bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of advanced primary urethral carcinomas
Authors: Dayyani Farshid , Hoffman Karen , Eifel Patricia , Guo Charles , Vikram Raghu , Pagliaro Lance C. , Pettaway Curtis
Published: January 2014

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare malignancy accounting for <1% of genitourinary cancers, with a predilection for men and African‐Americans. The sites and histology of urethral carcinoma vary by gender and anatomical location. Squamous cell carcinoma is most common among both genders but adenocarcinomas are noted in 15–35% of cases among women. Obstructive or irritative symptoms and haematuria are common modes of presentation. Clinical evaluation includes cystourethroscopy with biopsy and examination under anaesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a highly effective method to image the primary tumour while defıning the potential involvement of surrounding structures. Most tumours are localised, with regional metastases to nodal sites seen in up to 30% of cases in both genders, while distant metastases at presentation are rare (0–6%), but occur in up to 40% of cases with recurrent disease. Among men, the two most important prognostic factors are disease location and stage. Low‐stage tumours (T1–2) and tumours involving the fossa navicularis or the penile urethra have a better prognosis than higher stage tumours (>T2 or N+) and lesions involving the bulbomembranous urethra. In women, in addition to stage and location, the size of the tumour has also prognostic implications. While surgery and radiation therapy (RT) are of benefit in early stage disease, advanced stage PUC requires multimodal treatment strategies to optimise local control and survival. These include induction chemotherapy followed by surgery or RT and concurrent chemoradiation with or without surgery. The latter strategy has been used successfully to treat other human papillomavirus‐related cancers of the vagina, cervix and anus and may be of value in achieving organ preservation. Given the rarity of PUC, prospective multi‐institutional studies are needed to better define the optimal treatment approach for this disease entity.
Minimally invasive treatment of Peyronie's disease: evidence‐based progress
Authors: Jordan Gerald H. , Carson Culley C. , Lipshultz Larry I.
Published: January 2014

Peyronie's disease (PD) is often physically and psychologically devastating for patients, and the goal of treatment is to improve symptoms and sexual function without adding treatment‐related morbidity. The potential for treatment‐related morbidity after more invasive interventions, e.g. surgery, creates a need for effective minimally invasive treatments. We critically examined the available literature using levels of evidence to determine the reported support for each treatment. Most available minimally invasive treatments lack critical support for effectiveness due to the absence of randomised, placebo‐controlled trials (RCTs) or non‐significant results after RCTs. Iontophoresis, oral therapies (vitamin E, potassium para‐aminobenzoate, tamoxifen, carnitine, and colchicine), extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and intralesional injection with verapamil or nicardipine have shown mixed or negative results. Treatments that have decreased penile curvature deformity in Level 1 or Level 2 evidence‐based, placebo‐controlled studies include intralesional injection with interferon α‐2b or collagenase clostridium histolyticum.
Variation in performance of candidate surgical quality measures for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer by hospital type
Authors: Corcoran Anthony T. , Handorf Elizabeth , Canter Daniel , Tomaszewski Jeffrey J. , Bekelman Justin E. , Kim Simon P. , Uzzo Robert G. , Kutikov Alexander , Smaldone Marc C.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To test the association between hospital type and performance of candidate quality measures for treatment of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) using a large national tumour registry. Proposed quality measures include receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, timely treatment, adequate lymph node dissection, and continent urinary diversion.

Patients and Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, patients with stage ≥II urothelial carcinoma treated with radical cystectomy (RC) from 2003 to 2010 were identified. Hospitals were grouped by type and annual RC volume: community, comprehensive low volume (CLV), comprehensive high volume (CHV), academic low volume (ALV), and academic high volume (AHV) groups. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between hospital group and performance of quality measures, adjusting for year, demographic, and clinical/pathological characteristics; generalised estimating equations were fitted to the models to adjust for clustering at the hospital level.

Results

In all, 23 279 patients underwent RC at community (12.4%), comprehensive (CLV 38%, CHV 5%), and academic (ALV 17%, AHV 28%) hospitals. While only 0.8% (175) of patients met all four quality criteria, 61% of patients treated at AHV hospitals met two or more quality metric indicators compared with ALV (45%), CHV (44%), CLV (38%), and community (37%) hospitals (P < 0.001). After adjustment, patients were more likely to receive two or more quality measures when treated at AHV (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, confidence interval [CI] 2.0–2.9), ALV (OR 1.3, CI 1.1–1.6), and CHV (OR 1.3, CI 1.03–1.7) hospitals compared with community hospitals.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing RC at AHV hospitals were more likely to meet quality criteria. However, performance remains low across hospital types, highlighting the opportunity to improve quality of care for MIBC.
Think Tanks, Funding, and the Politics of Policy Knowledge in Canada
Authors: McLevey John
Published: January 2014

