bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Healthcare Utilization and Cost of Treating Patients Experiencing Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shocks: A Propensity Score Study
Authors: BHAVNANI SANJEEV P. , GIEDRIMIENE DALIA , COLEMAN CRAIG I. , GUERTIN DANETTE , AZEEM MEENA , KLUGER JEFFREY
Published: August 2014

Background

Inappropriate shocks (IASs) from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with decreased quality of life, but whether they increase healthcare utilization and treatment costs is unknown. We sought to determine the impact of IASs on subsequent healthcare utilization and treatment costs.

Methods

We conducted a case‐control analysis of ICD patients at a single institution from 1997 to 2010 and who had ≥12 months of post‐ICD implant follow‐up. Cases included all patients experiencing an IAS during the first 12 months after implantation. Eligible control patients did not receive a shock of any kind during the 12 months after implantation. Propensity scores based on 36 covariates (area under curve = 0.78) were used to match cases to controls. We compared the rate (occurrences/person year [PY]) of healthcare utilization immediately following IAS to the end of the 12‐month follow‐up period to the rate in the no‐shock group over 12 months of follow‐up. We also compared 12‐month postimplant treatment (outpatient clinic, emergency room, and hospitalization) costs in both groups.

Results

A total of 76 patients experiencing ≥1 IAS during the first 12 months after implant (contributing 48 PYs) were matched to 76 no‐shock patients (contributing 76 PYs). Cardiovascular (CV)‐related clinic visit and hospitalization rates were increased following an IAS compared to those not receiving a shock (4.0 vs 3.3 and 0.7 vs 0.5, respectively, P = 0.02 for both). CV‐related emergency room visitation (0.15 vs 0.08) rates were also numerically higher following an IAS, but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.26). Patients experiencing an IAS accrued greater treatment costs during the 12 months postimplant compared to no‐shock patients ($13,973 ± $46,345 vs $6,790 ± $19,091, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Recipients of IAS utilize the healthcare system more frequently following an IAS than patients not experiencing a shock. This increased utilization results in higher costs of treating IAS patients during the 12 months postimplant.
Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Yield of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Pediatric First‐Degree Relatives
Authors: GIUDICI VALENTINA , SPANAKI ADRIANI , HENDRY JENNIFER , MEAD‐REGAN SARAH , FIELD ELLA , ZUCCOTTI GIAN VINCENZO , ABRAMS DOMINIC , LOWE MARTIN , KASKI JUAN PABLO
Published: August 2014

Aims

Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) is most often caused by heritable cardiac diseases. Studies in adults have identified evidence of inherited cardiovascular diseases in up to 53% of families, but data on the prevalence of familial disease in children are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of clinical screening in pediatric first‐degree relatives of victims of SADS using a systematic and comprehensive protocol.

Methods

Patients referred for family screening after sudden cardiac death (SCD) of a family member were, retrospectively, enrolled into the study. Systematic evaluation of the children included clinical examination, family history, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, 24‐hour tape, and signal‐averaged ECG. Older patients also underwent exercise testing, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and ajmaline provocation testing.

Results

A total of 90 children from 52 consecutive families were included in the study. An inherited cardiac disease was identified in seven first‐degree children from seven (13.5%) families (five children were diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, one with long QT syndrome, and one with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia). Two further children had late potentials on signal‐averaged ECGs with no other abnormalities.

Conclusions

These data show a high prevalence of inherited heart disease in pediatric first‐degree relatives of SADS victims. The results highlight the importance of a systematic, comprehensive approach and ongoing screening of pediatric family members.
An ADARPEF survey on respiratory management in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Fesseau Roselyne , Alacoque Xavier , Larcher Claire , Morel Lydia , Lepage Benoît , Kern Delphine
Published: August 2014

Background

There have been recent changes with regard to tools and concepts for respiratory management of children undergoing general anesthesia.

Objectives

To determine the practice of pediatric anesthetists concerning: preoxygenation, breathing systems, ventilation modes, anesthetic agent and airway device, strategies for a general anaesthetic of less than 30 min using spontaneous respiration, and opinion about technical aspects of ventilation.

Methods

Online questionnaire sent by e‐mail to all the anesthetists registered on the mailing list of the French‐speaking Pediatric Anesthetists and Intensivists Association (ADARPEF).

Results

232 questionnaires (46%) were returned. More than 25% of anesthetists surveyed declared that they do not perform preoxygenation before induction for children <15 years old, apart from neonates and clinical specific situations. When performed, <65% chose a FiO2 higher than 80%. Inhalational induction with sevoflurane is the preferred mode of induction set at 6% or 8%, respectively, 69% [62–75] vs 25% [18–31]. For induction, the circle system was the most popular circuit used in all ages. The accessory breathing system—Mapleson B type—was predominantly used for neonates (44% [37–54]). For maintenance of an anesthesia lasting <30 min in spontaneous breathing, the use of laryngeal mask increased with age, and the endotracheal tube was reserved for neonates (40% [33–48]). Pressure support ventilation was rarely used from the beginning of induction but was widely used for maintenance, whatever the age‐group. Results differed according to the type of institution.

