bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac troponin I concentrations in horses with colic
Authors: Díaz Olga M. Seco , Durando Mary M. , Birks Eric K. , Reef Virginia B.
Published: June 2014

Objective—To determine prevalence of myocardial injury in horses with colic on the basis of high concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), frequency of cardiac arrhythmias within the first 24 to 48 hours after hospital admission or surgery because of colic, and associations between high cTnI concentrations and cardiac arrhythmias, clinical course, and outcome (survival to discharge from hospital vs nonsurvival [death or euthanasia]).

Design—Prospective observational study.

Animals—111 horses with colic.

Procedures—Blood was drawn at admission and 12 and 24 hours after admission if horses were treated medically or 12 and 24 hours after surgery if treated surgically. A 24-hour ambulatory ECG was recorded beginning the morning after admission in medically treated cases or after surgery and evaluated for arrhythmias. Clinical and clinicopathologic data and outcome were obtained. Associations between cTnI concentrations and other variables were determined.

Results—An abnormal cTnI concentration (≥ 0.10 ng/mL) at admission was significantly associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, outcome, and surgical treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The data suggested that horses with colic and high cTnI concentrations at admission were more likely to have ventricular arrhythmias and have a less favorable prognosis for recovery. High cTnI concentrations in horses with colic were suggestive of myocardial damage.
Performance of two portable meters and a benchtop analyzer for blood glucose concentration measurement in rabbits
Authors: Selleri Paolo , Di Girolamo Nicola , Novari Gianluca
Published: June 2014

Objective—To evaluate performance of a human portable blood glucose meter (PBGM), a veterinary PBGM, and a veterinary benchtop analyzer for measuring blood glucose concentration in rabbits and to evaluate the effect of sample characteristics on their performance.

Design—Observational prospective cross-sectional study.

Sample—Blood samples from 89 pet rabbits.

Procedures—Blood glucose concentration was measured with a human PBGM (n = 89 rabbits), a veterinary PBGM (89), and a benchtop analyzer (32) and compared with results obtained with plasma in a laboratory analyzer (hexokinase method).

Results—The human PBGM underestimated blood glucose concentration, had decreased accuracy at high Hcts, and had the lowest total error observed (11.4%). The veterinary PBGM overestimated blood glucose concentration, had decreased accuracy at low Hcts and at high blood glucose concentrations, and had the highest total error (15.5% and 29.8% for canine and feline settings, respectively). The benchtop analyzer had good accuracy and was not influenced by Hct or glucose concentrations. Clinical errors would have occurred in 0% of cases with the human PBGM and with the benchtop analyzer and in 9% (canine setting) to 6.7% (feline setting) of cases with the veterinary PBGM.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that use of the human PBGM evaluated in this study would be acceptable for point-of-care testing of blood glucose concentration in rabbits when benchtop analyzers are not available. The use of the veterinary PBGM evaluated in this study may alter both treatment and diagnostic decisions because of the overestimation of glucose concentrations in some rabbits.
Total dietary fiber composition of diets used for management of obesity and diabetes mellitus in cats
Authors: Owens Tammy J. , Larsen Jennifer A. , Farcas Amy K. , Nelson Richard W. , Kass Philip H. , Fascetti Andrea J.
Published: June 2014

Objective—To determine total dietary fiber (TDF) composition of feline diets used for management of obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Design—Cross-sectional survey.

Sample—Dry veterinary (n = 10), canned veterinary (12), and canned over-the-counter (3) feline diets.

Procedures—Percentage of TDF as insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), high-molecular-weight soluble dietary fiber (HMWSDF), and low-molecular-weight soluble dietary fiber (LMWSDF) was determined.

Results—Median measured TDF concentration was greater than reported maximum crude fiber content in dry and canned diets. Median TDF (dry-matter) concentration in dry and canned diets was 12.2% (range, 8.11% to 27.16%) and 13.8% (range, 4.7% to 27.9%), respectively. Dry and canned diets, and diets with and without a source of oligosaccharides in the ingredient list, were not different in energy density or concentrations of TDF, IDF, HMWSDF, or LMWSDF. Similarly, loaf-type (n = 11) and gravy-type (4) canned diets differed only in LMWSDF concentration. Disparities in TDF concentrations among products existed despite a lack of differences among groups. Limited differences in TDF concentration and dietary fiber composition were detected when diets were compared on the basis of carbohydrate concentration. Diets labeled for management of obesity were higher in TDF concentration and lower in energy density than diets for management of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Diets provided a range of TDF concentrations with variable concentrations of IDF, HMWSDF, and LMWSDF. Crude fiber concentration was not a reliable indicator of TDF concentration or dietary fiber composition. Because carbohydrate content is calculated as a difference, results suggested that use of crude fiber content would cause overestimation of both carbohydrate and energy content of diets.
Just a Case of Mistaken Ancestors? Dramatizing Modernisms in Maryse Condé’s Heremakhonon
Authors: Sansavior Eva
Published: June 2014

