bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspirin Reload Before Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Basili Stefania , Tanzilli Gaetano , Raparelli Valeria , Calvieri Camilla , Pignatelli Pasquale , Carnevale Roberto , Dominici Marcello , Placanica Attilio , Arrivi Alessio , Farcomeni Alessio , Barillà Francesco , Mangieri Enrico , Violi Francesco
Published: July 2014

Background—

Microvascular obstruction seems to predict poor outcome in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We analyzed whether serum thromboxane B
2
, a stable metabolite of thromboxane A
2
, may be implicated in post-PCI microvascular obstruction.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled 91 patients (74 males, 66±10 years) on chronic low-dose aspirin therapy (aspirin, 100 mg daily) scheduled for elective PCI and randomly assigned to receive aspirin reload (325 mg orally, n=46) or no reload (control group, n=45) ≥1 hour before elective PCI. Serum levels of thromboxane B
2
, reperfusion indexes (corrected Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count and myocardial blush grade), and serum cardiac troponin I were assessed before and after PCI. Serum thromboxane B
2
significantly increased after 120 minutes (
P
=0.0447) from PCI in control but not in aspirin reload group. After PCI, both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in corrected Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count more evident in aspirin reload group (
P
=0.0023). Moreover, after PCI, 61% of patients allocated to aspirin reload and only 32% of patients allocated to control group reached normal microcirculatory reperfusion (myocardial blush grade=3); patients with myocardial blush grade=3 exhibited lower values of serum thromboxane B
2
compared with those with myocardial blush grade <3 (
P
=0.05). Periprocedural cardiac troponin I significantly increased (F=3.64;
P
=0.01334) and correlated with serum thromboxane B
2
(ρ=0.31;
P
=0.0413) in control but not in aspirin reload group. In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased after PCI only in the aspirin reload group (
P
=0.0005).

Conclusions—

Aspirin loading dose before elective PCI improves myocardial reperfusion and injury indexes, suggesting a possible role of platelet thromboxane A
2
in microvascular occlusion.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01374698.
Reducing Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Using a Regional Multicenter Quality Improvement Intervention
Authors: Brown Jeremiah R. , Solomon Richard J. , Sarnak Mark J. , McCullough Peter A. , Splaine Mark E. , Davies Louise , Ross Cathy S. , Dauerman Harold L. , Stender Janette L. , Conley Sheila M. , Robb John F. , Chaisson Kristine , Boss Richard , Lambert Peggy , Goldberg David J. , Lucier Deborah , Fedele Frank A. , Kellett Mirle A. , Horton Susan , Phillips William J. , Downs Cynthia , Wiseman Alan , MacKenzie Todd A. , Malenka David J.
Published: July 2014

Background—

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after percutaneous coronary interventions and is a patient safety objective of the National Quality Forum. However, no formal quality improvement program to prevent CI-AKI has been conducted. Therefore, we sought to determine whether a 6-year regional multicenter quality improvement intervention could reduce CI-AKI after percutaneous coronary interventions.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a prospective multicenter quality improvement study to prevent CI-AKI (serum creatinine increase ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or ≥50% during hospitalization) among 21 067 nonemergent patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions at 10 hospitals between 2007 and 2012. Six intervention hospitals participated in the quality improvement intervention. Two hospitals with significantly lower baseline rates of CI-AKI, which served as benchmark sites and were used to develop the intervention, and 2 hospitals not receiving the intervention were used as controls. Using time series analysis and multilevel poisson regression clustering to the hospital level, we calculated adjusted risk ratios for CI-AKI comparing the intervention period to baseline. Adjusted rates of CI-AKI were significantly reduced in hospitals receiving the intervention by 21% (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.93;
P
=0.005) for all patients and by 28% in patients with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
(risk ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.91;
P
=0.007). Benchmark hospitals had no significant changes in CI-AKI. Key qualitative system factors associated with improvement included multidisciplinary teams, limiting contrast volume, standardized fluid orders, intravenous fluid bolus, and patient education about oral hydration.

Conclusions—

Simple cost-effective quality improvement interventions can prevent ≤1 in 5 CI-AKI events in patients with undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary interventions.
Desert Dust Is a Risk Factor for the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Western Japan
Authors: Matsukawa Ryuichi , Michikawa Takehiro , Ueda Kayo , Nitta Hiroshi , Kawasaki Tomohiro , Tashiro Hideki , Mohri Masahiro , Yamamoto Yusuke
Published: July 2014

Background—

Recently, there has been increasing concern about adverse health effects of exposure to desert dust events. However, the association between dust and the incidence of ischemic heart diseases is unknown. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether Asian dust (AD), a windblown sand dust originating from mineral soil in China and Mongolia, is associated with the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods and Results—

We investigated the data regarding hospitalization because of AMI among 3068 consecutive patients from 4 AMI centers in Fukuoka, Japan, and data for AD from April 2003 to December 2010. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine the association between AD and the incidence of AMI. Using a conditional logistic regression analysis, we estimated the odds ratios of AMI associated with AD after controlling for ambient temperature and relative humidity. The occurrence of AD events 0 to 4 days before the day of admission was significantly associated with the incidence of AMI. In particular, the occurrence of AD 4 days before admission was significantly associated with the onset of AMI.