Conclusion

Ventilation management depends on the age and institutions in terms of circuit, airway device or ventilation mode, and specific differences exist for neonates.
Effectiveness of tongue‐tie division for speech disorder in children
Authors: Ito Yasuo , Shimizu Toshimitsu , Nakamura Tomomi , Takatama Chie
Published: August 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of tongue‐tie division (frenuloplasty/ frenulotomy) for speech articulation disorder in children with ankyloglossia (tongue‐tie).

Methods

Articulation test was done in five children (3–8 years old) with speech problems who underwent tongue‐tie division. The test consisted of 50 pictures of common Japanese words with 2–3 syllables. The patients were interviewed by a speech therapist and asked to pronounce what the picture card showed. Misarticulations of substitution, omission, and distortion were assessed. The preoperative results were compared with postoperative examinations at 1 month, 3–4 months, and 1–2 years.

Results

Nineteen substitutions that were observed in four patients preoperatively decreased to 10 in three patients at 1 month, 7 in three patients at 3–4 months, and 1 in one patient at 1–2 years postoperatively. Five omissions that were observed in four patients preoperatively decreased to 3 in three patients at 1 month, 2 in two patients at 3–4 months, and 1 in one patient at 1–2 years postoperatively. Thirteen distortions that were observed in five patients preoperatively decreased to 8 in four patients at 3–4 months but increased to 11 in three patients at 1–2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions

Substitution and omission improved relatively early after tongue‐tie division and progressed to distortion, which is a less‐impaired form of articulation disorder. Thus, distortion required more time for improvement and remained a defective speaking habit in some patients.
Antitumor Effect of Sinoporphyrin Sodium‐Mediated Photodynamic Therapy on Human Esophageal Cancer Eca‐109 Cells
Authors: Hu Jianmin , Wang Xiaobing , Liu Quanhong , Zhang Kun , Xiong Wenli , Xu Chuanshan , Wang Pan , Leung Albert Wingnang
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic effect of Sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS). In this study, Eca‐109 cells were treated with DVDMS (5 μg mL−1) and subjected to photodynamic therapy (PDT). The uptake and subcellular localization of DVDMS were monitored by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The phototoxicity of DVDMS was studied by MTT assay. The morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Studies demonstrated maximal uptake of DVDMS occurred within 3 h, with a mitochondrial subcellular localization. MTT assays displayed that DVDMS could be effectively activated by light and the phototoxicity was much higher than photofrin under the same conditions. In addition, SEM observation indicated that cells were seriously damaged after PDT treatment. Furthermore, activation of DVDMS resulted in significant increases in ROS production. The generated ROS played an important role in the phototoxicity of DVDMS. DVDMS‐mediated PDT (DVDMS‐PDT) also induced DNA damage and MMP loss. It is demonstrated that DVDMS‐mediated PDT is an effective approach on cell proliferation inhibition of Eca‐109 cells.
Linear Stability of Solitary Waves for the One‐Dimensional Benney–Luke and Klein–Gordon Equations
Authors: Stanislavova Milena
Published: August 2014

The linear stability of the solitary waves for the one‐dimensional Benney–Luke equation in the case of strong surface tension is investigated rigorously and the critical wave speeds are computed explicitly. For the Klein–Gordon equation, the stability of the traveling standing waves is considered and the exact ranges of the wave speeds and the frequencies needed for stability are derived. This is achieved via the abstract stability criteria recently developed by Stanislavova and Stefanov.
Diversity and Presidential Cabinet Appointments*
Authors: King James D. , Riddlesperger James W.
Published: August 2014

Objective

A significant indicator of a president's commitment to equality in American society can be found in the people appointed to fill senior‐level positions within the administration.

Method

The history of diversity appointments to the cabinet is reviewed with more detailed analysis of cabinet and Executive Office of the President (EOP) appointees since the Carter presidency.

Results

The pattern of appointments of women and minorities is one of plateaus, with Carter making notable advancements in the appointment of women and African Americans and Obama's initial appointments taking diversity of appointments to a new level. In particular, more women and minorities appointed by Obama have elite connections as defined by Dye.

