bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industry concentration, excess returns and innovation in Australia
Authors: Gallagher David R. , Ignatieva Katja , McCulloch James
Published: March 2014

This paper examines market concentration and stock returns on the Australian Securities Exchange. We find that dominant companies operating in concentrated industries in Australia are able to generate significant risk‐adjusted excess stock returns. Our results for Australian data are opposite to that found by Hou and Robinson (2006) for United States market data. Hou and Robinson reason that United States firms which operate in concentrated industries are insulated from competitive pressures, have lower levels of innovation (Arrow, 1962) and therefore experience lower profitability and stock returns. By contrast, the Australian data show a significant and positive relationship between concentration and innovation expenditure. Therefore, the excess stock returns of dominant companies in Australia are consistent with previous research linking innovation expenditure with excess stock returns. We hypothesize that the apparent contradiction of our results compared with Hou and Robinson (2006) for the United States market is resolved by an examination of the differences in size and competition in United States and Australian industries and the consequent differential ability of dominant companies in the two countries to generate monopoly rents and invest in ‘Schumpeterian’ (Schumpeter, 1942) innovation.
Effects of Knowledge Spillovers on Knowledge Production and Productivity Growth in Korean Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Kim Taegi , Maskus Keith , Oh Keun‐Yeob
Published: March 2014

Using Korean firm‐level data, this paper studies the effects of knowledge spillovers on knowledge production and productivity growth. Data from 213 Korean firms for the years 1985 to 2007 are used, and the number of patent applications is used as a proxy variable for knowledge. The results show that all the growth rates of output, patents, and productivity are higher in high‐technology firms. Regression results show that the spillover effect on knowledge production and productivity growth is very significant, and that the spillover effect is larger in small firms than in large firms. Moreover, spillover effects on productivity growth are larger after 1995, when Korean intellectual property rights were strengthened. Our findings suggest that the effects of knowledge spillover on productivity are positively correlated with strong intellectual property rights.
Determinants of corporate social responsibility and business ethics education in Spanish universities
Authors: Jorge Manuel Larrán , Peña Francisco Javier Andrades
Published: March 2014

The current economic crisis, unsustainable growth, and financial scandals invite reflection on the role of universities in professional training, particularly those who have to manage businesses. This study analyzes the main factors that might determine the extent to which Spanish organizational management educators use corporate social responsibility (CSR) or business ethics stand‐alone subjects to equip students with alternative views on business. A web content analysis and non‐parametric mean comparison statistics of the curricula of undergraduate degrees in all universities in Spain were conducted. The main conclusion of this paper is related to the Bologna effect in Spanish universities. Comparing our results with prior research in this matter, it is demonstrated that the main reason that explains the increase of CSR and ethical education in Spain is the Bologna process and its adaptation to the European Higher Education Area. Also, private universities in Spain are more likely to require an ethics course than public universities. Other factors, such as size, political orientation, or related to CSR chairs are not statistically explanatory of CSR and ethical education.
Socially responsible investment: insights from Shari'a departments in Islamic financial institutions
Authors: Ullah Shakir , Jamali Dima , Harwood Ian A.
Published: March 2014

Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) are emerging as prominent players in the financial world and are increasingly known for their conservative socially responsible investment (SRI). Being the Shari'a regulators and monitors of IFIs, the Shari'a departments are expected to implement the Islamic perspective of SRI – drawn from Shari'a principles – in their respective institutions. The purpose of this paper is to develop an SRI framework applicable to IFIs and other Shari'a compliant entities and assess its applicability within Shari'a departments of two Islamic banks. This paper involves cross‐case analysis based on interviews with Shari'a department officials in two settings differentiated by their respective independence. The proposed framework consists of required, expected and desired SRI aspects as applicable to IFIs. The findings reveal that the required aspects are uniformly observed by the two cases. There are, however, variations when it comes to observing the expected and desired ethical SRI aspects that may be driven by the independence of the Shari'a boards. This inconsistency and non‐adherence of expected and desired aspects may lead to reputational risks in the long run.
Ethno‐cultural considerations in negotiation: pretense, deception and lies in the Greek workplace
Authors: Stefanidis Abraham , Banai Moshe
Published: March 2014

A retrospect into ethos, this study examines the impact of individualism, collectivism, ethical idealism and interpersonal trust on negotiators' attitudes toward questionable negotiation tactics in Greece. A thousand survey questionnaires were administered to Greek employees, of which 327 usable responses were collected. Our findings empirically corroborated a classification of three groups of negotiation tactics, namely, pretense, deception and lies. Individualism–collectivism and ethical idealism were found to be related, and interpersonal trust was found to be unrelated, to attitudes toward questionable negotiation tactics. Emphasizing the non‐US and non‐Western European nature of the empirical data collected, the originality of this research further stems from the development of a comprehensive research framework about questionable negotiation tactics in Greece.
Simulation‐based training for prostate surgery
Authors: Khan Raheej , Aydin Abdullatif , Khan Muhammad Shamim , Dasgupta Prokar , Ahmed Kamran
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To identify and review the currently available simulators for prostate surgery and to explore the evidence supporting their validity for training purposes.

