both those traditionally used in the insurance industry to estimate insurance, that they are now being used to calculate the solvency and capital requirements, as the more advances financial models as "stress testing", used to analyze what might happen in certain scenarios; the modeling technique of value at risk (VaR), to estimate the maximum possible loss within a period of time and for a certain level of probability; the extreme value theory, which focuses on the study of the ends of the expected losses and income distribution, trying to estimate the maximum losses that may occur; and the application of copulas to incorporate the dependence between different types of risk. It also implies an approach to Solvency II and to the new capital requirements for quantifying capital that brings this new insurance European legislation.
Valoración del derecho de usufructo del accionista
Authors: Álvarez Jaime
Published: May 2015

La valoración de los títulos de propiedad de una sociedad se fundamenta, básicamente, en una doble vía complementaria, la vía patrimonial o estimación del valor de los activos que la empresautiliza, ya sean tangibles o intangibles, o la vía de generación de rentas financieras en el futuro. ¿Qué ocurre si los titulares de los derechos patrimoniales no coinciden con los titulares de losderechos a las rentas que la empresa genere? Esto ocurre cuando el pleno dominio de los títulos de propiedad se divide en los derechos de nuda propiedad y usufructo.

The shareholder value is one of the most important issues in finance as the majority of business merger and acquisitions seeks the right value for each shareholder. The total amount of valuetransacted in international M&A is high enough that it is much important to know exactly which the drivers of this value are.In general, the shareholder owns both rights, what means that he owns the plain property of shares. In instance the problems arises when the usufruct right holder is not the same than thenaked property right holder, this is the case in which the plain property is divided into usufruct and naked property. This paper sets out these rights and values them.
Financial plight in English premiership football : an impact of recent global recession
Authors: Mnzava Bernard
Published: May 2015

Este trabajo describe el impacto de la reciente recesión global sobre los clubs de la liga de fútbol inglesa. También explica las principales fuentes de ingresos y cómo esas fuentes se han vistoafectadas por el entorno cambiante. Además, el trabajo revisa los principales gastos en los que incurren los clubs y las principales razones que los explican. Finalmente, proporciona indicacionessobre el uso apropiado de los fondos para reducir el impacto de las recesiones globales en el futuro.

This paper describes the impact of the recent global recession in English Premiership football clubs. It also explains the main sources of revenues and how these sources were affected by thechanging environment. In addition, the paper reviews the major expenditures incurred by clubs and the main reasons for incurring the expenditure. Finally, the paper provides direction on theappropriate use of funds to reduce the impact of a global recession in future.
A la memoria de Luis Echegaray Quirós
Authors: Placer Galán José Luis
Published: May 2015

En recuerdo del profesor Echegaray Quirós
Re-Engineering Marketing (RM)
Authors: Hadzhiev Bozhidar Iv.
Published: May 2015

La globalización, el auge de la economía, el progreso de la e-net economía, y el gran dinamismo de las relaciones comerciales se están constituyendo como una función progresiva en constante crecimiento, predeterminando la utilización de unas pocas nuevas oportunidades para aumentar la eficacia de las empresas. Llegados a este punto, a través del prisma de los métodos de reingeniería en el presente artículo se muestran algunos problemas básicos y las oportunidades existentes para la Reingeniería del Marketing (RM).

Globalization, the rise of the economy, the progress of the e-net economy, and the high dynamics of business relationships are developing as one of the permanently rising progressive functions, predetermining the use of a few new opportunities for increasing effectiveness of the industry companies. At this point, through the prism of Re-engineering methods, a few basic problems and opportunities for Re-engineering Marketing (RM) are presented in this paper.
El efecto del país de origen en la compra de automóviles importados
Authors: Jiménez Torres Nadia H. , San Martín Gutiérrez Sonia
Published: May 2015

La globalización ha incrementado las oportunidades de las empresas de distribuir sus productos a los consumidores de todo el mundo, aumentando la competencia de las empresas en el mercado doméstico y en los mercados internacionales. En este contexto, el país de origen del producto puede ser un atributo diferenciador de los productos y empresas en diferentes mercados. Así, el efecto país de origen puede convertirse en una barrera intangible para ganar cuota de mercado doméstica o una ventaja competitiva para la entrada de las empresas españolas en nuevos mercados. En este trabajo, analizaremos diversas variables mencionadas en la literatura de marketing para estudiar desde diferentes perspectivas teóricas el atributo país de origen con el objetivo de establecer un modelo conceptual integral.