Conclusions—

These data suggest that exposure to AD a few days before symptom onset is associated with the incidence of AMI.
Loss of the Mexican American Survival Advantage After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Morgenstern Lewis B. , Brown Devin L. , Smith Melinda A. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Zahuranec Darin B. , Garcia Nelda , Kerber Kevin A. , Skolarus Lesli E. , Meurer William J. , Burke James F. , Adelman Eric E. , Baek Jonggyu , Lisabeth Lynda D.
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—

Mexican Americans (MAs) were previously found to have lower mortality after ischemic stroke than non-Hispanic whites. We studied mortality trends in a population-based design.

Methods—

Active and passive surveillance were used to find all ischemic stroke cases from January 2000 to December 2011 in Nueces County, TX. Deaths were ascertained from the Texas Department of Health through December 31, 2012. Cumulative 30-day and 1-year mortality adjusted for covariates was estimated using log-binomial models with a linear term for year of stroke onset used to model time trends. Models used data from the entire study period to estimate adjusted mortality among stroke cases in 2000 and 2011 and to calculate projected ethnic differences.

Results—

There were 1974 ischemic strokes among non-Hispanic whites and 2439 among MAs. Between 2000 and 2011, model estimated mortality declined among non-Hispanic whites at 30 days (7.6% to 5.6%;
P
=0.24) and 1 year (20.8% to 15.5%;
P
=0.02). Among MAs, 30-day model estimated mortality remained stagnant at 5.1% to 5.2% (
P
=0.92), and a slight decline from 17.4% to 15.3% was observed for 1-year mortality (
P
=0.26). Although ethnic differences in 30-day (
P
=0.01) and 1-year (
P
=0.06) mortality were apparent in 2000, they were not so in 2011 (30-day mortality,
P
=0.63; 1-year mortality,
P
=0.92).

Conclusions—

Overall, mortality after ischemic stroke has declined in the past decade, although significant declines were only observed for non-Hispanic whites and not MAs at 1 year. The survival advantage previously documented among MAs vanished by 2011. Renewed stroke prevention and treatment efforts for MAs are needed.
Nervous Ether: Soft Aggregates, Interactive Skins
Authors: Velikov Kathy , Thün Geoffrey , O’Malley Mary , Simbuerger Wiltrud
Published: July 2014

This paper describes the authors’ exploration and experimentation with cellular pneumatic aggregates for kinetic, environmentally responsive envelope systems. The work is situated within the history and technology of pneumatic structures, biological paradigms, the agency and aesthetics of material, information translation, and the tension between performance and affect within responsive environments. The paper elaborates on the physical and computational development of novel pneumatic systems, experimentation with their interactive capabilities, and a recently completed installation, Nervous Ether, a pneumatic spatial envelope that operates as an instrument to register and communicate remote environmental information while also developing affective interaction with inhabitants.
A Piece of the Pie Chart: Feminist Robotics
Authors: Rüst Annina
Published: July 2014

This paper analyzes the robotic gallery installation A Piece of the Pie Chart. The project addresses gender inequity in the tech world. It consists of a computer workstation and a food robot. The food robot puts pie charts onto edible, pre-baked pies. They depict the gender gap in technical environments. Visitors use the robot to create pies. Pictures of the pies are disseminated via Twitter, and the physical pies are mailed to the places where the data originated. In the following text, the author disassembles the machine in the context of feminist theory, feminist technology research, visualization, and political robotics.
Transmission: A Telepresence Interface for Neural and Kinetic Interaction
Authors: Gingrich Oliver , Renaud Alain , Emets Eugenia , Xiao Zhidong
Published: July 2014

Transmission is both a telepresence performance and a research project. As a real-time visualization tool, Transmission creates alternate representations of neural activity through sound and vision, investigating the effect of interaction on human consciousness. As a sonification project, it creates an immersive experience for two users: a soundscape created by the human mind and the influence of kinetic interaction. An electroencephalographic (EEG) headset interprets a user’s neural activity. An Open Sound Control (OSC) script then translates this data into a real-time particle stream and sound environment at one end. A second user in a remote location modifies this stream in real time through body movement. Together they become a telematic musical interface-communicating through visual and sonic representation of their interactions.
Language Defies Logic? Naming Practices Trump Logical Consistency for Indonesian Adults
Authors: Anggoro Florencia K.
Published: July 2014