Les relations entre les centres de recherche ou groupes de réflexion et leurs bailleurs de fonds sont importantes dans les théories et les discours publics abordant la question de l'orientation politique de la recherche sur les politiques publiques. Pourtant, très peu d'études examinent systématiquement ces relations à travers un ensemble de cas. Cet article, avec des méthodes comparatives et relationnelles, teste les théories élitiste, pluraliste et de terrain, en analysant des données portant sur le financement et l'orientation politique de 30 groupes de réflexion de 2000 à 2011. Les résultats démontrent que les dons provenant de l'étranger contribuent à soutenir certains groupes de réflexions conservateurs, mais ce financement demeure tout de même marginal dans l'ensemble. Au niveau national, les groupes de réflexion sont financés de manière contrastée: les groupes conservateurs sont financés principalement par des donateurs privés, alors que les groupes de réflexion centristes sont financés principalement par l'état. Depuis 2005, les liens entre l'ensemble des groupes de réflexion conservateurs, financés par des donateurs privés, sont devenus plus serrés. En revanche, les liens entre l'ensemble des groupes de réflexion centristes se sont relâchés et leur financement dépend de plus en plus de leurs propres revenus et des intérêts de leurs investissements. Ces résultats laissent planer un certain doute sur les prédictions qui découlent des théories élitiste et pluraliste et confirment en partie les suppositions de la théorie de terrain.

The relationships between think tanks and their funders are central to theory and public discourse about the politics of policy knowledge, yet very little research systematically examines these relationships across cases. This article evaluates elite, pluralist, and field theories by analyzing original data on funding and politics for 30 think tanks from 2000 to 2011 with comparative and relational methods. I find that foreign donations help support some conservative think tanks, but that it is a small amount of money relative to other funding sources. Domestically, think tank funding is structured by an opposition between donor‐funded conservatives and state‐funded centrists. Since 2005, the cluster of conservative think tanks funded by private donors has become tighter, while the cluster of think tanks supported by the state has become looser and more reliant on self‐generated revenue and interest and investments. These findings cast doubt on predictions derived from elite and pluralist theories, and offer some support for field theory.
Clinical and molecular findings of chronic granulomatous disease in Oman: family studies
Authors: Al‐Zadjali S. , Al‐Tamemi S. , Elnour I. , AlKindi S. , Lapoumeroulie C. , Al‐Maamari S. , Pathare A. , Dennison D. , Krishnamoorthy R.
Published: January 2014

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a rare inherited disorder of the innate immune system, results from mutations in any one of the five genes encoding the subunits of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐oxidase (NADPH) oxidase enzyme, and is characterized by recurrent life‐threatening bacterial and fungal infections. Molecular analysis of 14 Omani CGD patients from 10 families, diagnosed to have CGD on clinical (recurrent infections) and biochemical grounds (positive for both the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test and the dihydrorhodamine (DHR‐1,2,3 assay), revealed that only one patient had X‐linked CGD, with a large deletion involving both the gp91‐phox gene (CYBB) and the McLeod gene (XK). The remaining 13 patients were all homozygotes from a previously described c.579G>A (p.Trp193X) mutation in the NCF1 gene on chromosome 7, responsible for autosomal recessive CGD (AR‐CGD). Although X‐linked CGD is the most common type of CGD disorder in most population groups, AR‐CGD is the most prevalent type in Oman.
Neighborhood Disorder, Social Support, and Self–Esteem: Evidence from a Sample of Low–income Women Living in Three Cities
Authors: Hill Terrence D. , Burdette Amy M. , Jokinen–Gordon Hanna M. , Brailsford Jennifer M.
Published: January 2014

Although several studies show that self–esteem varies according to neighborhood context, few have directly examined potential mediators of this association. In this paper, we use longitudinal survey data from the Welfare, Children, and Families project (1999, 2001) to examine the association between perceived neighborhood disorder and self–esteem among low–income urban women with children in Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio, testing for city heterogeneity. Building on social disorganization theory and previous research, we examine the mediating influence of social support. Our longitudinal models show that higher levels of disorder at baseline are associated with lower levels of social support and self–esteem. We also observe that increases in disorder over the study period are associated with concurrent losses in social support and self–esteem. Our mediation analyses suggest that perceived neighborhood disorder may undermine self–esteem by limiting opportunities for social support. Reducing signs and perceptions of disorder by improving the social and physical landscapes of neighborhoods may uniquely contribute to self–worth of low–income urban women with children.
Dilemmas of Disaster Zones: Tax Incentives and Business Reinvestment in the Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Authors: Gotham Kevin Fox
Published: January 2014

