bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Review: The shared environment as a key source of variability in child and adolescent psychopathology
Authors: Alexandra Burt S.
Published: November 2013

Background

Behavioral genetic research has historically concluded that the more important environmental influences were nonshared or result in differences between siblings, whereas environmental influences that create similarities between siblings (referred to as shared environmental influences) were indistinguishable from zero. Recent theoretical and meta‐analytic work {Burt. Psychological Bulletin [135 (2009) 608]} has challenged this conclusion as it relates to child and adolescent psychopathology, however, arguing that the shared environment is a moderate, persistent, and identifiable source of individual differences in such outcomes prior to adulthood.

Methods

The current review seeks to bolster research on the shared environment by highlighting both the logistic advantages inherent in studies of the shared environment, as well as the use of nontraditional but still genetically informed research designs to study shared environmental influences.

Results

Although often moderate in magnitude prior to adulthood and free of unsystematic measurement error, shared environmental influences are nevertheless likely to have been underestimated in prior research. Moreover, the shared environment is likely to include proximal effects of the family, as well as the effects of more distal environmental contexts such as neighborhood and school. These risk and protective factors could influence the child either as main effects or as moderators of genetic influence (i.e. gene‐environment interactions). Finally, because the absence of genetic relatedness in an otherwise nonindependent dataset also qualifies as ‘genetically informed’, studies of the shared environment are amenable to the use of novel and non‐traditional designs (with appropriate controls for selection).

Conclusions

The shared environment makes important contributions to most forms of child and adolescent psychopathology. Empirical examinations of the shared environment would thus be of real and critical value for understanding the development and persistence of common mental health issues prior to adulthood.
Bayesian Evaluation of DSGE Models with Financial Frictions
Authors: BRZOZA‐BRZEZINA MICHAŁ , KOLASA MARCIN
Published: November 2013

We evaluate two most popular approaches to implementing financial frictions into DSGE models: the Bernanke, Gertler, and Gilchrist () setup, where frictions affect the price of loans, and the Kiyotaki and Moore () model, where they concern the quantity of loans. We take both models to the data and check how well they fit it on several margins. Overall, comparing the models favors the Bernanke, Gertler, and Gilchrist framework. However, even this model does not make a clear improvement over the New Keynesian benchmark in terms of marginal likelihood and similarity of impulse responses to those obtained from a VAR.
Real Effects of Money Growth and Optimal Rate of Inflation in a Cash‐in‐Advance Economy with Labor‐Market Frictions
Authors: WANG PING , XIE DANYANG
Published: November 2013

This paper studies the consequences of labor‐market frictions for the real effects of steady inflation when cash is required for households' consumption purchases and firms' wage payments. Money growth may generate a positive real effect by encouraging vacancy creation and raising job matches. This may result in a positive optimal rate of inflation, particularly in an economy with moderate money injections to firms and with nonnegligible labor‐market frictions in which wage bargains are not efficient. This main finding holds for a wide range of money injection schemes, with alternative cash constraints, and in a second‐best world with preexisting distortionary taxes.
Technology, Utilization, and Inflation: What Drives the New Keynesian Phillips Curve?
Authors: McADAM PETER , WILLMAN ALPO
Published: November 2013

We argue that the New Keynesian Phillips Curve literature has failed to deliver a convincing measure of real marginal costs. We start from a careful modeling of optimal price setting allowing for nonunitary factor substitution, nonneutral technical change, and time‐varying factor utilization rates. This ensures the resulting real marginal cost measures match volatility reductions and level changes witnessed in many U.S. time series. The cost measure comprises conventional countercyclical cost elements plus procyclical (and covarying) utilization rates. Although procyclical elements seem to dominate, the components of real marginal cost components are becoming less cyclical over time. Incorporating this richer driving variable produces more plausible price‐stickiness estimates than otherwise and suggests a more balanced weight of backward‐ and forward‐looking inflation expectations than commonly found. Our results challenge existing views of inflation determinants and have important implications for modeling inflation in New Keynesian models.
Do Public Banks Compete with Private Banks? Evidence from Concentrated Local Markets in Brazil
Authors: COELHO CHRISTIANO A. , DE MELLO JOÃO M.P. , REZENDE LEONARDO
Published: November 2013

We measure the competitive effect of public banks in concentrated local markets in Brazil using branch location patterns. We employ variation in market size, number, and identity of competitors to determine how the conduct of private banks is affected by the entry of a public bank. We find that the market size needed to sustain a private bank branch is 35% larger if a private competitor is present and is not significantly affected by the presence of a public bank. These results suggest that the presence of a public bank does not affect conduct of private banks.
Roles of the State Asthma Program in Implementing Multicomponent, School‐Based Asthma Interventions
Authors: Hester Laura L. , Wilce Maureen A. , Gill Sarah A. , Disler Sheri L. , Collins Pamela , Crawford Gregory
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a leading chronic childhood disease in the United States and a major contributor to school absenteeism. Evidence suggests that multicomponent, school‐based asthma interventions are a strategic way to address asthma among school‐aged children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages the 36 health departments (34 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) in the National Asthma Control Program (NACP) to implement multicomponent, school‐based asthma interventions on a larger scale.