In English, ‘animal’ applies to humans and non-human animals, but in Indonesian, the word (‘hewan’) does not apply to humans. Previous research has shown that English-speaking children were more likely than Indonesian-speaking children to agree that mammals are animals (age 6) and humans are mammals (age 9). As adults, Indonesian speakers accepted these statements, but denied that humans are animals. Thus, adults’ judgments were intransitive. In the present work, Indonesian-speaking children and adults were asked to revisit their judgments about biological categories following exposure to three-dimensional objects as an analog for class-inclusion relationships. The results were striking: While most of the children changed their judgments after the analogical prompt to agree that humans are mammals and humans are animals, the adults stayed with their initial judgments that were collectively illogical but consistent with their naming practice. These results suggest a complex interplay between naming, logical thinking and development.
Biology, Culture and Coevolution: Religion and Language as Case Studies
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Adornetti Ines
Published: July 2014

The main intent of this paper is to give an account of the relationship between bio-cognition and culture in terms of coevolution, analysing religious beliefs and language evolution as case studies. The established view in cognitive studies is that bio-cognitive systems constitute a constraint for the shaping and the transmission of religious beliefs and linguistic structures. From this point of view, religion and language are by-products or exaptations of processing systems originally selected for other cognitive functions. We criticize such a point of view, showing that it paves the way for the idea that cultural evolution follows a path entirely autonomous and independent from that of biological evolution. Against the by-product and exaptation approaches, our idea is that it is possible to interpret religion and language in terms of coevolution. The concept of coevolution involves a dual path of constitution: one for which biology (cognition) has adaptive effects on culture, the other for which, in turn, forms of culture have adaptive effects on biology (cognition). This dual path of constitution implies that religion and language are (at least in some aspects) forms of biological adaptations.
Was the Hypothetical Vorlage of the Testimonium Flavianum a “Neutral” Text? Challenging the Common Wisdom on Antiquitates Judaicae 18.63-64
Authors: Bermejo-Rubio Fernando
Published: July 2014

Even if one accepts the most widespread view about the so-called Testimonium Flavianum (Ant. 18.63-64)—i.e., that the text is basically Josephus’s but with some Christian interpolations—a decision on the nature of the alleged original text is still pending. Although a number of scholars have asserted that it contained some unfavorable references to Jesus, the overwhelming majority assert nowadays that it was originally neutral. The aim of the present discussion is to reassess the contemporary discussion on Josephus’s text in order to ascertain which is the most plausible hypothesis regarding the nature of its Vorlage. This article contends that the arguments advanced to support the view of a “neutral” text do not stand up to close examination, and it offers several reasons indicating that the Vorlage must have been at least implicitly negative.
Reaching for the Tree of Life: The Role of Eating, Drinking, Fasting, and Symbolic Foodstuffs in 4 Ezra
Authors: Smit Peter-Ben
Published: July 2014

This paper considers the role of foodstuffs and their (non-)consumption in 4 Ezra. While foodstuffs figure prominently in 4 Ezra, no prior research has been conducted on food and 4 Ezra. The paper argues that both the narrative progression of the work and significant parts of 4 Ezra are expressed through foodstuffs.
A Gift of One Eunuch and Four Slave Boys: P.Cair.Zen. I 59076 and Historical Construction
Authors: Krautbauer Anna , Llewelyn Stephen , Wassell Blake
Published: July 2014

P.Cair.Zen. I 59076 is a letter sent by Toubias, the head of an influential Jewish family in the Transjordan, to Apollonios, an important official of the Ptolemaic king. It concerns the dispatch of a eunuch and four boys to him. The article focuses on the role of the eunuch. It critiques the accepted view that he was the boys’ tutor arguing instead that he was of value in his own right as a personal attendant in an elite household. The role of eunuchs more generally is discussed to bolster the argument. If correct, there must have been a perceived demand for such persons in royal and elite households. This in turn has implications for the possible fate of the four boys, who are all prepubescent. Though the papyrus illustrates the means by which the Tobiad family was able to maintain its powerful position in the Ptolemaic territory of Coele-Syria, the article highlights two responsibilities of modern historiography, both to appreciate the great worth of the Zenon archive and to carefully remember the marginalized of antiquity.
Introduction: War, Conscience, and Counsel in Early Modern Catholic Europe
Authors: Reinhardt Nicole
Published: July 2014

The introduction identifies the framework of Catholic moral theology, which informs the specific approach of the authors in this special issue, as an important context to deepen the understanding of early modern just war discussions. Some of the most productive contributors to the debate in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were indeed Catholic moral theologians, who engaged with the question, driven by pastoral concerns over the conscience of subjects and rulers. The delegation of moral questions to theologians was an essential part of post-Tridentine Catholic culture which, however, eroded progressively in the seventeenth century as the tenets of moral theology as well as the external institutions of moral counsel attracted wide criticism.
Conscience and Catholic Discipline of War: Sins and Crimes
Authors: Lavenia Vincenzo
Published: July 2014

