bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supported employment for young people with intellectual disabilities facilitated through peer support
Authors: Kaehne Axel , Beyer Stephen
Published: June 2013

The article reports the evaluation of a small-scale–supported employment project in a local authority in England. The study examined whether or not the peer support model could be used to deliver supported employment to a group of young people with intellectual disabilities. We utilised a mixed-method approach involving activity data, family interviews and a postal survey with participating employers. Five families took part in the study. Our findings show that families viewed the project positively, although it was insufficiently embedded in the wider transition planning. The study indicates that the peer support model may represent a useful addition to the conventional supported employment efforts for this population. However, more research is needed to demonstrate the benefits of peer support over and above the benefits of conventional supported employment for young people in post-school transition. In particular, producing a better evidence base on the exact impact of peer support on service users’ experiences is recommended.
Using social worlds theory to explore influences on community nurses’ experiences of providing out of hours paediatric palliative care
Authors: Neilson Sue J. , Kai Joe , McArthur Christine , Greenfield Sheila
Published: June 2013

Background

Paediatric oncology palliative care in the community is rare and nationally there is a lack of standardisation of out of hours nursing service provision.

Objectives

This paper seeks to explore influences on the experiences of paediatric nurses providing out of hours palliative care within the family home to children with cancer. The study used social worlds theory to aid identification and demonstration of the findings.

Methods

Twelve community-based palliative cases were purposively selected from children with cancer treated at one regional centre. Tape-recorded interviews were undertaken with 54 health professionals (general practitioners, community nurses and allied health professionals) involved in providing their palliative care and five facilitated case discussions completed. Data analysis followed a grounded theory approach; chronological comparative data analysis identifying generated themes. Social worlds theory was used as a framework to examine the data.

Results

Nurses’ experiences are shaped by their social world and those of the nursing team, child and family and the inter-professional team providing the care. The lack of a formalised service, sub-optimal inter-professional working and impact of social worlds influence the experience of the nurse.

Conclusions

Social worlds theory provided a new perspective in understanding these experiences based within a paediatric palliative care setting, knowledge that can be used to inform service provision.
Beliefs About the Malleability of Immoral Groups Facilitate Collective Action
Authors: Cohen-Chen Smadar , Halperin Eran , Saguy Tamar , Zomeren Martijn van
Published: June 2013

Although negative out-group beliefs typically foster individuals’ motivation for collective action, we propose that such beliefs may diminish this motivation when people believe that this out-group cannot change in its very essence. Specifically, we tested the idea that believing in the malleability of immoral out-groups (i.e., targets of collective action) should increase collective action tendencies through group efficacy beliefs. Study 1 revealed that the more strongly participants believed that immoral out-groups could change as a function of contextual influences, the stronger their collective action tendencies were due to increased group efficacy. In Study 2, we experimentally replicated these findings using a manipulation of individuals’ beliefs about immoral out-groups being potentially malleable (vs. fixed). We discuss implications of our findings with an eye on the literature on collective action and implicit beliefs and on the promotion of civic engagement more broadly.
Oesophageal baseline impedance values are decreased in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: van Rhijn Bram D , Kessing Boudewijn F , Smout Andreas JPM , Bredenoord Albert J
Published: June 2013

Background

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux has been suggested to play a role in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoO). Oesophageal acid exposure decreases baseline intraluminal impedance, a marker of mucosal integrity, in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess oesophageal baseline impedance levels in EoO patients and to investigate their relationship with oesophageal acid exposure.

Methods

Ambulatory 24‐h pH‐impedance monitoring was performed in 11 EoO patients and in 11 healthy controls with matched oesophageal acid exposure. We assessed baseline impedance levels in the distal, mid‐, and proximal oesophageal impedance channels.

Results

Baseline impedance levels in EoO patients were markedly lower compared to controls in the distal oesophagus (median (interquartile range): 988 (757–1978) vs. 2259 (1767–2896) Ω, p  = 0.015), mid‐oesophagus (1420 (836–2164) vs. 2614 (2374–3879) Ω, p  = 0.003), and proximal oesophagus (1856 (1006–2625) vs. 2868 (2397–3439) Ω, p  = 0.005). Whereas baseline impedance decreased from proximal to distal in healthy subjects (p  = 0.037), no such gradient was seen in EoO patients (p  = 0.123).