METHODS

To gain a better understanding of replicable best practices for state‐coordinated asthma interventions in schools, an NACP evaluation team conducted evaluability assessments of promising interventions run by state asthma programs in Louisiana, Indiana, and Utah.

RESULTS

The team found that state asthma programs play a critical role in implementing school‐based asthma interventions due to their ability to (1) use statewide surveillance data to identify asthma trends and address disparities; (2) facilitate connections between schools, school systems, and school‐related community stakeholders; (3) form state‐level connections; (4) translate policies into action; (5) provide resources and public health practice information to schools and school systems; (6) monitor and evaluate implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This article presents evaluability assessment findings and illustrates state roles using examples from the 3 participating state asthma programs.
School Nurses' Role in Asthma Management, School Absenteeism, and Cost Savings: A Demonstration Project
Authors: Rodriguez Eunice , Rivera Diana Austria , Perlroth Daniella , Becker Edmund , Wang Nancy Ewen , Landau Melinda
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

With increasing budget cuts to education and social services, rigorous evaluation needs to document school nurses' impact on student health, academic outcomes, and district funding.

METHODS

Utilizing a quasi‐experimental design, we evaluated outcomes in 4 schools with added full‐time nurses and 5 matched schools with part‐time nurses in the San Jose Unified School District. Student data and logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of illness‐related absenteeism for 2006‐2007 and 2008‐2009. We calculated average daily attendance (ADA) funding and parent wages associated with an improvement in illness‐related absenteeism. Utilizing parent surveys, we also estimated the cost of services for asthma‐related visits to the emergency room (ER; N = 2489).

RESULTS

Children with asthma were more likely to be absent due to illness; however, mean absenteeism due to illness decreased when full‐time nurses were added to demonstration schools but increased in comparison schools during 2008‐2009, resulting in a potential savings of $48,518.62 in ADA funding (N = 6081). Parents in demonstration schools reported fewer ER visits, and the estimated savings in ER services and parent wages were significant.

CONCLUSION

Full‐time school nurses play an important role in improving asthma management among students in underserved schools, which can impact school absenteeism and attendance‐related economic costs.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Public Health Nurse‐Delivered Asthma Program to Elementary Schools
Authors: Cicutto Lisa , To Teresa , Murphy Suzanne
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Childhood asthma is a serious and common chronic disease that requires the attention of nurses and other school personnel. Schools are often the first setting that children take the lead in managing their asthma. Often, children are ill prepared for this role. Our study evaluated a school‐based, multifaceted asthma program that targeted students with asthma and the broader school community.

METHODS

A randomized trial involving 130 schools with grades 1‐5 and 1316 children with asthma and their families was conducted. Outcomes of interest for the child, at 1 year, were urgent care use and school absenteeism for asthma, inhaler technique, and quality of life, and for the school, at 14 months, were indicators of a supportive school environment.

RESULTS

Improvements were observed at the child and school level for the intervention group. Fewer children in the intervention group had a school absence (50% vs 60%; p < .01), required urgent care for asthma (41% vs 51%; p < .0001), or reported a day of interrupted activity (51% vs 63%; p < .01), and had improved quality of life (5.8 ± 1.2 vs 5.4 ± 1.4; p < .0001). Schools in the intervention group were more likely to have practices supporting an asthma‐friendly environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a multifaceted school‐based asthma program can lead to asthma‐friendly schools that support children with asthma to be successful managers of their asthma and experience improved quality of life and decreased disease associated burden.
Increasing Availability to and Ascertaining Value of Asthma Action Plans in Schools Through Use of Technology and Community Collaboration
Authors: Hanson Tabitha K. , Aleman Martha , Hart Lacey , Yawn Barbara
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Approximately 9% of school‐aged children in the United States have asthma. Since 1997, the Asthma Action Plan (AAP) has been recommended as an asthma self‐management tool for individuals with asthma. In the school setting, the use of the AAP has been primarily dependent on communication between the family and the school through a paper process.

METHODS

To address the limited availability of AAPs, the Southeast Minnesota Beacon Project developed and implemented a secure portal designed for the electronic exchange of the AAP between providers and schools. This project was designed to assess school nurses' responses to the portal and the perceived value of AAPs, efficiency, self‐efficacy, and project impact.

RESULTS

School nurses perceive that the AAP enables more efficient management of the care of students with asthma and increases school nurse self‐efficacy in regard to asthma management. Overall, school nurses felt the AAP portal was useful and they reported satisfaction with its function as a school health office resource.

CONCLUSION

Electronic sharing of the AAP has the potential to increase efficiency and enhance effective communication among health care providers, families, and schools.
Adolescent Asthma Self‐Management: Patient and Parent‐Caregiver Perspectives on Using Social Media to Improve Care
Authors: Panzera Anthony D. , Schneider Tali K. , Martinasek Mary P. , Lindenberger James H. , Couluris Marisa , Bryant Carol A. , McDermott Robert J.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Self‐management of asthma can now leverage new media technologies. To optimize implementation they must employ a consumer‐oriented developmental approach. This study explored benefits of and barriers to improved asthma self‐management and identified key elements for the development of a digital media tool to enhance asthma control.