The marked intertextual patterning of Maryse Condé’s first novel Heremakhonon is a widely acknowledged feature, with the relationship between Condé’s novel and Aimé Césaire's Notebook of a Return to my Native Land attracting the bulk of critical attention. Through close readings of to date unexamined dramatic codes in Heremakhonon, this article proposes to extend the cultural context in which Condé’s text is traditionally read. Moving beyond the standard critical discussions of authenticity, I track Heremakhonon's mobile positionings in relation to polarizing debates in the broader French literary-critical field between engagement and modernism. This focus allows for an exploration of the complex sets of relationships between the cultures of modernism and engagement that provide the conditions of possibility for Condé’s novel.
Globalization, mondialisation and the immonde in Contemporary Francophone African Literature
Authors: Syrotinski Michael
Published: June 2014

Taking as its theoretical frame of reference Jean-Luc Nancy's distinction between globalization and mondialisation, this article explores the relationship between contemporary Africa, the ‘world’ and the ‘literary’. The discussion centres on a number of present-day African novelists, and looks in particular at a controversial recent text by the Cameroonian writer and critic, Patrice Nganang, who is inspired by the work of the well-known theorist of postcolonial Africa, Achille Mbembe. For both writers ‘Africa’, as a generic point of reference, is seen in terms of a certain genealogy of Africanist thinking, from colonial times through to the contemporary postcolonial era, and the article reflects on what a radical challenge to this genealogy might entail. Using a more phenomenologically oriented reading of monde (world) and immonde (abject, literally un-world), this rupture could be conceived in terms of the kind of ‘epistemological break’ that thinkers like Althusser and Foucault introduced into common usage and theoretical currency in contemporary French thought back in the 1960s.
Causes and Consequences of Age-Related Changes in DNA Methylation: A Role for ROS?
Authors: Rang Franka , Boonstra Johannes
Published: June 2014

Recent genome-wide analysis of C-phosphate-G (CpG) sites has shown that the DNA methylome changes with increasing age, giving rise to genome-wide hypomethylation with site‑specific incidences of hypermethylation. This notion has received a lot of attention, as it potentially explains why aged organisms generally have a higher risk of age-related diseases. However, very little is known about the mechanisms that could cause the occurrence of these changes. Moreover, there does not appear to be a clear link between popular theories of aging and alterations in the methylome. Some of the most fruitful of these theories attribute an important role to reactive oxygen species, which seem to be responsible for an increase in oxidative damage to macromolecules, such as DNA, during the lifetime of an organism. In this review, the connection between changes in DNA methylation and these reactive oxygen species is discussed, as well as the effect of these changes on health. Deeper insights into the nature, causes and consequences of the aging methylome might provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of aging and eventually contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
A Novel Block-Based Scheme for Arithmetic Coding
Authors: Hou Qi-Bin , Fu Chong
Published: June 2014

It is well-known that for a given sequence, its optimal codeword length is fixed. Many coding schemes have been proposed to make the codeword length as close to the optimal value as possible. In this paper, a new block-based coding scheme operating on the subsequences of a source sequence is proposed. It is proved that the optimal codeword lengths of the subsequences are not larger than that of the given sequence. Experimental results using arithmetic coding will be presented.
Pitch Based Wind Turbine Intelligent Speed Setpoint Adjustment Algorithms
Authors: González-González Asier , Etxeberria-Agiriano Ismael , Zulueta Ekaitz , Oterino-Echavarri Fernando , Lopez-Guede Jose
Published: June 2014

This work is aimed at optimizing the wind turbine rotor speed setpoint algorithm. Several intelligent adjustment strategies have been investigated in order to improve a reward function that takes into account the power captured from the wind and the turbine speed error. After different approaches including Reinforcement Learning, the best results were obtained using a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based wind turbine speed setpoint algorithm. A reward improvement of up to 10.67% has been achieved using PSO compared to a constant approach and 0.48% compared to a conventional approach. We conclude that the pitch angle is the most adequate input variable for the turbine speed setpoint algorithm compared to others such as rotor speed, or rotor angular acceleration.
Physical Exercise Promotes Recovery of Neurological Function after Ischemic Stroke in Rats
Authors: Zheng Hai-Qing , Zhang Li-Ying , Luo Jing , Li Li-Li , Li Menglin , Zhang Qingjie , Hu Xi-Quan
Published: June 2014

Although physical exercise is an effective strategy for treatment of ischemic stroke, the underlying protective mechanisms are still not well understood. It has been recently demonstrated that neural progenitor cells play a vital role in the recovery of neurological function (NF) through differentiation into mature neurons. In the current study, we observed that physical exercise significantly reduced the infarct size and improved damaged neural functional recovery after an ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we found that the treatment not only exhibited a significant increase in the number of neural progenitor cells and neurons but also decreased the apoptotic cells in the peri-infarct region, compared to a control in the absence of exercise. Importantly, the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/Akt signaling pathway was dramatically activated in the peri-infarct region of rats after physical exercise training. Therefore, our findings suggest that physical exercise directly influences the NF recovery process by increasing neural progenitor cell count via activation of the IGF-1/Akt signaling pathway.
Correlation between BPI Gene Upstream CpG Island Methylation and mRNA Expression in Piglets
Authors: Wang Jing , Yin Xuemei , Sun Li , Sun Shouyong , Zi Chen , Zhu Guoqiang , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: June 2014

