bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and consequences of pharmacy loyalty behavior
Authors: Athavale Amod S. , Banahan, III Benjamin F. , Bentley John P. , West-Strum Donna S.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify antecedents and consequences of pharmacy loyalty behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional study was conducted. Constructs involved were measured using an online self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic and linear regression.

Findings

– In all, 400 usable responses were obtained. General satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52;p< 0.01; 95 per cent confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.06) and trust (OR = 1.81;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 1.32 to 2.50) were found to have statistically significant relationships with loyalty behavior. General satisfaction (regression coefficient = 0.20;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.09 to 0.31), explanation component of satisfaction with service quality (regression coefficient = 0.13;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.04 to 0.21), consideration and technical competence components of satisfaction with service quality (regression coefficient = 0.18;p= 0.02; 95 per cent CI = 0.03 to 0.33) and trust (regression coefficient = 0.33;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.21 to 0.45) were statistically significantly related to positive word-of-mouth promotion. General satisfaction (regression coefficient = −0.29;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = −0.3 to −0.18), consideration and technical competence components of satisfaction with service quality (regression coefficient = −0.17;p= 0.02; 95 per cent CI = −0.31 to −0.03) and trust (regression coefficient = −0.21;p< 0.01; 95 per cent CI = −0.33 to −0.10) had statistically significant relationships with negative word-of-mouth promotion.

Research limitations/implications

– Pharmacists can utilize these results to develop better marketing strategies. These results can be used by researchers to forward this area of research. This study had some study design limitations that may affect its generalizability.

Originality/value

– Effect of satisfaction as a multidimensional construct on pharmacy loyalty behavior and word-of-mouth promotion, identification of drivers of negative word-of-mouth promotion and effect of pharmacy trust on pharmacy loyalty behavior and word-of-mouth promotion are some of the major contributions of this study.
The economic and pricing impact of authorized generic medicines in South Africa
Authors: McGee Shelley-Ann Marion
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine whether authorized generics (AGs) have influenced prices and market shares in markets for molecules facing generic competition in South Africa. AGs (clones), which are identical to the originator brands, offer a solution for originator companies to protect their markets from independent generic (IG) competition. IG competitors have claimed that AGs have a negative impact on pricing and competition.

Design/methodology/approach

– In a retrospective analysis, pricing and quantity data for 24 months post generic entry were extracted for oral solid dosage form products which experienced generic entry into their markets between 2005 and 2011, divided into “Authorized generic affected” and “no authorized generic” markets. A series of indices was calculated, as well as market shares of competing originator and generic products, and the number of generic competitors determined. Indices and market share data for clone affected and unaffected groups were tested at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using unmatched t-tests, at a 95 per cent significance level.

Findings

– None of the evaluated pricing indices showed a consistently significant difference existing between AG-affected and no-AG samples. The only variable for which the two samples consistently differed was market shares, with originator brands experiencing significantly more market share erosion in AG-affected markets. Pricing levels of generics and originator products as well as growth of numbers of generic competitors were similar in both AG-affected and no-AG groups.

Originality/value

– A study of this nature on the impacts of AGs in the South African generics has not been previously published and reflects the situation particular to the country.
Dual Agent Distortions in Real Estate Transactions
Authors: Johnson Ken H. , Lin Zhenguo , Xie Jia
Published: March 2015

This article investigates price distortions in dual agent real estate transactions. Consistent with the literature, we find that, on average, dual agent has a null effect on sale price. However, dual agent distortions on sale price emerge after controlling for the ownership of the property. Dual agent is associated with a 6.35% price premium on agent‐owned properties, but a 25.10% price discount on government‐owned properties and a 5.14% discount on bank‐owned properties. In addition, market conditions also play an important role in such price distortions.
Hedonic Amenity Valuation and Housing Renovations
Authors: Billings Stephen B.
Published: March 2015

Hedonic and repeat sales estimators are commonly used to value such important urban amenities as schools, environmental quality and access to transit. Given that property data often omits information on quality differences between same‐aged homes as well as changes in structural attributes over time, researchers must assume that property renovations are uncorrelated with neighborhood amenities. We formally test if this assumption is valid by incorporating detailed data on renovations in Charlotte, North Carolina. We begin by testing how the inclusion of minor and major home improvements influences hedonic and repeat sales indices. Results find limited bias in hedonic indices and that renovated properties are no more likely to be sold than nonrenovated properties. Using the introduction of Charlotte's light rail‐transit system in 2000, we estimate a positive bias of between 1.6% and 19.9% on the capitalized benefits of access to light rail due to omitted information on renovations. Our results show that a number of common data cleaning techniques used to address missing information on structural improvements may worsen this bias.
Flavor of Fresh Blueberry Juice and the Comparison to Amount of Sugars, Acids, Anthocyanidins, and Physicochemical Measurements
Authors: Bett‐Garber Karen L. , Lea Jeanne M. , Watson Michael A. , Grimm Casey C. , Lloyd Steven W. , Beaulieu John C. , Stein‐Chisholm Rebecca E. , Andrzejewski Brett P. , Marshall Donna A.
Published: March 2015