Materials and Methods

A review of the literature between 1999 and 2014 was performed. The search terms included a combination of urology, prostate surgery, robotic prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), simulation, virtual reality, animal model, human cadavers, training, assessment, technical skills, validation and learning curves. Furthermore, relevant abstracts from theAmericanUrologicalAssociation,EuropeanAssociation ofUrology,BritishAssociation ofUrologicalSurgeons andWorldCongress ofEndourology meetings, between 1999 and 2013, were included. Only studies related to prostate surgery simulators were included; studies regarding other urological simulators were excluded.

Results

A total of 22 studies that carried out a validation study were identified. Five validated models and/or simulators were identified forTURP, one for photoselective vaporisation of the prostate, two for holmium enucleation of the prostate, three for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and four for robot‐assisted surgery. Of theTURPsimulators, all five have demonstrated content validity, three face validity and four construct validity. TheGreenLight laser simulator has demonstrated face, content and construct validities. The Kansai HoLEP Simulator has demonstrated face and content validity whilst the UroSim HoLEP Simulator has demonstrated face, content and construct validity. All three animal models forLRPhave been shown to have construct validity whilst the chicken skin model was also content valid. Only two robotic simulators were identified with relevance to robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, both of which demonstrated construct validity.

Conclusions

A wide range of different simulators are available for prostate surgery, including synthetic bench models, virtual‐reality platforms, animal models, human cadavers, distributed simulation and advanced training programmes and modules. The currently validated simulators can be used by healthcare organisations to provide supplementary training sessions for trainee surgeons. Further research should be conducted to validate simulated environments, to determine which simulators have greater efficacy than others and to assess the cost‐effectiveness of the simulators and the transferability of skills learnt. With surgeons investigating new possibilities for easily reproducible and valid methods of training, simulation offers great scope for implementation alongside traditional methods of training.
Towards a Revival of Indigenous Mobility inFrenchGuiana? Contemporary Transformations of theWayãpi andTeko Territories
Authors: TRITSCH ISABELLE , MARMOEX CYRIL , DAVY DAMIEN , THIBAUT BERNARD , GOND VALERY
Published: March 2014

The goal of this article is to understand the contemporary transformations of indigenous territories in relation to several factors, including urbanisation, population growth, economic development and conservation policies. Using socio‐economic, governance and land use data, we explain the current territorial reorganisations of theWayãpi andTeko indigenous peoples. We demonstrate the existence of an emerging ‘multi‐sited’ land use system that allows these indigenous peoples to benefit from resources in both urban and forest areas and ensures sovereignty over the territory. We emphasise the role of the delimitation of protected areas in catalysing identity claims and the process of land use reformulation.
Cannabinoids: clearing the smoke on pain, inflammation and neurodegeneration
Authors: Downer E J , Finn D P
Published: March 2014

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013.

To view the other articles in this section, see Fagan and Campbell (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12492, Ignatowska‐Jankowska et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12298, Ligresti et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12410, Lopez‐Rodriguez et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12519, Murataeva et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12411, Okine et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12540, Rodríguez‐Cueto et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12283, Stanley and O'Sullivan (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12560, Toguri et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12545, Wu et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12500.

Linked articles are: Avraham et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12478, Machado et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12488, Ward et al. (2014) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12439.
Alanine analogues of [D‐Trp]CJ‐15,208: novel opioid activity profiles and prevention of drug‐ and stress‐induced reinstatement of cocaine‐seeking behaviour
Authors: Aldrich J V , Senadheera S N , Ross N C , Reilley K A , Ganno M L , Eans S E , Murray T F , McLaughlin J P
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose

The novel macrocyclic peptide cyclo[Phe‐D‐Pro‐Phe‐D‐Trp] ([D‐Trp]CJ‐15,208) exhibits κ opioid (KOP) receptor antagonist activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays. The four alanine analogues of this peptide were synthesized and characterized both in vitro and in vivo to assess the contribution of different amino acid residues to the activity of [D‐Trp]CJ‐15,208.

Experimental Approach

The peptides were synthesized by a combination of solid phase peptide synthesis and cyclization in solution. The analogues were evaluated in vitro in receptor binding and functional assays, and in vivo with mice using a tail‐withdrawal assay for antinociceptive and opioid antagonist activity. Mice demonstrating extinction of cocaine conditioned‐place preference (CPP) were pretreated with selected analogues to evaluate prevention of stress or cocaine‐induced reinstatement of CPP.

