bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of paternalistic leadership on innovation: an integrated model
Authors: Fu Xiao , Li Yi , Si Youhe
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of paternalistic leadership on innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conceptualizes an integrated model that combines the dual‐core model and ambidextrous model of innovation. Using a sample of 159 Chinese high‐tech enterprises, some hypotheses are tested.

Findings

The results show: authoritarianism has a directly negative effect on exploitative innovation and positively moderates the effectiveness of exploitative innovation; benevolence has a directly positive effect both on exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation; benevolence negatively moderates the effectiveness of exploratory innovation and positively moderates the effectiveness of exploitative innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper adopts the cross‐sectional study design, while innovation and formation of the implementation are relatively long‐term, dynamic processes. Thus, longitudinal design is a direction worth trying in follow‐up studies. Besides, using random samples affects to some extent the conclusion's generalizability.

Practical implications

Proper patriarchal leadership behavior (authoritarianism/benevolence) should be employed in the face of different types of innovation activities (exploratory innovation/exploitative innovation) and at the different stages of innovative activities (innovation ideas emerging stage/innovation behavior implementation stage). If properly used, patriarchal leadership with both authoritarianism and benevolence will effectively enhance innovation performance. Conversely, it may produce negative effects.

Originality/value

This paper has studied the influence of paternalistic leadership on exploratory and exploitative innovation. Different from the existing literature, this paper based on Daft's dual‐core model and Duncan's ambidextrous model and builds an integrated model.
Tear production and drainage after botulinum toxin A injection in patients with essential blepharospasm
Authors: Park Dae Il , Shin Hyun Min , Lee Sang Yeul , Lew Helen
Published: February 2013

Purpose:  To evaluate the clinical manifestations of tear production, distribution and drainage in the essential blepharospasm patients, and to analyse the changes after botulinum toxin A injection in these patients.

Methods:  This prospective study was performed in 23 patients with essential blepharospasm treated with Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A; Dysport, Ipsen Biopharm, UK) from November 2010 to February 2011. Ocular examinations, including frequency and severity of blepharospasm, tear break up time (BUT), Schirmer’s test, lower lid tear meniscus height (TMH) measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT, rtvue software version 3.5; Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA), and dacryoscintigraphy using 99m technetium pertechnetate, were performed before and 2 weeks after BoNT‐A injection. We asked all patients about changes in the dry eye symptom score, before and after treatment. Results were analysed with independent t‐test using spss software version 12.0 for Windows XP, (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:  Botulinum neurotoxin A treatment relieved blepharospasm in all patients. Mean injection dose was 38 ± 5.6 units. After injection, mean tear BUT was significantly increased from 4.7 ± 4.9 to 6.6 ± 1.6 seconds (p = 0.001) Lower TMH increased in all three points and most notably at the lateral point (p = 0.05). On dacryoscintigraphy, tear drainage velocity was not affected by BoNT‐A treatment. But Tc‐99m 50% clearance time in interpalpebral fissure significantly increased from 1564 to 2220 seconds on the time activity curve (p = 0.027). Subjective dry eye symptoms also improved in 16 patients (70%) after injection.

Conclusion:  Tear film stability and TMH increased, but tear drainage velocity was not affected by BoNT‐A treatment. Overall Tc‐99m 50% clearance time in interpalpebral fissure significantly increased, and tear storage from mild lateral lower eyelid laxity increased after BoNT‐A injection. Botulinum neurotoxin A injection was also effective for combined dry eye symptom in the essential blepharospasm patients.
Review article: the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant candidates and recipients
Authors: Joshi D. , Carey I. , Agarwal K.
Published: February 2013

Background

Recently, the therapeutic landscape with regard to anti‐HCV therapy has changed dramatically. The new directly acting anti‐virals (DAAs) have demonstrated improved sustained virological response (SVR) compared with pegylated‐interferon and ribavirin.

Aim

To examine and present the latest data with regard to anti‐viral therapy in genotype 1 HCV‐positive transplant candidates and recipients.

Methods

An electronic search using Medline was performed. Search terms included ‘HCV, DAA and protease inhibitor’ in combination with ‘treatment pre‐transplantation’ and ‘treatment post‐transplantation’.

Results

Patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis have inferior SVR rates compared with patients with minimal fibrosis. A low accelerating dose regimen (LADR) of pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PR) appears to be a safe therapeutic option. Side effects also appear to be more pronounced in patients with advanced disease. Data from the large registration studies with triple therapy (boceprevir or telaprevir plus PR) demonstrated improved SVR rates even in patients with advanced disease, although virological relapse rates were highest amongst these patients. In transplant recipients, initial data are being reported on the use of triple therapy, and although no SVR data are available, promising results are accruing. The drug–drug interactions appear to be manageable. Side effects in particular anaemia appear to be markedly increased in the posttransplant setting.

