bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural heritage in building and enhancing social capital
Authors: Murzyn‐Kupisz Monika , Działek Jarosław
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Culture and cultural heritage are usually included in the general discussions on the construction of social capital and its impact on socio‐economic development. Despite that, it seems that there has not been enough in‐depth reflection on the typology and diversity of possible links between heritage and social capital. The purpose of this paper is to focus on an important aspect of heritage impact – its role in creating and enhancing social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of the article is to explain in what ways cultural heritage may constitute a tool, medium or space for enhancing and developing this type of capital. Though the text is mainly of theoretical character, conceptual statements are illustrated with selected cases from Great Britain and Poland, countries which differ significantly with respect to the level of social trust and involvement of residents in non‐governmental organisations, yet both reflect well the broad array of impacts of heritage on social capital.

Findings

The article indicates myriad impacts of tangible and intangible cultural heritage on social capital. It points to significant potential of heritage in terms of providing places of encounters and community hubs, sites of social integration and inclusion, functioning as a source of identity and local pride as well as being a reason for common actions, activities of NGOs and volunteers. Attention is paid also to the possible negative effects of heritage on social capital.

Practical implications

It seems necessary to include this aspect of heritage impact in policy making, not only in the field of culture and monument protection but also in other spheres, taking into account both positive and negative potential of cultural heritage with respect to social capital.

Social implications

The article focuses on an important social aspect of heritage impact in the local and regional context, which should be taken into account by managers of heritage institutions and sites.

Originality/value

A new, coherent typology of impacts and links between heritage and social capital is proposed, which may be useful to different level public authorities and organizations and also helpful to practitioners in the field of heritage management, with respect to social implications of heritage projects and activities conducted by them.
Knowledge transfer channels to Vietnam for process improvement
Authors: Machikita Tomohiro , Ueki Yasushi
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In the globalized economy, it is becoming increasingly necessary for firms in emerging economies to adopt advanced knowledge and technology from external sources, both domestic and abroad. This paper aims to identify knowledge flows through domestic and international customer‐supplier relationships that cause gaps in quality assurance, cost reduction, and timely delivery among firms in emerging countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors constructed an original dataset on production networks within manufacturing firms in Vietnam (including Hanoi and the surrounding region) and estimated statistical models for the relationship between face‐to‐face interactions within a supply chain and QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery). Findings from in‐depth interviews with Japanese firms in emerging economies complement the quantitative analysis.

Findings

The incidence of face‐to‐face interactions between two firms within a production chain via resident engineers significantly explains the variation in performance of total quality management among firms in Vietnam under controlling vertical ownership within a chain. Since the authors could find no significant correlations between transactions of goods along the supply chain and QCD, it is safe to say that transfer of intangible assets among interconnected firms may cause the difference in QCD among firms in Vietnam.

Originality/value

This represents the first systematic quantitative research on the asymmetric gains from face‐to‐face interactions with downstream and upstream firms, and it offers a new development in the study of transfers of intangible assets within a supply chain in Asian emerging economies.
Is technical training an obstacle to entrepreneurship?
Authors: Loras Joaquín , Vizcaíno José
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Entrepreneurial initiative has come to be recognised the world over as a driver of economic and social development. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of understanding the acquisition of capabilities related to entrepreneurship. In today's society, it is clear that human capital determines the rate at which quality of life improves or declines, as well as the competitiveness of productive systems. Conceptually, engineers might be regarded as vital enablers of change. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was passed to the students of civil engineering, which contained questions on the desirability of new venture creation or the intention to start up a new business. The questionnaire also asked respondents about the perception of the feasibility of creating a new venture, and the perceived image and economic and social evaluation of the business owner, as well as the prestige and recognition of the figure of the entrepreneur in comparison with other professions. Maintaining this structure enabled the authors to compare the results of this survey with other studies carried out in different fields and moments in time.