Key Results

The alanine analogues displayed pharmacological profiles in vivo distinctly different from [D‐Trp]CJ‐15,208. While the analogues exhibited varying opioid receptor affinities and κ and μ opioid receptor antagonist activity in vitro, they produced potent opioid receptor‐mediated antinociception (ED50 = 0.28–4.19 nmol, i.c.v.) in vivo. Three of the analogues also displayed KOP receptor antagonist activity in vivo. Pretreatment with an analogue exhibiting both KOP receptor agonist and antagonist activity in vivo prevented both cocaine‐ and stress‐induced reinstatement of cocaine‐seeking behaviour in the CPP assay in a time‐dependent manner.

Conclusions and Implications

These unusual macrocyclic peptides exhibit in vivo opioid activity profiles different from the parent compound and represent novel compounds for potential development as therapeutics for drug abuse and possibly as analgesics.
New Force Field on Modeling Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Authors: Wang Wei , Ye Wei , Jiang Cheng , Luo Ray , Chen Hai‐Feng
Published: March 2014

Intrinsically disordered proteins or intrinsically disordered protein regions comprise a large portion of eukaryotic proteomes (between 35% and 51%). These intrinsically disordered proteins were found to link with cancer and various other diseases. However, widely used additive force field parameter sets are insufficient in quantifying the structural properties of intrinsically disordered proteins. Therefore, we explored to a systematic correction of a base additive force field parameter set (chosen as Amber ff99SBildn) to correct the biases that was first demonstrated in simulations with the base parameter set. Specifically, the φ/ψ distributions of disorder‐promoting residues were systematically corrected with the CMAP method. Our simulations show that the CMAP corrected Amber parameter set, termed ff99IDPs, improves the φ/ψ distributions of the disorder‐promoting residues with respect to the benchmark data of intrinsically disordered protein structures, with root mean‐squared percentage deviation less than 0.15% between the simulation and the benchmark. Our further validation shows that the chemical shifts from the ff99IDPs simulations are in quantitative agreement with those from reported NMR measurements for two tested IDPs, MeV NTAIL, and p53. The predicted residue dipolar couplings also show high correlation with experimental data. Interestingly, our simulations show that ff99IDPs can still be used to model the ordered state when the intrinsically disordered proteins are in complex, in contrast to ff99SBildn that can be applied well only to the ordered complex structures. These findings confirm that the newly proposed Amber ff99IDPs parameter set provides a reasonable tool in further studies of intrinsically disordered protein structures. In addition, our study also shows the importance of considering intrinsically disordered protein structures in general‐purposed force field developments for both additive and non‐additive models.
New disc excision procedure for low and mid rectal endometriosis nodules using combined transanal and laparoscopic approach
Authors: Roman H. , Tuech J.‐J.
Published: March 2014

Aim

Colorectal resection in women with endometriosis involving the low and mid rectum may result in a poorer outcome than conservative procedures. In this technical note we present a new technique for transanal full thickness disc excision of endometriosis nodules involving the rectum.

Method

The procedure is performed by combined laparoscopic and transanal routes. The former involves paring the area of the rectum infiltrated by the nodule, which is then made amenable to endoluminal removal using the Contour Transtar stapler to carry out a large disc excision.

Results

The technique can remove a specimen as large as 80 mm in diameter and can be applied to patients with infiltrating rectal endometrial nodules up to 10 cm from the anal margin and 50–60% of the rectal circumference. The procedure is probably less likely to lead to rectal stenosis and denervation than colorectal resection.

Conclusion

This technique of transanal rectal disc excision using the Contour stapler is suitable in patients with infiltrating deep endometriosis nodules of the lower and mid rectum. It avoids a low rectal resection with its potential complications and unfavourable function.
Depth and lateral spread of microscopic residual rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: implications for treatment decisions
Authors: Smith F. M. , Wiland H. , Mace A. , Pai R. K. , Kalady M. F.
Published: March 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of residual tumour within the bowel wall in relation to residual mucosal abnormalities (RMAs) and surrounding normal mucosa in patients with rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by curative surgery.

Method

Archived pathological slides from a cohort of 60 patients with residual tumour were retrieved. The incidence, distance and depth of tumour spread (ypT) under RMAs and adjacent normal mucosa were reviewed and recorded.

Results

Histological sections containing both RMA and adjacent normal mucosa were available for 45 of 60 patients with ypT1 (n = 6), ypT2 (n = 18) and ypT3 (n = 21) disease. The maximal depth of invasion, as measured by ypT stage, was found underneath the RMA in 44 of 45 (98%) patients. Microscopic tumour spread lateral to the RMA and under adjacent normal mucosa was found in 32 of 45 (71%) patients. The median and maximum distances of lateral spread for ypT1 tumours were 0 and 4 mm; for ypT2 were 2.5 and 9 mm; and for ypT3 were 4 and 9 mm respectively.