Conclusions

The use of the new DAAs in patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis pretransplant and posttransplant appears possible, with manageable side effects and drug–drug interactions, and improved early virological response rates. We recommend that these patients are managed in centres with the appropriate expertise.
Pharmacokinetics of melatonin in preterm infants
Authors: Merchant Nazakat M. , Azzopardi Denis V. , Hawwa Ahmed F. , McElnay James C. , Middleton Benita , Arendt J. , Arichi Tomoki , Gressens Pierre , Edwards A. David
Published: February 2013

Aims

Preterm infants are deprived of the normal intra‐uterine exposure to maternal melatonin and may benefit from replacement therapy. We conducted a pharmacokinetic study to guide potential therapeutic trials.

Methods

Melatonin was administered to 18 preterm infants in doses ranging from 0.04–0.6 μg kg−1 over 0.5–6 h. Pharmacokinetic profiles were analyzed individually and by population methods.

Results

Baseline melatonin was largely undetectable. Infants receiving melatonin at 0.1 μg kg−1 h−1 for 2 h showed a median half‐life of 15.82 h and median maximum plasma concentration of 203.3 pg ml−1. On population pharmacokinetics, clearance was 0.045 l h−1, volume of distribution 1.098 l and elimination half‐life 16.91 h with gender (P = 0.047) and race (P < 0.0001) as significant covariates.

Conclusions

A 2 h infusion of 0.1 μg kg−1 h−1 increased blood melatonin from undetectable to approximately peak adult concentrations. Slow clearance makes replacement of a typical maternal circadian rhythm problematic. The pharmacokinetic profile of melatonin in preterm infants differs from that of adults so dosage of melatonin for preterm infants cannot be extrapolated from adult studies. Data from this study can be used to guide therapeutic clinical trials of melatonin in preterm infants.
Using Reinforcement Learning to Examine Dynamic Attention Allocation During Reading
Authors: Liu Yanping , Reichle Erik D. , Gao Ding‐Guo
Published: February 2013

A fundamental question in reading research concerns whether attention is allocated strictly serially, supporting lexical processing of one word at a time, or in parallel, supporting concurrent lexical processing of two or more words (Reichle, Liversedge, Pollatsek, & Rayner, 2009). The origins of this debate are reviewed. We then report three simulations to address this question using artificial reading agents (Liu & Reichle, 2010; Reichle & Laurent, 2006) that learn to dynamically allocate attention to 1–4 words to “read” as efficiently as possible. These simulation results indicate that the agents strongly preferred serial word processing, although they occasionally attended to more than one word concurrently. The reason for this preference is discussed, along with implications for the debate about how humans allocate attention during reading.
Beneficial effects of enteral nutrition containing with hydrolyzed whey peptide on warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat liver
Authors: Hanaoka Jun , Shimada Mitsuo , Utsunomiya Toru , Morine Yuji , Imura Satoru , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Mori Hiroki , Sugimoto Koji , saito Yu , Yamada Shinichiro , Asanoma Michihito
Published: February 2013

Aim

This study examined the efficacy of enteral nutrition containing hydrolyzed whey peptide (HWP) on warm ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat liver.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 min of warm hepatic ischemia followed by immediate p.o. intake of enteral nutrition with WHP (HWP group) or 20% glucose solution (control group) (0.025 mL/g). The animals were killed at 6 or 12 h after reperfusion. The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase alt (ALT) levels were measured. The necrotic areas were assessed histologically. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase‐3 activation were assessed to evaluate apoptosis. The expressions of hepatic tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB in the liver tissue were assessed by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Significant reductions in the serum AST and ALT levels were seen in the HWP group compared with the control group at both 6 and 12 h after reperfusion. The necrotic areas and numbers of TUNEL positive cells were significantly decreased in the HWP group at 6 and 12 h after reperfusion. The caspase‐3/7 activities were significantly decreased in HWP group at 6 and 12 h after reperfusion. The mRNA expressions of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were significantly reduced in the HWP group at 12 h after reperfusion. NF‐κB mRNA expression was significantly increased in the HWP group at 6 and 12 h after reperfusion.

Conclusion

Enteral nutrition containing HWP ameliorated the hepatic warm I/R injury possibly through the suppression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine expressions and the induction of NF‐κB in the rat liver.
The Effect of pH Value on Phase Transformation of Calcium Phosphate Cement
Authors: Cheng Hsin‐Chung , Chu Kuo‐Tien , Teng Nai‐Cia , Tsai Hsien‐Lung , Ou Keng‐Liang , Ou Shih‐Fu
Published: February 2013

The effects of various pH values of sodium phosphate buffer solution (PBS), 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 9.0 on calcium phosphate cement (CPC) prepared by mixing monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), calcium carbonate, and PBS were studied. The phase evolution takes place in three steps: Firstly, the MCPM and calcium carbonate crystals dissolve in the PBS and precipitate in the form of DCPD crystals. Then, after 12 h, DCPD begins to convert to amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Finally, the metastable ACP phase converts into stable CDHA. With an increase in the pH of the PBS, the CDHA content in the CPC increased.
Does measurement of ankle‐brachial index contribute to prediction of adverse health outcomes in older Chinese people?
Authors: Woo J. , Leung J.
Published: February 2013

Background/Aims

This study examined whether ankle‐brachial index (ABI) is predictive of all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, hospital admission for stroke, ischaemic heart disease or myocardial infarction among older people aged 65 years and above, and whether the inclusion of ABI in prediction models adds any incremental value to traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Four thousand men and women living in the community aged 65 years and over were recruited. ABI was measured, and information regarding comorbidity, smoking habit, physical activity and physical limitation was obtained at baseline. Hospital admissions for stroke and ischaemic heart disease/myocardial infarction were documented after a mean period of 6.0 years and mortality after a mean of 9.1 years.