Globalization has increased the opportunities for companies to distribute their goods to consumers all over the world, increasing firm’s competition in domestic and foreign markets. In this context, the country-of-origin or the product can be a cue that helps consumers to differentiate products and firms in different markets. Thus, the country-of-origin effect can represent an intangible barrier to gain domestic market share and an intangible advantage to position Spanish products in new markets. In this study, we will analyze several variables mentioned in literature to study country-of-origin from different perspectives with the purpose of establishing an integrative conceptual model
Marketing de ciudades y "Place Branding"
Authors: Muñiz Martínez Norberto , Cervantes Blanco Miguel
Published: May 2015

En esta investigación se analiza el marketing de ciudades en el marco de las marcas territoriales o place branding. Se estudia el concepto de la identidad como referencia de partida a partir del cual desarrollar una estrategia de comercialización urbana, la cual se concibe dentro de un enfoque más amplio de dirección estratégica, y que engloba la transformación física con el urbanismo, las infraestructuras y los aspectos sociales. Este proceso estratégico finaliza con la creación de una comunicación urbana a través de elementos como lemas y logotipos. Se estudia la evolución general del énfasis en los aspectos urbanos clave, desde las infraestructuras y los aspectos industriales a los valores y la creatividad. Asimismo, también se exploran los aspectos derivados de las simbologías urbanas, la formación de redes de ciudades temáticas y redes de notoriedad cultural.

This paper analyse the emerging concepts of city marketing and place branding. The concept of identity is studied as a starting reference from which to develop an urban marketing strategy, which is conceived within a context broader strategic management approach, and encompasses a physical regeneration or urbanization transformation, and infrastructure and social aspects. This strategic process ends with creating an urban communication through elements such as slogans and logos. We study the general evolution emphasis on key urban issues, from infrastructure and industrial aspects towards values and creativity. In addition, issues arising from the urban symbolism are also explored, as well as the development of urban networks, and thematic networks of cultural visibility.
Responsibility for the future of the world-paradigm shift in the theory and practice of marketing
Authors: Rekettye Gábor , Hetesi Erzsébet
Published: May 2015

En las últimas cuatro décadas muchos estudios científicos fueron publicados sobre los impactos medioambientales que amenazan el futuro de nuestro planeta. Estas manifestaciones apenas han afectado el área de marketing, no ha habido ningún cambio paradigmático. La primera parte del artículo trata de los procesos climáticos que amenazan el medio ambiente y la vida cotidiana de la población, y que pueden ser importantes para la formación del futuro del marketing. Hay una relación estrecha entre el cambio climático y el consumismo que estimula la investigación sobre la responsabilidad y la sostenibilidad del consumo. La segunda parte del artículo trata de esbozar las nuevas tendencias posibles en la teoría y en la práctica del marketing que son necesarias para enfrentar las cambiantes necesidades medioambientales.

In the last four decades quite a lot of scientific studies have been published about those dangerous signs which threaten the future of our world. These manifests have only slightly affected the field of marketing; no paradigm shift has taken place. The first part of the paper deals with climate processes threatening the environment and the everyday life of the population, and which may be important in shaping the future of marketing. There is a strong relation between climate change and consumerism enforcing the research about the responsibility and sustainability of consumption. The second part of the study tries to outline those possible new trends in the theory and practice of marketing which are necessary to meet the changing environmental needs.
Los pasivos financieros. Problemática contable de los débitos y partidas a pagar
Authors: Flórez López Raquel
Published: May 2015

Los pasivos financieros en el PGC 2007
El arrendamiento financiero y operativo
Authors: Fernández Santos Yolanda
Published: May 2015

El arrendamiento financiero y operativo en el PGC 2007
Cambio en la naturaleza del negocio de las entidades de crédito españolas en la segunda mitad de la década de los noventa (1995-2000) : evidencia empírica, nuevos problemas y soluciones organizativas
Authors: Marbella Sánchez Federico
Published: May 2015

Este artículo examina el comportamiento de algunos parámetros económicos claves de las entidades de crédito españolas en el periodo 1995-2000. Dicho examen pone de manifiesto la continua disminución del margen de intermediación y sus causas, así como el cambio en la naturaleza de negocio bancario en el que cede importancia la actividad tradicional de intermediación adquiriendo mayor peso el negocio financiero (Intervención en los mercados de capitales, monetarios, de derivados, etc.). La extensión del ámbito de actividad bancaria da lugar a nuevas y especializadas unidades estratégicas de negocios que operan en condiciones de información asimétrica. Ello hace necesario contar con diseños organizativos que faciliten la coordinación, reduzcan costes de estructura y de agencia y permitan explotar y/o generar sinergias entre las tradicionales y las nuevas líneas de negocios.