Conclusion

Lateral tumour spread under normal mucosa adjacent to RMAs is a common finding and extended up to 9 mm in this study. The epicentre for maximum depth of invasion was directly underneath the RMAs in nearly all cases. These data have clinical and technical implications if local excision is to be considered.
MTHFR C677T polymorphism: association with lymphoid neoplasm and effect on methotrexate therapy
Authors: Ayad Mona W. , El Naggar Amel A. , El Naggar Mostafa
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to detect the possible role of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism (MTHFR C677T) in the pathogenesis of lymphoid neoplasms and to investigate the influence of this polymorphism on methotrexate toxicity in adult ALL patients treated with methotrexate maintenance therapy. There was a statistically significant increase in the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with CT genotype (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3–6.3; P = 0.007) and combined CT + TT genotype (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5–6.6; P = 0.006). While no significant association was found between this polymorphism and ALL risk. The patients with ALL treated with methotrexate during maintenance therapy were observed for signs of toxicity. MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism (CT + TT) was significantly overrepresented among cases with hepatic toxicity (OR = 15.6; 95% CI, 2.6–81.3; P = 0.001). In addition, they were overrepresented among cases with mucositis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. However, it did not reach statistical significance level. Further studies on larger number of subjects are necessary. Additional studies on the role of MTHFR gene polymorphism with environment (folate intake) interaction are needed to confirm the role of these genetic polymorphisms.
HCN channelopathy and cardiac electrophysiologic dysfunction in genetic and acquired rat epilepsy models
Authors: Powell Kim L. , Jones Nigel C. , Kennard Jeremy T. , Ng Caroline , Urmaliya Vijay , Lau Shannen , Tran Adora , Zheng Thomas , Ozturk Ezgi , Dezsi Gabi , Megatia Ika , Delbridge Lea M. , Pinault Didier , Reid Christopher A. , White Paul J. , O'Brien Terence J.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Evidence from animal and human studies indicates that epilepsy can affect cardiac function, although the molecular basis of this remains poorly understood. Hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels generate pacemaker activity and modulate cellular excitability in the brain and heart, with altered expression and function associated with epilepsy and cardiomyopathies. Whether HCN expression is altered in the heart in association with epilepsy has not been investigated previously. We studied cardiac electrophysiologic properties and HCN channel subunit expression in rat models of genetic generalized epilepsy (Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg, GAERS) and acquired temporal lobe epilepsy (post–status epilepticus SE). We hypothesized that the development of epilepsy is associated with altered cardiac electrophysiologic function and altered cardiac HCN channel expression.

Methods

Electrocardiography studies were recorded in vivo in rats and in vitro in isolated hearts. Cardiac HCN channel messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were measured using quantitative PCR and Western blotting respectively.

Results

Cardiac electrophysiology was significantly altered in adult GAERS, with slower heart rate, shorter QRS duration, longer QTc interval, and greater standard deviation of RR intervals compared to control rats. In the post‐SE model, we observed similar interictal changes in several of these parameters, and we also observed consistent and striking bradycardia associated with the onset of ictal activity. Molecular analysis demonstrated significant reductions in cardiac HCN2 mRNA and protein expression in both models, providing a molecular correlate of these electrophysiologic abnormalities.

Significance

These results demonstrate that ion channelopathies and cardiac dysfunction can develop as a secondary consequence of chronic epilepsy, which may have relevance for the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in patients with epilepsy.
Agency‐Based Asset Pricing and the Beta Anomaly
Authors: Blitz David
Published: March 2014

I argue that delegated portfolio management can cause the equilibrium relation between CAPM beta and expected stock returns to become flat, instead of linearly positive, and propose an alternative to the widely used Fama and French (1993) 3‐factor asset pricing model which incorporates this agency effect. An empirical comparison of the two models shows that the agency‐based 3‐factor model is much better at explaining the performance of portfolios sorted on beta or volatility, and at least as good at explaining the performance of various other test portfolios, including those the original 3‐factor model was designed to explain.
Detection and mapping of QTL for temperature tolerance and body size in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using genotyping by sequencing
Authors: Everett Meredith V. , Seeb James E.
Published: March 2014

Understanding how organisms interact with their environments is increasingly important for conservation efforts in many species, especially in light of highly anticipated climate changes. One method for understanding this relationship is to use genetic maps and QTL mapping to detect genomic regions linked to phenotypic traits of importance for adaptation. We used high‐throughput genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to both detect and map thousands of SNPs in haploid Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). We next applied this map to detect QTL related to temperature tolerance and body size in families of diploid Chinook salmon. Using these techniques, we mapped 3534 SNPs in 34 linkage groups which is consistent with the haploid chromosome number for Chinook salmon. We successfully detected three QTL for temperature tolerance and one QTL for body size at the experiment‐wide level, as well as additional QTL significant at the chromosome‐wide level. The use of haploids coupled with GBS provides a robust pathway to rapidly develop genomic resources in nonmodel organisms; these QTL represent preliminary progress toward linking traits of conservation interest to regions in the Chinook salmon genome.
South Africa's Three Waves of Environmental Policy: (Mis)aligning the Goals of Sustainable Development, Environmental Justice and Climate Change
Authors: Patel Zarina
Published: March 2014