Diarrhea and edematous disease are two major causes of mortality in postweaning piglets, and these conditions lead to huge economic losses in the swine industry. E. coli F18 is the primary causative agent of these two diseases. Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) plays an important role in the natural defense of the host. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between BPI gene upstream CpG island methylation and mRNA expression. In this study, bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to detect the methylation status of the BPI gene upstream CpG island and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect BPI expression in the duodenum of piglets from birth to weaning age. BPI upstream CpG islands were shown to have many putative transcription factor binding sites, 10 CpG sites and every CpG site was methylated. The CpG island methylation level was lowest in 30-day piglets and was significantly lower than levels in 8-day piglets (p < 0.05). BPI mRNA expression was significantly higher in 30-day piglets than at any other age (p < 0.05). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the methylation status of the CpG island was negatively correlated with BPI mRNA expression. Statistical significances were found in CpG_1, CpG_3, CpG_4, CpG_7 and CpG_10 (p < 0.05). The data indicate that BPI expression is improved by demethylation of the BPI gene upstream CpG island. Furthermore, CpG_1, CpG_3, CpG_4, CpG_7 and CpG_10 may be critical sites in the regulation of BPI gene expression.
Contribution of Chitinase A’s C-Terminal Vacuolar Sorting Determinant to the Study of Soluble Protein Compartmentation
Authors: Stigliano Egidio , Di Sansebastiano Gian-Pietro , Neuhaus Jean-Marc
Published: June 2014

Plant chitinases have been studied for their importance in the defense of crop plants from pathogen attacks and for their peculiar vacuolar sorting determinants. A peculiarity of the sequence of many family 19 chitinases is the presence of a C-terminal extension that seems to be important for their correct recognition by the vacuole sorting machinery. The 7 amino acids long C-terminal vacuolar sorting determinant (CtVSD) of tobacco chitinase A is necessary and sufficient for the transport to the vacuole. This VSD shares no homology with other CtVSDs such as the phaseolin’s tetrapeptide AFVY (AlaPheValTyr) and it is also sorted by different mechanisms. While a receptor for this signal has not yet been convincingly identified, the research using the chitinase CtVSD has been very informative, leading to the observation of phenomena otherwise difficult to observe such as the presence of separate vacuoles in differentiating cells and the existence of a Golgi-independent route to the vacuole. Thanks to these new insights in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-vacuole transport, GFPChi (Green Fluorescent Protein carrying the chitinase A CtVSD) and other markers based on chitinase signals will continue to help the investigation of vacuolar biogenesis in plants.
Gas-Phase and Microsolvated Glycine Interacting with Boron Nitride Nanotubes. A B3LYP-D2* Periodic Study
Authors: Rimola Albert , Sodupe Mariona
Published: June 2014

The adsorption of glycine (Gly) both in gas-phase conditions and in a microsolvated state on a series of zig-zag (n,0) single-walled boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs, n = 4, 6, 9 and 15) has been studied by means of B3LYP-D2* periodic calculations. Gas-phase Gly is found to be chemisorbed on the (4,0), (6,0) and (9,0) BNNTs by means of a dative interaction between the NH2 group of Gly and a B atom of the BNNTs, whose computed adsorption energies are gradually decreased by increasing the tube radius. On the (15,0) BNNT, Gly is found to be physisorbed with an adsorption driving force mainly dictated by p-stacking dispersion interactions. Gly adsorption in a microsolvated environment has been studied in the presence of seven water molecules by progressively microsolvating the dry Gly/BNNT interface. The most stable structures on the (6,0), (9,0) and (15,0) BNNTs present the Gly/BNNT interface fully bridged by the water solvent molecules; i.e., no direct contact between Gly and the BNNTs takes place, whereas on the (4,0) BNNT the most stable structure presents a unique direct interaction between the COO− Gly group and a B atom of the nanotube. Further energetic analyses indicate that the (6,0), (9,0) and (15,0) BNNTs exhibit a low water affinity, which favors the Gly/water interactions upon BNNT coadsorption. In contrast, the (4,0) BNNT has been found to show a large water affinity, bringing the replacement of adsorbed water by a microsolvated glycine molecule as an unfavorable process.
Acute Effects of Different Formats of Small-Sided and Conditioned Handball Games on Heart Rate Responses in Female Students During PE Classes
Authors: Clemente Filipe , Rocha Rúben , Martins Fernando , Mendes Rui
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of different formats (2-a-side, 3-a-side and 4-a-side) on heart rate responses of female students during small-sided and conditioned handball games. The heart rate responses were measured using heart rate monitors during physical education classes. Eight female students participated in the study (15 ± 0.0 years). The one-way ANOVA showed statistical differences with moderate effect between the three different formats (F(2, 1674) = 86.538; p-value ˂ 0.001; = 0.094; Power = 1.0). The results showed that smaller formats (2-a-side and 3-a-side) increased the heart rate responses of female students during small-sided and conditioned handball games during physical education (PE) classes. The results also suggested that 2-a-side games can be used for anaerobic workouts and the 3-a-side and 4-a-side games can be better used to reach lactate-threshold and for aerobic workouts of high intensity.
Abnormal Copper Homeostasis: Mechanisms and Roles in Neurodegeneration
Authors: Manto Mario
Published: June 2014