This paper examines the behaviour of several key economic parameters among Spanish finance companies over the period 1995-2000. This examination serves to highlight a continual decrease in margins for intermediaries and its causes. It also indicates the changes in the nature of banking business, in which the traditional function as intermediary is losing its prime place and financial business (intervention in capital, money, and derivatives markets and the like) is taking on a greater importance. This extension of the field of operations of the banking industry is giving rise to new specialized strategic business units operating in conditions of asymmetry of information. This leads to a need for organizational frameworks facilitating co-ordination, reducing agency costs and allowing synergies between traditional and new lines of business to be generated and-or exploited.
Fuentes externas de conocimiento y su efecto sobre el esfuerzo innovador en los sectores industriales y de servicios en España
Authors: Sánchez González Gloria , Herrera Liliana
Published: May 2015

Hoy en día, no son los fabricantes los únicos encargados del desarrollo de nuevos productos, procesos o servicios, sino que se hace necesario reconocer la importancia que tienen otros agentes externos a la empresa como fuente de actividades innovadoras. La complejidad y dinamismo de los entornos actuales obliga a las empresas a complementar su base interna de conocimientos con otros procedentes del exterior. Estas circunstancias han llevado a distinguir entre fuentes internas y externas de innovación. Puesto que las primeras han sido suficientemente estudiadas y analizadas en la literatura, el presente trabajo pretende avanzar sobre el conocimiento de las segundas y sus implicaciones en la actividad innovadora de las empresas. Para ello se ha analizado la influencia de nueve de esas fuentes externas sobre la intensidad total de la actividad innovadora y de las actividades de I+D intramuros y extramuros del conjunto del sector productivo español durante el periodo 2001-2003, llegando a la conclusión de que los clientes son quienes mayor impacto ejercen en los tres casos.

Manufacturers are currently not the only ones in charge of developing new products, processes or services. Instead, nowadays it is necessary to recognize the importante of other external agents to the organization as sources of innovation activities. The present complex and dynamic environments force organizations to complement their internal knowledge with other sorts of external information. These circumstances have created a distinction between internal and external innovation sources. Given that the first have been studied and analysed thoroughly in the literature, the present study tries to advance in the understanding of the second and its mplications with regard to the organizations' innovation activities. In order to achieve this objective, the present article analyzes the effect of nine external sources on the total innovation activity intensity and also on the internal and external R&D activities of the whole Spanish productive sector during the period spanning from 2001 to 2003. This study concludes that cooperation with customers had the most significant effect in all of the tree cases.
La identidad lectora de los maestros en formación como componente de su identidad docente. Un estudio de sus autobiografías como lectores.
Authors: Granado Cristina , Puig María
Published: May 2015

Para formar profesores es necesario comprender cómo se desarrolla la identidad docente de los futuros docentes y, para ello, es fundamental analizar el impacto que sobre este proceso tienen las biografías personales. La lectura, al tratarse de una habilidad cognitiva más que de un conocimiento y ser omnipresente en la vida de los docentes desde su niñez, presenta unas características distintivas como materia de enseñanza. Esto lleva a plantear qué impacto puede tener la identidad lectora de los docentes en la configuración de su identidad y su conocimiento como formadores de lectores. Se han analizado las autobiografías lectoras escritas por 88 estudiantes del último curso del grado de maestro de Educación Primaria, con el objetivo de comprender su identidad de lectores. Los resultados permiten detectar los factores que se hallan en la base de su visión de sí mismos como lectores y comprobar cómo esta se enraíza en su biografía lectora. Se concluye que los futuros maestros, con identidades lectoras distintas,  comparten una representación del trabajo lector en la escuela muy similar, como una tarea centrada en el dominio de las destrezas lectoras más externas, en la lectura de propósito eferente y en la falta de oportunidades para el control personal de lecturas y el placer lector.
Effectiveness of Soft Tissue Massage for Nonspecific Shoulder Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van den Dolder Paul A. , Ferreira Paulo H. , Refshauge Kathryn M.
Published: May 2015

Background

Soft tissue massage and exercise are commonly used to treat episodes of shoulder pain.