Conclusions

Throughout the oesophagus, baseline impedance values are decreased in EoO patients, indicating impaired mucosal integrity. Our findings suggest that factors other than acid reflux are the cause of low baseline impedance in EoO.
Book Review: The Oxford Companion to Politics in India
Authors: Kailash K. K.
Published: June 2013

Niraja Gopal Jayal and Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Companion to Politics in India.Student Edition, New Delhi: Oxford University Press. 2011. 644 pages. ₹ 495.
Book Review: India Since 1980
Authors: Vaishnav Milan
Published: June 2013

Sumit Ganguly and Rahul Mukherji, India Since 1980.New Delhi: Cambridge University Press India. 2012. 200 pages. ₹ 595.
Book Review: Red Tape: Bureaucracy, Structural Violence and Poverty in India
Authors: Sriraman Tarangini
Published: June 2013

Akhil Gupta, Red Tape: Bureaucracy, Structural Violence and Poverty in India. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. 2012. 368 pages. ₹ 895.
Book Review: Debating Difference: Group Rights and Liberal Democracy in India
Authors: Deshpande Rajeshwari
Published: June 2013

Rochana Bajpai, Debating Difference: Group Rights and Liberal Democracy in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. 2011. 324 pages. ₹ 795.
Performance of Rapid Tests and Algorithms for HIV Screening in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Authors: Loukou Y. G. , Cabran M. A. , Yessé Zinzendorf Nanga , Adouko B. M. O. , Lathro S. J. , Agbessi-Kouassi K. B. T.
Published: June 2013

Seven rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) of HIV were evaluated by a panel group who collected serum samples from patients in Abidjan (HIV-1 = 203, HIV-2 = 25, HIV-dual = 25, HIV = 305). Kit performances were recorded after the reference techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The following RDTs showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity higher than 99%: Determine, Oraquick, SD Bioline, BCP, and Stat-Pak. These kits were used to establish infection screening strategies. The combination with 2 or 3 of these tests in series or parallel algorithms showed that series combinations with 2 tests (Oraquick and Bioline) and 3 tests (Determine, BCP, and Stat-Pak) gave the best performances (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%). However, the combination with 2 tests appeared to be more onerous than the combination with 3 tests. The combination with Determine, BCP, and Stat-Pak tests serving as a tiebreaker could be an alternative to the HIV/AIDS serological screening in Abidjan.
A Rare Case of Secondary Syphilis Manifesting as Immune Reconstitution Syndrome in an HIV-Positive Patient
Authors: Vasudevan Biju , Verma Rajesh , Pragasam Vijendran , Badad Ambresh , Mitra Debdeep , Singh Vikram
Published: June 2013

A 44-year-old HIV-infected male, having a low CD4 count, was on antiretroviral therapy for the last 2 months, when he developed a skin rash. He gave a history of solitary unprotected extramarital sexual contact 6 months before onset of the rash. Dermatological examination revealed a bilaterally symmetrical, maculopapular erythematous rash involving the palms, forearms, and neck. He showed a positive sign of Buschke-Ollendorff. In the meanwhile, the CD4 count had improved to 196 cells/mm3 from the previous count of 92 cells/mm3 and the viral load had decreased. Serum venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was reactor at 1:64. He was found to be positive result for treponema pallidum hemagglutination test. Skin biopsy revealed features of secondary syphilis. The rash responded well to a single injection of benzathine penicillin, resulting in the lowering of the VDRL titers. There was no evidence of neurosyphilis. This is a very rare instance of secondary syphilis manifesting as immune reconstitution syndrome in an HIV-positive patient.
Brimonidine protects against loss of Thy-1 promoter activation following optic nerve crush
Authors: Dai Yi , Lindsey James D , Duong-Polk Karen X , Chindasub Panida , Leung Christopher Kai-Shun , Weinreb Robert N
Published: June 2013

Background

The loss of RGCs expressing Thy-1 after optic nerve injury has an initial phase of rapid decline followed by a longer phase with slower reduction rate. This study used longitudinal retinal imaging of mice expressing cyan fluorescent protein under control of the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-CFP mice) to determine how the α2-adrenergic agonist brimonidine influences loss of Thy1 promoter activation.

Methods

Baseline images of the fluorescent retinal neurons in 30 Thy1-CFP mice were obtained using a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Next, brimonidine (100 ug/kg, IP) was administered either one time immediately after optic nerve crush, or immediately after optic nerve crush and then every 2 days for four weeks. A control group received a single saline injection immediately after optic nerve crush. All animals were imaged weekly for four weeks after optic nerve crush. Loss of fluorescent retinal neurons within specific retinal areas was determined by counting.

Results

At one week after optic nerve crush, the proportion of fluorescent retinal neurons retaining fluorescence was 44±7% of baseline in control mice, 51±6% after one brimonidine treatment, and 55±6% after brimonidine treatment every other day (P<0.05 for both brimonidine treatment groups compared to the control group). Subsequently, the number of fluorescent retinal neurons in the group that received one treatment differed insignificantly from the control group. In contrast, the number of fluorescent retinal neurons in the group that received repeated brimonidine treatments was greater than the control group by 28% at two weeks after crush and by 32% at three weeks after crush (P<0.05 at both time points). Rate analysis showed that brimonidine slowed the initial rate of fluorescent cell decline in the animals that received multiple treatments (P<0.05). Differences in the rate of loss among the treatment groups were insignificant after the second week.