Conclusion

Despite greater numbers than in the past, diversity appointments represent desegregation of the cabinet and White House rather than full integration of women and minorities into the upper reaches of the executive branch.
Effect of magnetized water on infiltration capacity of different soil textures
Authors: Khoshravesh‐Miangoleh M. , Kiani A.‐R.
Published: August 2014

The infiltration process is important in the planning and management of irrigation systems. This study was performed in Mazandaran province, Iran, to compare the effect of magnetized and non‐magnetized irrigation water on cumulative infiltration and final infiltration rate of three soil textures. Magnetized water was obtained by passing the water through a strong permanent magnet installed on a feed pipeline. The results showed that the effects of soil texture and magnetized irrigation water on cumulative water infiltration and final infiltration rate was significant (P < 0.01). Cumulative water infiltration and final infiltration rates with magnetized water were greater than that of non‐magnetized water. The cumulative water infiltration rate after 4 h for magnetized and non‐magnetized water was 26.4 and 12.7 cm in clay soil, 37.6 and 20 cm in silty loam soil and 40.8 and 29.3 cm in sandy loam soil, respectively. The final infiltration rates after 4 h for magnetized and non‐magnetized water were 0.05 and 0.023 cm/min in clay soil, 0.063 and 0.036 cm/min in silty loam soil and 0.076 and 0.046 cm/min in sandy loam soil, respectively. Therefore, magnetized irrigation water had most effect on the infiltration capacity of clay soil.
A comparison of traditional and quantitative analysis of acid–base imbalances in hypoalbuminemic dogs
Authors: Torrente Carlos , Manzanilla Edgar G. , de Gopegui Rafael Ruiz
Published: August 2014

Objective

To compare the traditional (HH) and quantitative approaches used for the evaluation of the acid–base balance in hypoalbuminemic dogs.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

ICU of a veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

One hundred and five client‐owned dogs.

Measurements and Main Results

Jugular venous blood samples were collected from each patient on admission to determine: total plasma protein (TP), albumin (Alb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (Glu), hematocrit (HCT), Na+, Cl−, K+, phosphate (Pi), pH, PvCO2,bicarbonate (HCO3−), anion gap (AG), adjusted anion gap for albumin (AGalb) or phosphate (AGalb‐phos), standardized base excess (SBE), strong ion difference (SID), concentration of nonvolatile weak buffers (Atot), and strong ion gap (SIG). Patients were divided in 2 groups according to the severity of the hypoalbuminemia: mild (Alb = 21–25 g/L) and severe (Alb ≤20 g/L). All parameters were compared among groups. Patients with severe hypoalbuminemia showed significant decrease in TP (P = 0.011), Atot(P = 0.050), and a significant increase in adjusted AG (P= 0.048) and the magnitude of SIG (P= 0.011) compared to animals with mild hypoalbuminemia.

According to the HH approach, the most frequent imbalances were simple disorders (51.4%), primarily metabolic acidosis (84.7%) associated with a high AG acidosis. However, when using the quantitative method, 58.1% of patients had complex disorders, with SIG acidosis (74.3%) and Atotalkalosis (33.3%) as the most frequent acid–base imbalances. Agreement between methods only matched in 32 cases (kappa < 0.20).

Conclusions

The agreement between the HH and quantitative methods for interpretation of acid–base balance was poor and many imbalances detected using the quantitative approach were missed using the HH approach. Further studies are necessary to confirm the clinical utility of using the quantitative approach in the decision‐making process of the severely ill hypoalbuminemic patients.
What's new in the literature: An update of new research since the original WHS diabetic foot ulcer guidelines in 2006
Authors: Braun Liza , Kim Paul J. , Margolis David , Peters Edgar J. , Lavery Lawrence A.
Published: August 2014

The objective of the paper was to update the diabetic foot ulcer guidelines that were previously published in 2006. We performed a key word search using MEDLINE and Cochrane reviews for publication between January 2006 and January 2012. Articles that fit the inclusion criteria were reviewed and the previous guidelines were updated.
Minimal length elements of extended affine Weyl groups
Authors: He Xuhua , Nie Sian
Published: August 2014

Let $W$ be an extended affine Weyl group. We prove that the minimal length elements $w_{{\mathcal{O}}}$ of any conjugacy class ${\mathcal{O}}$ of $W$ satisfy some nice properties, generalizing results of Geck and Pfeiffer [On the irreducible characters of Hecke algebras, Adv. Math. 102 (1993), 79–94] on finite Weyl groups. We also study a special class of conjugacy classes, the straight conjugacy classes. These conjugacy classes are in a natural bijection with the Frobenius-twisted conjugacy classes of some $p$-adic group and satisfy additional interesting properties. Furthermore, we discuss some applications to the affine Hecke algebra $H$. We prove that $T_{w_{{\mathcal{O}}}}$, where ${\mathcal{O}}$ ranges over all the conjugacy classes of $W$, forms a basis of the cocenter $H/[H,H]$. We also introduce the class polynomials, which play a crucial role in the study of affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties He [Geometric and cohomological properties of affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties, Ann. of Math. (2) 179 (2014), 367–404].
Laithwaite's Heavy Spinning Disk Demonstration
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: August 2014

In 1974, Professor Eric Laithwaite demonstrated an unusually heavy gyroscope at a Royal Institution lecture in London. The demonstration was televised and can be viewed on YouTube.1 A recent version of the same experiment, together with partial explanations, attracted two million YouTube views in the first few months.2 In both cases, the gyroscope consisted of a 40-lb (18-kg) spinning disk on the end of a 3-ft (0.91-m) long axle. The most remarkable feature of the demonstration was that Laithwaite was able to lift the disk over his head with one hand, holding onto the far end of the axle. The impression was given that the 40-lb disk was almost weightless, or “as light as a feather” according to Laithwaite.
Lung Inflammation Clocks In and Out
Authors: Dela Cruz Charles S.
Published: August 2014