The article investigates the relations between Neo-Stoicism and the model of the Christian soldier developed in the military catechisms which were invented after the Council of Trent. After bringing out how the concept of the just war had been Christianized over the centuries, it shows that in the sixteenth century the discussion concerning the legitimacy of conflicts, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, became a matter of conscience in which theologians had a major voice and a political role. Increasingly, however, thinking about how to behave during a war became more and more important, at the expense of the traditional questions concerning the ius ad bellum. This was also possible thanks to the development of fixed military chaplaincies, like those that set up by the Society of Jesus in Flanders. Finally, a number of texts appeared in the seventeenth century in which theological-moral casuistry, catechism, and military penal law converged to discipline the conscience of soldiers.
National Treatment and MFN in the (Invisible) EU Model BIT
Authors: Tzanakopoulos Antonios
Published: July 2014

This article discusses the potential provisions on national treatment and most-favoured-nation (mfn) treatment to be included in a future model bilateral investment treaty (bit) of the European Union (eu) against the background of the leaked draft text of the Canada-eu Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (ceta) investment chapter. It concludes that the relevant eu treaty practice seems to be closer to investment protection models influenced by the North American Free Trade Agreement (nafta), such as those prevalent in the Canada and us Model bits, and that a future eu Model bit along these lines will depart significantly from the investment treaty practice of eu Member States.
Dispute Settlement in EU International Investment Agreements with Third States: Three Salient Problems
Authors: Burgstaller Markus
Published: July 2014

The eu institutions are committed to include investor-State arbitration clauses in eu iias with third States. However, there are at least three unresolved problems in doing so. First, the eu is not, and is unlikely to become, a Contracting Party to the icsid Convention. While this deficiency may be remedied by replicating relevant provisions of the icsid Convention, eu investors cannot benefit from icsid’s institutional clout which could facilitate enforcement of awards. Secondly, there may be problems from an eu law perspective. Arguably, the eu could only include investor-State arbitration clauses in eu iias with third States following a change in eu primary law such that investment tribunals could request a preliminary ruling from the cjeu in accordance with Article 267 tfeu. Thirdly, to date there appears to be no agreement within the eu on the question who will be the proper respondent in an arbitration.
A taxonomic study of Sedum series Rupestria (Crassulaceae) naturalized in North America
Authors: Gallo Lorenzo , Zika Peter
Published: July 2014

Sedum rupestre L. and its close relatives (Sedum series Rupestria) are native to Europe. Adventive populations in North America were studied both in the field and the herbaria. Our results exclude S. rupestre L. and include recognition of two additional taxa on the continent, which are distinguished with keys and illustrations: Sedum forsterianum documented as a naturalized species in the United States, from Washington, and in British Columbia, Canada and Sedum thartii, naturalized in Colorado, Maine, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Ontario, Canada. A lectotype is established for S. forsterianum.
Meteorology, Air Quality, and Health in London: The ClearfLo Project
Authors: Bohnenstengel S. I. , Belcher S. E. , Aiken A. , Allan J. D. , Allen G. , Bacak A. , Bannan T. J. , Barlow J. F. , Beddows D. C. S. , Bloss W. J. , Booth A. M. , Chemel C. , Coceal O. , Di Marco C. F. , Dubey M. K. , Faloon K. H. , Fleming Z. L. , Furger M. , Gietl J. K. , Graves R. R. , Green D. C. , Grimmond C. S. B. , Halios C. H. , Hamilton J. F. , Harrison R. M. , Heal M. R. , Heard D. E. , Helfter C. , Herndon S. C. , Holmes R. E. , Hopkins J. R. , Jones A. M. , Kelly F. J. , Kotthaus S. , Langford B. , Lee J. D. , Leigh R. J. , Lewis A. C. , Lidster R. T. , Lopez-Hilfiker F. D. , McQuaid J. B. , Mohr C. , Monks P. S. , Nemitz E. , Ng N. L. , Percival C. J. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Ricketts H. M. A. , Sokhi R. , Stone D. , Thornton J. A. , Tremper A. H. , Valach A. C. , Visser S. , Whalley L. K. , Williams L. R. , Xu L. , Young D. E. , Zotter P.
Published: July 2014

Air quality and heat are strong health drivers, and their accurate assessment and forecast are important in densely populated urban areas. However, the sources and processes leading to high concentrations of main pollutants, such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine and coarse particulate matter, in complex urban areas are not fully understood, limiting our ability to forecast air quality accurately. This paper introduces the Clean Air for London (ClearfLo; www.clearflo.ac.uk) project’s interdisciplinary approach to investigate the processes leading to poor air quality and elevated temperatures.