Results

ABI <0.9 alone was predictive of all outcomes with the exception of hospital admission for stroke. Inclusion of ABI in a model that includes other ‘traditional’ cardiovascular risk factors such as age; physical activity scale of the elderly; history of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and smoking; and systolic blood pressure >140/90 reduced the hazard ratios but did not alter the overall results. Comparison of prediction models with and without ABI showed little difference. When different values of ABI were examined for all outcomes, values between 0.9 and 1.0 had high specificity but low sensitivity.

Conclusion

ABI measurement (<0.9) predicted adverse outcomes with high specificity but low sensitivity. However, it added little incremental value to prediction of adverse outcomes using traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Ex Vivo Comparison of Bursting Strength of Ventral Median and Right Ventral Paramedian Celiotomies in Horses
Authors: Anderson Stacy L. , Bracamonte José L. , Hendrick Steve , Carmalt James L. , Wilson David G.
Published: February 2013

Objective

To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median (VM) and right ventral paramedian (RVP) celiotomies closed with 1 section of USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD).

Study Design

Ex vivo experimental.

Animals

Equine cadavers (n = 12).

Methods

A 25 cm VM or RVP (positioned 5 cm lateral to the linea alba) celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 1 section of 7PD. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. Horse signalment, body weight, celiotomy type, failure mode (suture or abdominal wall), failure location (adjacent or remote from the celiotomy), and bursting strength (mmHg) were recorded. Interactions between independent and dependent variables were assessed with statistical tests including linear regression.

Results

Increasing age (P = .002) and Quarter horse‐type breed (P = .01) had a negative effect on bursting strength. When age and breed were controlled, RVP celiotomies had a lower bursting strength compared with VM celiotomies (P = .039). None of the celiotomies failed at the suture.

Conclusion

VM celiotomies have a greater bursting strength than RVP celiotomies when age and breed are controlled. Celiotomy bursting strength decreases with increasing age and is lower in Quarter horse‐type breeds compared with non‐Quarter horse‐type breeds.
Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): the correlation between disease severity and psychological burden in patients treated with biological therapies
Authors: Mattei P.L. , Corey K.C. , Kimball A.B.
Published: February 2013

Background

Multiple metrics evaluate the efficacy of psoriasis treatment, but interestingly, the correlation between the mostly widely used clinical trial efficacy end point, the physician‐rendered Psoriasis Area Severity Index PASI score and, the most widely used quality of life metric, the Dermatology Life Quality Index DLQI, is not always high.

Objective

To perform a systematic review to determine PASI to DLQI correlation.

Methods

RCTs of biological agents for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis were reviewed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The mean percentage PASI improvement and change in mean DLQI values were recorded and compared for treatment groups from baseline to 10–16 weeks of therapy.

Results

A search of the literature yielded 155 sources, of which 13 RCTs met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Percentage of PASI improvement from baseline correlates with DLQI changes with an r2 value of 0.80 from baseline through weeks 10–16. When grouped by mean percentage reduction in PASI, agents demonstrating >75% mean reduction in PASI demonstrated a mean DLQI improvement over agents that achieved <75%–50% mean reduction in PASI or <50% mean reduction in PASI [minimal clinically important difference (MCID) 3.2]. In addition, a reduction in mean PASI of at least 75%, predicted a mean movement from DLQI band 3 to DLQI band 1, in all nine treatment arms demonstrating such efficacy.

Conclusions

Mean PASI and DLQI correlate predictably in patients with chronic moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis undergoing treatment with biological agents. A reduction in PASI of at least 75% can translate to significant quality‐of‐life improvement in patients treated with these therapies.
Quantitative identification of mucosal gastric cancer under magnifying endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement
Authors: Miyaki Rie , Yoshida Shigeto , Tanaka Shinji , Kominami Yoko , Sanomura Yoji , Matsuo Taiji , Oka Shiro , Raytchev Bisser , Tamaki Toru , Koide Tetsushi , Kaneda Kazufumi , Yoshihara Masaharu , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: February 2013

Background and Aim

Magnifying endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) is clinically useful in diagnosing gastric cancer and determining treatment options; however, there is a learning curve. Accurate FICE‐based diagnosis requires training and experience. In addition, objectivity is necessary. Thus, a software program that can identify gastric cancer quantitatively was developed.

Methods

A bag‐of‐features framework with densely sampled scale‐invariant feature transform descriptors to magnifying endoscopy images of 46 mucosal gastric cancers was applied. Computer‐based findings were compared with histologic findings. The probability of gastric cancer was calculated by means of logistic regression, and sensitivity and specificity of the system were determined.

Results

The average probability was 0.78 ± 0.25 for the images of cancer and 0.31 ± 0.25 for the images of noncancer tissue, with a significant difference between the two groups. An optimal cut‐off point of 0.59 was determined on the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curves. The computer‐aided diagnosis system yielded a detection accuracy of 85.9% (79/92), sensitivity for a diagnosis of cancer of 84.8% (39/46), and specificity of 87.0% (40/46).