Over the last decade, the U.S. federal government has increasingly turned to spatially targeted tax incentives to promote postdisaster revitalization. The logic behind this policy orientation is that targeting public subsidies to particular disaster zones will speed community recovery and encourage business reinvestment. To evaluate this claim, this paper uses the case of the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone of 2005 that provided tax incentives to businesses in the Gulf Coast area affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita from 2006 through December 2011. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, I find that damage was not a consistently significant determinant of GO Zone bond allocation at the parish level. Rather, GO Zone bonds were mainly allocated in low–damage areas and underutilized in New Orleans and heavily damaged areas. Though policy makers designed the program to stimulate small business recovery, GO Zone benefits went to large businesses located in areas least damaged by the hurricanes. Overall, the allocation of bonds using a first–come, first–served strategy combined with the huge size of the GO Zone reduced the effectiveness of the incentives offered and reinforced the disincentives for locating business and investment in disaster–devastated areas.
A Novel Clonal Selection Algorithm for Community Detection in Complex Networks
Authors: Cai Qing , Gong Maoguo , Ma Lijia , Jiao Licheng
Published: January 2014

Recent years have seen the arising recognition of community detection in complex networks. Artificial immune systems, owing to their inherent properties, have been thoroughly studied and well applied to practical use. In this article, one of the well‐known artificial immune system models, named clonal selection algorithm, is introduced to reveal community structures in complex networks. By introducing a novel antibody population initialization mechanism and a novel hypermutation strategy, the proposed approach could be applied to moderate‐scale network. Besides, by optimizing an objective function called modularity density, the proposed algorithm is also capable of detecting community structure at multiple resolution levels. Experiments on both synthetic and real‐world networks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Who Described Civatte Bodies?
Authors: Burgdorf Walter H. C. , Plewig Gerd
Published: January 2014

Eosinophilic apoptotic (necrotic) keratinocytes in the lower epidermis and at the dermoepidermal junction are a feature of many interface dermatoses but are most reliably found in lichen planus. These structures are universally known as Civatte bodies. Nonetheless, they were first described by Raymond Sabouraud in 1912. Even after Achille Civatte discussed and beautifully illustrated them a decade later, it took until the late 1960s for the term Civatte body to win acceptance.
Technical Note: Using Latent Class Analysis versus K‐means or Hierarchical Clustering to Understand Museum Visitors
Authors: Schreiber James B. , Pekarik Andrew J.
Published: January 2014

This paper discusses the benefits of using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) versus K‐means Cluster Analysis or Hierarchical Clustering as a way to understand differences among visitors in museums, and is part of a larger research program directed toward improving the museum‐visit experience. For our comparison of LCA and K‐means Clustering, we use data collected from 190 visitors leaving the exhibition Against All Odds; Rescue at the Chilean Mine in the National Museum of Natural History in January 2012. For the comparison of LCA and Hierarchical Clustering, we use data from 312 visitors leaving the exhibition Elvis at 21 in the National Portrait Gallery in January 2011.
Why Were There No Great Chinese Paintings in American Museums before the Twentieth Century?
Authors: Ju Jane C.
Published: January 2014

To understand the major shift in Americans' attitudes about Chinese art between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it is essential to know not only what the American collectors thought, but also the social history of these collectors and their agents. Since the advent of the field of material culture studies, scholars have begun to look at museum objects, whether as art or not, from the perspective of different lives—that of their makers and users. It seems that the lack of “great” Chinese paintings in American museums before the twentieth century may be due to the fact that the nineteenth century American collectors and their Chinese agents differed from their twentieth century counterparts in what they regarded as “great,” what they thought was “Chinese,” and what they defined as “paintings.”
Positioning Informal Learning Research in Museums within Activity Theory: From Theory to Practice and Back Again
Authors: Ash Doris
Published: January 2014

This article discusses the theory I have come to rely on most consistently to collect and analyze data, interpret interactions at exhibits, and understand power dynamics within museums at many levels of analysis. Activity Theory has, for me, demonstrated the greatest versatility in informing, supporting, and reciprocally intertwining practice and theory. I describe my own evolutionary process here in the context of Activity Theory in order to demonstrate how I have come to see the theory reflected in my research design and analysis.
Mesopotamian Megacity Re‐imagined in Berlin
Authors: Thavapalan Shiyanthi
Published: January 2014

The curators of the exhibition Uruk: 5000 Years of the Megacity claim that Uruk is the earliest known city in the world, the birthplace of writing, bureaucracy, monumental art, and architecture. Their reconstruction of this ancient metropolis in present‐day Berlin suggests to visitors that modernity and Mesopotamia are perhaps not worlds apart after all. The sumptuous new exhibition—organized by the Vorderasiatisches Museum/Staatliche Museum Berlin, the Reiss‐Engelhorn Museum Mannheim, and the Curt Engelhorn Foundation in collaboration with the German Archeological Institute and the German Oriental Society (DOG)—commemorates the centennial of the first German excavations at the site of Warka in southern Iraq.
Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for simultaneous esophageal and cardia submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (with video)
Authors: Chen Hui , Xu Zhiying , Huo Jirong , Liu Deliang
Published: January 2014