METHODS

Between August 2010 and January 2011, 18 teens with asthma and 18 parent‐caregivers participated in semistructured in‐depth interviews to identify mechanisms for improving asthma self‐management and propose characteristics for developing a digital media tool to aid such efforts.

RESULTS

Teens and caregivers enumerated physician‐recommended strategies for asthma management as well as currently employed strategies. Both groups thought of a potential digital media solution as positive, but indicated specific design requirements for such a solution to have utility. Whereas most participants perceived mobile platforms to be viable modes to improve asthma self‐management, interest in having social networking capabilities was mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

A digital media product capable of tracking conditions, triggers, and related asthma activities can be a core element of improved asthma control for youth. Improved asthma control will help decrease school absenteeism.
Lack of Sexual Privacy Affects Psychological and Marital Domains of Male Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Boddi Valentina , Fisher Alessandra Daphne , Maseroli Elisa , Rastrelli Giulia , Corona Giovanni , Jannini Emmanuele , Ricca Valdo , Mannucci Edoardo , Maggi Mario
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Sexual dysfunctions (SDs) are dictated by predisposing, precipitating, maintaining, and contextual factors, the latter of which can help sexual problems to emerge. Even if the lack of sexual privacy is one of the most common contextual issues, it has not been extensively studied.

Aim

Investigation of sexual privacy in a large sample of men consulting for SD was the aim of this study.

Methods

A consecutive series of 3,736 men, attending the outpatient clinic for SD for the first time, was retrospectively studied. Privacy during sexual intercourse was investigated with the following question, “During the last three months, have you had enough privacy during your sexual activity?” and rated 0 = yes, 1 = sometimes, 2 = rarely, and 3 = never.

Main Outcome Measures

Several clinical, biochemical, and psychological (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire [MHQ]) parameters were studied.

Results

Among the 3,736 patients studied, 83.9% reported enough privacy during sexual intercourse, while 8.6%, 5.7%, and 1.7% declared a decrease of sexual privacy of increasing severity. Lack of sexual privacy was associated with ejaculatory dysfunctions and with the inability to maintain an erection during intercourse. Subjects reporting lack of sexual privacy had a higher risk of relational and intrapsychic impairments, as well as psychopathology at MHQ questionnaire, even after adjusting for confounders. Fatherhood was associated with sexual privacy issues only in the lowest quartiles. In subjects without children, the absence of cohabitation with the partner was associated with an increasing risk of not having enough privacy (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.837 [1.269–2.659], P = 0.001); data confirmed, after stratification for age, only in the youngest subjects (I quartile HR = 2.159 [1.211–3.848], P = 0.009).

Conclusions

This study indicates that sexual privacy is often a poorly investigated item, which is important to evaluate in male SD.
Penile Sonoelastography for the Localization of a Non-Palpable, Non-Sonographically Visualized Lesion in a Patient with Penile Curvature from Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Richards Gideon , Goldenberg Etai , Pek Henry , Gilbert Bruce R.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Sonoelastography is an emerging ultrasound-based technique that allows characterization of tissue stiffness.

Aim

The aim of this report is to present a case of significant penile curvature with a non-palpable, non-sonographically visualized plaque that was demonstrable with sonoelastography.

Methods

A 60-year-old male presented with significant left penile curvature during erections. The penis was evaluated with physical exam followed by B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound. No evidence of plaque was identified with these modalities. Shear wave sonoelastography was pursued to further characterize the patient's Peyronie's disease.

Results

An area of increased tissue stiffness that correlated with the site of maximum curvature was identified with shear wave sonoelastography and used to target intralesional injection therapy.

Conclusion

Sonoelastography provides an additional way to characterize, localize, and deliver therapy to a lesion in patients with Peyronie's disease and is particularly useful when palpation and B-mode ultrasonography have failed to demonstrate a plaque.
Specific Organizational Citizenship Behaviours and Organizational Effectiveness: The Development of a Conceptual Heuristic Device
Authors: Coldwell David Alastair Lindsay , Callaghan Chris William
Published: November 2013

Organizational citizenship behaviour has generally been associated with organizational effectiveness. However, recent research has shown that this may not always be the case and that certain types of organizational citizenship behaviour such as compulsory citizenship behaviour, may be inimical to the fulfillment of formal goals and organizational effectiveness. Using military historical and business organizational secondary data, the paper maintains that extreme variance in either organizational (task) or personal (social psychological) support organizational citizenship behaviour generates entropic citizenship behaviour which derails completely the effective accomplishment of formal organizational goals. A general model of organizational citizenship behaviour with entropic citizenship behavior as its novel conceptual boundary is developed in the paper, and four specific propositions with implications for future empirical research are delineated.
A sporulation‐specific, sigF‐dependent protein, SspA, affects septum positioning in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Tzanis Angelos , Dalton Kate A. , Hesketh Andrew , den Hengst Chris D. , Buttner Mark J. , Thibessard Annabelle , Kelemen Gabriella H.
Published: November 2013