Six cultivars of southern highbush (SHB) and rabbiteye (RE) blueberry samples were harvested on 2 different dates. Each treatment combination was pressed 2 times for repeated measures. Fresh juice was characterized for 18 flavor/taste/feeling factor attributes by a descriptive flavor panel. Each sample was measured for sugars, acids, anthocyanidins, Folin‐Ciocalteu, soluble solids (BRIX), titratable acidity (TA), and antioxidant capacity (ORACFL). Flavors were correlated with the composition and physicochemical data. Blueberry flavor correlated with 3 parameters, and negatively correlated with 2. Strawberry correlated with oxalic acid and negatively correlated with sucrose and quinic acid. Sweet aroma correlated with oxalic and citric acid, but negatively correlated with sucrose, quinic, and total acids. Sweet taste correlated with 11 parameters, including the anthocyanidins; and negatively correlated with 3 parameters. Neither bitter nor astringent correlated with any of the antioxidant parameters, but both correlated with total acids. Sour correlated with total acids and TA, while negatively correlating with pH and BRIX:TA. Throat burn correlated with total acids and TA. Principal component analysis negatively related blueberry, sweet aroma, and sweet to sour, bitter, astringent, tongue tingle, and tongue numbness. The information in this component was related to pH, TA, and BRIX:TA ratio. Another principal component related the nonblueberry fruit flavors to BRIX. This PC, also divided the SHB berries from the RE. This work shows that the impact of juice composition on flavor is very complicated and that estimating flavor with physicochemical parameters is complicated by the composition of the juice.
Adaptor protein CRK induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis of bladder cancer cells through HGF/c‐Met feedback loop
Authors: Matsumoto Ryuji , Tsuda Masumi , Wang Lei , Maishi Nako , Abe Takashige , Kimura Taichi , Tanino Mishie , Nishihara Hiroshi , Hida Kyoko , Ohba Yusuke , Shinohara Nobuo , Nonomura Katsuya , Tanaka Shinya
Published: March 2015

We have previously reported that an adaptor protein CRK, including CRK‐I and CRK‐II, plays essential roles in the malignant potential of various aggressive human cancers, suggesting the validity of targeting CRK in molecular targeted therapy of a wide range of cancers. Nevertheless, the role of CRK in human bladder cancer with marked invasion, characterized by distant metastasis and poor prognosis, remains obscure. In the present study, immunohistochemistry indicated a striking enhancement of CRK‐I/‐II, but not CRK‐like, in human bladder cancer tissues compared to normal urothelium. We established CRK‐knockdown bladder cancer cells using 5637 and UM‐UC‐3, which showed a significant decline in cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. It is noteworthy that an elimination of CRK conferred suppressed phosphorylation of c‐Met and the downstream scaffold protein Gab1 in a hepatocyte growth factor‐dependent and ‐independent manner. In epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐related molecules, E‐cadherin was upregulated by CRK elimination, whereas N‐cadherin, vimentin, and Zeb1 were downregulated. A similar effect was observed following treatment with c‐Met inhibitor SU11274. Depletion of CRK significantly decreased cell proliferation of 5637 and UM‐UC‐3, consistent with reduced activity of ERK. An orthotopic xenograft model with bioluminescent imaging revealed that CRK knockdown significantly attenuated not only tumor volume but also the number of circulating tumor cells, resulted in a complete abrogation of metastasis. Taken together, this evidence uncovered essential roles of CRK in invasive bladder cancer through the hepatocyte growth factor/c‐Met/CRK feedback loop for epithelial–mesenchymal transition induction. Thus, CRK might be a potent molecular target in bladder cancer, particularly for preventing metastasis, leading to the resolution of clinically longstanding critical issues.
Improving paediatric outreach services for urban Aboriginal children through partnerships: views of community‐based service providers
Authors: Thomas S. L. , Williams K. , Ritchie J. , Zwi K.
Published: March 2015

Background

In Australia, Aboriginal children experience significantly poorer health outcomes compared with non‐Aboriginal children. Health policies aimed at improving Aboriginal health outcomes include interventions in the early childhood period. There is a need for government health services to work in partnership with Aboriginal people and other services to achieve the highest level of health possible for Aboriginal children, who often require a range of services to meet complex needs.

Aim

This paper describes the views of service providers on how paediatric outreach services work in partnership with other services, Aboriginal families and the community and how those partnerships could be improved to maximize health outcomes for children.