Conclusion

Repeated brimonidine treatments protect against loss of fluorescence within fluorescent retinal neurons of Thy1-CFP mice after optic nerve crush. As most of fluorescent retinal neurons in this system are RGCs, these findings indicate that repeated brimonidine treatments may protect RGC health following optic nerve crush.
Effects of the carrier frequency of interferential current on pain modulation in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Corrêa Juliana Barbosa , Costa Leonardo Oliveira Pena , de Oliveira Naiane Teixeira Bastos , Sluka Kathleen A , Liebano Richard Eloin
Published: June 2013

Background

Low back pain is an important public health problem that is associated with poor quality of life and disability. Among the electrophysical treatments, interferential current (IFC) has not been studied in patients with low back pain in a high-quality randomised controlled trial examining not only pain, but pain mechanisms and function.

Methods/design

A three-arm randomised controlled trial with patient and assessor blinded to the group allocation. One hundred fifty patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain from outpatient physical therapy clinics in Brazil. The patients will be randomly allocated into 3 groups (IFC 1 kHz, IFC 4 kHz or Placebo IFC). The interferential current will be applied three days per week (30 minutes per session) over four weeks. Primary outcome: Pain intensity. Secondary outcomes: The pressure pain threshold, global impression of recovery, disability, function, conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation of pain, discomfort caused by the current. All outcomes will be measured at 4 weeks and 4 months after randomisation. The between-group differences will be calculated by using linear mixed models and Tukey’s post-hoc tests.

Discussion

The use of a placebo group and double-blinding assessor and patients strengthen this study. The present study is the first to compare different IFC carrier frequencies in patients with chronic low back pain.

Trial registration

Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: http://RBR-8n4hg2
The confidence of speech-language pathology students regarding communicating with people with aphasia
Authors: Finch Emma , Fleming Jennifer , Brown Kyla , Lethlean Jennifer , Cameron Ashley , McPhail Steven M
Published: June 2013

Background

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that can present a significant barrier to patient involvement in healthcare decisions. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are viewed as experts in the field of communication. However, many SLP students do not receive practical training in techniques to communicate with people with aphasia (PWA) until they encounter PWA during clinical education placements.

Methods

This study investigated the confidence and knowledge of SLP students in communicating with PWA prior to clinical placements using a customised questionnaire. Confidence in communicating with people with aphasia was assessed using a 100-point visual analogue scale. Linear, and logistic, regressions were used to examine the association between confidence and age, as well as confidence and course type (graduate-entry masters or undergraduate), respectively. Knowledge of strategies to assist communication with PWA was examined by asking respondents to list specific strategies that could assist communication with PWA.

Results

SLP students were not confident with the prospect of communicating with PWA; reporting a median 29-points (inter-quartile range 17–47) on the visual analogue confidence scale. Only, four (8.2%) of respondents rated their confidence greater than 55 (out of 100). Regression analyses indicated no relationship existed between confidence and students‘ age (p = 0.31, r-squared = 0.02), or confidence and course type (p = 0.22, pseudo r-squared = 0.03). Students displayed limited knowledge about communication strategies. Thematic analysis of strategies revealed four overarching themes; Physical, Verbal Communication, Visual Information and Environmental Changes. While most students identified potential use of resources (such as images and written information), fewer students identified strategies to alter their verbal communication (such as reduced speech rate).

Conclusions

SLP students who had received aphasia related theoretical coursework, but not commenced clinical placements with PWA, were not confident in their ability to communicate with PWA. Students may benefit from an educational intervention or curriculum modification to incorporate practical training in effective strategies to communicate with PWA, before they encounter PWA in clinical settings. Ensuring students have confidence and knowledge of potential communication strategies to assist communication with PWA may allow them to focus their learning experiences in more specific clinical domains, such as clinical reasoning, rather than building foundation interpersonal communication skills.
The role of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic imaging techniques for detection of extra-cranial venous system anomalies and developmental variants
Authors: Dolic Kresimir , Siddiqui Adnan H , Karmon Yuval , Marr Karen , Zivadinov Robert
Published: June 2013

The extra-cranial venous system is complex and not well studied in comparison to the peripheral venous system. A newly proposed vascular condition, named chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), described initially in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has triggered intense interest in better understanding of the role of extra-cranial venous anomalies and developmental variants. So far, there is no established diagnostic imaging modality, non-invasive or invasive, that can serve as the “gold standard” for detection of these venous anomalies. However, consensus guidelines and standardized imaging protocols are emerging. Most likely, a multimodal imaging approach will ultimately be the most comprehensive means for screening, diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Further research is needed to determine the spectrum of extra-cranial venous pathology and to compare the imaging findings with pathological examinations. The ability to define and reliably detect noninvasively these anomalies is an essential step toward establishing their incidence and prevalence. The role for these anomalies in causing significant hemodynamic consequences for the intra-cranial venous drainage in MS patients and other neurologic disorders, and in aging, remains unproven.
Mice with different susceptibility to tick-borne encephalitis virus infection show selective neutralizing antibody response and inflammatory reaction in the central nervous system
Authors: Palus Martin , Vojtíšková Jarmila , Salát Jiří , Kopecký Jan , Grubhoffer Libor , Lipoldová Marie , Demant Peter , Růžek Daniel
Published: June 2013

Background

The clinical course of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a disease caused by TBE virus, ranges from asymptomatic or mild influenza-like infection to severe debilitating encephalitis or encephalomyelitis. Despite the medical importance of this disease, some crucial steps in the development of encephalitis remain poorly understood. In particular, the basis of the disease severity is largely unknown.