The actions of glucocorticoids are under the control of the local pulmonary clock.
Biofilms Formed by Gram-Negative Bacteria Undergo Increased Lipid A Palmitoylation, Enhancing
In Vivo
Survival
Authors: Chalabaev Sabina , Chauhan Ashwini , Novikov Alexey , Iyer Pavithra , Szczesny Magdalena , Beloin Christophe , Caroff Martine , Ghigo Jean-Marc
Published: August 2014

Bacterial biofilm communities are associated with profound physiological changes that lead to novel properties compared to the properties of individual (planktonic) bacteria. The study of biofilm-associated phenotypes is an essential step toward control of deleterious effects of pathogenic biofilms. Here we investigated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structural modifications in 
Escherichia coli
 biofilm bacteria, and we showed that all tested commensal and pathogenic 
E. coli
 biofilm bacteria display LPS modifications corresponding to an increased level of incorporation of palmitate acyl chain (palmitoylation) into lipid A compared to planktonic bacteria. Genetic analysis showed that lipid A palmitoylation in biofilms is mediated by the PagP enzyme, which is regulated by the histone-like protein repressor H-NS and the SlyA regulator. While lipid A palmitoylation does not influence bacterial adhesion, it weakens inflammatory response and enhances resistance to some antimicrobial peptides. Moreover, we showed that lipid A palmitoylation increases
in vivo
survival of biofilm bacteria in a clinically relevant model of catheter infection, potentially contributing to biofilm tolerance to host immune defenses. The widespread occurrence of increased lipid A palmitoylation in biofilms formed by all tested bacteria suggests that it constitutes a new biofilm-associated phenotype in Gram-negative bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial communities called biofilms display characteristic properties compared to isolated (planktonic) bacteria, suggesting that some molecules could be more particularly produced under biofilm conditions. We investigated biofilm-associated modifications occurring in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of all Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane. We showed that all tested commensal and pathogenic biofilm bacteria display high incorporation of a palmitate acyl chain into the lipid A part of LPS. This lipid A palmitoylation is mediated by the PagP enzyme, whose expression in biofilm is controlled by the regulatory proteins H-NS and SlyA. We also showed that lipid A palmitoylation in biofilm bacteria reduces host inflammatory response and enhances their survival in an animal model of biofilm infections. While these results provide new insights into the biofilm lifestyle, they also suggest that the level of lipid A palmitoylation could be used as an indicator to monitor the development of biofilm infections on medical surfaces.
Assessment of neonatal care in clinical training facilities in Kenya
Authors: Aluvaala Jalemba , Nyamai Rachael , Were Fred , Wasunna Aggrey , Kosgei Rose , Karumbi Jamlick , Gathara David , English Mike
Published: August 2014

Objective

An audit of neonatal care services provided by clinical training centres was undertaken to identify areas requiring improvement as part of wider efforts to improve newborn survival in Kenya.

Design

Cross-sectional study using indicators based on prior work in Kenya. Statistical analyses were descriptive with adjustment for clustering of data.

Setting

Neonatal units of 22 public hospitals.

Patients

Neonates aged <7 days.

Main outcome measures

Quality of care was assessed in terms of availability of basic resources (principally equipment and drugs) and audit of case records for documentation of patient assessment and treatment at admission.

Results

All hospitals had oxygen, 19/22 had resuscitation and phototherapy equipment, but some key resources were missing—for example kangaroo care was available in 14/22. Out of 1249 records, 56.9% (95% CI 36.2% to 77.6%) had a standard neonatal admission form. A median score of 0 out of 3 for symptoms of severe illness (IQR 0–3) and a median score of 6 out of 8 for signs of severe illness (IQR 4–7) were documented. Maternal HIV status was documented in 674/1249 (54%, 95% CI 41.9% to 66.1%) cases. Drug doses exceeded recommendations by >20% in prescriptions for penicillin (11.6%, 95% CI 3.4% to 32.8%) and gentamicin (18.5%, 95% CI 13.4% to 25%), respectively.

Conclusions

Basic resources are generally available, but there are deficiencies in key areas. Poor documentation limits the use of routine data for quality improvement. Significant opportunities exist for improvement in service delivery and adherence to guidelines in hospitals providing professional training.
Comparative associations of diabetes risk factors with five measures of hyperglycemia
Authors: Poon Anna K , Juraschek Stephen P , Ballantyne Christie M , Steffes Michael W , Selvin Elizabeth
Published: August 2014

Objective

To compare the associations of diabetes mellitus risk factors with nontraditional markers of hyperglycemia (glycated albumin, fructosamine, 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG)) to those observed with traditional markers (fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort.