Within ClearfLo, a large multi-institutional project funded by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), integrated measurements of meteorology and gaseous, and particulate composition/loading within the atmosphere of London, United Kingdom, were undertaken to understand the processes underlying poor air quality. Long-term measurement infrastructure installed at multiple levels (street and elevated), and at urban background, curbside, and rural locations were complemented with high-resolution numerical atmospheric simulations. Combining these (measurement–modeling) enhances understanding of seasonal variations in meteorology and composition together with the controlling processes. Two intensive observation periods (winter 2012 and the Summer Olympics of 2012) focus upon the vertical structure and evolution of the urban boundary layer; chemical controls on nitrogen dioxide and ozone production—in particular, the role of volatile organic compounds; and processes controlling the evolution, size, distribution, and composition of particulate matter. The paper shows that mixing heights are deeper over London than in the rural surroundings and that the seasonality of the urban boundary layer evolution controls when concentrations peak. The composition also reflects the seasonality of sources such as domestic burning and biogenic emissions.
Agricultural Stakeholder Views on Climate Change: Implications for Conducting Research and Outreach
Authors: Prokopy Linda Stalker , Morton Lois Wright , Arbuckle J. Gordon , Mase Amber Saylor , Wilke Adam K.
Published: July 2014

Understanding U.S. agricultural stakeholder views about the existence of climate change and its causes is central to developing interventions in support of adaptation and mitigation. Results from surveys conducted with six Midwestern stakeholder groups [corn producers, agricultural advisors, climatologists, extension educators, and two different cross-disciplinary teams of scientists funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture–National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA–NIFA)] reveal striking differences. Individuals representing these groups were asked in 2011/12 to “select the statement that best reflects your beliefs about climate change.” Three of five answer options included the notion that climate change is occurring but for different reasons (mostly human activities; mostly natural; more or less equally by natural and human activities). The last two options were “there is not sufficient evidence to know with certainty whether climate change is occurring or not” and “climate change is not occurring.” Results reveal that agricultural and climate scientists are more likely to believe that climate change is mostly due to human activities (50%–67%) than farmers and advisors (8%–12%). Almost a quarter of farmers and agricultural advisors believe the source of climate change is mostly natural causes, and 22%–31% state that there is not sufficient evidence to know with certainty whether it is occurring or not. This discrepancy in beliefs creates challenges for communicating climate science to agricultural stakeholders in ways that encourage adaptation and mitigation. Results suggest that engagement strategies that reduce threats to worldviews and increase public dialogue could make climate information more relevant to stakeholder groups with different belief structures.
Global View Of Real-Time Trmm Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis: Implications For Its Successor Global Precipitation Measurement Mission
Authors: Yong Bin , Liu Die , Gourley Jonathan J. , Tian Yudong , Huffman George J. , Ren Liliang , Hong Yang
Published: July 2014

Accurate estimation of high-resolution precipitation on the global scale is extremely challenging. The operational Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) has created over 16 years of high-resolution quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE), and has built the foundation for improved measurements in the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. TMPA is intended to produce the “best effort” estimates of quasi-global precipitation from almost all available satelliteborne precipitation-related sensors by consistently calibrating them with the high-quality measurements from the core instrument platform aboard TRMM. Recently, the TMPA system has been upgraded to version 7 to take advantage of newer and better sources of satellite inputs than version 6, and has attracted a large user base. A key product from TMPA is the near-real-time product (TMPA-RT), as its timeliness is particularly appealing for time-sensitive applications such as flood and landslide monitoring. TMPA-RT’s error characteristics on a global scale have yet to be extensively quantified and understood. In this study, efforts are focused on a systematic evaluation of four sets of mainstream TMPA-RT estimates on the global scale. The analysis herein indicates that the latest version 7 TMPA-RT with the monthly climatological calibration had the lowest daily systematic biases of approximately 9% over land and –11% over ocean (relative to the gauge-adjusted research product). However, there still exist some unresolved issues in mountainous areas (especially the Tibetan Plateau) and high-latitude belts, and for estimating extreme rainfall rates with high variability at small scales. These global error characteristics and their regional and seasonal variations revealed in this paper are expected to serve as the benchmark for the upcoming GPM mission.
Reference ranges for serum total and monomeric prolactin for the current generation Abbott Architect assay
Authors: Whitehead SJ , Cornes MP , Ford C , Gama R
Published: July 2014

Background

Exclusion of macroprolactinaemia, a well-recognised interference, as the cause of hyperprolactinaemia is essential to avoid potential misdiagnosis and mismanagement of patients. We have derived gender-specific serum total and post-polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation monomeric reference ranges for the recently re-standardised Abbott Architect prolactin assay.