As a cofactor of proteins and enzymes involved in critical molecular pathways in mammals and low eukaryotes, copper is a transition metal essential for life. The intra-cellular and extra-cellular metabolism of copper is under tight control, in order to maintain free copper concentrations at very low levels. Copper is a critical element for major neuronal functions, and the central nervous system is a major target of disorders of copper metabolism. Both the accumulation of copper and copper deficiency are associated with brain dysfunction. The redox capacities of free copper, its ability to trigger the production of reactive oxygen species and the close relationships with the regulation of iron and zinc are remarkable features. Major advances in our understanding of the relationships between copper, neuronal functions and neurodegeneration have occurred these last two decades. The metabolism of copper and the current knowledge on the consequences of copper dysregulation on brain disorders are reviewed, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Wilson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In vitro studies, in vivo experiments and evidence from clinical observations of the neurotoxic effects of copper provide the basis for future therapies targeting copper homeostasis.
La gratuité est-elle une fatalité sur les marchés numériques ? Une étude sur le consentement à payer pour des offres de contenus audiovisuels sur internet
Authors: Suire Raphaël , Pénard Thierry , Sylvain Arnaud
Published: June 2014

This article aims to assess the willingness to pay for online video content, in a context where consumers enjoy “ free ” content. Using survey data, we find that online and offline consumptions of video content are interlaced. Our findings also suggest that a viable business model of online video service should break the current chronology of media and offer a large catalog of content (covering both hits or best-sellers and the long tail) that fits the heterogeneous preferences and needs of consumers.
Un modèle à équations simultanées du cycle des bureaux en région parisienne
Authors: Malle Richard
Published: June 2014

Cet article présente un modèle à équations simultanées appliqué au marché des bureaux de la région parisienne sur la période 1994-2008. On détermine l’offre et la demande en espace de bureaux en reliant l’absorption nette, le taux de vacance, les loyers réels et les volumes de mises en chantier de bureaux. Différents scénarios du cycle sont ensuite simulés en fonction d’hypothèses type sur l’évolution de l’emploi jusqu’en 2020. Les résultats montrent que le cycle de l’emploi en région parisienne détermine celui des fondamentaux de l’immobilier de bureaux. Dans une moindre mesure, les taux d’intérêt influencent aussi le comportement des acteurs du marché.
Une approche déterministe du taux de change euro-dollar
Authors: Goux Jean-François
Published: June 2014

La prise en compte d’une période de rupture (rupture épaisse transitoire) permet d’analyser correctement la série statistique du taux de change euro-dollar. En retenant la période postérieure aux accords du Louvre, mais en éliminant les premières années d'existence de l’euro , et jusqu’à mars 2009, on peut affirmer que ce taux est stationnaire en niveau ou en tendance et donc qu’il existe un mécanisme de rappel vers un niveau (ou une tendance) d’équilibre. Ce point est démontré à l’aide d’une nouvelle procédure de test fondée sur l’élimination des périodes de rupture. Plus généralement, se trouve confirmée l’hypothèse que l’on peut expliquer l’évolution du taux de change sans nécessairement faire appel à des fondamentaux grâce à l’existence de tendances déterministes avec ruptures.
Le mieux, ennemi du bien : approche expérimentale du contrôle comme mécanisme de filtrage
Authors: Sami Hind , Joubert Nadia , Rullière Jean-Louis
Published: June 2014

In an adverse-selection context, we use an experimental protocol to study the intensity and efficiency of a control policy as filtering instrument in the long-term financing relationship between an investor (principal) and an entrepreneur (agent). We find three control effects : a disciplining effect, an educative effect, and a filtering effect. While the first is expected, the educative effect of control gives way to a crowding-out effect already observed in other tests but in a moral-hazard context. Lastly, our experiment shows that the principal restores a filtering effect through a trade-off between control efficiency and control intensity : it is better to control little in order to detect a little, rather than control a lot and detect nothing.
Ni déflation, ni spirale inflationniste aux États-Unis : l’apport d’une modélisation par secteurs de l’inflation sous-jacente
Authors: Pfingstag Clotilde , Grossmann-Wirth Vincent
Published: June 2014