Participants

A subsample of 1764 participants (309 with diagnosed diabetes and 1455 without diagnosed diabetes) from the ARIC Study who attended a clinic visit in 2005–2006.

Main outcome measures

Elevated levels of glycated albumin, fructosamine, 1,5-AG, fasting glucose, and HbA1c in persons with and without a diagnosis of diabetes.

Results

The mean age of participants was 70 years (SD, 6), 43% were men, and 20% were African-American. Black race and family history of diabetes were generally positively associated with elevated levels of all biomarkers of hyperglycemia except 1,5-AG, which showed inverse but weaker associations with the risk factors examined. In general, patterns of risk factor associations observed for fasting glucose and HbA1c were similar to those observed for the nontraditional biomarkers of hyperglycemia but with one clear exception: body mass index (BMI). In persons without a diagnosis of diabetes, BMI was positively associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c, but the associations of BMI with glycated albumin and fructosamine were inverse, with high values of these markers at low levels of BMI. 1,5-AG, which is lowered in the setting of hyperglycemia, was positively associated with BMI.

Conclusions

Traditional diabetes risk factors have similar associations with glycated albumin and fructosamine as those for fasting glucose and HbA1c, with the exception of BMI. Risk factor associations with 1,5-AG were mostly inverse. The inverse associations of BMI with glycated albumin and fructosamine, and positive associations with 1,5-AG, may reflect pathways independent of glucose metabolism and merit further examination.
Effect of baseline HbA1c level on the development of diabetes by lifestyle intervention in primary healthcare settings: insights from subanalysis of the Japan Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Sakane Naoki , Sato Juichi , Tsushita Kazuyo , Tsujii Satoru , Kotani Kazuhiko , Tominaga Makoto , Kawazu Shoji , Sato Yuzo , Usui Takeshi , Kamae Isao , Yoshida Toshihide , Kiyohara Yutaka , Sato Shigeaki , Tsuzaki Kokoro , Takahashi Kaoru , Kuzuya Hideshi ,   the Japan Diabetes Prevention Program (JDPP) Research Group
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To determine the effects of a lifestyle intervention on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among participants with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), in particular in the subgroup with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥5.7%, in primary healthcare settings.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

32 healthcare centers in Japan.

Participants

Participants with IGT, aged 30–60 years, were randomly assigned to either an intensive lifestyle intervention group (ILG) or a usual care group (UCG).

Interventions

During the initial 6 months, participants in the ILG received four group sessions on healthy lifestyles by public health providers. An individual session was further conducted biannually during the 3 years. Participants in the UCG received usual care such as one group session on healthy lifestyles.

Outcome measures

The primary endpoint was the development of T2DM based on an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 2.3 years. The annual incidence of T2DM were 2.7 and 5.1/100 person-years of follow-up in the ILG (n=145) and UCG (n=149), respectively. The cumulative incidence of T2DM was significantly lower in the ILG than in the UCG among participants with HbA1c levels ≥5.7% (log-rank=3.52, p=0.06; Breslow=4.05, p=0.04; Tarone-Ware=3.79, p=0.05), while this was not found among participants with HbA1c levels <5.7%.

Conclusions

Intensive lifestyle intervention in primary healthcare setting is effective in preventing the development of T2DM in IGT participants with HbA1c levels ≥5.7%, relative to those with HbA1c levels <5.7%.

Trial registration number

UMIN000003136.
Third-wave cognitive therapy versus mentalisation-based treatment for major depressive disorder: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Jakobsen Janus Christian , Gluud Christian , Kongerslev Mickey , Larsen Kirsten Aaskov , Sørensen Per , Winkel Per , Lange Theis , Søgaard Ulf , Simonsen Erik
Published: August 2014

Objective

To compare the benefits and harms of third-wave cognitive therapy versus mentalisation-based therapy in a small sample of depressed participants.

Setting

The trial was conducted at an outpatient psychiatric clinic for non-psychotic patients in Roskilde, Denmark.

Participants

44 consecutive adult participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Interventions

18 weeks of third-wave cognitive therapy (n=22) versus 18 weeks of mentalisation-based treatment (n=22).

Outcomes

The primary outcome was the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) at end of treatment (18 weeks). Secondary outcomes were: remission (HDRS <8), Beck's Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist 90 Revised and The WHO-Five Well-being Index 1999.

Results

The trial inclusion lasted for about 2 years as planned but only 44 out of the planned 84 participants were randomised. Two mentalisation-based participants were lost to follow-up. The unadjusted analysis showed that third-wave participants compared with mentalisation-based participants did not differ significantly regarding the 18 weeks HDRS score (12.9 vs 17.0; mean difference −4.14; 95% CI −8.30 to 0.03; p=0.051). In the analysis adjusted for baseline HDRS score, the difference was favouring third-wave cognitive therapy (p=0.039). At 18 weeks, five of the third-wave participants (22.7%) were in remission versus none of the mentalisation-based participants (p=0.049). We recorded no suicide attempts or suicides during the intervention period in any of the 44 participants. No significant differences were found between the two intervention groups on the remaining secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Third-wave cognitive therapy may be more effective than mentalisation-based therapy for depressive symptoms measured on the HDRS. However, more randomised clinical trials are needed to assess the effects of third-wave cognitive therapy and mentalisation-based treatment for depression.