Conclusion

Further development of this system will allow for quantitative evaluation of mucosal gastric cancers on magnifying gastrointestinal endoscopy images obtained with FICE.
Biofeedback therapy in constipated, female patients and caused by radical hysterectomy or vaginal delivery
Authors: Park Soo‐Kyung , Myung Seung‐Jae , Jung Kee Wook , Chun Yoon Hee , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Seo So‐Young , Ku Hyun‐Sook , Yoon In Ja , Kim Kyung Jo , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Kim Jin‐Ho
Published: February 2013

Background and Aim

Chronic constipation is frequently seen in women who have undergone hysterectomy or delivery. However, reports regarding anorectal physiologic features in those patients are rare. Patients with constipation associated with either radical hysterectomy or vaginal delivery were analyzed in order to clarify the anorectal physiologic features and the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy.

Methods

Of the constipated patients, a hysterectomy group (n = 40), delivery group (n = 41), and a control group (n = 89), who had no history of either surgery or delivery before developing functional constipation were included. Their anorectal physiological tests and the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy were investigated.

Results

The volume of desire to defecate was greater in the hysterectomy group than in the control group (86.5 ± 55.0 mL vs 62.9 ± 33.7 mL; P = 0.03), and more than 240 mL of maximal volume of toleration was more frequently noted in the hysterectomy group (32.5%) than in the delivery group (14.6%) and control group (13.5%) (P = 0.02).The failure of balloon expulsion was more frequently noted in the delivery group (44.0%) than in the hysterectomy group (15.0%) and control group (25.0%) (P = 0.01). The defecation satisfaction score was significantly increased after biofeedback therapy in the hysterectomy group (2.0 ± 2.7 vs 7.8 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), the delivery group (1.6 ± 2.1 vs 6.7 ± 2.0, P < 0.001), and the control group (2.5 ± 2.7 vs 6.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Rectal hyposensitivity could have been the characteristic mechanism in the hysterectomy group, whereas dyssynergic defecation could have been the cause in the delivery group. Biofeedback therapy was effective for both groups.
A systematic review of radiofrequency ablation versus percutaneous ethanol injection for small hepatocellular carcinoma up to 3 cm
Authors: Shen Ai , Zhang Hua , Tang Chengyong , Chen Yong , Wang Yefei , Zhang Chao , Wu Zhongjun
Published: February 2013

Background and Aim

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) have been used for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) < 3 cm, but there is controversy which of the two methods is superior. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to assess survival, complete tumor necrosis, recurrence and metastasis, major complications, costs, hospital stays, and posttreatment survival quality of RFA versus PEI for treating small HCCs < 3 cm.

Methods

We conducted a search for published articles in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until March 2012. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐randomized clinical trials were included.

Results

Four RCTs with 766 patients were included in this review. We found that RFA is significantly better than PEI with respect to a 3‐year overall survival for small HCCs (RFA vs PEI, hazard ratios [HR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48–0.90, P = 0.009), especially for HCCs > 2 cm (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.31–0.99, P = 0.045). RFA had a lower risk of local recurrence (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.96, P = 0.040), but no difference is seen for distant intrahepatic recurrence. RFA had higher rates of complete tumor necrosis, but RFA also caused more major complications and was more costly than PEI. Begg's and Egger's tests detected no significant publication bias among the four RCTs.

Conclusions

RFA appears superior to PEI with respect to local tumor control and 3‐year survival for small HCCs < 3 cm. RFA was more feasible in patients with HCCs > 2 cm or Child–Pugh A liver function.
Consumer Visual Processing of Food Labels: Results from an Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Ares Gastón , Giménez Ana , Bruzzone Fernanda , Vidal Leticia , Antúnez Lucía , Maiche Alejandro
Published: February 2013

Food labels play a key role in attracting consumers' attention and providing information that could largely influence their purchase decisions. The aim of the present work was to evaluate how consumers acquire information from food labels using eye‐tracking measures. Fifty‐three consumers completed two tasks in which they evaluated perceived healthfulness of the products and willingness to purchase by looking at three unknown labels of three different products (mayonnaise, pan bread and yogurt).

Participants' eye movements were recorded using an eye tracker while evaluating the labels. Results showed that in order to evaluate their willingness to purchase and perceived healthfulness of unknown food labels, consumers directed their attention to selected areas, searching for specific information such as brand, ingredients, nutritional information and the image on the label, regardless of type of product and label design.