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) is a new treatment technique for upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMT) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer. In contrast to conventional endoscopic resection, the new therapy can maintain the mucosal integrity of the digestive tract, which effectively prevents mediastinitis and peritonitis. STER, although a known method, has not been widely adopted because of technical difficulties. Here, we describe the case of a 30‐year‐old patient presenting with two separate SMT originating from the esophageal and cardia MP layer. A 2‐cm longitudinal mucosal incision was made approximately 5 cm proximal to the esophageal SMT, and the esophageal and cardia SMT were dissected successively in the same submucosal tunnel. In the relevant literature, this is the first case of STER for resecting esophageal and cardia SMT using the same submucosal tunnel.
Database for exchangeable gene trap clones: Pathway and gene ontology analysis of exchangeable gene trap clone mouse lines
Authors: Araki Masatake , Nakahara Mai , Muta Mayumi , Itou Miharu , Yanai Chika , Yamazoe Fumika , Miyake Mikiko , Morita Ayaka , Araki Miyuki , Okamoto Yoshiyuki , Nakagata Naomi , Yoshinobu Kumiko , Yamamura Ken‐ichi , Araki Kimi
Published: January 2014

Gene trapping in embryonic stem (ES) cells is a proven method for large‐scale random insertional mutagenesis in the mouse genome. We have established an exchangeable gene trap system, in which a reporter gene can be exchanged for any other DNA of interest through Cre/mutant lox‐mediated recombination. We isolated trap clones, analyzed trapped genes, and constructed the database for Exchangeable Gene Trap Clones (EGTC) [http://egtc.jp]. The number of registered ES cell lines was 1162 on 31 August 2013. We also established 454 mouse lines from trap ES clones and deposited them in the mouse embryo bank at the Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, Japan. The EGTC database is the most extensive academic resource for gene‐trap mouse lines. Because we used a promoter‐trap strategy, all trapped genes were expressed in ES cells. To understand the general characteristics of the trapped genes in the EGTC library, we used Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) for pathway analysis and found that the EGTC ES clones covered a broad range of pathways. We also used Gene Ontology (GO) classification data provided by Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) to compare the functional distribution of genes in each GO term between trapped genes in the EGTC mouse lines and total genes annotated in MGI. We found the functional distributions for the trapped genes in the EGTC mouse lines and for the RefSeq genes for the whole mouse genome were similar, indicating that the EGTC mouse lines had trapped a wide range of mouse genes.
Left Ventricular Rupture after Embolic Myocardial Infarction Due to Mitral Valve Endocarditis
Authors: Caspar Thibault , Delabranche Xavier , Mazzucotelli Jean‐Philippe , Samet Hafida , Morel Olivier , Ohlmann Patrick
Published: January 2014

We report a very rare case of a 43‐year‐old patient with fatal left ventricular subepicardial aneurysm rupture complicating embolic myocardial infarction due to mitral valve infective endocarditis.
Density‐dependent territory size and individual growth rate in juvenileAtlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Lindeman Amanda A. , Grant James W. A. , Desjardins Cyndy M.
Published: January 2014

Whether territoriality regulates population size depends on the flexibility of territory size, but few studies have quantified territory size over a broad range of densities. While juvenile salmonids in streams exhibit density‐dependent mortality and emigration, consistent with space limitation, there has been relatively little study of how territory size and individual growth rate change over a broad range of densities, particularly in field experiments. Consequently, we manipulated the density (range = 0.25–8 m−2) of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in mesh enclosures erected in a natural stream to test whether (i) territory size is fixed, decreases continuously or decreases towards an asymptotic minimum size as density increases; and (ii) individual growth rate decreases as a negative power curve with density as in observational field studies. Territory size decreased with increasing density, consistent with an asymptotic minimum size of about 0.13 m2for a 5‐cm fish. Individual growth rate also decreased with density, although the magnitude of decrease was steeper than in observational studies. Our results suggest a limit to how small territories can be compressed, which will set the upper limit to the local density in a habitat. The density‐dependent changes in territory size and individual growth rate will both play a role in the regulation of stream salmonid populations.
Competitive interactions among multiple non‐native salmonids and two populations of Atlantic salmon
Authors: Houde Aimee Lee S. , Wilson Chris C. , Neff Bryan D.
Published: January 2014