Trial registration number

Registered with Clinical Trials government identifier:NCT01070134.
Geographic scale matters in detecting the relationship between neighbourhood food environments and obesity risk: an analysis of driver license records in Salt Lake County, Utah
Authors: Fan Jessie X , Hanson Heidi A , Zick Cathleen D , Brown Barbara B , Kowaleski-Jones Lori , Smith Ken R
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Empirical studies of the association between neighbourhood food environments and individual obesity risk have found mixed results. One possible cause of these mixed findings is the variation in neighbourhood geographic scale used. The purpose of this paper was to examine how various neighbourhood geographic scales affected the estimated relationship between food environments and obesity risk.

Design

Cross-sectional secondary data analysis.

Setting

Salt Lake County, Utah, USA.

Participants

403 305 Salt Lake County adults 25–64 in the Utah driver license database between 1995 and 2008.

Analysis

Utah driver license data were geo-linked to 2000 US Census data and Dun & Bradstreet business data. Food outlets were classified into the categories of large grocery stores, convenience stores, limited-service restaurants and full-service restaurants, and measured at four neighbourhood geographic scales: Census block group, Census tract, ZIP code and a 1 km buffer around the resident's house. These measures were regressed on individual obesity status using multilevel random intercept regressions.

Outcome

Obesity.

Results

Food environment was important for obesity but the scale of the relevant neighbourhood differs for different type of outlets: large grocery stores were not significant at all four geographic scales, limited-service restaurants at the medium-to-large scale (Census tract or larger) and convenience stores and full-service restaurants at the smallest scale (Census tract or smaller).

Conclusions

The choice of neighbourhood geographic scale can affect the estimated significance of the association between neighbourhood food environments and individual obesity risk. However, variations in geographic scale alone do not explain the mixed findings in the literature. If researchers are constrained to use one geographic scale with multiple categories of food outlets, using Census tract or 1 km buffer as the neighbourhood geographic unit is likely to allow researchers to detect most significant relationships.
Analgesia dose prescribing and estimated glomerular filtration rate decline: a general practice database linkage cohort study
Authors: Nderitu Paul , Doos Lucy , Strauss Vicky Y , Lambie Mark , Davies Simon J , Kadam Umesh T
Published: August 2014

Objective

We aimed to quantify the short-term effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin and paracetamol analgesia dose prescribing on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in the general practice population.

Design

A population-based longitudinal clinical data linkage cohort study.

Setting

Two large general practices in North Staffordshire, UK.

Participants

Patients aged 40 years and over with ≥2 eGFR measurements spaced ≥90 days apart between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 were selected.

Exposure

Using WHO Defined Daily Dose standardised cumulative analgesia prescribing, patients were categorised into non-user, normal and high-dose groups.

Outcome measure

The primary outcome was defined as a >5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year eGFR decrease between the first and last eGFR. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate risk, adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbidity, baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) status, renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors and other analgesia prescribing.

Results

There were 4145 patients (mean age 66 years, 55% female) with an analgesia prescribing prevalence of 17.2% for NSAIDs, 39% for aspirin and 22% for paracetamol and stage 3–5 CKD prevalence was 16.1% (n=667). Normal or high-dose NSAID and paracetamol prescribing was not significantly associated with eGFR decline. High-dose aspirin prescribing was associated with a reduced risk of eGFR decline in patients with a baseline (first) eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2; OR=0.52 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.77).

Conclusions

NSAID, aspirin and paracetamol prescribing over 2 years did not significantly affect eGFR decline with a reduced risk of eGFR decline in high-dose aspirin users with well-preserved renal function. However, the long-term effects of analgesia use on eGFR decline remain to be determined.
Protocol for the RT Prepare Trial: a multiple-baseline study of radiation therapists delivering education and support to women with breast cancer who are referred for radiotherapy
Authors: Halkett Georgia , O'Connor Moira , Aranda Sanchia , Jefford Michael , Spry Nigel , Shaw Therese , Moorin Rachael , Schofield Penelope
Published: August 2014

Introduction

There is limited evidence to guide the preparation of patients for radiotherapy. This paper describes the protocol for an evaluation of a radiation therapist led education intervention delivered to patients with breast cancer in order to reduce psychological distress.