Methods

In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with managers and service providers over a 6‐week period in 2010. The views and suggestions of participants were documented and a thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results and Discussion

Analysis of two focus groups with seven service providers and five individual interviews with service managers resulted in the identification of four themes: (i) using informal and formal ways of working; (ii) cultivating effective relationships; (iii) demonstrating cultural sensitivity; and (iv) forging strong leadership. Use of formal and informal approaches facilitated effective relationships between service providers and Aboriginal families and communities. Partnerships with the community were founded on a culturally appropriate model of care that recognized a holistic approach to health and wellness. Leadership emerged as an essential component of effective partnerships, cultivating the ethos of the workplace and creating an environment where collaboration is supported.

Conclusion

Culturally appropriate child health services, which utilize effective relationships and employ a range of informal and formal collaboration with other services and community members, are well positioned to implement health policy and improve access to services for Aboriginal children with better health outcomes as a result.
Reference values of spirometry for Finnish adults
Authors: Kainu A. , Timonen K. L. , Toikka J. , Qaiser B. , Pitkäniemi J. , Kotaniemi J. T. , Lindqvist A. , Vanninen E. , Länsimies E. , Sovijärvi A. R. A.
Published: March 2015

Background

Diagnostic assessment of lung function necessitates up‐to‐date reference values. The aim of this study was to estimate reference values for spirometry for the Finnish population between 18 and 80 years and to compare them with the existing Finnish, European and the recently published global GLI2012 reference values.

Methods

Spirometry was performed for 1380 adults in the population‐based FinEsS studies and for 662 healthy non‐smoking volunteer adults. Detailed predefined questionnaire screening of diseases and symptoms, and quality control of spirometry yielded a sample of 1000 native Finns (387 men) healthy non‐smokers aged 18–83 years. Sex‐specific reference values, which are estimated using the GAMLSS method and adjusted for age and height, are provided.

Results

The predicted values for lung volumes are larger than those obtained by GLI2012 prediction for the Caucasian subgroup for forced vital capacity (FVC) by an average 6·2% and 5·1% and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) by an average 4·2% and 3·0% in men and women, respectively. GLI2012 slightly overestimated the ratio FEV1/FVC with an age‐dependent trend. Most reference equations from other European countries, with the exception of the Swiss SAPALDIA study, showed an underestimation of FVC and FEV1 to varying degrees, and a slight overestimation of FEV1/FVC.

Conclusion

This study offers up‐to‐date reference values of spirometry for native Finns with a wide age range. The GLI2012 predictions seem not to be suitable for clinical use for native Finns due to underestimation of lung volumes.
Where to sleep in a rural landscape? A comparative study of resting sites pattern in two syntopic Martes species
Authors: Larroque Jeremy , Ruette Sandrine , Vandel Jean‐Michel , Devillard Sébastien
Published: March 2015

The niche‐complementarity hypothesis predicts that two sympatric species must differ in their requirements for one of the three main ecological dimensions (i.e. habitat use, diet, and activity time) to coexist. European pine marten Martes martes and stone marten M. foina are syntopic medium‐sized mustelids with very similar morphology and ecology for which resting sites are a key resource. To better understand how these species coexist, we investigated whether key features of their resting site pattern (number of resting sites, area over which they are distributed, main habitat type used for resting) differed. We used diurnal telemetry to identify resident individuals (e.g. spatially stable individuals over time) and to locate them during resting periods in a fragmented forested area in France. Stone marten used fewer resting sites distributed over a smaller surface area than pine marten. Most stone marten resting sites were located in open habitat (83%) in the proximity of human habitations, whereas pine martens rested almost exclusively in forest (98%). Sex, age, and season explained some variability in both the number of resting sites and the probability of resting within forested habitat for stone marten but not pine marten. The area covered by resting sites was larger in males than in females, but age modulated this difference in an opposite way for the two species. Such a pattern was expected given the intra‐sexual territoriality and the reproductive phenology of these species. Overall, stone marten showed higher inter‐individual variability in resting site pattern than pine marten. The particular pattern observed in subadult male stone martens during summer (increase in resting site surface area and in the probability to rest in forest) may reflect an attempt to settle in forests, and we discuss these implications in the context of interspecific competition.
Variation in body size in the giant rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus is mediated by maternal effects on egg size
Authors: KOJIMA WATARU
Published: March 2015

1. The egg size of insects can vary depending on maternal body size or resource status, and it may influence offspring body size by determining initial resource level.

2. The giant rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus exhibits considerable variation in body size, some of which is attributed to the variation in larval food (humus) quality, although a substantial amount of variation in body size remains unexplained. In the present study, changes in the egg size and offspring body size in response to several maternal variables were examined (i.e. body size, age, and, nutritional status).

3. Nutritional intake of the females during the adult stage did not affect the egg size. Larvae hatched from small eggs partially recovered from the initial disadvantage during their ontogenetic processes by increasing growth rate (i.e. compensatory growth); however, there was still a positive relationship between egg size and pupal body size.

4. Older females produced small eggs, but because of compensatory growth, the pupae were no longer small. By contrast, due to a lack of compensatory growth, small females produced small eggs as well as small pupae.