Competitive interactions with non‐native species can have negative impacts on the conservation of native species, resulting in chronic stress and reduced survival. Here, juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from two allopatric populations (Sebago and LaHave) that are being used for reintroduction into Lake Ontario were placed into semi‐natural stream tanks with four non‐native salmonid competitors that are established in Ontario streams: brown trout (S. trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch). Brown trout and rainbow trout reduced the survival and fitness‐related traits of Atlantic salmon, whereas Chinook salmon and coho salmon had no impact on these traits. These data support theories on ecological niche overlap and link differences in observed aggression levels with competitive outcomes. Measurements of circulating hormones indicated that the Atlantic salmon were not chronically stressed nor had a change in social status at the 10‐month time point in the semi‐natural stream tanks. Additionally, the Sebago population was better able to coexist with the non‐native salmonids than the LaHave population. Certain populations of Atlantic salmon may thus be more suitable for some environments of the juvenile stream phase for the reintroduction into Lake Ontario.
Role of Go/i subgroup of G proteins in olfactory signaling of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ignatious Raja Jennifer S. , Katanayeva Natalya , Katanaev Vladimir L. , Galizia C. Giovanni
Published: January 2014

Intracellular signaling in insect olfactory receptor neurons remains unclear, with both metabotropic and ionotropic components being discussed. Here, we investigated the role of heterotrimeric Go and Gi proteins using a combined behavioral, in vivo and in vitro approach. Specifically, we show that inhibiting Go in sensory neurons by pertussis toxin leads to behavioral deficits. We heterologously expressed the olfactory receptor dOr22a in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T). Stimulation with an odor led to calcium influx, which was amplified via calcium release from intracellular stores. Subsequent experiments indicated that the signaling was mediated by the Gβγ subunits of the heterotrimeric Go/i proteins. Finally, using in vivo calcium imaging, we show that Go and Gi contribute to odor responses both for the fast (phasic) as for the slow (tonic) response component. We propose a transduction cascade model involving several parallel processes, in which the metabotropic component is activated by Go and Gi, and uses Gβγ.
Determination of enzymatic activities using a miniaturized system as a rapid method to assess soil quality
Authors: Boluda R. , Roca‐Pérez L. , Iranzo M. , Gil C. , Mormeneo S.
Published: January 2014

Soil quality determination requires the analysis of a number of soil attributes using different approaches. In recent years, one of the most promising approaches has been the determination of enzymatic activities. Generally, only a few enzymes have been analysed and related to other soil properties such as total carbon, nitrogen content or microbial biomass carbon. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible use of the API ZYM strip, a semi‐quantitative miniaturized system that determines 19 enzymatic activities, to study soil quality. To this end, we tested the system in different soil types, including albic Arenosols, mollic Leptosols, rendzic Leptosols, haplic Leptosols and calcaric Regosols. Fresh samples were sieved through a 2‐mm sieve in the field and soil extracts were prepared by mixing 2–20 g (depending on the soil horizon characteristics) from each sample with 2–20 ml of sterile water. Next, 65‐µl aliquots of the supernatant extract were placed into each API ZYM microtube and were incubated at 37°C for 16 hours. Our results show important qualitative and quantitative differences among the different soil types studied, with soil characteristics and biological properties correlating with biochemical information. The results provide useful information not only to determine soil quality, but also to assess changes in the soil environment. As a whole, our results suggest that the use of the API ZYM system could prove most useful in soil environmental studies. Finally, some suggestions are presented, including modifications to the system that could improve its application in this field.
Mitochondrial DNA copy number – but not a mitochondrial tandem CC to TT transition – is increased in sun‐exposed skin
Authors: Gebhard Daniel , Mahler Bettina , Matt Katja , Burger Katharina , Bergemann Jörg
Published: January 2014

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are causatively associated with photo‐ageing and are used as biomarkers of UV exposure. The most prominent mitochondrial mutation is the common deletion (CD), which is induced in many tissues by oxidative stress. More photo‐specific mutations might be CC to TT tandem transitions which arise from UV‐induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. As nucleotide excision repair is absent in mitochondria, this DNA damage can presumably not be repaired resulting in high mitochondrial mutation levels. Here, we analysed levels of the CD, a mitochondrial and a chromosomal tandem transition in epidermis and dermis from exposed and less UV‐exposed skin. We also analysed mtDNA copy number, for which changes as a result of oxidative stress have been described in different experimental settings. Whereas mitochondrial tandem transition levels were surprisingly low with no discernible correlation with UV exposure, mtDNA copy number and CD were significantly increased in UV‐exposed samples.
Forecasting changes in water quality in rivers associated with growing biofuels in the Arkansas‐White‐Red river drainage, USA
Authors: Jager Henriette I. , Baskaran Latha M. , Schweizer Peter E. , Turhollow Anthony F. , Brandt Craig C. , Srinivasan Raghavan
Published: January 2014