Methods

A multiple-baseline study is being used. Usual care data is being collected prior to the start of the intervention at each of three sites. The intervention is delivered by radiation therapists consulting with patients prior to their treatment planning and on the first day of treatment. The intervention focuses on providing sensory and procedural information to patients and reducing pretreatment anxiety. Recruitment is occurring in three states in Australia. Eligible participants are patients who have been referred for radiotherapy to treat breast cancer. 200 patients will be recruited during a usual care phase and, thereafter, 200 patients in the intervention phase. Measures will be collected on four occasions—after meeting with their radiation oncologist, prior to treatment planning, on the first day of treatment and after treatment completion. The primary hypothesis is that patients who receive the radiotherapy preparatory intervention will report a significantly greater decrease in psychological distress from baseline to prior to radiotherapy treatment planning in comparison with the usual care group. Secondary outcome measures include concerns about radiotherapy, patient knowledge of radiotherapy, patient preparedness and quality of life. Patient health system usage and costs will also be measured. Multilevel mixed effects regression models will be applied to test for intervention effects.

Ethics

Ethics approval has been gained from Curtin University and the three recruiting sites.

Dissemination

Results will be reported in international peer reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration: ACTRN12611001000998.
A low-relief hill in eastern Ontario, Canada, covered by the easily erodible Queenston Formation and derived sediments — probably the result of Quaternary tectonic uplift
Authors: Wallach J.L.
Published: August 2014

The Upper Ordovician Queenston Formation is predominantly a brick red, easily erodible, fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock that is not expected to form topographic highs. Nevertheless, the Queenston, overlain by a relatively thin cover of red unconsolidated sediments derived from it, blankets two low-relief hills. Their combined presence at the top of those hills is curious; therefore, Cholowski Hill, the larger of the two, and its surroundings were studied to try to resolve that apparent contradiction. Cholowski Hill is elongated nearly north–south and overlies a similarly shaped, north–south magnetic anomaly, which is a spur off a generally north-northeast-trending magnetic high. The spatial and geometric relationships of the hill to the magnetic anomaly, a feature of the Precambrian basement, suggest that the hill resulted from repeated tectonic uplift along faults that propagated upward from the basement, though many of them show no surface expression. Two notable exceptions are the North Russell and East Ridge faults that are topographically expressed at the surface and extend along the spine of Cholowski Hill. Their presence and that of Cholowski Hill imply geologically recent uplift. Glacial erratics on, and the smooth character of, the hill imply that it had been overridden by continental ice and was an upland prior to at least the last major glacial advance. Champlain Sea sediments surrounding and encroaching on the lowest part of the hill, but absent from the higher elevations, intimate that Cholowski Hill was not completely covered by those sediments, though it is conceivable that deposited sediments were washed away. The precise age of uplift is unknown, but the characteristics of the hill suggest a Quaternary event.
ELECTRODEPOSITION BEHAVIOR OF Mn WITH Ni IN ACIDIC SULFATE SOLUTIONS
Authors: JI DAN , LE XIAWEN , ZHONG QINGDONG , ZHOU QIONGYU
Published: August 2014

The influence of Mn 2+/ Ni 2+ mole ratio in electrolytes on the Ni – Mn alloy deposits was studied. The electrodeposition mechanism of Mn with Ni is analyzed by the cyclic voltammogram (CV) and an "induced co-deposition" mechanism is proposed for Ni – Mn alloy electrodeposition. The results show that the Mn content in Ni – Mn alloy deposit and the hardness increased with the increase of Mn 2+/ Ni 2+ mole ratio in electrolytes. When the Mn 2+/ Ni 2+ mole ratio in bath was 2/1, the corrosion current density of the deposit coating was the lowest and the corresponding corrosion potential was higher, and under these conditions the coating with a Mn content of 1.20 wt.% showed good corrosion resistance. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the alloy coatings exhibited that the morphology of Ni – Mn alloy coatings were different from Pure Ni coating, and when Mn 2+/ Ni 2+ was 2/1, the surface was compact and homogeneous.
Eveready Industries: The Magic Lamp that Changed the Fortunes
Authors: Dutta Swarup Kumar
Published: August 2014

This case portrays the experimental foray of Eveready Industries Limited in a new line of business when faced with dire consequences of survival of its core battery business. The battery business was severely hit because of cheap Chinese imports and from a position of domestic market leader, Eveready saw its position untenable during 2006 to 2008. Mr. Khaitan the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Eveready Industries Ltd. felt that the company's problems were much deeper. On top of its falling domestic demand, the company did not have the license to sell Eveready batteries in many overseas markets.

Thus born out of sheer necessity of survival, Eveready Industries made its experimental foray of entering the LED lantern (lamp) business. This entry into a new business could, on one hand, create a new growth opportunity for catering to the BOP customer in an emerging country like India. On the other hand, these lamps would need batteries to operate on, which would create a further traction for his existing battery business. Further, if it could be provided cheaper than traditional kerosene lamps, it would fill a significant void in the market.