5. These results suggest that maternal body size affects offspring body size through effects on egg size. This transgenerational effect may account for some of the variation in adult body size of T. dichotomus.
Regular theta‐firing neurons in the nucleus incertus during sustained hippocampal activation
Authors: Martínez‐Bellver Sergio , Cervera‐Ferri Ana , Martínez‐Ricós Joana , Ruiz‐Torner Amparo , Luque‐García Aina , Blasco‐Serra Arantxa , Guerrero‐Martínez Juan , Bataller‐Mompeán Manuel , Teruel‐Martí Vicent
Published: March 2015

This paper describes the existence of theta‐coupled neuronal activity in the nucleus incertus (NI). Theta rhythm is relevant for cognitive processes such as spatial navigation and memory processing, and can be recorded in a number of structures related to the hippocampal activation including the NI. Strong evidence supports the role of this tegmental nucleus in neural circuits integrating behavioural activation with the hippocampal theta rhythm. Theta oscillations have been recorded in the local field potential of the NI, highly coupled to the hippocampal waves, although no rhythmical activity has been reported in neurons of this nucleus. The present work analyses the neuronal activity in the NI in conditions leading to sustained hippocampal theta in the urethane‐anaesthetised rat, in order to test whether such activation elicits a differential firing pattern. Wavelet analysis has been used to better define the neuronal activity already described in the nucleus, i.e., non‐rhythmical neurons firing at theta frequency (type I neurons) and fast‐firing rhythmical neurons (type II). However, the most remarkable finding was that sustained stimulation activated regular‐theta neurons (type III), which were almost silent in baseline conditions and have not previously been reported. Thus, we describe the electrophysiological properties of type III neurons, focusing on their coupling to the hippocampal theta. Their spike rate, regularity and phase locking to the oscillations increased at the beginning of the stimulation, suggesting a role in the activation or reset of the oscillation. Further research is needed to address the specific contribution of these neurons to the entire circuit.
Fish community dynamics (1985–2010) in multiple reaches of a large river subjected to flow restoration and other environmental changes
Authors: Daufresne Martin , Veslot Jacques , Capra Hervé , Carrel Georges , Poirel Alain , Olivier Jean‐Michel , Lamouroux Nicolas
Published: March 2015

To assess how climate warming, flow regulation and flow restoration affect community dynamics, we analysed long‐term (15–25 years) series of fish community data from four restored and two unrestored reaches of the Rhône River. Environmental variables (low and high flow hydraulics, temperature, sediment flushing operations) were measured in all reaches. Five of the reaches were bypassed by artificial channels, downstream from diversion dams whose construction finished in 1984. Minimum flows in four of these reaches were restored (i.e. increased by factors up to 10) between 2000 and 2006.

We examined hypotheses concerning the inter‐annual response of fish community guilds and size structure to flow restoration, climate warming and dam completions. We also performed a principal component analysis (PCA) to explore observed community changes at the river scale (all reaches pooled). We used mixed‐effects linear models to infer potential environmental effects not included in our hypotheses.

Our results indicated an inter‐annual effect of flow restoration in the two reaches where minimum flows were most modified (higher percentages of ‘midstream’ species preferring deep and fast water). They also revealed effects of climate warming in the two warmed reaches (higher percentages of southern and small individuals and higher total density). These effects were consistent with our hypotheses. In contrast, dam construction had no consistent effects across reaches.

The first PCA axis indicated that the longitudinal organisation of fish communities at the river scale was unchanged, but independent inter‐annual effects of flow restoration and climate change were apparent along the second and third axes. Observed annual variations within sites were weakly related to annual variation in environmental variables. This may be due to the presence of long‐term or time‐lagged environmental effects and the difficulty of estimating community structure of large river fishes accurately enough for this kind of analysis.

Fish community responses to flow restoration and other environmental changes may be consistent across multiple reaches when the degree of environmental change is taken into account. Our results support the effectiveness of flow restoration on communities of large rivers subjected to multiple environmental changes.
Extreme water quality degradation following a catastrophic forest fire
Authors: Dahm Clifford N. , Candelaria‐Ley Roxanne I. , Reale Chelsea S. , Reale Justin K. , Van Horn David J.
Published: March 2015

Global change is impacting the forests of the western United States through rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, more rain and less snow, greater vapour pressure deficits in spring and autumn, forest dieback and increasing forest fire frequency and severity.

A catastrophic forest fire (Las Conchas fire) occurred in central NM, USA, in 2011 burning c. 634 km2 with c. 46% of the fire being of severe or moderate intensity.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) next‐generation radar data (NEXRAD) were used to link precipitation events occurring in the burn scar to extreme water quality excursions observed in the Rio Grande. At four sites, in situ sensors captured the response of water temperature, specific conductance, pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen to flood events following the fire.

Runoff from burn scars caused turbidity peaks (to 2500 NTU), dissolved oxygen sags (to 0.0 mg L‐1), pH sags (up to 0.75 units) and conductivity changes (both increases and decreases). These water quality excursions extended at least 50 km downstream, with significant implications for the ecosystem health of this crucial river that supplies water to cities and agriculture.