Excess nutrients from agriculture in the Mississippi River drainage, USA have degraded water quality in freshwaters and contributed to anoxic conditions in downstream estuaries. Consequently, water quality is a significant concern associated with conversion of lands to bioenergy production. This study focused on the Arkansas‐White‐Red river basin (AWR), one of five major river basins draining to the Mississippi River. The AWR has a strong precipitation gradient from east to west, and advanced cellulosic feedstocks are projected to become economically feasible within normal‐to‐wet areas of the region. In this study, we used large‐scale watershed modeling to identify areas along this precipitation gradient with potential for improving water quality. We compared simulated water quality in rivers draining projected future landscapes with and without cellulosic bioenergy for two future years, 2022 and 2030 with an assumed farmgate price of $50 per dry ton. Changes in simulated water quantity and quality under future bioenergy scenarios varied among subbasins and years. Median water yield, nutrient loadings, and sediment yield decreased by 2030. Median concentrations of nutrients also decreased, but suspended sediment, which is influenced by decreased flow and in‐stream processes, increased. Spatially, decreased loadings prevailed in the transitional ecotone between 97° and 100° longitude, where switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., is projected to compete against alternative crops and land uses at $50 per dry ton. We conclude that this region contains areas that hold promise for sustainable bioenergy production in terms of both economic feasibility and water quality protection.
Assessing the cultivation potential of the energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus for Germany
Authors: Schorling Markus , Enders Christopher , Voigt Christian A.
Published: January 2014

The European Union in general and Germany in particular want to lead the way to substantially expand renewable energies for power production. Considering the extremely ambitious objectives of the German Federal Government, a strong, nationwide increase in cultivating energy crops can be anticipated. However, the expansion of biomass production, which is already in progress, has led to several environmental and ecological objections. Aside from competing for land, for food and feed production, the expansion of monocultures for biomass and biofuel production with a concentration on maize (Zea mays) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) can be problematic for biodiversity conservation. To face these challenges, the provision and cultivation of additional crop species and cultivars for biomass production would help to avoid these problems. The designated energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus represents an alternative species for extended biomass production. This giant grass is characterized by a broad range of possible applications and a high potential in producing and providing biomass in a sustainable way. In our study, we conducted a Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based analysis of the cultivation potential of M. giganteus in Germany. As a result, we generated digital maps that display preferential regions for the cultivation of M. giganteus where a high productivity and quality of biomass is expected. Combining different climate‐ and soil‐dependent scenarios, a total acreage potential of 4 million ha is predicted for Germany.
The elderly as a market – challenges to evidence
Authors: Ellwood Roger P.
Published: January 2014

Objective

To review the role of the oral care industry in the oral health of elders and opportunities for partnership with other key stakeholders.

Background

The elder population is growing at a faster rate than any other segment of the population. This is coupled with a greater probability of maintaining the dentition into later life and an increase in complex restorative work. If an elder's situation changes, they are highly vulnerable to a rapid onset of oral disease that can be devastating and extremely difficult to address.

Materials and methods

This manuscript reviews the role of the oral care industry in understanding this population as a market and the different approaches that might be used in promoting health.

Results

Two key market segments were identified, the vulnerable elders with high levels of chronic oral disease, systemic complications, medications and often inability to maintain good standards of oral hygiene and a wealthier, health and beauty conscious group with a keen interest in maintaining a healthy, aesthetically pleasing and functional dentition throughout their lives.

Conclusions

It is likely that within current healthcare models, the oral care of elders will be unsustainable, with a smaller working population funding ever‐increasing health care needs. ‘Home care’ combined with effective professional preventive and effective therapeutic options are essential. Partnerships between the oral care industry and oral care providers, to deliver education and engagement of care workers, medical practitioners, pharmacists and social services, are essential over the next few decades.
Epidemiology of oral health conditions in older people
Authors: Murray Thomson William
Published: January 2014

The main conditions of interest when considering the epidemiology of oral diseases among older people are tooth loss, dental caries, periodontitis, dry mouth and oral pre‐cancer/cancer, along with oral‐health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). This article presents an overview of what is known about the epidemiology of each of the main conditions of interest among older populations.
Developing pathways for oral care in elders: challenges in care for the dentate the subject?
Authors: Walls Angus
Published: January 2014

Objective

This paper reviews potential age‐associated risk factors for satisfactory oral function and oral disease to inform the development of care pathways for the older person.

Background

Alterations in dental status or both physical and biological change associated with age can impact on oral disease and oral function.

Materials and Methods

Older people tend to have fewer teeth and some are edentulous. Physical and biological changes in bodily function with age can also affect oral health care either directly or indirectly.

Results

Reductions in chewing ability impact on the foods people choose to eat because of perceived difficulty with chewing, with a potentially deleterious affect on dietary quality. This is worse in people with xerostomia where chewing and swallowing are impaired anyway. Change in the cell‐mediated inflammatory response impacts on gingival and periodontal disease manifestation and progression. Sarcopenia makes the physical act of toothbrushing more challenging. Caries remains a clinical problem that affects both the crowns and the roots of teeth. Coronal lesions tend to be around existing restorations where there is no evidence base about care/prevention.