While opinions differ over the inflation outlook in the United States, this study dismisses both the risk of deflation and that of an “ inflationary spiral ”. Although energy prices have fluctuated widely in recent months, their spillover effects on prices and wages in the United States appears to be limited. Abreakdown and a modeling of underlying inflation by sector (goods, housing, and non-housing services) point to moderate price changes in 2011 and 2012. This finding yields insight into the Fed’s highly accommodating monetary policy, while putting criticisms of this policy into perspective, given the Fed’s mandate.
Les effets d’une réglementation sur la concurrence et l’innovation : première analyse de la réglementation européenne REACH
Authors: Sautel Olivier , Ravix Joël-Thomas , Deschamps Marc , Béal Sylvain
Published: June 2014

La législation REACH se démarque notamment des autres législations environnementales et sanitaires sur deux aspects. D’une part, elle consacre un principe juridique de renversement de la charge de la preuve, qui transfère aux entreprises l’obligation de démontrer l’innocuité des produits qu’elles utilisent. D’autre part, elle oblige les entreprises à fournir toutes les informations toxicologiques et environnementales dont elles disposent sur les substances qu’elles utilisent. Cet article s’intéresse aux effets des structures de mutualisations de l’information réglementaire et à l’influence de la législation REACH sur la concurrence et l’innovation.
Le financement de l’innovation par Oséo
Authors: Riedinger Nicolas , Huber Doryane , Masquin Benoît
Published: June 2014

Oséo est un acteur majeur du soutien au financement des entreprises , notamment en ce qui concerne l’innovation. Son large champ d’intervention lui donne la possibilité d’accompagner les entreprises tout au long de leur développement. Ce travail est centré sur l’analyse de son activité de soutien à l’innovation. Il analyse la légitimité économique de cette intervention et son efficacité, notamment en ce qui concerne la sélection des projets. Plus particulièrement, nous montrons qu’Oséo sélectionne des projets performants : à dépenses de R & D égales, un projet sélectionné par Oséo et financé à hauteur de 33 % conduirait à 3 fois plus de brevets qu’un projet non soutenu par Oséo.
Non-Invasive Fibrosis Assessment Predicts Sustained Virological Response to Telaprevir with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Furusyo Norihiro , Shimizu Motohiro , Ihara Takeshi , Hayashi Takeo , Harada Yuji , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Murata Masayuki , Hayashi Jun
Published: June 2014

Background

Liver fibrosis remains one of the most important predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) in this era of direct-acting antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C. We compare non-invasive fibrosis assessment with liver biopsy (METAVIR) in terms of their ability to predict SVR by telaprevir (TVR)-based triple therapy.

Methods

This prospective study consisted of 108 patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection who received TVR in combination with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2b and ribavirin (RBV). Non-invasive fibrosis data included transient elastography (FibroScan), FIB-4 index and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI).

Results

SVR was achieved by 84.3% of the patients by intention-to-treat analysis. In contrast to the high SVR rates for treatment-naive patients (87.1%, 27 of 31) and patients who previously relapsed (97.9%, 46 of 47), the SVR rate of prior partial/null responders was significantly lower (60.0%, 18 of 30). The impact of fibrosis on SVR was greater for prior partial/null responders, and fibrosis data, including both METAVIR score and non-invasive fibrosis assessments, were useful for predicting SVR. The METAVIR score (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.91, cutoff ≤F2), FibroScan values (AUROC 0.99, cutoff ≤10.0 kPa), FIB-4 index (AUROC 0.91, cutoff ≤3.5) and APRI (AUROC 0.91, cutoff ≤0.80) were shown to have equal, excellent predictive power.

Conclusions

An alternative to METAVIR score by liver biopsy, non-invasive fibrosis assessments are useful options for predicting SVR by prior partial or null responders in TVR-based triple therapy.
HCV RNA Assay Sensitivity Impacts the Management of Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antivirals
Authors: Cloherty Gavin , Cohen Daniel , Sarrazin Christoph , Wedemeyer Heiner , Chevaliez Stephane , Herman Christine , Bernstein Barry , Pawlotsky Jean Michel
Published: June 2014

Background

Application of response-guided therapy (RGT) rules to the treatment of HCV infection with pegylated interferon-α2a and ribavirin, and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) such as the NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PIs) boceprevir and telaprevir, relies on the determination of viral genotype and on-treatment HCV RNA level. Currently there are few data available regarding the clinical impact of the analytical differences that exist between different HCV RNA quantification assays on treatment decisions such as those involved in RGT.

Methods

We sought to ascertain the concordance between two HCV RNA quantification assays, the Roche/ High-Pure-System COBAS® TaqMan (CTM) version 2 and Abbott RealTi me HCV (ART), and to understand the impact of different assay characteristics on treatment decisions. We evaluated 1,336 specimens collected from 74 patients enrolled in the Phase II CHAMPION-2 study of the investigational DAAs ABT-450 (an acylsulfonamide NS3/4A PI), ABT-072 and ABT-333 (both non-nucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitors).