The RNA polymerase sigma factor SigF controls late development during sporulation in the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. The only known SigF‐dependent gene identified so far, SCO5321, is found in the biosynthetic cluster encoding spore pigment synthesis. Here we identify the first direct target for SigF, the gene sspA, encoding a sporulation‐specific protein. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that SspA is a secreted lipoprotein with two PepSY signature domains. The sspA deletion mutant exhibits irregular sporulation septation and altered spore shape, suggesting that SspA plays a role in septum formation and spore maturation. The fluorescent translational fusion protein SspA–mCherry localized first to septum sites, then subsequently around the surface of the spores. Both SspA protein and sspA transcription are absent from the sigF null mutant. Moreover, in vitro transcription assay confirmed that RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing SigF is sufficient for initiation of transcription from a single sspA promoter. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that sspA is a direct target of BldD, which functions to repress sporulation genes, including whiG, ftsZ and ssgB, during vegetative growth, co‐ordinating their expression during sporulation septation.
An early cytoplasmic step of peptidoglycan synthesis is associated to MreB in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rueff Anne‐Stéphanie , Chastanet Arnaud , Domínguez‐Escobar Julia , Yao Zhizhong , Yates James , Prejean Maria‐Victoria , Delumeau Olivier , Noirot Philippe , Wedlich‐Söldner Roland , Filipe Sergio R. , Carballido‐López Rut
Published: November 2013

MreB proteins play a major role during morphogenesis of rod‐shaped bacteria by organizing biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are not well understood. In Bacillus subtilis, membrane‐associated MreB polymers have been shown to be associated to elongation‐specific complexes containing transmembrane morphogenetic factors and extracellular cell wall assembly proteins. We have now found that an early intracellular step of cell wall synthesis is also associated to MreB. We show that the previously uncharacterized protein YkuR (renamed DapI) is required for synthesis of meso‐diaminopimelate (m‐DAP), an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan precursor, and that it physically interacts with MreB. Highly inclined laminated optical sheet microscopy revealed that YkuR forms uniformly distributed foci that exhibit fast motion in the cytoplasm, and are not detected in cells lacking MreB. We propose a model in which soluble MreB organizes intracellular steps of peptidoglycan synthesis in the cytoplasm to feed the membrane‐associated cell wall synthesizing machineries.
Native–Exotic Species Richness Relationships Across Spatial Scales in a Prairie Restoration Matrix
Authors: Hill Kathryn C. , Fischer Dylan G.
Published: November 2013

In highly invaded ecosystems, restoration of native plant communities is dependent upon reducing exotic species relative to native species. Even so, in monitoring, the native–exotic species richness ratio has been shown to be scale‐dependent. Measurement at small spatial scales (<1 m2) can reveal a negative native–exotic richness relationship, where niche occupation may prevent invasion. Conversely, at larger scales, a positive correlation may exist, where environmental heterogeneity and equally favorable conditions may drive native–exotic relationships. Here, we compare slopes of native–exotic relationships across spatial scales in a prairie undergoing active restoration. The observed native–exotic richness ratios varied considerably over scales ranging from 1 to 1,000 m2, emphasizing the importance of choosing a measurement scale that is most pertinent to the treatment and ecological mechanism used to evaluate restoration success. Our native–exotic richness slopes were positive over all scales, but lower than would be expected in a random community assembly, suggesting the influence of niche‐based competition. Correspondingly, our native–exotic cover slope was more negative than a null model; however, areas of frequent fire treatments showed a significant deviation from null only for richness, indicating that burning may enhance native–exotic competitive dynamics for number of species but not cover. The negative native–exotic cover relationships appear to be driven in this system mainly by exotic graminoids, across burn treatments and native functional groups, supporting the concept that frequent burning can alter the dominant competitive mechanism from coverage of these exotic grasses to an improved environment for germination and dispersal of more native species.
Genetic Structure of Remnant Populations and Cultivars of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the Context of Prairie Conservation and Restoration
Authors: Mutegi Evans , Stottlemyer Amy L. , Snow Allison A. , Sweeney Patricia M.
Published: November 2013