Three distinct but overlapping policy objectives have influenced environmental policy, structures and processes in contemporary large South African cities: sustainable development, environmental justice and adapting and mitigating for climate change. These goals have been characterized here as three waves of urban environmental policy. This paper responds to the position that sustainability, justice and climate change interventions must be aligned. Despite the global and national commitment to this objective, evidence suggests that environmental injustices and a lack of environmental sustainability persist in all three waves, in spite of policy efforts. What's more is that these disjunctures are not confined to South Africa, or even the global south, but are experienced globally. The wisdom behind calls for aligning these objectives is therefore questioned through a review that illustrates that despite apparent similarities between the objective of addressing environment and development concerns, the motivations behind the three waves are distinct, as are the governance arrangements and structures and tools for implementation. By focusing on the distinctions between these three modes of environmental governance, this review provides a nuanced perspective on what it means to govern the environment at the urban scale.
Urban Photography/Cultural Geography: Spaces, Objects, Events
Authors: Hunt Mia A.
Published: March 2014

Image‐making is bound up in our experience of urban space. In artistic and academic practice, contemporary urban photography has critically reworked street photography traditions, embracing its energy and spontaneity, while inviting a more dialogic and reflexive approach. Although the use of urban photography has been somewhat limited in cultural geography research, the practice has enormous potential to complement and enhance contemporary enquiries in the field – particularly those that highlight feelings, experience, and textures of place and draw from more‐than‐representational approaches. A return to making urban photos also chimes with the current approaches that incorporate creative practice and performative methodologies to introduce uncertainty into research. Here, I consider what cultural geographers might gain by exploring city spaces, objects, and events through the lens. I focus not on the images themselves, but on the practice of doing urban photography and on what these images may do for research. In particular, photography may help evoke the feeling of place and its material richness. By focusing on urban microgeographies and by opening work to ambiguity and chance, geographers may create new space for interpretation. Attending to material with the camera also enables us to play with value and hierarchy and provokes the animation and agency of matter. Finally, as well as highlighting the matter of things, images can capture the matter of our own bodies caught up in events with the cities we inhabit. Urban photography offers a way of doing research that opens up city spaces, objects, and events, so we can better reflect on the complex textures, feelings, and experiences of urban space.
Prophylaxis with anti‐inhibitor coagulant complex improves health‐related quality of life in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: results from FEIBA NF Prophylaxis Study
Authors: Stasyshyn O. , Antunes S. , Mamonov V. , Ye X. , Epstein J. , Xiong Y. , Tangada S.
Published: March 2014

The Pro‐FEIBA study reported health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) improved following 6‐month of Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) prophylaxis. This study investigates whether 12‐month of FEIBA prophylaxis improved HRQoL in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. Thirty‐six subjects in a 1‐year prospective, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐design study were randomized to prophylaxis (85 ± 15 U kg−1 every other day) or on‐demand treatment. HRQoL was assessed at screening, 6 and 12‐month termination using the EQ‐5D, Haem‐A‐QoL, Haemo‐QoL and a general pain visual analog scale (VAS). To evaluate changes, paired t‐tests and criteria for minimally important differences were applied. Repeated measures regression tested the association between annualized bleeding rate (ABR) and physical HRQoL. At 6 and 12 months, prophylaxis subjects reported clinically meaningful improvement in EQ‐5D index (mean improvement, 0.10 and 0.08, respectively) and both clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in EQ‐VAS scores (16.9 and 15.7, respectively; P < 0.05) vs. baseline. General pain was significantly reduced during prophylaxis at each follow‐up (mean improvement, 20.3 and 23.2, respectively; both P <0.05). At 12 months, prophylaxis subjects achieved significant improvements in Haem‐A‐QoL Total Score and in four domains: Physical Health, Feeling, View, and Work and School (all P < 0.05). No statistically significant changes, except for Haem‐A‐QoL Physical Health at 6 months, were observed with on‐demand treatment. ABR was decreased by 72.5% with prophylaxis vs. on‐demand treatment (P = 0.0003) and reduced ABR was associated with better physical HRQoL (P < 0.05). FEIBA prophylaxis significantly reduced ABR and improved HRQoL in inhibitor patients. Subjects with lower ABR reported better physical HRQoL.
Education as Treatment for Chronic Pain in Survivors of Torture and Other Violent Events in Cambodia: Experiences With Implementation of a Group‐Based “Pain School” and Evaluation of Its Effect in a Pilot Study
Authors: Phaneth Sok , Panha Pich , Sopheap Taing , Harlacher Uwe , Polatin Peter
Published: March 2014