Conclusion

The physical and clinical changes that occur with ageing require an altered pattern of care for older people which is adjusted to their disease risk and encourage diversity of foods consumption.
Load Characteristics of Lead‐Free Ceramic Multilayer Actuators Based on Bismuth–Sodium–Titanate
Authors: Reichmann Klaus , Deluca Marco , Schütz Denis , Supancic Peter
Published: January 2014

The electromechanical behavior of a lead‐free ceramic multilayer actuator is described. The actuator is made of an Nd‐doped [Bi0.500Na0.335K0.125Li0.040]TiO3 ceramic with inner electrodes of an Ag/Pd‐alloy. For electromechanical characterization, the actuator is under constant mechanical stress, and the strain over the applied electric field is recorded. The mechanical stress ranges from 0.1 to 80 MPa. The maximum applied electric field is 8 kV/mm. Starting with 0.1 MPa mechanical stress, the actuator exhibits a maximum strain of <0.1%. With increasing stress, the strain increases up to 0.17% at 5 MPa. With higher stress, the strain decreases and reaches 0.125% at 80 MPa. Reducing the mechanical stress leads to a steady increase in strain, which results in a doubling of the strain at 0.1 MPa compared with the initial value. The strain characteristic contains an electrostrictive part, a linear piezoelectric regime, and some creep behavior.
Thermodynamic Parameters of Bonds in Glassy Materials from Shear Viscosity Coefficient Data
Authors: Ojovan Michael I.
Published: January 2014

A simple analytical approach is proposed that provides numerical values of thermodynamic parameters of bonds (enthalpy and entropy of formation) in glassy materials from four shear viscosity coefficient data at four temperatures, two of which should be below Tg and other two above Tg. This method replaces complex fitting procedures for the nonlinear viscosity equations to experimental data and provides accurate data close to that obtained from fitting procedures. It can be also used for obtaining zero estimates of unknown parameters for the nonlinear least squares regression procedures.
Method for Identifying and Mapping Flaw Size Distributions on Glass Surfaces for Predicting Mechanical Response
Authors: Wereszczak Andrew A. , Ferber Mattison K. , Musselwhite Wayne
Published: January 2014

The statistical and critical tensile stresses associated with crack initiation on glass surfaces are dependent on the size and location of pre‐existing flaws. The introduction, sizes, concentrations, and distribution of those pre‐existing flaws at any moment of time are a direct and cumulative consequence of any glass's manufacturing, packaging, handling, and service histories. A new, nondestructive “High Resolution Flaw Classification System” is under development that rapidly identifies, measures, and maps surface‐located flaws on glass. Flaws smaller than 8 × 8 μm are detectable and many square centimeters per second can be scanned. The potential mechanical response of that glass, with that quantified surface‐flaw state at that moment of time, can then be predicted using the classical Griffith criterion.
Antiglycation capacity and antioxidant activities of different pigmented Thai rice
Authors: Daiponmak Wipavadee , Senakun Chadapon , Siriamornpun Sirithon
Published: January 2014

This study investigated the antiglycation capacity and antioxidant activities of fifteen Thai rice varieties. Purple variety, Kum Rai showed the highest value of total phenolic content (245.06 ± 7.87 mg GAE/gram extract dry weight), DPPH radical scavenging activity (92.33 ± 0.49 mg Trolox/gram extract dry weight), ABTS radical scavenging activity (221.01 ± 0.25 mg Trolox/gram extract dry weight) and percentage inhibition of AGEs formation (82.03 ± 0.19%). We found that, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH assay) in rice varieties were highly correlated (P < 0.05) with their antiglycation capacity. These results indicated that the total phenolic content was responsible for antioxidant and antiglycation capacities of rice samples. This study is the first report on a correlation between anti‐AGEs capacity and antioxidant activities of Thai rice varieties. Our data have provided useful information for selection of rice varieties for the bioactive compounds that may improve the health of the aged and diabetic complications.
An overview of selected specialty beers: developments, challenges and prospects
Authors: Yeo Hui Qi , Liu Shao‐Quan
Published: January 2014

The brewing industry has devoted much research effort into the development of new technologies and innovations for the expansion of the assortment of specialty beers in response to increased consumer demand. Specialty beers are more or less the catch‐all for beer styles, which do not fit into conventional beer categories and five types of specialty beers are of particular interest – low‐calorie beer, low‐alcohol or nonalcohol beer, novel‐flavoured beer, gluten‐free beer and functional beer. The selected beer types are technologically challenging to produce relative to the traditional approach of ingredient addition, yet offer special appeal to consumers from the perspective of health and flavour. Biological processes that make use of the equipment of a traditional brewery plant should be better exploited in comparison with nonbiological technologies such as thermal and membrane processes. Probiotic beer could be the specialty beer of the future in light of the increasing popularity of probiotics. These beers are reviewed in terms of developments, challenges and prospects.
Female sexual dysfunction
Authors: Albaugh Jeffrey
Published: January 2014

Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem, yet it is often under‐treated. Sexual function is an integral part of the human experience and sexual dysfunction can negatively impact quality of life, yet many patients suffer in silence with their problems. This article provides a common case scenario, along with information on prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, definitions and classifications of female sexual dysfunction as well as some of the treatment options available.
Scale dependency in the functional form of the distance decay relationship
Authors: Nekola Jeffrey C. , McGill Brian J.
Published: January 2014

We examine a novel mathematical approach which posits that the decay of similarity in community composition with increasing distance (aka distance decay) can be modeled as the sum of individual species joint‐probability vs distance relationships. Our model, supported by analyses of these curves from three datasets (North American breeding birds, North American taiga plants, and tropical forest trees), suggest that when sampling grain is large enough to avoid absences due to stochastic sampling effects, and/or sampling extent is large enough to generate species turnover through the deterministic crossing of environmental and/or geographical range limits, species joint‐probability over increasing distance will generally exhibit exponential decay. However, at small scales where occurrence is driven more by stochastic sampling effects, species joint‐probability curves exhibit a power‐law decay form. Lacking a theoretical prediction of how individual species joint‐probability relationships combine to generate community distance decay, we also performed a meta‐analysis of 26 ecological and 4 human‐system datasets, using non‐linear regression to mean and quantile non‐linear regression at tau = 0.95 for linear, exponential, and power‐law decay forms. These analyses demonstrate that the functional form of community distance decay – as shown by comparison of AIC ranks – is largely determined by observational scale, with power law decay prevailing within domains where the species pool remains constant, while exponential decay prevails at larger scales over which the species pool varies, paralleling the patterns predicted in our mathematical approach.
The effectiveness of spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities in improving the eating ability of residents with dementia
Authors: Wu Hua Shan , Lin Li Chan , Wu Shiao Chi , Lin Ke Neng , Liu Hsiu Chih
Published: January 2014

Aims

To explore the long‐term effects of standardized and individualized spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities on the eating ability of residents with dementia.

Background

Eating difficulty is common in residents with dementia, resulting in low food intake, followed by eating dependence, weight loss and malnutrition.

Design

A single‐blinded and quasi‐experimental design with repeated measures.

Methods

Ninety residents with dementia from four veterans' homes in Taiwan took part in this study. The intervention consisted of spaced retrieval combined with Montessori‐based activities. Twenty‐five participants in the standardized group received 24 intervention sessions over 8 weeks. Thirty‐eight participants in the individualized group received tailored intervention sessions. The number of intervention sessions was adjusted according to the participant's recall responses in spaced retrieval. Twenty‐seven participants in the control group received no treatment. The Chinese version of the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia was used, and eating amounts and body weight were measured pre‐test, posttest and at 1‐, 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Data were collected between July 2008–February 2010. Repeated measures of all dependent variables for the three groups were analysed by the linear mixed model.

Results

The standardized and individualized interventions could significantly decrease the scores for the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia and increase the eating amount and body weight over time.

Conclusion

Trained nurses in institutions can schedule the standardized or individualized intervention in usual activity time to ameliorate eating difficulty and its sequels.
High‐Risk Lead Removal by Planned Sequential Transvenous Laser Extraction and Minimally Invasive Right Thoracotomy
Authors: GOYAL SANDEEP K. , ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R. , BALL STEPHEN K. , AHMAD RASHID , HOFF STEVEN J. , WHALEN S. PATRICK , ROTTMAN JEFFREY
Published: January 2014

Hybrid Lead Extraction for High‐Risk Leads

Introduction

Transvenous pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead extraction via mechanical or excimer laser sheath is typically safe and effective. Longer duration from implant, presence of large vegetations or thrombi, fractured leads, and prior failed extraction are risk factors predicting higher complication rates or incomplete or failed lead removal. Techniques developed for minimally invasive valve surgery were used in conjunction with laser extraction to refine a “hybrid” technique for lead extraction. We assessed the outcomes of high‐risk lead extraction using this hybrid lead extraction technique.

Methods and Results

Retrospective assessment of clinical parameters and procedural outcomes in patients undergoing planned hybrid lead extraction from February 2008 to September 2012 was performed. We report 8 cases of hybrid lead extraction performed at our institution. We extracted 21 leads with average lead age of 13.8 years since implant. All leads were removed with complete clinical and radiographic success. There were no intraprocedure complications. One patient died of continued sepsis and 1 other had symptoms consistent with pulmonary embolism.

Conclusions

Hybrid lead extraction using this technique is a safe and effective approach for removal of high‐risk chronic pacemaker or ICD leads. This method extends the range of approachable leads resulting in complete removal without median sternotomy. Hybrid lead extraction can be scheduled electively facilitating complete lead removal with a low complication rate and short postoperative recovery time, mitigating the risks inherent in midline sternotomy or emergent cardiac surgical rescue.