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a dominant, perennial C4 grass of North American tallgrass prairies with cultivars that are widely used in grassland restoration, pastures, and landscaping. However, these cultivars may be genetically dissimilar to small, remnant populations, raising concerns about altered genetic composition of native populations through gene flow. To address this issue on a local scale in Ohio and Illinois, we used microsatellite markers to characterize genetic diversity and differentiation of 10 remnant prairie populations (5 in each state) and 8 common cultivars. The bulk of genetic variation was found to reside within rather than among wild populations, consistent with the outcrossing breeding system of switchgrass. Genetic diversity was similar among the remnant populations despite large differences in area (approximately 2–2,590 ha), highlighting the importance of small native populations as reservoirs of variation and potential seed sources for prairie restoration. Cultivars generally had similar levels of variation to the wild populations, but we found clear genetic dissimilarity between wild and cultivated gene pools (especially for Kanlow, but also Trailblazer, Blackwell, Dacotah, Summer, and Sunburst cultivars). This suggests that using cultivars in local prairie restoration efforts may alter the genetic composition of wild populations. Whether such changes are deemed as negative depends on the cultivar under consideration and specific conservation goals for preserving native switchgrass populations. Patterns of genetic variation in remnant prairie populations and potential cultivar sources can be used to develop guidelines for restoration as well as future planting of cultivars for biofuels.
Oyster Reef Restoration in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Effect of Artificial Substrate and Age on Nekton and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Use
Authors: Brown Laura A. , Furlong Jessica N. , Brown Kenneth M. , La Peyre Megan K.
Published: November 2013

In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), reefs built by eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, provide critical habitat within shallow estuaries, and recent efforts have focused on restoring reefs to benefit nekton and benthic macroinvertebrates. We compared nekton and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at historic, newly created (<5 years) and old (>6 years) shell and rock substrate reefs. Using crab traps, gill‐nets, otter trawls, cast nets, and benthic macroinvertebrate collectors, 20 shallow reefs (<5 m) in the northern GOM were sampled throughout the summer of 2011. We compared nekton and benthic assemblage abundance, diversity and composition across reef types. Except for benthic macroinvertebrate abundance, which was significantly higher on old rock reefs as compared to historic reefs, all reefs were similar to historic reefs, suggesting created reefs provide similar support of nekton and benthic assemblages as historic reefs. To determine refuge value of oyster structure for benthic macroinvertebrates compared to bare bottom, we tested preferences of juvenile crabs across depth and refuge complexity in the presence and absence of adult blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Juveniles were more likely to use deep water with predators present only when provided oyster structure. Provision of structural material to support and sustain development of benthic and mobile reef communities may be the most important factor in determining reef value to these assemblages, with biophysical characteristics related to reef location influencing assemblage patterns in areas with structure; if so, appropriately locating created reefs is critical.
Comparable improvements achieved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through pulmonary rehabilitation with and without a structured educational intervention: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Blackstock Felicity C. , Webster Kate E. , McDonald Christine F. , Hill Catherine J.
Published: November 2013

Background and objective

Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and typically includes exercise and disease‐specific education components. However, the benefits directly attributable to the education component remain unclear. This trial sought to determine whether the addition of education to exercise training resulted in greater improvements in health outcomes than pulmonary rehabilitation where education has been omitted.

Methods

A randomized trial with allocation concealment, assessor blinded to group allocation and intention‐to‐treat analysis was conducted. Two hundred and sixty‐seven people with COPD (mean age 72(9) years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, 59(23)% predicted) were allocated to receive either 8 weeks of twice weekly group exercise training plus education or exercise training alone. Education was disease specific with a self‐management focus. Primary outcome measures included 6‐min walk distance and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included dyspnoea, health behaviours, generic health‐related quality of life, self‐efficacy and healthcare usage with measurements taken immediately following completion and at 6 and 12 months.

Results

There were no significant differences that indicated greater improvement in any health outcome with the addition of education. The two intervention groups had similar significant improvements immediately following intervention, and these were maintained comparably in the subsequent 12 months.

Conclusions

The results of this investigation suggest that disease‐specific group education is not an essential component of pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation based on exercise training is an effective option in the management of patients with COPD if multidisciplinary education cannot be offered.
Comparison Between the Fixation of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters to the Peritoneal Wall and the Conventional Placement Technique: Clinical Experience and Follow‐Up of a New Implant Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters
Authors: Io Hiroaki , Maeda Kunimi , Sekiguchi Yoshimi , Shimaoka Tetsutaro , Aruga Seiki , Nakata Junichiro , Nakamoto Hirotaka , Hotta Yoko , Koyanagi Ichiro , Inaba Masanori , Kanda Reo , Nakano Takanori , Wakabayashi Keiichi , Sasaki Yuu , Inuma Jiro , Kaneko Kayo , Hamada Chieko , Fukui Mitsumine , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: November 2013

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters often become severely dislocated, which may lead to malfunction. With the aim of preventing this complication, we have developed a simple method of fixing the catheter downwards in the peritoneal cavity (fixation technique), a technique that does not require a laparoscope. Sixteen patients were implanted using the conventional placement technique and 25 patients were implanted using the fixation technique. The location of the catheter tip was classified from grade 1 (downward, normal) to 5 (dislocated). The frequency of dislocation (defined as the extended time and/or decrease in volume when draining the PD solution) was measured for both the fixation technique and conventional placement technique. There was a significant difference in grade between the fixation technique (2.72 ± 1.01) and conventional technique (3.92 ± 1.31). The time until first dislocation was significantly different between the fixation technique (59.3 ± 48.1 days) and conventional technique (8.8 ± 14.6 days). The time until any dislocation was significantly different between the fixation technique (69.2 ± 41.9 days) and conventional technique (12.9 ± 13.7 days). Complications were not significantly different between the fixation technique and conventional technique. The fixation technique appears to be simple, safe, and useful for preventing severe dislocation and for lengthening the time until dislocation in PD patients.
No evidence of association between functional polymorphisms located within IL6R and IL6ST genes and Henoch–Schönlein purpura
Authors: López‐Mejías R. , Sevilla Pérez B. , Genre F. , Castañeda S. , Ortego‐Centeno N. , Llorca J. , Ubilla B. , Ochoa R. , Pina T. , Marquez A. , Sala‐Icardo L. , Miranda‐Filloy J. A. , Rueda‐Gotor J. , Martín J. , Blanco R. , González‐Gay M. A.
Published: November 2013

Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common type of primary small‐sized blood vessel vasculitis in children and an uncommon condition in adults. Interleukin (IL)‐6 is a proinflammatory cytokine whose effect is controlled by the IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R). IL‐6 transducer (IL‐6ST/gp130) is the signal‐transducing subunit of the IL‐6R. Two hundred and eighty five Spanish HSP patients and 877 sex and ethnically matched controls were genotyped for the IL6R rs2228145 and IL6ST/gp130 rs2228044 functional polymorphisms. No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between HSP patients and controls were observed. Moreover, there were no differences between HSP patients according to the age at disease onset, presence of nephritis or gastrointestinal manifestations. Our results do not confirm association of IL6R rs2228145 and IL6ST/gp130 rs2228044 polymorphisms with HSP.
Explaining Manufacturing and Non‐Manufacturing Inbound FDI Location in Five UK Regions
Authors: Fallon Grahame , Cook Mark
Published: November 2013

This paper extends the analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) location in the UK by exploring the determinants of manufacturing and non‐manufacturing inbound FDI location within and between the UK's core (the Southeast) and non‐core (West Midlands; Wales; Scotland and the Northwest) regions. Use is made of multiple regression techniques to analyse a set of official, longitudinal data gathered for the period from 1980 to 2005 as a means to this end. The findings offer new insights into the relative influence of regional, national and EU level factors and government policy over FDI location at the UK regional level, and into their variation between regions and sectors of industry. The resultant implications for government policies towards inbound FDI are also considered, including the desirability of allowing them to vary from region to region, if FDI inflows are to be maximised.
Analysis of virtual water consumption in China: using factor decomposition analysis based on a weighted average decomposition model
Authors: Zhi Yuan , Hamilton Paul B. , Zhi Chongyuan
Published: November 2013

Exploring the cause‐and‐effect relationship between economic sectors and water resources is important to China. This study implemented a factor decomposition analysis by weighted average decomposition (WAD) model on the changes of Chinese virtual water (VW) consumption between 2002 and 2007, which includes both direct water consumption (consumed to produce final products) and indirect water consumption (consumed to produce intermediate products). The change in VW consumption is decomposed into three determinant factors: technological effect, economic structural effect and the products' scale effect. The results show that the volume of VW consumption in China has decreased from 5.92 × 1011 m3 in 2002 to 5.17 × 1011 m3 in 2007, which is mainly because of the technological effect (−5.48 × 1011 m3). The increase in net VW exports is mainly due to the economic structure effect (6.19 × 109 m3) and the fast growth of exports (3.49 × 1010 m3).
Band alignment of a HfO2-VO2-HfO2 confined well structure on silicon
Authors: Zhu Chiyu , Caudle Sean L. , Yang Jialing , Smith David J. , Nemanich Robert J.
Published: November 2013

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a narrow band gap material that undergoes a metal-insulator phase transition at ∼343 K with evidence of an electric-field induced transition at T < 343 K. In this study, a sandwich-type dielectric structure is prepared consisting of two ∼1.5 nm hafnium oxide (HfO2) layers with a ∼1.0 nm VO2 interlayer grown on an oxidized n-type silicon substrate. The electronic properties of the sample were characterized by in-situ x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy after each layer was deposited. The band alignment was analyzed after each growth step. The SiO2/HfO2 interface valence band offset is found to be 0.7 eV, and the HfO2/VO2 interface valence band offset is determined to be 3.4 eV.
GRB 130427A: A Nearby Ordinary Monster
Authors: Maselli A. , Melandri A. , Nava L. , Mundell C. G. , Kawai N. , Campana S. , Covino S. , Cummings J. R. , Cusumano G. , Evans P. A. , Ghirlanda G. , Ghisellini G. , Guidorzi C. , Kobayashi S. , Kuin P. , La Parola V. , Mangano V. , Oates S. , Sakamoto T. , Serino M. , Virgili F. , Zhang B.-B. , Barthelmy S. , Beardmore A. , Bernardini M. G. , Bersier D. , Burrows D. , Calderone G. , Capalbi M. , Chiang J. , D’Avanzo P. , D’Elia V. , De Pasquale M. , Fugazza D. , Gehrels N. , Gomboc A. , Harrison R. , Hanayama H. , Japelj J. , Kennea J. , Kopac D. , Kouveliotou C. , Kuroda D. , Levan A. , Malesani D. , Marshall F. , Nousek J. , O’Brien P. , Osborne J. P. , Pagani C. , Page K. L. , Page M. , Perri M. , Pritchard T. , Romano P. , Saito Y. , Sbarufatti B. , Salvaterra R. , Steele I. , Tanvir N. , Vianello G. , Wiegand B. , Wiersema K. , Yatsu Y. , Yoshii T. , Tagliaferri G.
Published: November 2013

Bright Lights

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), bright flashes of gamma-ray light, are thought to be associated with the collapse of massive stars. GRB 130427A was detected on 27 April 2013, and it had the longest gamma-ray duration and one of the largest isotropic energy releases observed to date (see the Perspective by

Fynbo

).