The DIGNITY Institute Against Torture is a Danish nongovernmental organization with a Copenhagen‐based rehabilitation program for torture survivors, where the majority of patients suffer from chronic pain and are treated with a group‐based, ten‐session, psycho‐educational “pain school.” This material was presented to therapists at the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Cambodia, so as to develop a culturally adapted “Khmer Pain School,” which was subsequently tested in a pilot study with 34 completers. The Brief Pain Inventory and the Disability Rating Index, contextualized and translated into Khmer, were the main outcome measures. Results revealed that therapists and clients found the Cambodian pain school to be relevant and helpful. The quantitative outcome indicators demonstrated clinical improvement, with significant effect sizes.
Linear and Quadratic Associations of Plasma Oxytocin With Depressive Symptoms in Ethnic Minority Women Living With HIV
Authors: Seay Julia S. , Lattie Emily , Schneiderman Neil , Antoni Michael H. , Fekete Erin M. , Mendez Armando J. , Szeto Angela , Fletcher Mary Ann
Published: March 2014

The current study examines both linear and curvilinear relationships between oxytocin (OT) and depressive symptoms over time in ethnic minority women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; WLWH). Participants were 70 WLWH aged 20–49 (86% African‐American or Caribbean). OT was measured at baseline via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay immunoassay procedures. Depressive symptoms were measured at both baseline and 10‐week post‐baseline via the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II). Multiple regression analyses revealed marginal linear and significant quadratic OT terms to be predictors of T2 BDI scores. Results indicate that to a point, OT may have salutary effects on depressive symptoms in ethnic minority WLWH. However, extremely high OT levels may be related to greater depressive symptoms.
Dermoscopic features of cutaneous melanoma are associated with clinical characteristics of patients and tumours and with MC1R genotype
Authors: Fargnoli M.C. , Sera F. , Suppa M. , Piccolo D. , Landi M.T. , Chiarugi A. , Pellegrini C. , Seidenari S. , Peris K.
Published: March 2014

Background

Several algorithms are available for the dermoscopic diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. The MC1R gene is a key determinant of pigmentation characteristics that are established host‐related melanoma risk factors.

Objectives

To investigate the association of dermoscopic features of sporadic cutaneous melanomas with clinical characteristics of patients and corresponding tumours and with genetic changes in the MC1R and BRAF genes.

Methods

A total of 64 dermoscopic images of 62 patients were scored by ABCD rule and modified pattern analysis. Detailed patients' and melanomas' characteristics were collected. Patients were screened for germline MC1R variants and related melanomas for somatic V600 BRAF mutations.

Results

A lower total dermoscopic score (TDS) was observed in melanomas of patients with red hair (P = 0.019), due to reduced dermoscopic structures (P < 0.0001). Thicker melanomas showed higher TDS values (P = 0.021) due to sharper borders (P < 0.0001) and higher number of colors (P = 0.004). An atypical pigment network was prevalent in superficial spreading melanomas (P = 0.010), in individuals with dark skin (P = 0.043) and hair color (P = 0.001). An atypical vascular pattern was more frequent in nodular (P < 0.0001) and thick (P < 0.0001) melanomas, in individuals with skin type I‐II (P = 0.037), blond or red hair color (P = 0.032) and blue or green eyes (P = 0.014). Melanomas of MC1R R carriers showed lower TDS value (P = 0.037), reduced dermoscopic structures (P = 0.001) and lower prevalence of atypical pigment network (P = 0.001). No differences were identified between BRAF‐mutated or wild‐type melanomas.

Conclusions

We suggest a phenotypic/MC1R profile for melanoma patients and their tumours. Melanomas of MC1R R carriers show a significant lower TDS value, with reduced dermoscopic structures, and a lower prevalence of an atypical pigment network. Non‐carriers of MC1R R variants develop melanomas dermoscopically characterized by an atypical pigment network which is prevalent in superficial spreading melanomas, in patients with dark complexion and less frequent in red‐haired individuals.
Roles of air stored in burrows of the mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris for adult respiration and embryonic development
Authors: Toba A. , Ishimatsu A.
Published: March 2014

Air was stored in 90% of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris burrows in summer breeding months when fish were active on the mudflat surface during low tide but only in 50% of burrows in overwintering months when the fish confined themselves to burrows. The volume of gas recovered from the burrows ranged from 30 to >400 ml. The partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) of the gas varied from 5 to 20 kPa and was inversely related to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) in all but the wintering periods. Sampling in July demonstrated that gas was stored in both male and female burrows with no difference in volume, PO2 or PCO2 between them. Adult fish were able to survive total submersion in hypoxic (PO2 = 1·96 kPa) water for 8 h, but no embryos survived to hatch in the hypoxic aquatic environment. Thus, the deposited air appears to be a crucial source of oxygen for the embryos developing in the egg chamber of the burrow, but may play only a subsidiary role for adult respiration during presumed high‐tide confinement.
A method for the automated long‐term monitoring of three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus shoal dynamics
Authors: Kleinhappel T. K. , Al‐Zoubi A. , Al‐Diri B. , Burman O. , Dickinson P. , John L. , Wilkinson A. , Pike T. W.
Published: March 2014