Methods

TBE virus growth, neutralizing antibody response, key cytokine and chemokine mRNA production and changes in mRNA levels of cell surface markers of immunocompetent cells in brain were measured in mice with different susceptibilities to TBE virus infection.

Results

An animal model of TBE based on BALB/c-c-STS/A (CcS/Dem) recombinant congenic mouse strains showing different severities of the infection in relation to the host genetic background was developed. After subcutaneous inoculation of TBE virus, BALB/c mice showed medium susceptibility to the infection, STS mice were resistant, and CcS-11 mice were highly susceptible. The resistant STS mice showed lower and delayed viremia, lower virus production in the brain and low cytokine/chemokine mRNA production, but had a strong neutralizing antibody response. The most sensitive strain (CcS-11) failed in production of neutralizing antibodies, but exhibited strong cytokine/chemokine mRNA production in the brain. After intracerebral inoculation, all mouse strains were sensitive to the infection and had similar virus production in the brain, but STS mice survived significantly longer than CcS-11 mice. These two strains also differed in the expression of key cytokines/chemokines, particularly interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) in the brain.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that the genetic control is an important factor influencing the clinical course of TBE. High neutralizing antibody response might be crucial for preventing host fatality, but high expression of various cytokines/chemokines during TBE can mediate immunopathology and be associated with more severe course of the infection and increased fatality.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for 136 patients with locally residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Feng , Xiao Jian-ping , Xu Guo-zhen , Gao Li , Xu Ying-jie , Zhang Ye , Jiang Xue-song , Yi Jun-lin , Luo Jing-wei , Huang Xiao-dong , Huan Fu-kui , Fang Hao , Wan Bao , Li Ye-xiong
Published: June 2013

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) in patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2009, 136 NPC patients with residual lesions after primary radiotherapy (RT) were treated by FSRT. The total dose of primary RT was 68.0-78.0 Gy (median, 70.0 Gy). The median time from the primary RT to FSRT was 24.5 days. Tumor volumes for FSRT ranged from 0.60 to 77.13 cm3 (median, 13.45 cm3). The total FSRT doses were 8.0-32.0Gy (median, 19.5 Gy) with 2.0-10.0 Gy per fraction.

Results

Five-year local failure-free survival (LFFS), freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM), overall survival (OS), and disease free survival (DFS) rates for all patients were 92.5%, 77.0%, 76.2%, and 73.6%, respectively. No statistical significant differences were found in LFFS, DFS and OS in patients with stage I/II versus stage III/ IV diseases. Nineteen patients exhibited late toxicity. T stage at diagnosis was a significant prognostic factor for OS and DFS. Age was a prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusion

FSRT after external beam radiotherapy provides excellent local control for patients with residual NPC. The incidence of severe late toxicity is low and acceptable. Further investigation of optimal fractionation regimens will facilitate reduction of long-term complications.
Control of hypertension in the critically ill: a pathophysiological approach
Authors: Salgado Diamantino Ribeiro , Silva Eliezer , Vincent Jean-Louis
Published: June 2013

Severe acute arterial hypertension can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. After excluding a reversible etiology, choice of therapeutic intervention should be based on evaluation of a number of factors, such as age, comorbidities, and other ongoing therapies. A rational pathophysiological approach should then be applied that integrates the effects of the drug on blood volume, vascular tone, and other determinants of cardiac output. Vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, and beta-blocking agents can all decrease arterial pressure but by totally different modes of action, which may be appropriate or contraindicated in individual patients. There is no preferred agent for all situations, although some drugs may have a more attractive profile than others, with rapid onset action, short half-life, and fewer adverse reactions. In this review, we focus on the main mechanisms underlying severe hypertension in the critically ill and how using a pathophysiological approach can help the intensivist decide on treatment options.
Inhibition of pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF/NAMPT/visfatin) decreases the ability of human neutrophils to generate reactive oxidants but does not impair bacterial killing
Authors: Roberts Kate J , Cross Andrew , Vasieva Olga , Moots Robert J , Edwards Steven W
Published: June 2013

NAMPT, also known as PBEF and visfatin, can act extracellularly as a cytokine-like molecule or intracellularly as a NAMPT, regulating NAD biosynthesis in the NAD salvage pathway. Inhibitors of NAMPT have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity and are finding use as therapeutic agents. In view of the importance of NAD metabolism in neutrophil function, we determined the effects of NAMPT inhibition on a variety of neutrophil functions associated with their role in host protection against infections. Incubation of human neutrophils with the NAMPT inhibitor APO866 decreased neutrophil NAD(P)/H levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner but without a concomitant change in cell viability. NAMPT inhibition did not affect the expression of a number of cell-surface receptors involved in adhesion and opsono-phagocytosis, but the respiratory burst was decreased significantly. Whereas opsono-phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus was unaffected by NAMPT inhibition, intraphagosomal oxidant production was decreased. However, the killing efficiency of neutrophils was unaffected. These data indicate that therapeutic NAMPT inhibition is unlikely to have deleterious effects on host protection against infections, in spite of this ability to down-regulate neutrophil respiratory burst activity significantly.
Innovative recruitment. Olympic games
Authors: Иванов  , Ivanov Aleksandr
Published: June 2013