Objective

The study objective was to compare the effects of soft tissue massage and exercise with those of exercise alone on pain, disability, and range of motion in people with nonspecific shoulder pain.

Design

This was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The study was conducted in public hospital physical therapy clinics in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

The study participants were 80 people with an average age of 62.6 years (SD=12.2) who were referred to physical therapists for treatment of nonspecific shoulder pain.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned to either a group that received soft tissue massage around the shoulder and exercises (n=40) or a group that received exercise only (n=40) for 4 weeks.

Measurements

The primary outcome was improvement in pain, as measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale, 1 week after the cessation of treatment. Secondary outcomes were disability and active flexion, abduction, and hand-behind-back range of motion. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 1 week after the cessation of treatment, and 12 weeks after the cessation of treatment.

Results

The between-group difference in pain scores from the baseline to 12 weeks after the cessation of treatment demonstrated a small significant difference in favor of the group receiving exercise only (mean difference=14.7 mm). There were no significant differences between groups in any other variable.

Limitations

It was not possible to mask therapists or participants to group allocation. Diagnostic tests were not used on participants to determine specific shoulder pathology.

Conclusions

The addition of soft tissue massage to an exercise program for the shoulder conferred no additional benefit for improving pain, disability, or range of motion in people with nonspecific shoulder pain.
Effects of Vibration Intensity, Exercise, and Motor Impairment on Leg Muscle Activity Induced by Whole-Body Vibration in People With Stroke
Authors: Liao Lin-Rong , Ng Gabriel Y.F. , Jones Alice Y.M. , Chung Raymond C.K. , Pang Marco Y.C.
Published: May 2015

Background

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has increasingly been used as an adjunct treatment in neurological rehabilitation. However, how muscle activation level changes during exposure to different WBV protocols in individuals after stroke remains understudied.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of WBV intensity on the magnitude of biceps femoris (BF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activity and its interaction with exercise and with severity of motor impairment and spasticity among individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods

Each of the 36 individuals with chronic stroke (mean age=57.3 years, SD=10.7) performed 8 different static exercises under 3 WBV conditions: (1) no WBV, (2) low-intensity WBV (frequency=20 Hz, amplitude=0.60 mm, peak acceleration=0.96g), and (3) high-intensity WBV (30 Hz, 0.44 mm, 1.61g). The levels of bilateral TA and BF muscle activity were recorded using surface electromyography (EMG).

Results

The main effect of intensity was significant. Exposure to the low-intensity and high-intensity protocols led to a significantly greater increase in normalized BF and TA muscle electromyographic magnitude in both legs compared with no WBV. The intensity × exercise interaction also was significant, suggesting that the WBV-induced increase in EMG activity was exercise dependent. The EMG responses to WBV were similar between the paretic and nonparetic legs and were not associated with level of lower extremity motor impairment and spasticity.

Limitations

Leg muscle activity was measured during static exercises only.

Conclusions

Adding WBV during exercise significantly increased EMG activity in the TA and BF muscles. The EMG responses to WBV in the paretic and nonparetic legs were similar and were not related to degree of motor impairment and spasticity. The findings are useful for guiding the design of WBV training protocols for people with stroke.
Recent Advances in Carbon Capture with Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Stylianou Kyriakos C. , Queen Wendy L.
Published: May 2015

The escalating level of CO2 in the atmosphere is one of the most critical environmental issues of our age. The carbon capture and storage from pilot test plants represents an option for reducing CO2 emissions, however, the energy cost associated with post-combustion
carbon capture process alone is ?30% of the total energy generated by the power plant. Thus, the generation of carbon capture adsorbents with high uptake capacities, great separation performance and low cost is of paramount importance. Metal–organic frameworks are infinite networks
of metal-containing nodes bridged by organic ligands through coordination bonds into porous extended structures and several reports have revealed that they are ideal candidates for the selective capture of CO2. In this review we summarize recent advances related to the synthesis
of porous MOFs and the latest strategies to enhance the CO2 adsorption enthalpies and capacities at low-pressures, increase hydrolytic and mechanical stabilities, and improve the ease of regeneration. Although they show great promise for post-combustion carbon capture, there are
still major challenges that must be overcome before they can be used for such a large-scale application.
Recovering Valuable Phosphates: Chemical Biotechnology as a Problem Solver for the Environment
Authors: Heinzelmann Elsbeth
Published: May 2015