Findings

Engineers perceive creativity and innovation as having characteristics that are inherent in the qualities associated with their profession, in the sense that the engineer is someone who uses inventiveness to achieve or carry out objectives. In short, it is a profession that involves the application of ingenuity. However, engineering graduates rarely consider starting up a business as one of their career options upon completing their studies, and will invariably look to work for established firms.

Research limitations/implications

Technical training appears to be an enabler of creativity and an obstacle to business initiative. It would be interesting to analyse this implication over time.

Practical implications

The results of this study indicate a clear demand to complete the entrepreneurial training of civil engineering students. When asked about the possibility or opportunity of complementing their studies with business‐related training, a large part of the sample (43 per cent) were in total agreement, and 29 per cent were generally in favour.

Social implications

It can be concluded that the introduction of subjects that promote business creation in a technical degree course, such as engineering, is both necessary and desirable.

Originality/value

With a view to identifying the attitudes and beliefs amongst engineers towards business creation, this paper analyses the desirability, feasibility and intention to create a new firm, as well as the image and perception of the figure of the business owner, and the personal characteristics of civil engineering students as entrepreneurs.
Integration: attitudes, patterns and practices
Authors: Vallet‐Bellmunt Teresa , Rivera‐Torres Pilar
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This work has two main objectives: to obtain a set of scales for measuring the patterns, attitudes and practices of integration that can be extrapolated to different scopes (both internal and external) and participants (supplier and customer) within the supply chain; and to evaluate the relations between the different components of integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on previous literature on the content, measurement and scope of the concept of integration, a model is presented and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected from 450 enterprises from the Spanish construction materials sector.

Findings

The authors' results suggest that integration is a multidimensional concept that covers the different organisational levels of the company: corporate through attitudes; strategic through patterns; and operative through practices. These components have a different structure and, although attitudes and patterns behave similarly, practices do not, and so there is no single dimension of integration that includes the three levels. With regard to scope, internal and external integration are related but do not constitute one single concept of integration. It therefore cannot be measured as a single dimension in order to relate the integration of the firm with its (corporate, logistic or marketing) performance.

Research limitations/implications

From a methodological point of view, data were collected from a single sector, in a single moment in time and with a single respondent in each company.

Practical implications

Patterns and attitudes have a complete, corporative and strategic content, whereas practices are independent from each other and have a more operational vision.

Originality/value

Unlike studies that analyse integration and its relationship with outcomes, this work focuses on the concept of integration itself by analysing its three components. Thus, it extends the study of internal and external integration and focuses on the behaviour of the enterprise with two different members of the supply chain (suppliers and customers), thereby extending the analysis beyond the dyad.
Birth defects in a national cohort of pregnant women with HIV infection in Italy, 2001–2011
Authors: Floridia M , Mastroiacovo P , Tamburrini E , Tibaldi C , Todros T , Crepaldi A , Sansone M , Fiscon M , Liuzzi G , Guerra B , Vimercati A , Vichi F , Vicini I , Pinnetti C , Marconi AM , Ravizza M ,   The Italian Group on Surveillance on Antiretroviral Treatment in Pregnancy
Published: May 2013

Objective

We used data from a national study of pregnant women with HIV to evaluate the prevalence of congenital abnormalities in newborns from women with HIV infection.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

University and hospital clinics.

Population

Pregnant women with HIV exposed to antiretroviral treatment at any time during pregnancy.

Methods

The total prevalence of birth defects was assessed on live births, stillbirths, and elective terminations for fetal anomaly. The associations between potentially predictive variables and the occurrence of birth defects were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for exposed versus unexposed cases, calculated in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Main outcome measures

Birth defects, defined according to the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry criteria.

Results

A total of 1257 pregnancies with exposure at any time to antiretroviral therapy were evaluated. Forty‐two cases with major defects were observed. The total prevalence was 3.2% (95% CI 1.9–4.5) for exposure to any antiretroviral drug during the first trimester (23 cases with defects) and 3.4% (95% CI 1.9–4.9) for no antiretroviral exposure during the first trimester (19 cases). No associations were found between major birth defects and first‐trimester exposure to any antiretroviral treatment (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.51–1.75), main drug classes (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.51–1.76; non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.56–2.55; protease inhibitors, OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.43–1.95), and individual drugs, including efavirenz (prevalence for efavirenz, 2.5%).