Olympic games are the biggest international project which involves almost the whole world. Games organization means engagement of considerable resources and HR resources are the major ones. Olympic Games must be provided with highly qualified staff, so recruitment function is of primary importance and success is mostly based on a properly developed recruitment strategy. It will be the first Olympic Games in the modern Russian history so the designed Olympic staff recruitment model is unique for our country, and applied recruitment solutions are innovative.
Legal regulation of public servants’ career in european union
Authors: Бицоев  , Bitsoev Vladislav
Published: June 2013

The career planning experience related to European Union’s public servants has been analyzed in this article from the perspective of usability of its elements in Russia. It has been shown that during the career choice a nominee is being affected by main three groups of motives: sufficient level of salary, profession prestige and degree of stability. Thus one of the main reasons for choosing a career in modern Europe is the degree of stability. That's why the system related to legal regulation of public servants’ career in European Union is based first of all by the way to meet the requirements of stability.
Reduction of intellectual property items’ economic losses
Authors: Слезко  , Slezko Vyacheslav
Published: June 2013

In article it is spoken about the necessity related to creation of mechanism of optimal state funding for R&D. In this mechanism structure shall be included the systems of technical and economic audit of intellectual property objects. In accordance with part IV of the Russian Federation Civil code (art. 1225), it is possible to obtain the following two groups of intellectual property items as a result of R&D on the area of information technologies: the items of patent law and copyright law. It is possible to carry out the information technologies’ technical audit with application of COBIT [Control Objectives for Information and related Technology] and PCI DSS [Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard] standards.

Economic audit during R&D in the area of information resources shall include the carrying out expert examinations on the costs of research and assessment of intellectual property items’ market value. All this shall lead to significant reduction of economic losses in the process of state financing related to research and development.
Incentive-Compatible Revenue Management in Queueing Systems: Optimal Strategic Delay
Authors: Afèche Philipp
Published: June 2013

How should a firm design a price/lead-time menu and scheduling policy to maximize revenues from heterogeneous time-sensitive customers with private information about their preferences? We consider this question for a queueing system with two customer types and provide the following results. First, we develop a novel problem formulation and solution method that combines the achievable region approach with mechanism design. This approach extends to menu design problems for other systems. Second, the work conserving cμ priority rule, known to be delay cost minimizing, incentive-compatible, and socially optimal, need not be revenue maximizing. A strategic delay policy may be optimal: It prioritizes impatient customers, but artificially inflates the lead times of patient customers. This suggests a broader guideline: Revenue-maximizing firms that lack customer-level demand information should also consider customer incentives, not only operational constraints, in their scheduling policies. Third, we identify general necessary and sufficient conditions for optimal strategic delay: a price, a lead-time, and a segment-size condition. We translate these into demand and capacity parameter conditions for cases with homogeneous and heterogeneous valuations for each type. In some cases strategic delay is optimal if capacity is relatively abundant, in others if it is relatively scarce.
Search on Rugged Landscapes: An Experimental Study
Authors: Billinger Stephan , Stieglitz Nils , Schumacher Terry R.
Published: June 2013

This paper presents findings from a laboratory experiment on human decision making in a complex combinatorial task. We draw on the canonical NK model to depict tasks with varying complexity and find strong evidence for a behavioral model of adaptive search. Success narrows down search to the neighborhood of the status quo, whereas failure promotes gradually more exploratory search. Task complexity does not have a direct effect on behavior but systematically affects the feedback conditions that guide success-induced exploitation and failure-induced exploration. The analysis also shows that human participants were prone to overexploration, since they broke off the search for local improvements too early. We derive stylized decision rules that generate the search behavior observed in the experiment and discuss the implications of our findings for individual decision making and organizational search.
Too Close for Comfort? The Effect of Embeddedness and Competitive Overlap on Client Relationship Retention Following an Acquisition
Authors: Rogan Michelle
Published: June 2013

Drawing on insights from network dynamics and exchange theory, I develop and test arguments for the retention or dissolution of exchange relationships. I exploit mergers and acquisitions among advertising firms as strategic actions that change the networks in which they and their clients are situated, and examine the consequences of these changes for their network relationships. Analysis of an archival, longitudinal data set confirms that, in general, relational embeddedness reduces the likelihood of dissolution and that increases in competitive overlap among clients increase dissolution likelihood. The results also provide evidence of a significant interaction effect between relational embeddedness and competitive overlap. For low to moderate increases in competitive overlap, embeddedness reduces dissolution likelihood. However, when the merger results in a high increase in competitive overlap, increasing embeddedness actually increases dissolution likelihood. Mechanisms to explain the findings are explored, including fears of information leakage and trust betrayal. The findings suggest that under certain conditions, relational embeddedness can reduce—rather than increase—relationship stability.
Changes in tibial bone density measured from standard radiographs in cemented and uncemented total knee replacements after ten years’ follow-up
Authors: Small S. R. , Ritter M. A. , Merchun J. G. , Davis K. E. , Rogge R. D.
Published: June 2013