Sudden, dramatic changes to forested catchments from severe forest fires and forest dieback are very likely to be among the strongest impacts of global change on stream and river ecosystems throughout the western United States.
Movement and early survival of age‐0 brown trout
Authors: Vatland Shane , Caudron Arnaud
Published: March 2015

Complementary data on survival and movement are often missing for early life stages that are logistically challenging to track.

Previous studies observed significant declines in the density of age‐0 brown trout between summer and autumn in tributaries of Lake Geneva, but the cause of these declines was unknown. We hypothesised that mortality, dispersal within tributaries, early emigration to the lake or a combination of these factors was driving these seasonal declines.

To evaluate these hypotheses, we used a combination of electrofishing andPIT‐tag mark–recaptures from stationary and portable antennae to quantify summer‐to‐autumn variation in the abundance, dispersal and emigration of age‐0 brown trout.

Mortality was the primary cause of the reduction in abundance between summer and autumn. A small proportion (mean = 0.10) of age‐0 trout emigrated to Lake Geneva between July and mid‐October, while the movement of trout within the study streams was minimal. True survival estimates for this same time period were relatively low at all but one site (mean = 0.63).

The seasonal resolution of survival estimates, paired with environmental data, allowed us to develop additional hypotheses on what factors were affecting survival.

Understanding animal movement at early life stages can elucidate important aspects of population ecology while concomitantly improving the reliability of demographic data.
Life in the unthinking depths: energetic constraints on encephalization in marine fishes
Authors: Iglesias T. L. , Dornburg A. , Brandley M. C. , Alfaro M. E. , Warren D. L.
Published: March 2015

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the limitation of brain size in vertebrates. Here, we test three hypotheses of brain size evolution using marine teleost fishes: the direct metabolic constraints hypothesis (DMCH), the expensive tissue hypothesis and the temperature‐dependent hypothesis. Our analyses indicate that there is a robust positive correlation between encephalization and basal metabolic rate (BMR) that spans the full range of depths occupied by teleosts from the epipelagic (< 200 m), mesopelagic (200–1000 m) and bathypelagic (> 4000 m). Our results disentangle the effects of temperature and metabolic rate on teleost brain size evolution, supporting the DMCH. Our results agree with previous findings that teleost brain size decreases with depth; however, we also recover a negative correlation between trophic level and encephalization within the mesopelagic zone, a result that runs counter to the expectations of the expensive tissue hypothesis. We hypothesize that mesopelagic fishes at lower trophic levels may be investing more in neural tissue related to the detection of small prey items in a low‐light environment. We recommend that comparative encephalization studies control for BMR in addition to controlling for body size and phylogeny.
The Housing and Credit Bubbles in the United States and Europe: A Comparison
Authors: WACHTER SUSAN
Published: March 2015

A house price boom occurred simultaneously in the United States and in a number of European countries from 2003 to 2007, accompanied in each case by an expansion in housing finance. This article considers the role of financial innovation along with incomplete markets in these cycles.
Building Stable Mortgage Markets: Lessons from Canada's Experience
Authors: CRAWFORD ALLAN
Published: March 2015

The global financial crisis illustrated the high costs of boom–bust cycles in housing and mortgage markets and the importance of implementing policy frameworks that mitigate the risk of these events. This article discusses elements of Canada's policy framework that contributed to the relatively good performance of its mortgage market in recent years, including supervisory practices and mortgage underwriting standards. Lender recourse and the nondeductibility of mortgage interest payments played a complementary role. Ongoing policy challenges are also identified, including the need for monitoring to ensure the current prolonged period of low interest rates does not lead to levels of debt and house prices that create future instability in housing and mortgage markets.
The Impact of Housing Markets on Consumer Debt: Credit Report Evidence from 1999 to 2012
Authors: BROWN META , STEIN SARAH , ZAFAR BASIT
Published: March 2015

We estimate the response of consumer debt portfolios to pronounced housing market swings from 1999 to 2012 using Equifax‐sourced credit report data and a variety of identification approaches. We find: (i) the extraordinary climb in home equity debt from 2002 to 2006 is an expression of a stable, longer‐term relationship between house price growth and home equity borrowing; (ii) all preboom homeowners, and older and prime postboom homeowners, demonstrate near dollar‐for‐dollar substitution between (expensive) credit card and (cheap) home equity debt in response to home equity changes; and (iii) little evidence of substitution between home equity and student loan debt.
House Price Booms, Current Account Deficits, and Low Interest Rates
Authors: FERRERO ANDREA
Published: March 2015