Conclusions

This study adds further support to the assumption that first‐trimester exposure to antiretroviral treatment does not increase the risk of congenital abnormalities.
Interior fences can reduce cost and uncertainty when eradicating invasive species from large islands
Authors: Bode Michael , Brennan Karl E. C. , Helmstedt Kate , Desmond Anthony , Smia Raphael , Algar Dave
Published: May 2013

The conservation of many threatened species can be advanced by the eradication of alien invasive animals from islands. However, island eradications are an expensive, difficult and uncertain undertaking. An increasingly common eradication strategy is the construction of ‘interior fences’ to partition islands into smaller, independent eradication regions that can be treated sequentially or concurrently. Proponents argue that, while interior fences incur substantial up front construction costs, they reduce overall eradication costs. However, this hypothesis lacks an explicit theoretical or empirical justification.

We formulate a general theory that relates the number of interior fences to the magnitude and variation of the economic cost of island eradication. We use this theory to explore the conditions under which interior fences represent a defensible management strategy, under cost and risk minimisation objectives. We then specifically consider the forthcoming eradication of catsFelis catusfrom Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia, by parameterising our general theory using published data on the cost and success of previous projects.

Our results predict that under a wide range of reasonable conditions, interior fences can reduce the expected cost of a successful invasive alien animal eradication from large islands. On Dirk Hartog Island, interior fences will marginally reduce eradication costs, with two fences reducing expected costs by 3%. Interior fences have a much more substantial effect on the variability of eradication costs: two fences reduce the width of the 95% confidence bounds by more than one‐third and halve the size of the average project cost overrun/underrun.

Our results reveal that the construction of interior fences is a defensible management strategy for eradicating alien invasive species from islands. However, the primary benefit of interior fences will be risk management, rather than a reduction in expected project costs.
Minimum intervention dentistry – a new horizon in public oral health care
Authors: Calache H , Hopcraft MS , Martin JM
Published: May 2013

Public dental patients suffer from poorer oral health than the general population. Management of dental caries tends to focus on surgical interventions, such as restorations and extractions, rather than prevention and early intervention of the disease process. The current public dental system struggles to address the lifestyle and broader health issues affecting oral health and although an immediate dental problem can usually be alleviated, it can often be through the unnecessary removal of tooth structure, which invariably leads to other health and quality of life problems. There is widespread recognition by oral health clinicians that the restorative approach to the management of dental caries in the public sector is failing to improve oral health outcomes for many public patients. Oral health experts have recently adopted a national consensus statement on minimum intervention dentistry indicating their intention to work together to develop ways to implement this approach across the public dental sector. It is clear that, despite some significant challenges and required changes, the momentum for minimum intervention dentistry continues to grow across Australia. There is an urgent need to undertake research to assess the cost‐effectiveness of this approach in the public sector.
Diagnosis of the early carious lesion
Authors: Manton DJ
Published: May 2013

In recent decades a desire has driven the uptake of the minimum intervention dentistry (MID) philosophy to end the destructive ‘drill and fill’ mentality prevalent amongst dental training programmes since the establishment of formalized dental training courses more than 100 years ago. This change in attitude has been concomitant with the decrease in caries prevalence in large sectors of the community and a better understanding of the caries process. One of the pivotal arms of MID is caries risk assessment, and early and accurate caries detection is a major part of this procedure. There is great variation between the diagnostic decisions between individual clinicians, and the development of valid detection aids may decrease this variation and improve the clinical decision making process as it relates to dental caries.
Use of new minimum intervention dentistry technologies in caries management
Authors: Tassery H , Levallois B , Terrer E , Manton DJ , Otsuki M , Koubi S , Gugnani N , Panayotov I , Jacquot B , Cuisinier F , Rechmann P
Published: May 2013