Stress shielding resulting in diminished bone density following total knee replacement (TKR) may increase the risk of migration and loosening of the prosthesis. This retrospective study was designed to quantify the effects of the method of fixation on peri-prosthetic tibial bone density beneath cemented and uncemented tibial components of similar design and with similar long-term survival rates. Standard radiographs taken between two months and 15 years post-operatively were digitised from a matched group of TKRs using cemented (n = 67) and uncemented (n = 67) AGC tibial prostheses. Digital radiograph densitometry was used to quantify changes in bone density over time. Age, length of follow-up, gender, body mass index and alignment each significantly influenced the long-term pattern of peri-prosthetic bone density. Similar long-term changes in density irrespective of the method of fixation correlated well with the high rate of survival of this TKR at 20 years, and suggest that cemented and uncemented fixation are both equally viable.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:911–16.
Prolonged incubation time does not increase sensitivity for the diagnosis of implant-related infection using samples prepared by sonication of the implants
Authors: Esteban J. , Alvarez-Alvarez B. , Blanco A. , Fernández-Roblas R. , Gadea I. , Garcia-Cañete J. , Sandoval E. , Valdazo M.
Published: June 2013

We have designed a prospective study to evaluate the usefulness of prolonged incubation of cultures from sonicated orthopaedic implants. During the study period 124 implants from 113 patients were processed (22 osteosynthetic implants, 46 hip prostheses, 54 knee prostheses, and two shoulder prostheses). Of these, 70 patients had clinical infection; 32 had received antibiotics at least seven days before removal of the implant. A total of 54 patients had sonicated samples that produced positive cultures (including four patients without infection). All of them were positive in the first seven days of incubation. No differences were found regarding previous antibiotic treatment when analysing colony counts or days of incubation in the case of a positive result. In our experience, extending incubation of the samples to 14 days does not add more positive results for sonicated orthopaedic implants (hip and knee prosthesis and osteosynthesis implants) compared with a conventional seven-day incubation period.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1001–6.
Improvement in quality of life after arthroscopic capsular release for contracture of the shoulder
Authors: Dattani R. , Ramasamy V. , Parker R. , Patel V. R.
Published: June 2013

There is little published information on the health impact of frozen shoulder. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional and health-related quality of life outcomes following arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) for contracture of the shoulder. Between January 2010 and January 2012 all patients who had failed non-operative treatment including anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy and glenohumeral joint injections for contracture of the shoulder and who subsequently underwent an ACR were enrolled in the study. A total of 100 patients were eligible; 68 underwent ACR alone and 32 had ACR with a subacromial decompression (ASD). ACR resulted in a highly significant improvement in the range of movement and functional outcome, as measured by the Oxford shoulder score and EuroQol EQ-5D index. The mean cost of a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for an ACR and ACR with an ASD was £2563 and £3189, respectively.

ACR is thus a cost-effective procedure that can restore relatively normal function and health-related quality of life in most patients with a contracture of the shoulder within six months after surgery; and the beneficial effects are not related to the duration of the presenting symptoms.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:942–6.
Multiple-Perturbation Two-Dimensional Near-Infrared Correlation Study of Time-Dependent Water Absorption Behavior of Cellulose Affected by Pressure
Authors: Shinzawa Hideyuki , Awa Kimie , Noda Isao , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: June 2013

Transient water absorption by cellulosic samples manufactured under varying pressure was monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy to explore the absorption behavior affected by the pressure. A substantial level of variation of the spectral features was induced by the water absorption and changes in the pressure. The detail of the spectral changes was analyzed with a multiple-perturbation, two-dimensional (2D) correlation method to determine the underlying mechanism. The 2D correlation spectra indicated that the compression of the cellulose increased the packing density of the samples, preventing the penetration of water. In addition, the compression substantially disintegrated its crystalline structure and eventually resulted in the development of inter- and intrachain hydrogen-bonded structures arising from an interaction between the water and cellulose. Consequently, the cellulose samples essentially underwent an evolutionary change in the polymer structure as well as in the packing density during the compression. This structural change, in turn, led to the seemingly complicated absorption trends, depending on the pressure.
On the Nature of the Evanescent Wave
Authors: Milosevic Milan
Published: June 2013