Practical Applications

Attention measures based on memory have been reported to be poor indicators of what consumers actually attend to, mainly due to the fact that attention is not necessarily active and conscious. Eye‐tracking measures could be a useful way of studying consumers' processing of visual stimuli such as food labels. Results from the present study suggested that attention toward unfamiliar food labels was mainly determined by top‐down factors. Consumers mainly scanned the labels, searching for specific information related to brand, composition and nutritional information.
Texture and Semantics: The Conceptual Structure in Consumers' Minds
Authors: Varela Paula , Ares Gastón , Fiszman Susana
Published: February 2013

Considering that the memory encoding of perceptual components of our experience involves systems that are associated with the perceptual mechanism, textural terms might be organized in consumers' minds in relation to their perceptual experiences. The aim of this work was to better understand the semantic organization of texture characteristics for Spanish‐speaking consumers, trying to obtain a meaningful word categorization, and to study differences between Spanish and Uruguayan consumers. Fifty‐two Spanish consumers and 47 Uruguayan consumers were asked to sort 37 textural terms according to their own criteria and to write down a few words related to or describing each group. Spanish and Uruguayan consumers categorized the textural terms in the same way, suggesting that they might have developed the same memory structure. Nevertheless, differences were identified in terms of the number of groups used to classify the textural terms and the words used to describe them.

Practical Applications

Understanding the structure of texture vocabulary in consumers' minds could contribute to better describe the texture of food products during product development and the design of marketing and communication strategies. Results from the present work showed that despite cultural differences textural terms were arranged in groups clearly related to food physical structure and the mechanisms underlying their perception.
Does Patients' Place of Residence Affect the Type of Physician Performing Primary Excision of Cutaneous Melanoma in Northern Scotland?
Authors: Green Joanna , Murchie Peter , Lee Amanda J.
Published: February 2013

Background

Rural residence may adversely affect cancer outcomes, perhaps because rural cancer patients are managed differently. Current UK guidelines recommend all patients with suspected melanoma be referred urgently for specialist excision biopsy; however, up to 20% of patients receive their biopsy in primary care. This project explored if rural dwellers with melanoma were more likely to have their primary biopsy in primary care.

Methods

A clinical database of all primary cutaneous melanomas diagnosed in Northern Scotland between January 1991 and July 2007 was analyzed for patient demographics, clinical variables, and intermediate outcomes. Significant findings on univariate analysis were then included in a binary logistic regression model to adjust for confounders.

Results

On univariate analysis patients living in rural areas were significantly more likely to have their melanomas excised in primary care compared with those living in the city (26.3% compared with 17.7%, P < .001). There were no significant differences between rural and urban dwellers in Breslow thickness or completeness of excision. Following adjustment for key confounders, those living in suburban areas and remote small towns were significantly more likely to be treated contrary to current UK melanoma guidelines compared to those in cities.

Conclusions

In Northern Scotland patients living in suburban areas and remote small towns are significantly more likely to have an initial melanoma excision in primary care, contrary to current UK guidelines. This geographical contrast signposts the way to further in‐depth research into the interplay between place of residence and how the cancer journey is experienced.
Hinduism and TESOL: Learning, Teaching and Student‐Teacher Relationships Revisited
Authors: Sharma Bal Krishna
Published: February 2013

This historical and philosophical survey provides an overview of ‘learning’‘teaching’ and ‘student‐teacher relationships’ as espoused in Hindu philosophy and its ancient educational practices. It shows that some of what have been regarded as the standard practices and innovations in language pedagogy in the Western world today, especially in Anglo‐American educational contexts, were in existence in the traditional Hindu educational ethos found in the Vedic and Upanishadic periods in the South Asian sub‐continent. This calls into question the representation of learner‐centeredness, autonomy and class discussions as innovative constructs. It shows that such practices in TESOL, for example, are not inherently West‐based and, thus, by contrast are in fact appropriate in non‐Western cultural contexts like Nepal.
Clinicopathological characteristics of EGFR mutated adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Shiozawa Toshihiro , Ishii Genichiro , Goto Koichi , Nagai Kanji , Mimaki Sachiyo , Ono Shotaro , Niho Seiji , Fujii Satoshi , Ohe Yuichiro , Tsuchihara Katsuya , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: February 2013

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung (Ad‐Sq) is an uncommon subtype with poor prognosis. We analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of Ad‐Sq, focusing the correlation between Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation and clinicopathological factors. A total of 67 cases were selected from September 1992 to May 2011. EGFR mutational analysis (n = 59) was performed by direct sequence. We also performed immunohistochemical staining for EGFR mutated cases using the two mutation‐specific antibodies for deletion and L858R. Postoperative 3‐year survival rate of Ad‐Sq was 58.7%, statistically worse in comparison with adenocarcinoma (58.7% vs. 78.1%, P = 0.038). Twenty‐four percent (14/59) were positive for EGFR mutations. Patients who had never been smokers and who were lymphatic permeation positive were seen more frequently in the mutation positive group (P = 0.035, 0.027, respectively). Moreover, the EGFR mutated group tended to have a more positive prognosis than negative. Focusing on the pathological features, the lepidic growth pattern was more frequently seen in the positive group (P = 0.018). Immunoreactivity for the DEL‐specific and L858‐specific antibody were observed in both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma components. Our study demonstrated that EGFR mutated Ad‐Sq had similar clinicopathological features as EGFR mutated adenocarcinoma.
Towards a natural classification of the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini): a phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical genera
Authors: CHANI‐POSSE MARIANA
Published: February 2013