Preservation of natural tooth structure requires early detection of the carious lesion and is associated with comprehensive patient dental care. Processes aiming to detect carious lesions in the initial stage with optimum efficiency employ a variety of technologies such as magnifying loupes, transillumination, light and laser fluorescence (QLF® and DIAGNOdent®) and autofluorescence (Soprolife® and VistaCam®), electric current/impedance (CarieScan®), tomographic imaging and image processing. Most fluorescent caries detection tools can discriminate between healthy and carious dental tissue, demonstrating different levels of sensitivity and specificity. Based on the fluorescence principle, an LED camera (Soprolife®) was developed (Sopro‐Acteon, La Ciotat, France) which combined magnification, fluorescence, picture acquisition and an innovative therapeutic concept called light‐induced fluorescence evaluator for diagnosis and treatment (LIFEDT). This article is rounded off by a Soprolife® illustration about minimally or even non‐invasive dental techniques, distinguishing those that preserve or reinforce the enamel and enamel‐dentine structures without any preparation (MIT1– minimally invasive therapy 1) from those that require minimum preparation of the dental tissues (MIT2 – minimally invasive therapy 2) using several clinical cases as examples. MIT1 encompasses all the dental techniques aimed at disinfection, remineralizing, reversing and sealing the caries process and MIT2 involves a series of specific tools, including microburs, air abrasion devices, sonic and ultrasonic inserts and photo‐activated disinfection to achieve minimal preparation of the tooth. With respect to minimally invasive treatment and prevention, the use of lasers is discussed. Furthermore, while most practices operate under a surgical model, Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CaMBRA) encourages a medical model of disease prevention and management to control the manifestation of the disease, or keep the oral environment in a state of balance between pathological and preventive factors. Early detection and diagnosis and prediction of lesion activity are of great interest and may change traditional operative procedures substantially. Fluorescence tools with high levels of magnification and observational capacity should guide clinicians towards a more preventive and minimally invasive treatment strategy.
A perspective from the dental industry on minimum intervention dentistry
Authors: Haynes S
Published: May 2013

The dental industry works in partnership with the dental profession to provide materials, instruments, equipment and resources that help support the profession's desire to provide quality oral care for the population.
Arthropod survey on soybean crops in Cambodia: a comparison of the sweep netting and beat sheeting collection methods for estimating arthropod diversity and species richness
Authors: Chanthy Pol , Martin Robert J , Gunning Robin V , Andrew Nigel R
Published: May 2013

This is the first assessment of insect assemblages on soybean crops in Cambodia. Sweep netting and beat sheeting collection methods were used to evaluate the effectiveness of sampling arthropods and their collection efficiency in soybean crops and to determine soybean insect diversity and composition at two sites. Overall, arthropod populations sampled by sweep netting were substantially different compared to populations collected by beat sheeting. The sweep netting caught significantly higher numbers of most Orders; however, the beat sheeting caught a significantly higher number of Acari. Beat sheeting was also effective for sampling Nezara viridula which is a major invertebrate pest of soybean. There was a significant interaction between location and collection methods for both Hemiptera and Hymenoptera assemblages. Selection of insect sampling method depends on many factors such as plant type, plant structure, field conditions, ease of use, cost of use and target insect species. However, the sweep netting was best for fast flying insects such as hymenopteran wasps and those located in upper parts of the plant canopy. The use of different sampling methods to assess pest, predator/parasitoid and general community structure in crops is crucial for assessing Integrated Pest Management strategies.
Maternity validation using sire‐only BovineSNP50 BeadChip data
Authors: Seroussi E. , Glick G. , Shirak A. , Ezra E. , Zeron Y. , Ron M. , Weller J. I.
Published: May 2013