This is an unusual paper in that it does not address a particular research topic or present a novel experimental method or a new theoretical result. This paper addresses our basic understanding of the nature of the evanescent wave, the wave that is the basis of the entire field of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. I recently had the opportunity to reexamine the foundations of ATR spectroscopy and was surprised to have had to change my own mental picture of the evanescent wave that I have built over the last 25 years. Over the years I have had numerous discussions with a large number of workers in the field as well as with my former mentor, and one of the originators and the principal developer of ATR spectroscopy, the late N.J. Harrick. Everything brought up in all these discussions was perfectly consistent with my old mental picture of the evanescent wave. Thus, I believe that the picture of the evanescent wave that I had is virtually universally held by workers in the field. This paper describes the new picture of the evanescent wave that emerged from said reexamination process.
Measurement of the Surface-Enhanced Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (SECARS) Due to the 1574 cm−1 Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Mode of Benzenethiol Using Low-Power (<20 mW) CW Diode Lasers
Authors: Aggarwal Roshan L. , Farrar Lewis W. , Greeneltch Nathan G. , Van Duyne Richard P. , Polla Dennis L.
Published: June 2013

The surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (SECARS) from a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of benzenethiol on a silver-coated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate has been measured for the 1574 cm−1 SERS mode. A value of 9.6 ± 1.7 × 10−14 W was determined for the resonant component of the SECARS signal using 17.8 mW of 784.9 nm pump laser power and 7.1 mW of 895.5 nm Stokes laser power; the pump and Stokes lasers were polarized parallel to each other but perpendicular to the grooves of the diffraction grating in the spectrometer. The measured value of resonant component of the SECARS signal is in agreement with the calculated value of 9.3 × 10−14 W using the measured value of 8.7 ± 0.5 cm−1 for the SERS linewidth Γ (full width at half-maximum) and the value of 5.7 ± 1.4 × 10−7 for the product of the Raman cross section σSERS and the surface concentration Ns of the benzenethiol SAM. The xxxx component of the resonant part of the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility |3χ(3) R xxxx| for the 1574 cm−1 SERS mode has been determined to be 4.3 ± 1.1 × 10−5 cmg−1·s2. The SERS enhancement factor for the 1574 cm−1 mode was determined to be 3.6 ± 0. 9 × 107 using the value of 1.8 × 1015 molecules/cm2 for Ns.
The Vale Decision and the Court’s Case Law on the Nationality of Companies
Authors: Hansen Jesper Lau
Published: June 2013

In its decision in Vale, the Court of Justice takes another step forward, while still respecting its
two-pronged case law on the nationality of companies. Analysing this case law shows a
considerable move towards a genuine freedom of establishment for companies and paints a
more nuanced picture than is normally acknowledged. However, the necessary legal certainty
so paramount for business in these matters still requires actual legislation. In this respect, the
question of establishment and the freedom of companies to choose their nationality remain
unfinished business.
The Reform of the Transparency Regime in European Capital Markets Laws
Authors: Veil Rüdiger
Published: June 2013

Transparency of major holdings was high up on the agenda of the European legislator from early
on, and these provisions are to be reformed. On 25 October 2011 the European Commission
published a proposal for a Directive amending the Transparency Directive. The primary aim is
to introduce extended disclosure obligations for the holders of financial instruments.The Commission further aims to enhance the sanctioning powers of the competent authorities,
making the system more effective. This paper analyses the draft and puts it in context.
On the sum of two integral squares in certain quadratic fields
Authors: Wei Dasheng
Published: June 2013

In this note, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for determining which integers can be written as a sum of two integral squares for certain quadratic fields by using the integral Brauer–Manin obstruction. The condition is computable and originally from the reciprocity law.
Yeast Proteins Originated from the Production of Brazilian Bioethanol Quantification and Content
Authors: Steckelberg Claudia , Andrietta Maria da GraÇa Stupiello , Andrietta Silvio Roberto , Stupielloé Erika Nogueira Andrade
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this work was to determine the levels of protein and the amino acid distribution in the cell mass of yeast strains (Saccharomyces sensu stricto) originated from Brazilian bioethanol industries. The protein was analyzed with the Kjeldahl method and the amino acids, by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The percentages of the protein found ranged from 39 to 49%. The results show that in spite of some variation in numbers between the different yeast strains, all of them presented an amino acid profile similar to the one in the literature for S. cerevisae. The amino acids that have occurred in the largest amounts were: aspartic, glutamic acids and lysine, and those in the lowest amounts were: cysteine and methionine. Although the characteristics of the feedstock used and the process conditions are determinant of the protein values obtained in dry mass, this work elucidates that the intrinsic properties of the yeast strain influence these values.
Laser-based non-invasive spectrophotometry – An overview of possible medical applications
Authors: Rogatkin Dmitry , Shumskiy Vyacheslav , Tereshenko Sergey , Polyakov Pavel
Published: June 2013

The problem of the medical application of non-invasive (

The specially devised multifunctional laser diagnostic system “LAKK-M” was used as a diagnostic instrument in the majority of studies in MONIKI, allowing a combination of methods, such as non-invasive medical spectrophotometry in the form of laser fluorescence spectroscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry, tissue reflectance oximetry, etc. The system was used in both the experiments on laboratory animals, and for treatment of patients in different clinics of the institute.