Ackermann
et al.

(p.
42
, published online 21 November) report data obtained with the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, which reveal a high-energy spectral component that cannot be accounted for by the standard external shock synchrotron radiation model.

Vestrand
et al.

(p.
38
, published online 21 November) report the detection of an extremely bright flash of visible light and unexpected similarities between the variations of optical light and the highest-energy gamma rays that indicate a common origin. A detailed analysis of the first pulse of GRB 130427A by

Preece
et al.

(p.
51
, published online 21 November) suggests that existing models cannot explain all the observed spectral and temporal behaviors simultaneously.

Maselli
et al.

(p.
48
, published online 21 November) present x-ray and optical light curves of the burst's prompt emission as well as of its afterglow as recorded by the Swift satellite and a range of ground-based telescopes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Isolate OSDD515, Belonging to the Uganda I Genotype
Authors: Vellarikkal Shamsudheen Karuthedath , Singh Ajay Vir , Singh Pravin Kumar , Garg Parul , Katoch Viswa Mohan , Katoch Kiran ,   Open Source Drug Discovery Consortium, Chauhan D. S. , Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod
Published: November 2013

We describe the genome sequencing and analysis of a clinical isolate of the multidrug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Uganda I genotype (OSDD515) from India.
Complete Genome Sequence of the
Sesbania
Symbiont and Rice Growth-Promoting Endophyte
Rhizobium
sp. Strain IRBG74
Authors: Crook Matthew B. , Mitra Shubhajit , Ané Jean-Michel , Sadowsky Michael J. , Gyaneshwar Prasad
Published: November 2013

Rhizobium
sp. strain IRBG74 is the first known nitrogen-fixing symbiont in the
Agrobacterium/Rhizobium
clade that nodulates the aquatic legume
Sesbania
sp. and is also a growth-promoting endophyte of wetland rice. Here, we present the sequence of the IRBG74 genome, which is composed of a circular chromosome, a linear chromosome, and a symbiotic plasmid, pIRBG74a.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum Strain WJL, a
Drosophila
Gut Symbiont
Authors: Kim Eun-Kyoung , Park Young Min , Lee Oun Young , Lee Won-Jae
Published: November 2013

Lactobacillus plantarum
strain WJL, a member of the symbiotic gut bacteria, was isolated from the intestine of the fruit fly,
Drosophila melanogaster
. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
L. plantarum
WJL.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Belonging to a Novel Spoligotype
Authors: Vellarikkal Shamsudheen Karuthedath , Singh Ajay Vir , Singh Pravin Kumar , Garg Parul , Katoch Viswa Mohan , Katoch Kiran ,   Open Source Drug Discovery Consortium, Chauhan D. S. , Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod
Published: November 2013

We describe the genome sequencing and analysis of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolate of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, strain OSDD105 from India, belonging to a novel spoligotype.
Complete Genome Sequence of Universal Bacteriophage Host Strain Campylobacter jejuni subsp.
jejuni
PT14
Authors: Brathwaite Kelly J. , Siringan Patcharin , Moreton Joanna , Wilson Ray , Connerton Ian F.
Published: November 2013

Campylobacter jejuni
strain PT14 is a clinical isolate previously used to propagate bacteriophages in the United Kingdom phage typing scheme. The strain has proven useful in the isolation of
Campylobacter
bacteriophages from several sources, and it functions as a model host in phage therapy experiments with poultry and poultry meat.
Prevention of bicycle-related injuries in children and youth: a systematic review of bicycle skills training interventions
Authors: Richmond Sarah A , Zhang Yu Janice , Stover Andi , Howard Andrew , Macarthur Colin
Published: November 2013

Background

Bicycling is a popular means of recreation and transportation for children; however, it is a leading cause of recreational injury. Bicycle skill development and safety education are important methods of bicycle injury prevention.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of bicycle skills training programmes in reducing bicycle-related injuries in children and youth.

Methods

Sixteen databases were systematically searched to include studies involving children less than 19 years of age who participated in interventions that targeted bicycle skills and safety education. Outcome measures included injury, behaviour, knowledge and attitudes. Data extraction included study characteristics, intervention and outcomes. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Downs and Black criteria.