Researchers from the HES-SO Valais/Wallis have demonstrated how to extract phosphate from sewage sludge on the laboratory scale using renewable energy sources from a microbial fuel cell. The mobilized phosphate barely contains heavy metals and can be used to produce fertilizer of marketable
quality. The necessary energy comes from a sewage treatment plant and causes no additional costs.
Fine control of drug delivery for cochlear implant applications
Authors: Homsy Alexandra , Laux Edith , Brossard Julien , Whitlow Harry J. , Roccio Marta , Hahnewald Stefan , Senn Pascal , Mistrík Pavel , Hessler Roland , Melchionna Teresa , Frick Claudia , Löwenheim Hubert , Müller Marcus , Wank Ute , Wiesmüller Karl-Heinz , Keppner Herbert
Published: May 2015

Cochlear implants are neuroprostheses that are inserted into the inner ear to directly electrically stimulate the auditory nerve, thus replacing lost cochlear receptors, the hair cells. The reduction of the gap between electrodes and nerve cells will contribute to technological solutions simultaneously increasing the frequency resolution, the sound quality and the amplification of the signal. Recent findings indicate that neurotrophins (NTs) such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulate the neurite outgrowth of auditory nerve cells by activating Trk receptors on the cellular surface (1–3). Furthermore, small-size TrkB receptor agonists such as di-hydroxyflavone (DHF) are now available, which activate the TrkB receptor with similar efficiency as BDNF, but are much more stable (4). Experimentally, such molecules are currently used to attract nerve cells towards, for example, the electrodes of cochlear implants. This paper analyses the scenarios of low dose aspects of controlled release of small-size Trk receptor agonists from the coated CI electrode array into the inner ear. The control must first ensure a sufficient dose for the onset of neurite growth. Secondly, a gradient in concentration needs to be maintained to allow directive growth of neurites through the perilymph-filled gap towards the electrodes of the implant. We used fluorescein as a test molecule for its molecular size similarity to DHF and investigated two different transport mechanisms of drug dispensing, which both have the potential to fulfil controlled low-throughput drug-deliverable requirements. The first is based on the release of aqueous fluorescein into water through well-defined 60-μm size holes arrays in a membrane by pure osmosis. The release was both simulated using the software COMSOL and observed experimentally. In the second approach, solid fluorescein crystals were encapsulated in a thin layer of parylene (PPX), hence creating random nanometer-sized pinholes. In this approach, the release occurred due to subsequent water diffusion through the pinholes, dissolution of the fluorescein and then release by out-diffusion. Surprisingly, the release rate of solid fluorescein through the nanoscopic scale holes was found to be in the same order of magnitude as for liquid fluorescein release through microscopic holes.
Increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage among patients with chronic osteomyelitis
Authors: Tseng Chun-Hung , Huang Wei-Shih , Muo Chih-Hsin , Chang Yen-Jung , Sung Fung-Chang
Published: May 2015

OBJECT

Inflammation may provoke cerebral arteriolar ectasia, inducing microaneurysm formation and further promoting intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) is an inflammatory disorder for which study of its role in ICH is lacking. This study explored whether COM increases the risk of ICH.

METHODS

From Taiwan national insurance inpatient claims, 22,052 patients who were newly diagnosed with COM between 1997 and 2010 were identified; 88, 207 age and sex frequency-matched subjects without COM were selected at random for comparison. Risks of ICH associated with COM and comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and drug abuse, were assessed by the end of 2010.