Domestic factors, such as credit and preference shocks, can explain the negative correlation between house prices and the current account in the U.S. and several other countries before the recent crisis. These shocks, however, cannot account for the fall of world real interest rates observed in the data. Expansionary monetary policy shocks in the U.S., coupled with exchange rate pegs to the dollar in emerging economies, are crucial to understanding the evolution of the real interest rate. Yet, monetary policy factors play virtually no role for house prices and the current account.
Macroprudential Policies and Housing Prices: A New Database and Empirical Evidence for Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe
Authors: VANDENBUSSCHE JÉRÔME , VOGEL URSULA , DETRAGIACHE ENRICA
Published: March 2015

Several countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe used a rich set of prudential instruments during the recent credit and housing boom and bust cycles. We construct a comprehensive database of these policy measures covering 16 countries at a quarterly frequency. We use this database to investigate whether the policy measures had an impact on housing price inflation. The measures that appeared to be effective were capital measures (minimum capital adequacy ratio, maximum ratio of lending to households to share capital) and nonstandard liquidity measures (marginal reserve requirements (MRRs) on foreign funding, MRRs linked to credit growth).
Optimal Monetary Policy Rules and House Prices: The Role of Financial Frictions
Authors: NOTARPIETRO ALESSANDRO , SIVIERO STEFANO
Published: March 2015

We probe the scope for reacting to house prices in simple and implementable monetary policy rules, using a New Keynesian model with a housing sector and financial frictions on the household side. We show that the social‐welfare‐maximizing monetary policy rule features a reaction to house price variations, when the latter are generated by housing demand or financial shocks. The sign and size of the reaction crucially depend on the degree of financial frictions in the economy. When the share of constrained agents is relatively small, the optimal reaction is negative, implying that the central bank must move the policy rate in the opposite direction with respect to house prices. However, when the economy is characterized by a sufficiently high average loan‐to‐value ratio, then it becomes optimal to counter house price increases by raising the policy rate.
Kisspeptin1 modulates odorant‐evoked fear response via two serotonin receptor subtypes (5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2) in zebrafish
Authors: Nathan Fatima M. , Ogawa Satoshi , Parhar Ishwar S.
Published: March 2015

Kiss1, a neuropeptide predominantly expressed in the habenula, modulates the serotonin (5‐HT) system to decrease odorant cue [alarm substance (AS)]‐evoked fear behaviour in the zebrafish. The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction of Kiss1 with the 5‐HT system as well as to determine the involvement of the 5‐HT receptor subtypes in AS‐evoked fear. We utilized 0. 28 mg/kg WAY 100635 (WAY), a selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist, to observe the effects of Kiss1 administration on AS‐evoked fear. We found WAY significantly inhibited the anxiolytic effects of Kiss1 (p < 0.001) with an exception of freezing behaviour. Based on this, we utilized 92.79 mg/kg methysergide, a 5‐HT1 and 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist, and found that methysergide significantly blocked the anxiolytic effects of Kiss1 in the presence of the AS (p < 0.001). From this, we conclude that Kiss1 modulates AS‐evoked fear responses mediated by the 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2 receptors.

image

Kiss1 peptide intracranially (IC) administrated has been shown to decrease olfactory, alarm substance (AS)‐evoked fear response. Blockade of the 5‐HT1A receptor utilizing WAY 100635 (0.28 mg/kg) and the 5‐HT1 and 5‐HT2 receptor utilizing methysergide (92.79 mg/kg) produced increased AS‐evoked fear responses that were unable to be overcome even during the recovery period. Blockade of this 5‐HT system followed by Kiss1 administration showed that the peptide was unable to recover the anxiolytic effects upon 5‐HT1A blocking using WAY 100635 with the exception of freezing behaviour while methysergide significantly blocked all the anxiolytic effects of Kiss1. These findings implicate that Kiss1 could modulate AS‐evoked fear responses mediated by 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2 receptors.
Three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy for inoperable massive hepatocellular carcinoma in six dogs
Authors: Mori T. , Ito Y. , Kawabe M. , Iwasaki R. , Sakai H. , Murakami M. , Maruo K.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the activity and tolerability of three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D‐CRT) in dogs with massive hepatocellular carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six dogs with massive hepatocellular carcinoma that were ineligible for surgical resection or with owners who declined surgical resection, and underwent 3D‐CRT were retrospectively reviewed. 6 to 10 Gy per fraction was prescribed at isocentre of planning target volume to a total dose of 18 to 42 Gy with 1 to 2 fractions per week for a total of 3 to 7 fractions. Follow‐up examinations included physical examination, contrast‐enhanced CT scan and blood analysis (complete blood count, electrolytes and serum biochemical panel).