This paper describes and evaluates a flexible, non‐invasive tagging system for the automated identification and long‐term monitoring of individual three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus. The system is based on barcoded tags, which can be reliably and robustly detected and decoded to provide information on an individual's identity and location. Because large numbers of fish can be individually tagged, it can be used to monitor individual‐ and group‐level dynamics within fish shoals.
Utilizing Evolutionary Life History Theories in Family Studies
Authors: Gillette Meghan T. , Gudmunson Clinton G.
Published: March 2014

To provide a more holistic view of the family, scholars seek theoretical principles that can bridge and enhance existing paradigms. In this article, we introduce evolutionary life history theory and describe 4 midlevel life history theories (psychosocial acceleration, paternal investment, differential susceptibility, and parent‐offspring conflict). These theories will enable family scholars to expand their understanding of contemporary human families from an evolutionary perspective by creating novel research questions that will lead to innovative, interdisciplinary research.
Family and Citizenship in Political Theory and Political Science
Authors: Duff Brian
Published: March 2014

This article identifies the main threads that have dominated thinking about family and citizenship in political theory. I situate recent research in both political theory and political science within these approaches and identify a traditional hostility to family life among theorists of politics, one legacy of which is a continuing neglect of family life in the field of political science. At a moment when profound changes in family structure and family life are taking root, and when rhetoric about family has become central to American politics, the field of political science needs to do a better job at reckoning with family life and the way it affects our capacities as citizens. I also identify a countervailing trend in political theory that demands that family life be taken seriously, as well as recent research in political science that begins to do so. Finally, in this context I revisit the psychoanalytic approach to studying the relationship between family and politics, and I suggest that it is among the most promising directions that future research in political theory and political science might take in regard to the political significance of the family.
Localization of BDNF expression in the developing brain of zebrafish
Authors: De Felice E. , Porreca I. , Alleva E. , De Girolamo P. , Ambrosino C. , Ciriaco E. , Germanà A. , Sordino P.
Published: March 2014

The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene is expressed in differentiating and post‐mitotic neurons of the zebrafish embryo, where it has been implicated in Huntington's disease. Little is known, however, about the full complement of neuronal cell types that express BDNF in this important vertebrate model. Here, we further explored the transcriptional profiles during the first week of development using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and whole‐mount in situ hybridization (WISH). RT‐qPCR results revealed a high level of maternal contribution followed by a steady increase of zygotic transcription, consistent with the notion of a prominent role of BDNF in neuronal maturation and maintenance. Based on WISH, we demonstrate for the first time that BDNF expression in the developing brain of zebrafish is structure specific. Anatomical criteria and co‐staining with genetic markers (shh, pax2a, emx1, krox20, lhx2b and lhx9) visualized major topological domains of BDNF‐positive cells in the pallium, hypothalamus, posterior tuberculum and optic tectum. Moreover, the relative timing of BDNF transcription in the eye and tectum may illustrate a mechanism for coordinated development of the retinotectal system. Taken together, our results are compatible with a local delivery and early role of BDNF in the developing brain of zebrafish, adding basic knowledge to the study of neurotrophin functions in neural development and disease.
Hoping for a Godly (White) Family: How Desire for Religious Heritage Affects Whites’ Attitudes Toward Interracial Marriage
Authors: Perry Samuel L.
Published: March 2014

This study examines how a desire to pass on religious heritage shapes whites’ attitudes toward interracial marriage for their children. Utilizing national survey data (Baylor Religion Survey 2007), I estimate ordered logit regression models to examine the extent to which whites’ desire to have their children and children's spouses share their religion affects attitudes toward their hypothetical daughters marrying blacks, Latinos, or Asians, net of other factors. Analyses reveal that whites who consider it more important that their children and children's spouses share their religion are less comfortable with their daughters marrying blacks, Latinos, or Asians. These effects are robust to the inclusion of measures for religiosity, political ideology, intimate interracial experiences, and other sociodemographic correlates. These findings suggest that, for whites, religious heritage has a clear ethno‐racial component. The greater their desire for descendants to share the same religious views, the more whites would prefer that these descendants themselves be white, indicating that, for many white Americans, religious heritage is equated with whiteness. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for research on religion and interracial families.
Shrouded: Islam, War, and Holy War in Southeast Asia
Authors: Barter Shane , Zatkin‐Osburn Ian
Published: March 2014

The relationship between Islam and war has been the focus of lively debates. While terrorism experts might find a holy war wherever they look, others deny the role of faith in motivating violence. While no conflict is entirely inspired by faith, nor is any conflict entirely without it, the degree of religious motivation matters a great deal. How does one gauge the religiosity of a given conflict? We identify three dominant approaches: citing scripture, citing militant leaders, and quantifying religious divisions. While each approach makes valuable contributions, none help us to understand the degree to which a given struggle is understood by Muslim communities to be sacred. Based on rural fieldwork in three Southeast Asian secessionist conflicts, this article provides a series of empirical indicators of religious conflict: the religious credentials of rebel leaders, recruitment networks, public discourse, and burial practices. Burial practices for fallen rebels provide especially novel insights into how conflicts are understood by local religious officials and Muslim communities, offering a new window into understanding religiosity as perceived by internal audiences.
The Impact of International Migration on Home Churches: The Mar Thoma Syrian Christian Church in India
Authors: Kurien Prema
Published: March 2014