RESULTS

The incidence of ICH was 1.68 times higher in the COM cohort than in the comparison cohort, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.50 (95% CI 1.29–1.74) estimated in the multivariable Cox model. Age-specific analysis showed that the HR of ICH for COM patients decreased with age, with an adjusted HR of 3.28 (95% CI 1.88–5.75) in the < 40-year age group, which declined to 1.11 (95% CI 0.88–1.40) in the elderly. The incidence of ICH increased with the severity of COM; for those with severe COM the adjusted HR was 4.42 (95% CI 3.31–5.89). For subjects without comorbidities, the incidence of ICH was 1.20-fold (95% CI 1.00–1.45) higher in the COM cohort than in the comparison cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests for the first time that COM is an inflammatory factor associated with increased risk of ICH, especially in younger patients.
Improvement in cerebral hemodynamic parameters and outcomes after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass in patients with severe stenoocclusive disease of the intracranial internal carotid or middle cerebral arteries
Authors: Low Shiong Wen , Teo Kejia , Lwin Sein , Yeo Leonard L. L. , Paliwal Prakash R. , Ahmad Aftab , Sinha Arvind K. , Teoh Hock Luen , Wong Lily Y. H. , Chong Vincent F. , Seet Raymond C. S. , Chan Bernard P. L. , Yeo Tseng Tsai , Chou Ning , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: May 2015

OBJECT

Both the older and the recent extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass trials for symptomatic carotid occlusion failed to demonstrate a reduction in stroke recurrence. However, the role of superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenoocclusive disease has been rarely evaluated. The authors evaluated serial changes in various cerebral hemodynamic parameters in patients with severe stenoocclusive disease of the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA) and impaired cerebral vasodilatory reserve (CVR), treated by STA-MCA bypass surgery or medical treatment.

METHODS

Patients with severe stenoocclusive disease of the intracranial ICA or MCA underwent transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography and CVR assessment using the breath-holding index (BHI). Patients with impaired BHI (< 0.69) were further evaluated with acetazolamide-challenge technitium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc HMPAO) SPECT. STA-MCA bypass surgery was offered to patients with impaired CVR on SPECT. All patients underwent TCD and SPECT at 4 ± 1 months and were followed up for cerebral ischemic events.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients were included. This total included 73 men, and the mean age of the entire study population was 56 years (range 23–78 years). 99mTc HMPAO SPECT demonstrated impaired CVR in 77 patients (69%). Of these 77 patients, 46 underwent STA-MCA bypass while 31 received best medical treatment. TCD and acetazolamide-challenge 99mTc HMPAO SPECT repeated at 4 ± 1 months showed significant improvement in the STA-MCA bypass group. During a mean follow-up of 34 months (range 18–39 months), only 6 (13%) of 46 patients in the bypass group developed cerebral ischemic events, as compared with 14 (45%) of 31 patients receiving medical therapy (absolute risk reduction 32%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

STA-MCA bypass surgery in carefully selected patients with symptomatic severe intracranial stenoocclusive disease of the intracranial ICA or MCA results in significant improvement in hemodynamic parameters and reduction in stroke recurrence.
Comprehensive drilling of the C1–2 facets to achieve direct posterior reduction in irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation
Authors: Salunke Pravin , Sahoo Sushanta K. , Deepak Arsikere N. , Ghuman Mandeep S. , Khandelwal Niranjan K.
Published: May 2015

OBJECT

The cause of irreducibility in irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) appears to be the orientation of the C1–2 facets. The current management strategies for irreducible AAD are directed at removing the cause of irreducibility followed by fusion, rather than transoral decompression and posterior fusion. The technique described in this paper addresses C1–2 facet mobilization by facetectomies to aid intraoperative manipulation.

METHODS

Using this technique, reduction was achieved in 19 patients with congenital irreducible AAD treated between January 2011 and December 2013. The C1–2 joints were studied preoperatively, and particular attention was paid to the facet orientation. Intraoperatively, oblique C1–2 joints were opened widely, and extensive drilling of the facets was performed to make them close to flat and parallel to each other, converting an irreducible AAD to a reducible one. Anomalous vertebral arteries (VAs) were addressed appropriately. Further reduction was then achieved after vertical distraction and joint manipulation.