RESULTS

The median follow‐up time after 3D‐CRT was 534 (range, 281 to 1057) days. An objective response was observed in five of six cases. Radiation‐induced liver disease developed in one dog but was asymptomatic and reversible. Toxicity was not noted in any other dog.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

3D‐CRT appears to be a viable treatment option for dogs with inoperable massive hepatocellular carcinoma.
An Open‐label Phase 1 Dose‐escalation Clinical Trial of a Single Intravenous Administration of Gemcitabine in Dogs with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Marconato L. , Finotello R. , Bonfanti U. , Dacasto M. , Beatrice L. , Pizzoni S. , Leone V.F. , Balestra G. , Furlanello T. , Rohrer Bley C. , Aresu L.
Published: March 2015

Background

A broad range of gemcitabine dosages have been used in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine maximally tolerated dose (MTD), dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT), and preliminary antitumor activity of intravenous administration of gemcitabine in dogs with advanced solid tumors.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Dogs with advanced cancer were prospectively enrolled in an open‐label Phase 1 study of gemcitabine. Gemcitabine was administered as a 30‐minute intravenous bolus starting at 800 mg/m2, using escalation of 50 mg/m2 increments with 3 dogs per dose level. MTD was established based on the number of dogs experiencing DLT assessed after 1 cycle. Treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicosis. Additional dogs were enrolled at MTD to better characterize tolerability, and to assess the extent and duration of gemcitabine excretion.

Results

Twenty‐two dogs were treated at 4 dose levels, ranging from 800 to 950 mg/m2. Neutropenia was identified as DLT. MTD was 900 mg/m2. DLT consisting of grade 4 febrile neutropenia was observed at 950 mg/m2 in 2 dogs. There were no nonhematologic DLTs. Twenty dogs received multiple doses, and none had evidence of severe toxicosis from any of their subsequent treatments. At 900 mg/m2, 2 complete and 5 partial responses were observed in dogs with measurable tumors. The amount of gemcitabine excreted in urine decreased over time, and was undetectable after the first 24 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The recommended dose of gemcitabine for future Phase 2 studies is weekly 900 mg/m2. In chemotherapy‐naïve dogs with advanced solid tumor this dose level merits further evaluation.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Density and Binding Affinity in Healthy Horses and Horses with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Authors: Hoffman C.J. , McKenzie H.C. , Furr M.O. , Desrochers A.
Published: March 2015

Background

Dysregulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis occurs in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Peripheral resistance to glucocorticoids has not been investigated in horses.

Objective

To determine if glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function in horses can be measured using flow cytometry, and to use this information to evaluate HPA axis dynamics.

Animals

Eleven healthy adult horses in parts 1 and 2. Ten horses with SIRS and 10 age and sex matched controls in part 3.

Methods

Flow cytometry was used to evaluate GR density and binding affinity (BA) in 3 healthy horses in part 1. In part 2, exogenous ACTH was administered to eight healthy horses. Their cortisol response and GR properties were measured. In part 3, CBC, serum biochemistry, cortisol and ACTH, and GR properties were compared between controls without SIRS (n = 10) and horses with SIRS (n = 10), and between survivors and nonsurvivors (n = 4 and n = 6 respectively).

Results

Flow cytometry can be used to measure GR properties in equine PBMCs. No correlation was observed between plasma cortisol concentration and GR density or BA in healthy horses (r = −0.145, P = .428 and r = 0.046, P = .802 respectively). Nonsurvivors with SIRS had significantly decreased GR BA (P = .008). Horses with triglyceride concentration > 28.5 mg/dL had increased odds of nonsurvival (OR=117; 95% CI, 1.94–7,060). GR BA <35.79% was associated with nonsurvival (OR = 30.33; 95% CI, 0.96–960.5).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Tissue resistance to glucocorticoids contributes to HPA axis dysfunction in adult horses with SIRS. These horses might benefit from treatment with exogenous glucocorticoids.
Tracheobronchial Brush Cytology and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Dogs and Cats with Chronic Cough: 45 Cases (2012–2014)
Authors: Zhu B.Y. , Johnson L.R. , Vernau W.
Published: March 2015

Background

Animals with chronic cough can have normal bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology when small airway disease is absent. Cytology of a tracheobronchial brushing can detect inflammation in larger airways; however, evaluation of this technique has been limited in veterinary medicine.

Objective

To compare airway brush cytology to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in dogs and cats with chronic cough.

Animals

Forty dogs and five cats undergoing bronchoscopic investigation of chronic cough.

Methods

Prospective study. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed followed by tracheobronchial brushing of central airways. Results of cytologic assessment ofBALfluid and brush cytology were compared for the presence or absence of inflammation and concordance of inflammatory cell type.