Philonthina, the largest subtribe of the rove beetle tribe Staphylinini, is a hyperdiverse group in the Neotropical Region, accounting for about half of the genera of the subtribe. Despite such diversity, Neotropical Philonthina have never been analysed phylogenetically, deterring formulation of a modern classification of the Staphylinini. A cladistic analysis of Neotropical Philonthina was performed based on 110 morphological characters and 77 terminal taxa. Representatives of Philonthina from other regions and other main lineages of Staphylinini, Arrowinini and Platyprosopini were included to test their relationships with Neotropical Philonthina. The major results are the monophyly of 11 of the 17 endemic Neotropical genera of Philonthina, the placement of Holisus Erichson (Hyptiomina) into this clade showing a sister group relationship to myrmecophile genera, and the position of Erichsonius Fauvel outside of Philonthina within Staphylinini. Six of the current seven species of Endeius Coiffait & Sáiz group with Neotropical species of Philonthus Stephens. The separation of Gondwana about 65 my and major landscape modifications in the vast interior of northern South America during the past 25 my is proposed to explain the evolution of the endemic Neotropical genera of Philonthina. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Erichsonius Fauvel, 1874 now placed as incertae sedis in Staphylinini; Endeius Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968, n.syn. of Philonthus Stephens, 1929 and Endeius nitidipennis (Solier, 1849) placed as incertae sedis in Philonthina. The following new combinations are proposed: Philonthus franzi (Sáiz, 1971), comb.n., Philonthus loensis (Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968), comb.n., Philonthus lugubris (Sáiz, 1971), comb.n., Philonthus ovaliceps (Coiffait, 1981), comb.n., Philonthus punctipennis (Solier, 1849), comb.res. and Philonthus subpunctipennis (Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968), comb.n.Philonthus herberti, n.nov., is proposed for Philonthus franziSchillhammer, 1998, which is a junior secondary homonym of Philonthus franzi (Sáiz, 1971).
Reversal of Misfortunes
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: February 2013

South Africa has the world's worst HIV/TB syndemic; now it's trying to overhaul its response to both diseases.
Treatment as Prevention, Real World
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: February 2013

A new study on page
966
shows that widespread use of antiretroviral drugs reduced the spread of HIV in a large population here in KwaZulu-Natal, which has one of the world's most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics.
Full-Genome Characterization of a G8P[8] Rotavirus That Emerged among Children with Diarrhea in Croatia in 2006
Authors: Delogu Roberto , Lo Presti Alessandra , Ruggeri Franco Maria , Cella Eleonora , Giovanetti Marta , Ciccozzi Massimo , Ljubin-Sternak Suncanica , Bukovski-Simonoski Suzana , Lukic-Grlic Amarela , Ianiro Giovanni , Fiore Lucia
Published: February 2013

The whole genome of a G8P[8] rotavirus from the 2006 epidemic in Croatia was sequenced and showed a Wa-like genotype constellation. Its VP7 gene clustered with DS-1-like G8 African rotaviruses and a G8P[4] German strain. Remaining genes clustered with contemporary Belgian G1P[8] rotaviruses, suggesting reassortment between human G8 and G1P[8] rotaviruses in Croatia or other European countries.
Detection of the HIV-1 Minus-Strand-Encoded Antisense Protein and Its Association with Autophagy
Authors: Torresilla Cynthia , Larocque Émilie , Landry Sébastien , Halin Marilène , Coulombe Yan , Masson Jean-Yves , Mesnard Jean-Michel , Barbeau Benoit
Published: February 2013

HIV-1 proteins are synthesized from a single transcript in an unspliced form or following splicing, but the existence of an antisense protein (ASP) expressed from an antisense polyadenylated transcript has been suggested. Difficulties linked to the detection of this protein in mammalian cells led us to codon optimize its cDNA. Codon-optimized ASP was indeed efficiently detected in various transfected cell lines following flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses. Western blot analyses also led to the detection of optimized ASP in transfected cells but also provided evidence of its instability and high multimerization potential. ASP was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm in a punctate manner, which was reminiscent of autophagosomes. In agreement with this observation, a significant increase in ASP-positive cells and loss of its punctate distribution was observed in transfected cells when autophagy was inhibited at early steps. Induction of autophagy was confirmed by Western blot analyses that showed an ASP-mediated increase in levels of LC3b-II and Beclin 1, as well as colocalization and interaction between ASP and LC3. Interestingly, Myc-tagged ASP was detected in the context of proviral DNA following autophagy inhibition with a concomitant increase in the level and punctate distribution of LC3b-II. Finally, 3-methyladenine treatment of transfected or infected U937 cells decreased extracellular p24 levels in wild-type proviral DNA and to a much lesser extent in ASP-mutated proviral DNA. This study provides the first detection of ASP in mammalian cells by Western blotting. ASP-induced autophagy might explain the inherent difficulty in detecting this viral protein and might justify its presumed low abundance in infected cells.
Lower gastrointestinal adverse effects of NSAIDS: an extreme example of a common problem
Authors: Mandegaran Ramin , Conway Ciáran , Elton Colin
Published: February 2013