Methods

Prolactin was measured in serum samples obtained from males ( n = 49) and females ( n = 52) using the current Abbott Architect immunoassay pre- and post-PEG precipitation. Gender-specific reference ranges were derived for total and monomeric (post-PEG) prolactin. Routine patients’ samples ( n = 175) with a serum total prolactin >700 mIU/L were screened for macroprolactinaemia to assess classification compared with our previous post-PEG precipitation percentage recovery-based approach.

Results

Reference ranges for serum total prolactin were 58–419 mIU/L (male) and 63–561 mIU/L (female). Male and female monomeric prolactin reference ranges were 32–309 mIU/L and 39–422 mIU/L, respectively. Mean (SD) post-PEG percentage recovery of the IS 84/500 prolactin standard was 80 (2.3)%. Of 175 patients’ samples screened for macroprolactinaemia, 149 had monomeric prolactin concentrations (median monomeric prolactin = 1035 mIU/L; median recovery = 83%) above the gender-specific reference range. Monomeric prolactin concentrations (median monomeric prolactin = 162 mIU/L; median recovery = 20%) in the remaining 26 were within the reference ranges. One patient classified as macroprolactin positive and another classified as macroprolactin negative would not have been identified as such using the previous recovery-based approach.

Conclusions

The use of post-PEG monomeric reference ranges not only identifies hyperprolactinaemia due solely to macroprolactinaemia but has the added advantage of identifying patients who have simultaneous true monomeric hyperprolactinaemia and elevated concentrations of macroprolactin.
Newly Identified Pathogens Associated with Periodontitis
Authors: Pérez-Chaparro P.J. , Gonçalves C. , Figueiredo L.C. , Faveri M. , Lobão E. , Tamashiro N. , Duarte P. , Feres M.
Published: July 2014

There is substantial evidence supporting the role of certain oral bacteria species in the onset and progression of periodontitis. Nevertheless, results of independent-culture diagnostic methods introduced about a decade ago have pointed to the existence of new periodontal pathogens. However, the data of these studies have not been evaluated together, which may generate some misunderstanding on the actual role of these microorganisms in the etiology of periodontitis. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the current weight of evidence for newly identified periodontal pathogens based on the results of “association” studies. This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched up to September 2013 for studies (1) comparing microbial data of subgingival plaque samples collected from subjects with periodontitis and periodontal health and (2) evaluating at least 1 microorganism other than the already-known periodontal pathogens. From 1,450 papers identified, 41 studies were eligible. The data were extracted and registered in predefined piloted forms. The results suggested that there is moderate evidence in the literature to support the association of 17 species or phylotypes from the phyla Bacteroidetes, Candidatus Saccharibacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Synergistetes. The phylum Candidatus Saccharibacteria and the Archaea domain also seem to have an association with disease. These data point out the importance of previously unidentified species in the etiology of periodontitis and might guide future investigations on the actual role of these suspected new pathogens in the onset and progression of this infection.
Zoledronate and Ion-releasing Resins Impair Dentin Collagen Degradation
Authors: Tezvergil-Mutluay A. , Seseogullari-Dirihan R. , Feitosa V.P. , Tay F.R. , Watson T.F. , Pashley D.H. , Sauro S.
Published: July 2014

This study analyzed the amounts of solubilized telopeptides cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) derived from matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cysteine cathepsins (CTPs) subsequent to application of a filler-free (Res.A) or an ion-releasing resin (Res.B) to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-demineralized dentin with or without zoledronate-containing primer (Zol-primer) pre-treatment. The chemical modification induced following treatments and artificial saliva (AS) storage was also analyzed through attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Totally EDTA-demineralized specimens were infiltrated with Res.A or Res.B with or without Zol-primer pre-treatment, light-cured, and immersed in AS for up to 4 wk. ICTP release was reduced following infiltration with Res.B and further reduced when Res.B was used with Zol-primer; remarkable phosphate mineral uptake was attained after AS storage. CTX release was increased in Res.A- and Res.B-treated dentin. However, when Zol-primer was used with Res.A, the CTX release fell significantly compared to the other tested resin-infiltration methods. In conclusion, zoledronate offers an additional inhibitory effect to the ion-releasing resins in MMP-mediated collagen degradation. However, Zol-primer induces a modest reduction in CTX release only when used with resin-based systems containing no ion-releasing fillers.
Another Christian right? The politicization of Korean Protestantism in contemporary global society
Authors: Cho Kyuhoon
Published: July 2014