RESULTS

Adequate facet drilling was achieved in all but 2 patients, due to VA injury in 1 patient and an acute sagittal angle operated on 2 years previously in the other patient. Complete reduction could be achieved in 17 patients and partial in the remaining 2. All patients showed clinical improvement. Two patients showed partial redislocation due to graft subsidence. The fusion rates were excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive drilling of the C1–2 facets appears to be a logical and effective technique for achieving direct posterior reduction in irreducible AAD. The extensive drilling makes large surfaces raw, increasing fusion rates.
Intracystic interferon-α treatment leads to neurotoxicity in craniopharyngioma: case report
Authors: Sharma Julia , Bonfield Christopher M. , Singhal Ash , Hukin Juliette , Steinbok Paul
Published: May 2015

Craniopharyngioma is a benign, cystic suprasellar tumor that can be treated with intracystic chemotherapy. Interferon-α (IFN-α) has been gaining popularity as an intracystic treatment for craniopharyngioma because of its efficacy and supposed benign neurotoxicity profile. In this case report the authors describe a patient who, while receiving intracystic IFN-α, suffered a neurological event, which was believed to be related to drug leakage outside the cyst. This is the first report of a focal neurological deficit potentially attributable to intracystic IFN-α therapy, highlighting the fact that IFN-α may have neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. Given this case and the results of a literature review, the authors suggest that a positive leak test is a relative contraindication to intracystic IFN-α treatment.
Effects of Feeding Sugar Beet Pulp and Avizyme Supplementation on Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrient Digestion and Nitrogen Balance of Laying Japanese Quail
Authors: Alagawany Mahmoud , Attia Adel
Published: May 2015

The major goals of this study were to determine the impact of sugar beet pulp (SBP) levels and Avizyme® 1500 (xylanase, protease and amylase) enzyme addition on productive and reproductive performance as well as egg quality, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen (N) balance in laying Japanese quail between 12 and 20 weeks of age. The experimental design consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of SBP (0, 20 and 40 g kg−1 diet) and three concentrations of Avizyme (0, 1 and 2 g kg−1 diet). There were no differences in feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg number, egg weight nor egg mass caused by the treatment. Final body weight was significantly ( P ≤ 0.01) decreased by increasing SBP levels. Increasing SBP level from 20 to 40 g kg−1 in the diet of laying quails led to significant reduction in fertility percentage by 2.67 and 7.01 and 4.60% during periods 12–16, 16–20 and 12–20 weeks of age, respectively. Hatchability percentages (from fertile eggs) elevated gradually with decreasing SBP levels in the diets during the whole period. Different levels of SBP and Avizyme, or their interaction, insignificantly affected the external and internal egg quality of the laying quails during the overall experimental period (12–20 weeks of age). Meanwhile, the different levels of SBP had a significant effect on all the digestion coefficients of the nutrients except for the N digestibility. The N consumption (g d−1), N in egg (g d−1), N excretion (g d−1), N faecal, N intake and N retention were not significantly affected neither by SBP inclusion nor by Avizyme supplementation. The overall results indicated that inclusion of SBP and Avizyme in quail diets did not affect productive performance, egg quality criteria and nitrogen balance but reproductive parameters and digestibility of the nutrient statistically decreased with increasing SBP up to 40 g kg−1 diet throughout the overall period (12–20 weeks of age).
Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Assessment of Amoxicillin for the Control of Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler-Breeders under Field Conditions
Authors: Koutoulis K.C. , Pappas I. , Filioussis G. , Athanasiou L.V.
Published: May 2015

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an acute Clostridium infection characterised by sudden onset, high mortality and severe necrosis of intestinal mucosa. The present study was conducted to clinically assess the efficacy of amoxicillin to control naturally occurring NE caused by Clostridium perfringens type A in broiler-breeders and to further support the clinical outcome of drug administration with evidence of efficacy based on the pharmacodynamic/ pharmacokinetic correlation. A flock of 34,000 broiler-breeders exhibited an abrupt increase in mortality and a mild decrease in egg production, together with a reduction in body weight (BW). No signs of gross lesions were apparent, except a necrotic pseudomembrane covering the intestinal mucosa. Microbiological cultures from the intestine and PCR revealed the presence of Clostridium perfringens type A. After the administration of an amoxicillin compound (Animox® 500 water soluble powder50%, PHARMAQUA) at the dose of 20 mg kg−1 BW diluted in the drinking water for five consecutive days, the flock recovered normally, the production data reached levels prior to induction of the disease and the intestine tissue was rapidly improved. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the isolated pathogen was determined and a pharmacokinetic study was performed under field conditions. The pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic correlation revealed a Cmax/MIC ratio of 167.9, well above the value of 10–12 for a bactericidal and eliminatory effect to be expected. Furthermore, the AUC/MIC ratio was 1383.2, supporting the efficacy of the drug even if used in immunocompromised patients. Based on both clinical and pharmacological evidence amoxicillin can be used for the control of NE during an outbreak.
Therapeutic Effect on Bladder Cancer with a Conditionally Replicating Oncolytic Virus Derived from Type II Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Joo Kwan Joong , Li Hongtao , Zhang Xiaoliu , Lerner Seth P.
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