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed throughout the world. Their adverse effects on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract are well documented and well known among clinicians and often mitigated against by coprescribing proton pump inhibitors. This case exemplifies the lesser-known lower GI adverse effects of NSAIDS. A 55-year-old patient took a large mixed overdose including more than 11 g of diclofenac. He went onto require subtotal colectomy following widespread perforations of an ulcerated large bowel as a direct result of exposure to a high-dose of NSAIDs. However, the upper GI tract remained relatively unaffected in comparison. This case highlights important lessons from recent literature identifying an increasing incidence of lower GI complications of NSAIDS, the limited protective effect of PPIs on the lower GI tract and the need for clinicians to now consider the integrity of the whole GI tract when prescribing NSAIDS.
Scanning tunneling microscopy tip-assisted modification of Ti(IV) dithiothreitol self-assembled monolayers on Au(111): restructuring of the gold surface
Authors: Cappello M.L. , Hardy K.A. , MacDairmid A.R. , Gallagher M.C. , Banks J.T.
Published: February 2013

Au(111) surfaces modified by exposure to a dilute solution of a Ti(IV)/dithiothreitol ligand to metal charge transfer complex (Ti(DTT)2) show a remarkable response to continuous scanning by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Vacancy islands on the gold surface, which are formed during the self-assembly of the molecular overlayer, coarsen and even merge during STM scanning at negative sample bias. In certain instances, the vacancy islands even line up to form parallel nanostructures. We believe the effect is due to mechanical interactions between tip and sample, which is enhanced by electrostatic effects. The Ti(DTT)2 complex is anchored to the gold surface via Au−S bonds, but due to the fact that there are multiple thiol groups, there may be “uncoordinated” thiols left “dangling”. The tip-induced modification involves the interaction of the tip with these “dangling” sulfurs, which in turn causes movement of single complex molecules with the attached sulfur-bonded gold. Under negative sample bias, the electric field weakens the binding between the sulfur-bonded gold atoms and the surrounding gold atoms in the surface allowing for the observed tip-induced dynamics. In contrast with the Ti(DTT)2 complex, a similar Ti(IV)/3-mercapto-1,2-propanediol complex (Ti(MPD)2) does not exhibit any tip-induced effects. In this case, there are no dangling sulfurs to interact with the STM tip. In addition, similarly prepared dithiothreitol, dithiothreitol titanium isopropoxide, and 3-mercapto-1,2-propanediol self-assembled monolayers (without dangling sulfurs) do not exhibit the tip-induced effect.
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE ENTERPRISE CULTURE
Authors: HUNDLEY GREG , HANSEN S. DUANE
Published: February 2013

Research has typically examined culture as an independent or moderating variable. In this empirical study, we examine culture as a dependent variable and specifically investigate whether higher levels of economic performance might shape a national culture more supportive of entrepreneurial activities. Analysis controlling for the effects of unobserved country-specific factors and prior levels of economic development reveals that people in nations with greater gains in per capita GDP tend to place greater value on jobs that allow for achievement, the exercise of initiative, and more interesting and challenging work. Results show that people in nations with below average economic performance become less enterprising/entrepreneurial and that the propensity for nations to converge on pro-entrepreneurial values will depend on how economic performance is distributed across countries. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Mechanical effects of muscle contraction increase intravascular ATP draining quiescent and active skeletal muscle in humans
Authors: Crecelius Anne R. , Kirby Brett S. , Richards Jennifer C. , Dinenno Frank A.
Published: February 2013

Intravascular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) evokes vasodilation and is implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. Mechanical stresses to erythrocytes and endothelial cells stimulate ATP release in vitro. How mechanical effects of muscle contractions contribute to increased plasma ATP during exercise is largely unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that simulated mechanical effects of muscle contractions increase [ATP]venous and ATP effluent in vivo, independent of changes in tissue metabolic demand, and further increase plasma ATP when superimposed with mild-intensity exercise. In young healthy adults, we measured forearm blood flow (FBF) (Doppler ultrasound) and plasma [ATP]v (luciferin-luciferase assay), then calculated forearm ATP effluent (FBF×[ATP]v) during rhythmic forearm compressions (RFC) via a blood pressure cuff at three graded pressures (50, 100, and 200 mmHg; Protocol 1; n = 10) and during RFC at 100 mmHg, 5% maximal voluntary contraction rhythmic handgrip exercise (RHG), and combined RFC + RHG ( Protocol 2; n = 10). [ATP]v increased from rest with each cuff pressure (range 144–161 vs. 64 ± 13 nmol/l), and ATP effluent was graded with pressure. In Protocol 2, [ATP]v increased in each condition compared with rest (RFC: 123 ± 33; RHG: 51 ± 9; RFC + RHG: 96 ± 23 vs. Mean Rest: 42 ± 4 nmol/l; P < 0.05), and ATP effluent was greatest with RFC + RHG (RFC: 5.3 ± 1.4; RHG: 5.3 ± 1.1; RFC + RHG: 11.6 ± 2.7 vs. Mean Rest: 1.2 ± 0.1 nmol/min; P < 0.05). We conclude that the mechanical effects of muscle contraction can 1) independently elevate intravascular ATP draining quiescent skeletal muscle without changes in local metabolism and 2) further augment intravascular ATP during mild exercise associated with increases in metabolism and local deoxygenation; therefore, it is likely one stimulus for increasing intravascular ATP during exercise in humans.
Astrocytic group I mGluR-dependent potentiation of astrocytic glutamate and potassium uptake
Authors: Devaraju Prakash , Sun Min-Yu , Myers Timothy L. , Lauderdale Kelli , Fiacco Todd A.
Published: February 2013