Results

HCV RNA level results were highly correlated, but CTM values were higher than those from ART by an average of 0.46 log IU/ml. Use of ART HCV RNA level results led to a higher positive predictive value of week 4 viral load for the achievement of a sustained virological response 24 weeks after the end of treatment (100% versus 87% using the lower limit of detection as the threshold).

Conclusions

This study suggests that HCV viral load assay performance characteristics need to be taken into consideration when managing HCV patients with RGT. Further studies are required to determine whether a consensus HCV RNA level threshold can be established or whether HCV viral load assays with greater sensitivity can increase cure rates with RGT.
Human health implications from co-exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize-based foods in Latin America: Guatemala as a case study
Authors: Torres O. , Matute J. , Gelineau-van Waes J. , Maddox J.R. , Gregory S.G. , Ashley-Koch A.E. , Showker J.L. , Voss K.A. , Riley R.T.
Published: June 2014

Co-occurrence of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in maize has been demonstrated in many surveys. Combined-exposure to FB1 and AFB1 was of concern to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives because of the known genotoxicity of AFB1 and the ability of FB1 to induce regenerative proliferation in target tissues. Humans living where maize is a dietary staple are at high risk for exposure to both mycotoxins. Our work has focused on Guatemala, a country in Central America where maize is consumed in large amounts every day and where intake of FB1 has been shown to be potentially quite high using biomarker-based studies. In 2012 a survey was conducted which analysed maize samples for FB1 and AFB1 from all 22 departments of Guatemala. The results show that the levels of AFB1 exposure are also potentially quite high in Guatemala, and likely throughout Central America and Mexico. The implications of co-exposure for human health are numerous, but one area of particular concern is the potential of FB1 to modulate AFB1 hepatoxicity and/or hepatocarcinogenicity. Both the mechanism of action of FB1 and its ability to promote liver carcinogenicity in rats and rainbow trout is consistent with this concern. In farm and laboratory animals FB1 inhibits ceramide synthases, key enzymes inde novo ceramide biosynthesis. The inhibition of sphingolipid signalling pathways mediating programmed cell death and activation of pathways stimulating cell proliferation in livers of individuals exposed to AFB1 could contribute to the tumorigenicity of AFB1. Studies investigating the health effects of either toxin should consider the potential for co-exposure to both toxins. Also, in countries where maize-based food are prepared by alkaline treatment of the maize kernels, the effect of traditional processing on AFB1 levels and toxicity needs to be determined, especially for maize highly contaminated with AFB1.
Rampage Murderers, Part I: Psychotic Versus Non-Psychotic and a Role for Psychiatry in Prevention
Authors: Lake C. Ray
Published: June 2014

Mass murders are horrific tragedies that gain intense media coverage; they do not seem rare any more. In the U.S., there have averaged 20 mass rampages a year since 1976. Of all killers, in general, only a modest percentage (5%–10%) are psychotic; however, among rampage mass murderers, a substantial percentage are likely psychotic since they often kill in numbers under bizarre circumstances, slaughtering innocent victims, including children. Although psychotic rampage murderers often kill at random, their mental health professionals, their families, and their friends are at high risk for violence, even homicide. Psychotic killers differ substantially from non-psychotic killers, but there are complex and overlapping motivations involving terrorism, anger, revenge, intoxication, and a desire for notoriety, all of which can be tinged with varying degrees of psychosis and challenge diagnostic categorizations.

Of the 1,400 incidents of rampage murders found in the literature, 23 were selected for discussion within this article. Four of these 23 cases were motivated by terrorism, four were primarily motivated by anger and/or revenge, and 15 resulted from psychotic, delusional thinking. There is overlap in event characteristics and among motives in several of these cases.

Prevention must be the primary goal. It is unlikely that gun control alone will be effective. Since nearly 50% of psychotic mass murderers had some contact with a mental health professional prior to their rampages, more effective methods of intervention may be possible, focusing on behavioral threat assessment and risk mitigation. An appreciation of how psychotic perpetrators differ from non-psychotic killers and their characteristics may contribute.
Changing Values in American Society and American Psychiatry
Authors: Fink Paul Jay
Published: June 2014

To understand what has happened to our country, our people, and our professionals, we need to recognize the degradation of underlying attitudes and values. Among young people, conventional moral sentiments have given way to radical individualism. In medicine, the emphasis on economics and technology has been pushing out empathetic caring and service to humanity. Inured to violence, the American public has accepted human cruelty as normal. In some political circles, cooperation has become a bad word. Yet, altruism and compassion are not totally dead, as real-life anecdotes illustrate. Physicians in their practices can model concern and kindliness, utilizing voice and presence on behalf of unfortunates such as troubled youth, and fostering benevolence toward those who differ in body or mind.
The Peripubertal Gender-Dysphoric Child: Puberty Suppression and Treatment Paradigms
Authors: Olson Johanna , Garofalo Robert
Published: June 2014