Despite recent improvements, resistance to traditional immunotherapy or chemotherapy is still common in patients with bladder cancer. We constructed an oncolytic virus from herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2), which selectively targets tumor cells with an activated Ras signaling pathway. We evaluated the antitumor effect of this oncolytic HSV-2 (FusOn-H2) against bladder cancer, and compared with that of a first generation oncolytic virus derived from HSV-1 (Baco-1).

Materials and methods:

We established bladder tumor at the orthotopic site in C3H/He mice using the MBT-2 cells. Baco-1 or FusOn-H2 was instilled into the bladder through the urethra respectively. Tumor volume and weight were recorded by the end of the experiment. Animal spleens were also collected to determine if any anti-tumor immunity was elicited during virotherapy in this syngeneic bladder cancer model.

Results:

Two instillations of the oncolytic HSVs into bladder of tumor-bearing mice almost completely eradicated the tumor in majority of tumor bearing mice. The results of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity assay showed that tumor destruction by oncolytic viruses in vivo, especially by the FusOn-H2, induced potent anti-tumor immune responses.

Conclusion:

Oncolytic virus derived from HSV-2 has potent anti-tumor activity against bladder cancer. Oncolytic effect of this virus in vivo induces tumor specific cellular immunity that further enhances the overall anti-tumor activity. Translating this novel virotherapy into the clinic could present an alternative intravesical therapy strategy for patients with bladder cancer.
Sustaining society with ecological capitalism
Authors: Turnbull Shann
Published: May 2015

Abstract The research question is how to achieve a prosperous environmentally sustainable global society. The objective is incompatible with economic policies of full employment or of uninhibited use of non-renewable resources. Politically attractive incentives of smaller taxes are identified as a way of changing the way capitalistic economies operates by introducing ecological forms of owning and controlling realty, firms and money. Ecological capitalism facilitates increases in prosperity even with de-growth from a declining and aging population. Crucially, it introduces localisation in citizen ownership and control of the means of production and exchange to provide a basic minimum dividend income for all citizens. A basic income allows full employment policies to be replaced with policies of fulfillment in employment and/or leisure. The cost of welfare and the size of government reduced from the tax reductions creates the political incentive for change. Localisation also enriches democracy with the power for citizens to nurture their host environment. Increased life expectancy with depopulation is already occurring in over twenty countries and this is expected to spread globally in the current century. This phenomenon with current environmental degradation creates an imperative for introducing ecological capitalism as an answer to the research question sooner rather than later.
Quality of Life in Patients with NSCLC Receiving Maintenance Therapy
Authors: Rittmeyer Achim
Published: May 2015

Introduction: In the past few years many trials have evaluated the use of maintenance therapy in the treatment of NSCLC stage IV. Both switch as well as continuation maintenance show an improved PFS and overall survival. HRQoL data was only partially published. The aim of this article is to review the published effects of maintenance therapy on HRQoL. Methods: Two PubMed searches were performed using the terms: “maintenance therapy and NSCLC” and “maintenance therapy and NSCLC and HRQoL”. The published data was compared, analysed and evaluated. Results: 272 articles were found dealing with maintenance therapy, and of these 85 articles were found regarding maintenance therapy and HRQoL in NSCLC. Maintenance therapy showed no negative impact on HRQoL but failed to show a real benefit. Some symptoms showed positive trends during maintenance therapy. HRQoL can be used to select patients for maintenance therapy. Conclusions: Maintenance therapy is very safe, improves PFS and OS without impairing HRQoL. Although a positive impact on general QoL could not be demonstrated this is possibly due to the mode of evaluating HRQoL. Patient reported outcomes should be simplified and examined for a longer period of time.
Cancers Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Weiss Robert
Published: May 2015

Cancers has instituted a “Best Paper” award to recognize the most outstanding papers in the area of oncology published in Cancers.[...]