Results

Brush cytology detected central airway inflammation in 34 of 40 (85%) dogs with inflammatoryBALfluid. However, the type of inflammation reported differed in 23 of 34 dogs. In five cats with inflammation inBALfluid, brush cytology detected inflammation in four; the type of inflammation was discordant in all cats.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Brush cytology has good agreement withBALregarding the presence of inflammation, although the type of inflammation detected with the different sampling techniques commonly varies. Brush cytology can provide supplementary information toBAL, and additional studies will provide further information on the role of tracheobronchial brush cytology in the diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.
Mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, and classification of the Košice meteorite
Authors: Ozdín Daniel , Plavčan Jozef , Horňáčková Michaela , Uher Pavel , Porubčan Vladimír , Veis Pavel , Rakovský Jozef , Tóth Juraj , Konečný Patrik , Svoreň Ján
Published: March 2015

The Košice meteorite was observed to fall on 28 February 2010 at 23:25 UT near the city of Košice in eastern Slovakia and its mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry are described. The characteristic features of the meteorite fragments are fan‐like, mosaic, lamellar, and granular chondrules, which were up to 1.2 mm in diameter. The fusion crust has a black‐gray color with a thickness up to 0.6 mm. The matrix of the meteorite is formed mainly by forsterite (Fo80.6); diopside; enstatite (Fs16.7); albite; troilite; Fe‐Ni metals such as iron and taenite; and some augite, chlorapatite, merrillite, chromite, and tetrataenite. Plagioclase‐like glass was also identified. Relative uniform chemical composition of basic silicates, partially brecciated textures, as well as skeletal taenite crystals into troilite veinlets suggest monomict breccia formed at conditions of rapid cooling. The Košice meteorite is classified as ordinary chondrite of the H5 type which has been slightly weathered, and only short veinlets of Fe hydroxides are present. The textural relationships indicate an S3 degree of shock metamorphism and W0 weathering grade. Some fragments of the meteorite Košice are formed by monomict breccia of the petrological type H5. On the basis of REE content, we suggest the Košice chondrite is probably from the same parent body as H5 chondrite Morávka from Czech Republic. Electron‐microprobe analysis (EMPA) with focused and defocused electron beam, whole‐rock analysis (WRA), inductively coupled plasma mass and optical emission spectroscopy (ICP MS, ICP OES), and calibration‐free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF‐LIBS) were used to characterize the Košice fragments. The results provide further evidence that whole‐rock analysis gives the most accurate analyses, but this method is completely destructive. Two other proposed methods are partially destructive (EMPA) or nondestructive (CF‐LIBS), but only major and minor elements can be evaluated due to the significantly lower sample consumption.
Provision of lipid‐based nutrient supplements to Honduran children increases their dietary macro‐ and micronutrient intake without displacing other foods
Authors: Flax Valerie L. , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria , Reinhart Greg A. , Bentley Margaret E.
Published: March 2015

Inadequate energy intake and poor diet quality are important causes of chronic child undernutrition. Strategies for improving diet quality using lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) are currently being tested in several countries. To date, information on children's dietary intakes during LNS use is available only from Africa. In this study, we collected 24‐h dietary recalls at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months on Honduran children (n = 298) participating in a cluster‐randomised trial of LNS. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine differences in number of servings of 12 food groups in the LNS and control arms, and multi‐level mixed effects models were used to compare macro‐ and micronutrient intakes. Models accounted for clustering and adjusted for child's age, season and breastfeeding status. Mean daily servings of 12 food groups did not differ by study arm at baseline and remained similar throughout the study with the exception of groups that were partially or entirely supplied by LNS (nuts and nut butters, fats, and sweets). Baseline intakes of energy, fat, carbohydrates, protein, folate and vitamin A, but not vitamin B12, iron and zinc were lower in the LNS than control arm. The change in all macro‐ and micronutrients from baseline to each study visit was larger for the LNS arm than the control, except for carbohydrates from baseline to 9 months. These findings indicate that LNS improved the macro‐ and micronutrient intakes of young non‐malnourished Honduran children without replacing other foods in their diet.
Community assembly of a euryhaline fish microbiome during salinity acclimation
Authors: Schmidt Victor T. , Smith Katherine F. , Melvin Donald W. , Amaral‐Zettler Linda A.
Published: March 2015

Microbiomes play a critical role in promoting a range of host functions. Microbiome function, in turn, is dependent on its community composition. Yet, how microbiome taxa are assembled from their regional species pool remains unclear. Many possible drivers have been hypothesized, including deterministic processes of competition, stochastic processes of colonization and migration, and physiological ‘host‐effect’ habitat filters. The contribution of each to assembly in nascent or perturbed microbiomes is important for understanding host–microbe interactions and host health. In this study, we characterized the bacterial communities in a euryhaline fish and the surrounding tank water during salinity acclimation. To assess the relative influence of stochastic versus deterministic processes in fish microbiome assembly, we manipulated the bacterial species pool around each fish by changing the salinity of aquarium water. Our results show a complete and repeatable turnover of dominant bacterial taxa in the microbiomes from individuals of the same species after acclimation to the same salinity. We show that changes in fish microbiomes are not correlated with corresponding changes to abundant taxa in tank water communities and that the dominant taxa in fish microbiomes are rare in the aquatic surroundings, and vice versa. Our results suggest that bacterial taxa best able to compete within the unique host environment at a given salinity appropriate the most niche space, independent of their relative abundance in tank water communities. In this experiment, deterministic processes appear to drive fish microbiome assembly, with little evidence for stochastic colonization.