Results

Twenty-five studies, including both observational (ie, case–control) and experimental (ie, randomised controlled trials) designs met the inclusion criteria. Overall, there was no statistically significant intervention effect on measures of injury. Eight of 16 studies measuring knowledge reported significant knowledge gains as a result of the intervention. Of 13 studies evaluating behavioural and attitude changes, five reported significant improvement. There was no significant difference in quality index scores between studies that showed an improvement in knowledge or behaviour (61%, 95% CI 49% to 74%) and studies that did not (57%, 95% CI 48% to 66%).

Conclusions

There is a paucity of high-quality research in the area of bicycle skills training programmes. Educational and skills training bicycling programmes may increase knowledge of cycling safety, but this does not seem to translate into a decrease in injury rate, or improved bicycle handling ability and attitudes.
Mucinous tumours of appendix and ovary: an overview and evaluation of current practice
Authors: Rouzbahman Marjan , Chetty Runjan
Published: November 2013

Mucinous lesions of the appendix and ovary are commonly encountered in routine practice. There are several published classification schemes for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with resultant inconsistent use of terms and clinical doubt. While nomenclature is more settled with regards to ovarian mucinous neoplasms, the difficulty here lies with distinguishing primary from secondary mucinous tumours. This review highlights the terminology and nomenclature for appendiceal mucinous tumours, the relationship with ovarian mucinous neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei, and the features that assist in separating primary from secondary ovarian mucinous tumours.
The development of a multi-criteria decision analysis aid to help with contraceptive choices: My Contraception Tool
Authors: French Rebecca S , Cowan Frances M , Wellings Kaye , Dowie Jack
Published: November 2013

My Contraception Tool (MCT) applies the principles of multi-criteria decision analysis to the choice of contraceptive method. Its purpose is to make the decision-making process transparent to the user and to suggest a method to them based on their own preferences. The contraceptive option that emerges as optimal from the analysis takes account of the probability of a range of outcomes and the relative weight ascribed to them by the user. The development of MCT was a collaborative project between London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Brook, FPA and Maldaba Ltd. MCT is available online via the Brook and FPA websites. In this article we describe MCT's development and how it works. Further work is needed to assess the impact it has on decision quality and contraceptive behaviour.
COMMON DUE-WINDOW ASSIGNMENT AND SCHEDULING OF JOB-DEPENDENT DETERIORATING JOBS AND MULTIPLE DETERIORATING MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Authors: ZHANG XINGONG
Published: November 2013

Due-window assignment and production scheduling problems are important issues in operations management. In this paper, the problems of common due-window assignment and scheduling of job-dependent deteriorating jobs and multiple deteriorating maintenance activities simultaneously on a single-machine are investigated. We assume that the machine may be subjected to several maintenance activities during the planning horizon. However, due to the restriction of budget of maintenance, the upper bound of the maintenance frequency on the machine is assumed to be known in advance. Moreover, we assume that the duration of each maintenance activity depends on the running time of the machine. Polynomial time algorithms for the all the studied problems are provided, where the objective is to simultaneously minimize the earliness, tardiness, due-window starting time, and due-window size costs.
NURSE STAFFING UNDER DEMAND UNCERTAINTY TO REDUCE COSTS AND ENHANCE PATIENT SAFETY
Authors: DAVIS ASHLEY , MEHROTRA SANJAY , HOLL JANE , DASKIN MARK S.
Published: November 2013

Hospitals must maintain safe nurse-to-patient ratios in patient care units to offer adequate and safe patient care. Since the patient demand is highly variable, during high patient demand periods temporary or overtime nurses are hired to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios. These overtime nurses incur higher expense, and are often less effective. We study the problem of permanent nurse staffing level estimation under demand uncertainty as a newsvendor model. Our models are based on limited moment information of the demand distribution. Additionally, we introduce the use of asymmetric cost functions representing overstaffing and understaffing nursing costs. Findings using data from the general surgery and intensive care units at hospitals in Chicago, IL and Augusta, GA are presented. Computational results based on publically available cost data show that 3.1% and 7.3% annual cost savings result by introducing salvage value and newsvendor optimization in intensive care and general care units respectively. This new staffing scheme also improves patient safety as shifts are staffed with more permanent nurses.
RELATIVISTIC NON-THERMAL BREMSSTRAHLUNG RADIATION
Authors: ZEKOVIĆ VLADIMIR , ARBUTINA BOJAN , DOBARDŽIĆ ALEKSANDRA , PAVLOVIĆ MARKO Z.
Published: November 2013

By applying a method of virtual quanta we derive formulae for relativistic non-thermal bremsstrahlung radiation from relativistic electrons as well as from protons and heavier particles with power-law momentum distribution N(p)dp = k p-qdp. We show that emission which originates from an electron scattering on an ion, represents the most significant component of relativistic non-thermal bremsstrahlung. Radiation from an ion scattering on electron, known as inverse bremsstrahlung, is shown to be negligible in overall non-thermal bremsstrahlung emission. These results arise from theory refinement, where we introduce the dependence of relativistic kinetic energy of an incident particle, upon the energy of scattered photon. In part, it is also a consequence of a different mass of particles and relativistic effects.