The author explores the political rise of conservative Protestantism in the larger context of Protestant Christianity’s reconfiguration in Korea. The incorporation of East Asia into the modern world resulted not only in the failure to establish a single Korean state, but also in the rise of the category ‘religion’ in this region. The remarkable growth of Korean Protestantism was, in large part, due to its great contribution, as a model religion, to the building of Korea as a modern nation. Since the late 1980s, however, the public has lost confidence in it and there has been a rise in discourses of nation re-building that give great emphasis to indigenous cultures and regional resources. Meanwhile, Protestant Churches have emerged as a key opponent to nationalist aspirations and programmes for social reform. The re-politicization of Protestantism in post-Cold War South Korea reflects the extent of the insecurity stemming from of Korea’s shifting place in a newly globalized East Asia. Religion makes the re-entry of Korea into the late-modern world at once dynamic and unpredictable.
« Dicen que los cien soles son del Diablo » : L’interprétation apocalyptique et mythique du Programa Juntos dans les communautés andines de Cajamarca (Pérou) et la critique populaire des programmes sociaux
Authors: Piccoli Emmanuelle
Published: July 2014

Put in place in Peru in 2005, Programa Juntos aims to integrate poor families into the market economy through conditional cash transfers that provide incentives to pregnant women and mothers of children under the age of 18 to obtain identity documents, health services and education. Since its inception, however, this social programme has been subject to apocalyptic and mythical interpretations that portray its participants as voluntarily marked by the devil or controlled by dangerous forces. Following the work of James Scott (2000) and Michael Taussig (2010), this paper attempts to read these interpretations seriously, drawing out how they can be seen as critical discourses vis-à-vis social programmes and the manner in which they are put in place in the Andean hinterland.
Melodies of resistance: Islamist music in secular Turkey
Authors: Tas Hakki
Published: July 2014

Since the mid-1980s, music has become a site of resistance and political mobilization for Turkish Islamists. Based on interviews with prominent Islamist musicians and analyses of a cross-section of their albums, this paper examines the development of Islamist music in secular Turkey. In order to elaborate upon the power struggle between the secular state and Islamist groups in the realm of music, it first focuses on how the founding elite of Turkey treated music as part of its secular nation-formation project. It then locates Islamist music as a form of protest music and analyses its development through the 1980s and 1990s, in concert with the growing visibility of political Islam in other arenas. Thereafter, the paper demonstrates how Turkey’s fourth military intervention in 1997 led to the decline of Islamist music. The final section is devoted to a discussion of the strategies of survival employed by Islamist musicians in response to government repression.
Do Workplace Wellness Programs Reduce Medical Costs? Evidence from a Fortune 500 Company
Authors: Liu Hangsheng , Mattke Soeren , Harris Katherine M. , Weinberger Sarah , Serxner Seth , Caloyeras John P. , Exum Ellen
Published: July 2014

The recent passage of the Affordable Care Act has heightened the importance of workplace wellness programs. This paper used administrative data from 2002 to 2007 for PepsiCo’s self-insured plan members to evaluate the effect of its wellness program on medical costs and utilization. We used propensity score matching to identify a comparison group who were eligible for the program but did not participate. No significant changes were observed in inpatient admissions, emergency room visits, or per-member per-month (PMPM) costs. The discrepancy between our findings and those of prior studies may be due to the difference in intervention intensity or program implementation.
Preparing to Measure Health Coverage in Federal Surveys Post-Reform
Authors: Pascale Joanne , Rodean Jonathan , Leeman Jennifer , Cosenza Carol , Schoua-Glusberg Alisu
Published: July 2014

In preparation for health reform in 2014, qualitative research was conducted with Massachusetts residents to explore how to adapt surveys to accommodate reporting information about health exchanges. Questions about exchange participation were effective when state-specific exchange program names were offered, but generic terms such as “marketplace” and “exchange” did not resonate with respondents. However, respondents were able to understand new questions about premiums and subsidies and to answer with a high degree of accuracy. These questions, taken in tandem with answers on plan type, were sufficient to distinguish among Medicaid, subsidized exchange coverage, and unsubsidized coverage, even without the benefit of state-specific exchange program names.
The Impact of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform on Unpaid Medical Bills
Authors: Arrieta Alejandro
Published: July 2014

The Massachusetts health care reform was expected to reduce the financial burden of medical care, but literature exploring this effect is limited. In this study, we use hospital financial information and a panel data difference-in-difference model to assess the impact of the Massachusetts health care reform on unpaid medical bills. We find that the reform reduced the financial burden for patients, reflected by a 26percent decrease in hospital bad debt. The effect was more pronounced among safety-net hospitals, indicating a larger benefit for the most vulnerable population.
Financial Burden of Medical Out-of-Pocket Spending by State and the Implications of the 2014 Medicaid Expansions
Authors: Caswell Kyle J. , Waidmann Timothy , Blumberg Linda J.
Published: July 2014

This study is the first to offer a detailed look at the burden of medical out-of-pocket spending, defined as total family medical out-of-pocket spending as a proportion of income, for each state. It further investigates which states have greater shares of individuals with high burden levels and no Medicaid coverage but would be Medicaid eligible under the 2014 rules of the Affordable Care Act should their state choose to participate in the expansion. This work suggests which states have the largest populations likely to benefit, in terms of lowering medical spending burden, from participating in the 2014 adult Medicaid expansions.
The prevalence and antecedents of employee stock ownership in Denmark
Authors: Torp Simon S
Published: July 2014