One of the most important functions of astrocytes is removal of glutamate released during synaptic transmission. Surprisingly, the mechanisms by which astrocyte glutamate uptake is acutely modulated remain to be clarified. Astrocytes express metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are activated during neuronal activity. Here, we test the hypothesis that astrocytic group I mGluRs acutely regulate glutamate uptake by astrocytes in situ. This hypothesis was tested in acute mouse hippocampal slices. Activation of astrocytic mGluRs, using a tetanic high-frequency stimulus (HFS) applied to Schaffer collaterals, led to potentiation of the amplitude of the synaptically evoked glutamate transporter currents (STCs) and associated charge transfer without changes in kinetics. Similar potentiation of STCs was not observed in the presence of group I mGluR antagonists or the PKC inhibitor, PKC 19–36, suggesting that HFS-induced potentiation of astrocyte glutamate uptake is astrocytic group I mGluR and PKC dependent. Pharmacological stimulation of a transgenic GPCR (MrgA1R), expressed exclusively in astrocytes, also potentiated STC amplitude and charge transfer, albeit quicker and shorter lasting compared with HFS-induced potentiation. The amplitude of the slow, inward astrocytic current due to potassium (K+) influx was also enhanced following activation of the endogenous mGluRs or the astrocyte-specific MrgA1 Gq GPCRs. Taken together, these findings suggest that astrocytic group I mGluR activation has a synergistic, modulatory effect on the uptake of glutamate and K+.
QoE-Based Performance Evaluation for Adaptive Media Playout Systems
Authors: Li Mingfu
Published: February 2013

To improve the playout quality of video streaming services, several adaptive media playout (AMP) mechanisms were proposed in literature. However, all performance evaluations and comparisons for AMPs were made in terms of quality of service (QoS) metrics. As one knows, there may exist a trade-off between QoS metrics, such as buffer underflow and overflow performance. Thus, it is not sufficient to only evaluate the performance of AMPs in terms of QoS metrics. In this paper, we will evaluate and compare the performance of several AMPs from the aspect of quality of experience (QoE). Numerical results will show that some existing AMP systems do not perform better than the nonadaptive playout system from the point of view of overall QoE.
Preparation and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite Coating on AZ31 Mg Alloy for Implant Applications
Authors: Salman S. A. , Kuroda K. , Okido M.
Published: February 2013

Magnesium alloys as biodegradable metal implants in orthopaedic research received a lot of interest in recent years. They have attractive biological properties including being essential to human metabolism, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, magnesium can corrode too rapidly in the high-chloride environment of the physiological system, loosing mechanical integrity before the tissue has sufficiently healed. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating was proposed to decrease the corrosion rate and improve the bioactivity of magnesium alloy. Apatite has been cathodically deposited on the surface of Mg alloy from solution that composed of 3 mM Ca(H2PO4)2and 7 mM CaCl2at various applied potentials. The growing of HAp was confirmed on the surface of the coatings after immersion in SBF solution for 7 days. The coating obtained at −1.4 V showed higher corrosion resistance with bioactive behaviors.
Study on Size‐Dependent Young’s Modulus of a Silicon Nanobeam by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Yu H. , Sun C. , Zhang W. W. , Lei S. Y. , Huang Q. A.
Published: February 2013

Young’s modulus of a silicon nanobeam with a rectangular cross‐section is studied by molecular dynamics method. Dynamic simulations are performed for doubly clamped silicon nanobeams with lengths ranging from 4.888 to 12.491 nm and cros‐sections ranging from 1.22 nm × 1.22 nm to 3.39 nm × 3.39 nm. The results show that Young’s moduli of such small silicon nanobeams are much higher than the value of Young’s modulus for bulk silicon. Moreover, the resonant frequency and Young’s modulus of the Si nanobeam are strongly dependent not only on the size of the nanobeam but also on surface effects. Young’s modulus increases significantly with the decreasing of the thickness of the silicon nanobeam. This result qualitatively agrees with one of the conclusions based on a semicontinuum model, in which the surface relaxation and the surface tension were taken into consideration. The impacts of the surface reconstruction with (2 × 1) dimmers on the resonant frequency and Young’s modulus are studied in this paper too. It is shown that the surface reconstruction makes the silicon nanobeam stiffer than the one without the surface reconstruction, resulting in a higher resonant frequency and a larger Young’s modulus.
Case Series of Monoamniotic and Pseudomonoamniotic Twin Gestations
Authors: Suzuki Shunji
Published: February 2013

We retrospectively evaluated a series of 18 monoamniotic and 7 pseudomonoamniotic (secondary to rupture in the membrane dividing monochorionic diamniotic twins) twin gestations managed after 20 weeks’ gestation. There were no significant differences in the incidence of neonatal death or umbilical cord entanglement between the monoamniotic and pseudomonoamniotic twin gestations (33 versus 21%, P=0.94 and 72 versus 43%, P=0.36). Therefore, the same serious management may be needed for pseudomonoamniotic twin gestations as for monoamniotic twin gestations.