This experimental foray led to unprecedented success which changed the fortunes of the company from 2009 onwards. Built on the philosophy of giving better light at a lower monthly cost than running kerosene lanterns, this experimentation was a huge success. What then were the challenges and pitfalls faced by Eveready Industries in taking an alternative growth path? What were the strategies adopted in revitalizing the Company? It is quite rare in the Indian market that a consumer product can catch such a customer fancy in such a short span of time as with the LED lamps. However challenges remain as rechargeable batteries and solar lanterns could be a potential threat to the LED lantern. This case describes the innovation in the business model and leadership issues during a crisis, which resulted in revitalization of the company.
Obama's Bag: High Quality with No QC at Barrington
Authors: Brown William , Guo Lin
Published: August 2014

This case describes an American leather firm in China that has obtained a reputation for high productivity, excellent quality without QC inspectors, and very low turnover, in spite of offering only industry average compensation. Though many scholars and practitioners contend that “soft” management practices are ineffective in a high power distance country such as China, Barrington has successfully adapted programs such as “character first” and “open door policy” to create a high-involvement culture with a mix of control and commitment human resource management practices. Barrington now faces the need for rapid growth in a highly competitive, low entry barrier niche market, and management is concerned about how to maintain the intimate company culture.

The teaching notes provide background for reviewing Barrington's challenges in evolving a healthy corporate culture and management-labor relationships within the context of China's unique historic, cultural and political contexts dynamics. Yet another perspective upon these challenges is given by briefly addressing the similar experiences of China's Asian neighbors, as well as the implications of some scholars' arguments that, even in the West, commitment HRM may be more prevalent in theory than in practice.

After discussing Barrington's HRM practices of control, commitment, or hybrid, and their potential influence upon employee motivation and job satisfaction, students argue the pros and cons of the rapid expansion strategies that Barrington is considering to cope with intensifying competition and their potential influence upon the firm's company culture.
Fuzzy Systems Based on Universal Triple I Method and Their Response Functions
Authors: Tang Yiming , Ren Fuji
Published: August 2014

The fuzzy systems based on the universal triple I method are investigated, and then their response functions are analyzed. First, the conclusions show that 100 fuzzy systems via the universal triple I method are approximately interpolation functions, which can be used in practical systems, and that 90 ones are approximately fitted functions, which may be usable. Second, as its special cases, the Compositional Rule of Inference (CRI) method and the triple I method are discussed, with the results that 19 fuzzy systems via the CRI method and 2 ones via the triple I method are practicable. Therefore, the universal triple I method has larger effective choosing space, which can obtain more usable fuzzy systems than the others. Lastly, it is found that the first implication and second implication, respectively, embody the function of rule base and reasoning mechanism, further demonstrating the reasonability of the universal triple I method.
A fully relativistic radial fall
Authors: Spallicci Alessandro D. A. M. , Ritter Patxi
Published: August 2014

Radial fall has historically played a momentous role. It is one of the most classical problems, the solutions of which represent the level of understanding of gravitation in a given epoch. A gedankenexperiment in a modern frame is given by a small body, like a compact star or a solar mass black hole, captured by a supermassive black hole. The mass of the small body itself and the emission of gravitational radiation cause the departure from the geodesic path due to the back-action, that is the self-force. For radial fall, as any other non-adiabatic motion, the instantaneous identity of the radiated energy and the loss of orbital energy cannot be imposed and provide the perturbed trajectory. In the first part of this paper, we present the effects due to the self-force computed on the geodesic trajectory in the background field. Compared to the latter trajectory, in the Regge–Wheeler, harmonic and all others smoothly related gauges, a far observer concludes that the self-force pushes inward (not outward) the falling body, with a strength proportional to the mass of the small body for a given large mass; further, the same observer notes a higher value of the maximal coordinate velocity, this value being reached earlier during infall. In the second part of this paper, we implement a self-consistent approach for which the trajectory is iteratively corrected by the self-force, this time computed on osculating geodesics. Finally, we compare the motion driven by the self-force without and with self-consistent orbital evolution. Subtle differences are noticeable, even if self-force effects have hardly the time to accumulate in such a short orbit.
New modified mimetic gravity
Authors: Momeni Davood , Altaibayeva Aziza , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: August 2014

A modified Mimetic gravity (MMG) is proposed as a generalization of general relativity. The model contains a physical metric which is the function of an auxiliary (unphysical) metric and a Lyra's metric. We construct different kinds of conformally invariant models in different levels of the expansion parameter λ. This model phenomenologically has been extended to higher-order forms. Cosmology of a certain class of such models has been investigated in detail. A cosmological solution has been proposed in inhomogeneous form of scalar field. For homogeneous case, energy conditions are widely investigated. We have shown that the system evaluated at intervals shorter than a certain time Tc meets all the energy conditions.
Gray codes and overlap cycles for restricted weight words
Authors: Horan Victoria , Hurlbert Glenn
Published: August 2014

A Gray code is a listing structure for a set of combinatorial objects such that some consistent (usually minimal) change property is maintained throughout adjacent elements in the list. While Gray codes for m-ary strings have been considered in the past, we provide a new, simple Gray code for fixed-weight m-ary strings. In addition, we consider a relatively new type of Gray code known as overlap cycles and prove basic existence results concerning overlap cycles for fixed-weight and weight-range m-ary words.