The article tests the prevalence and antecedent of employee stock ownership (ESO) companies in Denmark. Based on a survey among the top 500 Danish companies, the article finds that the financial crisis has affected non-managerial workers’ willingness to invest in their company. While narrow-based schemes covering only top management have increased since 2000, the prevalence of broad-based schemes has declined. The article also finds that the antecedents of ESO companies are highly dependent on the type of ESOP. While companies with narrow-based schemes are smaller companies with a traditional view on strategy and planning and reluctance toward employee involvement, companies with broad-based schemes are large, listed companies with a focus on employee involvement. Additionally the findings indicate that non-managerial workers are more reluctant to invest in their company if the company has volatile or low financial performance.
Modeling and Validating the Cost and Clinical Pathway of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Joranger Paal , Nesbakken Arild , Hoff Geir , Sorbye Halfdan , Oshaug Arne , Aas Eline
Published: July 2014

Background. Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. The estimated costs of CRC treatment vary considerably, and if CRC costs in a model are based on empirically estimated total costs of stage I, II, III, or IV treatments, then they lack some flexibility to capture future changes in CRC treatment. The purpose was 1) to describe how to model CRC costs and survival and 2) to validate the model in a transparent and reproducible way. Methods. We applied a semi-Markov model with 70 health states and tracked age and time since specific health states (using tunnels and 3-dimensional data matrix). The model parameters are based on an observational study at Oslo University Hospital (2049 CRC patients), the National Patient Register, literature, and expert opinion. The target population was patients diagnosed with CRC. The model followed the patients diagnosed with CRC from the age of 70 until death or 100 years. The study focused on the perspective of health care payers. Results. The model was validated for face validity, internal and external validity, and cross-validity. The validation showed a satisfactory match with other models and empirical estimates for both cost and survival time, without any preceding calibration of the model. Conclusions. The model can be used to 1) address a range of CRC-related themes (general model) like survival and evaluation of the cost of treatment and prevention measures; 2) make predictions from intermediate to final outcomes; 3) estimate changes in resource use and costs due to changing guidelines; and 4) adjust for future changes in treatment and trends over time. The model is adaptable to other populations.
A Turkish adaptation of a self-regulated practice behavior scale for collegiate music students
Authors: Ersozlu Zehra Nur , Miksza Peter
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of a Self-Regulated Practice Behavior Scale (SRP) for college students. The scale included measures of the theoretical constructs Social Influences, Method, Behavior, and Time management as sub-scales. The original SRP is a self-report instrument that was designed to measure the self-regulated practicing behavior of intermediate instrumental music students. An adaptation and Turkish translation of the scale for collegiate musicians resulted in a 38-item Turkish Self-Regulated Practice Behavior measure (Turkish SRPB). The Turkish SRPB was administrated to 237 college students enrolled in music education programs from two Turkish universities. Results of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that an adjusted four-factor model with a factor representing each of the sub-scales listed above was the best fit to the data collected (CFI = .96, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .08). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the Turkish SRPB sub-scales ranged from .62 to .90. The findings suggest that the Turkish SRPB produced valid and reliable measures of the self-regulatory practice behavior of collegiate Turkish musicians.
The investment horizon and asset pricing models
Authors: Walsh Kathleen
Published: July 2014

The Life Cycle Hypothesis suggests that the primary motivation for saving is to accumulate resources in order to fund retirement. This suggests that investors have heterogeneous investment horizons, yet many tests of the CAPM assume homogeneous horizons. This paper estimates a time varying heterogeneous investment horizon using over 200 years of demographic data. We test the CAPM and its assumption that the Equity Risk Premium is positive using our estimated investment horizon. We conclude that the CAPM is not violated when tested over a horizon that more accurately reflects investor behavior.
Provision of Nutrition Support Therapies in the Recent Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
Authors: Stankorb Susan M. , Ramsey Casside , Clark Heidi , Osgood Tamara
Published: July 2014

This article describes the experience of nutrition support practitioners, specifically dietitians, providing care to combat casualties. It provides a brief overview of dietitians' induction into armed service but focuses primarily on their role in providing nutrition support during the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The current system of combat casualty care is discussed with specific emphasis on providing early and adequate nutrition support to U.S. combat casualties from injury, care in theater combat support hospitals (CSHs)/expeditionary medical support (EMEDs), and en route care during critical care air transport (CCAT) up to arrival at treatment facilities in the United States. The article also examines practices and challenges faced in the CSHs/EMEDs providing nutrition support to non‐U.S. or coalition patients. Over the past decade in armed conflicts, dietitians, physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals have risen to challenges, have implemented systems, and continue working to optimize treatment across the spectrum of combat casualty care.