Gender-nonconforming youth are emerging at increasingly younger ages, and those experiencing gender dysphoria are seeking medical care at, or sometimes even before, the onset of puberty. Youth with gender dysphoria are at high risk for depression, anxiety, isolation, self-harm, and suicidality at the onset of a puberty that feels wrong. Medical providers would benefit from understanding interventions that help gender-nonconforming children and youth thrive. The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to block the onset of an undesired puberty in youth with gender dysphoria is a relatively new practice, particularly in the United States. These medications shut down the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG), and the production of either testosterone or estrogen is temporarily halted. Puberty blocking allows a young person to explore gender and participate more fully in the mental health therapy process without being consumed by the fear of an impending developmental process that will result in the acquisition of undesired secondary sexual characteristics. GnRH agonists have been used safely for decades in children with other medical conditions, including central precocious puberty. Potential side effects of GnRH agonists include diminished bone density, injection site problems, emotional instability, and weight gain. Preliminary data have shown GnRH agonists to be very helpful in improving behavioral and overall functioning outcomes. Puberty suppression should ideally begin in the first stages of pubertal development and can be given via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, or via an implant that is inserted in the upper arm. Monitoring to assure suppression of the HPG axis should occur regularly. Gender-nonconforming youth who remain gender dysphoric can go on to receive cross-sex hormones for phenotypic gender transition when they are older. GnRH agonists have changed the landscape of medical intervention for youth with gender dysphoria and are rapidly becoming the standard of practice.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2014; 43(6):e132–e137.]
Cross-Gender Hormone Therapy in Adolescents
Authors: Steever John
Published: June 2014

Many transgender youth experience significant amounts of emotional distress regarding the incongruence between their internal gender identity and their physical body. Cross-gender hormonal medical treatments, as managed by a multidisciplinary medical/mental health team, assist patients in transitioning to their desired gender by aligning the physical body to match the gender identity. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care and the Endocrine Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines provide a basic road map for practitioners. Expectations of the youth and the concerns of the family must be addressed and the youth psychologically supported during the transition period. Issues around future fertility should be explored as well. The goal of this article is to introduce the general pediatrician to cross-gender hormone treatments, their management, monitoring laboratory tests and clinical effects, and the issues surrounding their use in adolescents.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2014; 43(6):e138–e144.]
Resource List: Clinical Care Programs for Gender-Nonconforming Children and Adolescents
Authors: Hsieh Sam , Leininger Jennifer
Published: June 2014

Locating specialized services for gender-nonconforming children and adolescents can be challenging. The following resource list—organized by U.S. and Canada geographical region—serves to help clinicians access the most up-to-date information on this special population and pass it along to their patients and families.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2014; 43(6):238–244.]
State Boards of Nursing and the Bridge to Quality
Authors: Meyer Geralyn , Moran Vicki , Cuvar Karen , Carlson Judith H.
Published: June 2014

The 2003 Institute of Medicine report,
Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality,
delineated a set of core competencies for health care professionals—providing patient-centered care, working in interdisciplinary teams, using evidence-based practice, applying quality improvement processes, and using informatics. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which these core competencies have been incorporated in the rules and regulations of state boards of nursing in the United States as required curricular content for professional nursing programs. A research team compiled state boards of nursing regulations related to prelicensure nursing curricula from all 50 states, and content analysis was performed. Eight states incorporated all five competencies in their regulations. Other states incorporated some of the five competencies; evidence-based practice and informatics were the competencies most frequently excluded from state regulations. The lack of emphasis on these competencies has implications for the ongoing development of the profession of nursing. [
J Nurs Educ.
2014;53(7):379–386.]
Customer Perceived Values and Consumer Decisions
Authors: Cheng Philip Y. K.
Published: June 2014

Building on findings from previous research on dimensions of Consumer Perceived Values (CPVs), an Integrated Consumer Perceived Value Model comprising utilitarian, hedonic, and social values is proposed to explain observed consumer decisions (viz. purchase or do not purchase), and to provide new frontiers for consumer behaviour research. The distinguishing if not innovative features of the proposed model are: (1) it provides a framework to investigate the competing, complementary, and compensating effects of the CPV dimensions; (2) it distinguishes the CPV dimensions that affect consumer decisions specifically and those that affect consumer decisions homogeneously; and (3) while some CPVs are generated and interact serially, other CPVs could be generated and interact in parallel.
Evolving the Private Label Role in the Retailer-Customer Relationship
Authors: Martinelli Elisa , Vergura Donata Tania
Published: June 2014

The chapter focuses on the role played by Private Labels (PLs) in the retailer-consumer relationship. Specifically, the results of a survey aimed at investigating the ability of a specific kind of PL, namely Premium Private Label (PPL), to improve customer loyalty to the retailer are presented. After reviewing the literature on the PLs' role in the retailer-customer relationship, a theoretical model is proposed and tested by administering a questionnaire to a sample of retail customers and then applying structural equation modeling. Four key components of PPLs' image, namely quality, assortment, access, and value, are studied as antecedents of customer satisfaction to the PPL, while customer loyalty to the PPL is considered as a mediator between customer satisfaction to the PPL and customer loyalty to the retailer. Results show that PPLs positively impact on customer loyalty to the retailer through a causal relationship driven by PPL quality and PPL value.
Critical Reflections on the Decline of the UK High Street
Authors: Turner Jason J. , Gardner Toni
Published: June 2014