Based on qualitative, multisited research, this article examines the impacts of short‐ and long‐term international migration to the Middle East and the West on the Mar Thoma Syrian Christian demonination of Kerala. Migrants and their foreign‐born children have new demands and expectations, and significant financial contributions have led to adjustments in the orientation and functioning of the denomination and its clergy. Large‐scale emigration has also had indirect effects. International networks and the economic affluence of the population, along with a rise in social problems caused by migration and consumerism, have led to the rise of evangelical and charismatic transdenominational churches in Kerala that challenge the functioning of established Christian denominations such as the Mar Thoma. Church leaders have been trying to bring about changes to address these developments, but are constrained by the tradition, structure, and the mission of the churches. I draw on theories of organizational religious change and theories of transnationalism to explain the process of social change in Kerala, also addressing some limitations of these theories.
Compassionate Conservatives? Evangelicals, Economic Conservatism, and National Identity
Authors: Bean Lydia
Published: March 2014

In the United States, white evangelicals are more economically conservative than other Americans. It is commonly assumed that white evangelicals oppose redistributive social policies because of their individualistic theology. Yet Canadian evangelicals are just as supportive of redistributive social policy as other Canadians, even though they share the same tools of conservative Protestant theology. To solve this puzzle, I use multi‐sited ethnography to compare how two evangelical congregations in the United States and Canada talked about poverty and the role of government. In both countries, evangelicals made sense of their religious responsibilities to “the poor” by reference to national identity. Evangelicals used their theological tools differently in the United States and Canada because different visions of national solidarity served as cultural anchors for religious discourse about poverty. To understand the political and civic effects of religion, scholars need to consider the varied ways that religious groups imagine national community within religious practice.
39Ar‐40Ar chronology of the enstatite chondrite parent bodies
Authors: Hopp Jens , Trieloff Mario , Ott Uli , Korochantseva Ekaterina V. , Buykin Alexey I.
Published: March 2014

Ar‐Ar isochron ages of EL chondrites suggest closure of the K‐Ar system at 4.49 ± 0.01 Ga for EL5 and 6 chondrites, and 4.45 ± 0.01 Ga for EL3 MAC 88136. The high‐temperature release regimes contain a mixture of radiogenic 40Ar* and trapped primordial argon (solar or Q‐type) with 40Ar/36ArTR ~ 0, which does not affect the 40Ar budget. The low‐temperature extractions show evidence of an excess 40Ar component. The 40Ar/36Ar is 180–270; it is defined by intercept values of isochron regression. Excess 40Ar is only detectable in petrologic types >4/5. These lost most of their primordial 36Ar from low‐temperature phases during metamorphism and retrapped excess 40Ar. The origin of this excess 40Ar component is probably related to metamorphic Ar mobilization, homogenization of primordial and in situ radiogenic Ar, and trapping of Ar by distinct low‐temperature phases. Ar‐Ar ages of EH chondrites are more variable and show clear evidence of a major impact‐induced partial resetting at about 2.2 Ga ago or alternatively, prolonged metamorphic decomposition of major K carrier phases. EH impact melt LAP 02225 displayed the highest Ar‐Ar isochron age of 4.53 ± 0.01 Ga. This age sets a limit of about 25–45 Ma for the age bias between the K‐Ar and U‐Pb decay systems.
Mid‐infrared study of stones from the Sutter's Mill meteorite
Authors: Nuevo Michel , Sandford Scott A. , Flynn George J. , Wirick Susan
Published: March 2014

The Sutter's Mill meteorite fell in northern California on April 22, 2012. Several fragments of the meteorite were recovered, some of them shortly after the fall, others several days later after a heavy rainstorm. In this work, we analyzed several samples of four fragments―SM2, SM12, SM20, and SM30―from the Sutter's Mill meteorite with two infrared (IR) microscopes operating in the 4000–650 cm−1 (2.5–15.4 μm) range. Spectra show absorption features associated with minerals such as olivines, phyllosilicates, carbonates, and possibly pyroxenes, as well as organics. Spectra of specific minerals vary from one particle to another within a given stone, and even within a single particle, indicating a nonuniform mineral composition. Infrared features associated with aliphatic CH2 and CH3 groups associated with organics are also seen in several spectra. However, the presence of organics in the samples studied is not clear because these features overlap with carbonate overtone bands. Finally, other samples collected within days after the rainstorm show evidence for bacterial terrestrial contamination, which indicates how quickly meteorites can be contaminated on such small scales.