Within the last decade, extensive scientific data has been obtained which has opened up the possibility of using non-invasive medical spectrophotometry

Methods of complex non-invasive medical spectrophotometry appear to be an efficient tool in practical medicine for differential diagnostics of a number of diseases and pathologies, as well as for monitoring and prediction of the treatment outcome. At the same time, they also create an important perspective for gaining novel and fundamental knowledge about the blood microcirculation system which was not available earlier due to the absence of the diagnostic technology allowing information to be obtained
Avaliação da eventual influência da administração de gamaglobulina sôbre o resultado da reação da inibição da hemoaglutinação para o diagnóstico da rubéola
Authors: Silva Yvone Khairallah de Oliveira e , Amato Neto Vicente , Camargo Mário E. , Konichi Sélia Kciko
Published: June 2013

Avaliaram, os autores a eventual influência da administração de gamaglobulina sôbre o resultado da reação de inibição da hemaglutinação para o diagnóstico da rubéola. Doses úniaas de 20 ml foram injetadas, pela via intramuscular, em 12 mulheres. Determinações realizadas 15 e 30 dias após não revelaram modificações dos teores de anticorpos, em relação aos previamente detectados, representando verificações sem dúvida significativas sob o ponto de vista prático, uma vez que facilitarão a interpretação da prova sorológica sempre que, preventivamente, por diversos motivos, gamaglobulina chegou a ser usada, especialmente para a proteção de pessoas grávidas.
Diagnóstico laboratorial de varíola: III - resultados do terceiro ano de atividades
Authors: Mesquita J. A. , Schatzmayr H. G.
Published: June 2013

Os autores apresentam os resultados obtidos no terceiro ano de atividades do laboratório de Diagnóstico de Varíola, no Instituto Presidente Castello Bran-co, da Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Crus, no Rio de Janeiro. O exame de 82 espécimens de crosta e de 70 de liquido vesicular/pustular forneceu respectivamente 14 e 16 nmostras de vírus da varíola (Tabela 1). Oriundos do Estado da Guanabara, foram examinados 33 espécimens e iso-ladas 23 amostras de vírus variólico (Tabela 2). Foram comparadas as vacinas antivariólicas 'preparadas em ovos embriona- dos e as preparadas em pele de vitelos, tendo sido consideradas equivalentes nas condições descritas. O laboratório continua a receber regularmente mais espécimens para diagnóstico.
Associação da sulfametoxazol ao trimethoprim no tratamento da malária por Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Netto Joaquim Caetano de Almeida , Barbosa William
Published: June 2013

A associação da suljametoxazol (SMZ) ao Trimelhoprim (TMP) foi ensaiada em 40 portadores de malária pelo Plasmodium falciparum, em duas etapas. Na primeira, foram observados 20 pacientes resistentes às 4-aminoquinoleinas. oligossintomáticos e com densidade parasitária baixa. A administração de 800 mg de SMZ + 160 mg de TMP a dez pacientes, em dose única, bem como, diariamente, durante 2 dias, a 10 outros, se mostrou capaz de promover o desaparecimento dos trofozitos do sangue periférico em todos os 20 casos. Seis dentre 13 pacientes deste grupo apresentaram recrudescência da parasitemia assexuada durante o período de controle, de 30 dias. Não foram observadas manifestações de intolerância. Na segunda etapa foram observados mais 20 pacientes também, em sua maioria, resistentes às 4-aminoquinoleinas, incluindo agora casos com quadro clínico severo. A administração de 1.600 mg SMZ + 320 mg de TMP, diariamente, durante 4 dias. promoveu a negativação de parasitemia assexuada em todos os pacientes dentro de um período de 82 a 96 horas. Deste grupo, 2 dentre os 20 pacientes apresentaram recrudescência clinica e parasitária no período de controle. Apenas 1 teve discreta anemia megaloblastica após o tratamento, que desapareceu espontâneamente.
Anticorpos para enterovirus na localidade de Ferreira Gomes, no Território Federal do Amapá
Authors: Schatzmayr Hermann G. , Denne Yone S. , Loureiro Maria Lucilia P.
Published: June 2013

Sôros coletados no Território Federal do Amapá, localidade de Ferreira Gomes, foram, testados para anticorpos neutralizantes de enterovírus Poliovírus 1, 2 e 3 e Coxsackie B1 a B6, em população autóctone. Os resultados apresentados na Tabela 1, indicam alta circulação do vírus da poliomielite na região atingindo-se níveis tão elevados como em escolares do Estado da Guanabara. Em relação a Coxsackie B, alcançaram-se também resultados semelhantes nas duas populações exceto com Coxsackie B., o qual apresentou-se em valôres bem mais altos nos sôros coletados na região norte. Os autores chamam atenção da necessidade de vacinação contra a poliomielite de grandes segmentos da população susceptível em curto prazo, tendo em vista a ampla disseminação das infecções por poliovírus em tôdas as regiões do país onde forem pesquisadas.