The aims of this exploratory research are to evaluate customer and retailer perceptions of the decline of the UK High Street1 and investigate the potential of the service encounter, specifically customer service, as a means to reverse this decline. The background to this research is one where the UK High Street is in decline as a result of out-of-town retailing, the growth in the use of technology and online shopping, and high business rates and rents (Bignell & Lefty, 2013; Bamfield, 2013; Milliken, 2012; Poulter, 2012; Hall, 2011; Portas, 2011). Using interviews in 2013 across four Scottish cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow) with 40 retailers (national chains and independents) across the fashion, footwear, jewellery and health and beauty sectors, and 40 customers aged between 18 and 60, the chapter reveals that unlike the retailers in this study, customers are not of the opinion that an improvement in current, in some cases, “disappointing” customer service would encourage them back to the High Street. Rather customers thought solutions to the decline in the UK High Street lay in combining the appeal of online convenience and choice with the tangibility of the physical store experience.
The Coffee Shop and Customer Experience
Authors: de Luca Patrizia , Pegan Giovanna
Published: June 2014

This chapter has the aim to improve understanding of the in-store customer experience in the retail environment by analyzing the business of coffee shops in the United States market with a specific focus on American and Italian chains. After a brief overview of the managerial literature on coffee shops, the main findings of the qualitative research is presented. In particular, this chapter outlines the features of the U.S. coffee shop landscape and explores American consumers' perception of the coffee shop experience using nethnography. The results show a complex framework from the offer and the demand perspective that could also contribute to supporting coffee companies in managing customer experience strategy in the American market.
Personally Engaged with Retail Clients
Authors: Jiménez-Zarco Ana Isabel , Martínez-Ruiz María Pilar , Izquierdo-Yusta Alicia
Published: June 2014

This chapter examines how social and economic changes of recent years have led to a new consumer profile. Furthermore, it explores how current responsible concerns regarding consumption, as well as a greater concern for welfare sustainability and the environment, are affecting purchasing behavior. With these ideas in mind, this chapter analyses how organizations have to evolve towards a new marketing paradigm in order to link to their customers emotionally. In this regard, the evolution of the marketing concept is reviewed—departing from a Marketing 1.0 paradigm, passing through a Marketing 2.0 paradigm—in order to understand how the so-called Marketing 3.0 emerged. The chapter concludes by analyzing the different rules that guide this new approach and how companies in the distribution sector are applying them in their daily activities.
Frontline Employees' Self-Perception of Ageism, Sexism, and Lookism
Authors: Palmeira Mirian
Published: June 2014

The aim of this chapter is to identify whether frontline employees perceived themselves as having feelings of sexism, ageism, and appearance discrimination against customers in retail services. This investigation is a quantitative research, a conclusive description (Gil, 2002), and ex post facto study, which utilises a survey to collect the data and sampling by convenience. Three protocols are used (1) to format the questionnaire, (2) to produce 12 different standards combining age, gender, and appearance, and (3) to create social classification (Rattam, 1998). In a previous study (Palmeira, Palmeira, & Santos, 2012), customers of different ages and genders perceived some degree of prejudice and discrimination in face-to-face retail services. Now, on the other side of the coin, frontline employees who work in Fashion and Food retailing recognise that there is prejudiced behaviour against customers, depending on their age, gender, and appearance, when providing them with face-to-face retail services. More than 95% of female and more than 64% of male attendants believe that well-dressed, young female customers are given priority when being served. Almost 80% of female and only 58% of male frontline workers believe that badly-dressed middle-aged men (not younger men) are the last to be served when there is no clear queuing process in the retail spatial area. This context strongly suggests the growing importance of an interpersonal skills training process for an organisations' staff as a way of avoiding behaviour that makes the customers think that there are prejudice and discrimination in the service process, as well as ASL development (T&D against Ageism, Sexism, and Lookism) being part of the strategic statements.
A Dilemma for Retailers
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo
Published: June 2014

Retailers use a number of ambient, design, and social elements with the aim of creating a unique, pleasant, and engaging Customer Shopping Experience (CSE). However, a store may be made paradoxically less attractive by the feelings of insecurity generated by the fact that the same elements can also encourage shoplifting. As a result, retailers have to balance their efforts to enhance a store's attractiveness by ensuring a high level of sales environment surveillance without interfering with the shopping experience. The aim of this chapter is to propose a conceptual framework that enriches the analysis of the development of retailer/consumer relationships by highlighting how retailers can make store surveillance simultaneously secure and appealing to shoppers. The analysis draws heavily on theoretical evidence in the marketing, environmental psychology, service, and retail management literature, and indicates that retailers' investments in store design, staff training, and technological systems can ensure adequate security levels without compromising customers' shopping experiences as long as the surveillance allows them to have direct contact with the store, its articles, and staff.