Based on pairwise identity‐by‐state (IBS) distances and whole‐genome SNP data, kinship was investigated in the Israeli Holstein population. A total of 789 bulls, including most of the artificial insemination sires in service since 1987, were genotyped by the BovineSNP50 BeadChip. This sample included up to five generations. For each bull‐by‐bull combination, three states are possible for each marker: no match, a single match and both alleles match. Summing over all markers, the 932 598 IBS scores (three match frequencies*310 866 bull‐by‐bull combinations) were visualized using three‐dimensional coordinates that corresponded to the frequencies of the three possible states. Results were reduced to two dimensions using the transformations x’ = 0.7071(1 + freq1−freq2) and y’ = 1.2247freq0. Bull‐by‐bull pairs were grouped according to their level of kinship, and canonical scores were calculated using discriminant analysis and the x’ and y’ features. Of the 474 pairs of recorded maternal grandsire–grandson with both individuals genotyped, the probability for 28 pairs to belong to this level of kinship was low (P < 0.05), suggesting an error rate of around 3% per generation in pedigree determination.
Pharmacological characterization of FE 201874, the first selective high affinity rat V1A vasopressin receptor agonist
Authors: Marir Rafik , Virsolvy Anne , Wisniewski Kazimierz , Mion Julie , Haddou Dominique , Galibert Evelyne , Meraihi Zahia , Desarménien Michel G , Guillon Gilles
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose

Distinct vasopressin receptors are involved in different physiological and behavioural functions. Presently, no selective agonist is available to specifically elucidate the functional roles of the V1A receptor in the rat, one of the most widely used animal models. FE 201874 is a new derivative of the human selective V1A receptor agonist F180. In this study, we performed a multi‐approach pharmacological and functional characterization of FE 201874 to determine whether it is selective for V1A receptors.

Experimental Approach

We modified an available human selective V1A receptor agonist (F180) and determined its pharmacological properties in cell lines expressing vasopressin/oxytocin receptors (affinity and coupling to second messenger cascades), in an ex vivo model (aorta ring contraction) and in vivo in rats (proliferation of adrenal cortex glomerulosa cells and lactation).

Key Results

FE 201874 exhibited nanomolar affinity for the rat V1A receptor; it was highly selective towards the rat V1B and V2 vasopressin receptors and behaved as a full V1A agonist in all the pharmacological tests performed. FE 201874 bound to the oxytocin receptor, but with moderate affinity, and behaved as an oxytocin antagonist in vitro, but not in vivo.

Conclusions and Implications

On functional grounds, all the data demonstrate that FE 201874 is the first selective agonist of the rat V1A receptor isoform available. Hence, FE 201874 may have potential as a treatment for the vasodilator‐induced hypotension occurring in conditions such as septic shock and could be the most suitable compound for discriminating between the behavioural effects of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin.
Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor T790M mutation in plasma DNA from patients refractory to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Authors: Sakai Kazuko , Horiike Atsushi , Irwin Darryl L. , Kudo Keita , Fujita Yoshihiko , Tanimoto Azusa , Sakatani Toshio , Saito Ryota , Kaburaki Kyohei , Yanagitani Noriko , Ohyanagi Fumiyoshi , Nishio Makoto , Nishio Kazuto
Published: May 2013

A secondary epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, the substitution of threonine 790 with methionine (T790M), leads to acquired resistance to reversible EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs). A non‐invasive method for detecting T790M mutation would be desirable to direct patient treatment strategy. Plasma DNA samples were obtained after discontinuation of gefitinib or erlotinib in 75 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). T790M mutation was amplified using the SABER (single allele base extension reaction) technique and analyzed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. We examined the T790M mutation status in plasma samples obtained after treatment with an EGFR‐TKI. The SABER assay sensitivity using mixed oligonucleotides was determined to be 0.3%. The T790M mutation was detected in 21 of the 75 plasma samples (28%). The presence of the T790M mutation was confirmed by subcloning into sequencing vectors and sequencing in 14 of the 21 samples (66.6%). In this cohort of 75 patients, the median progression‐free survival (PFS) of the patients with the T790M mutation (n = 21) was not statistically different from that of the patients without the mutation (n = 54, P = 0.94). When patients under 65 years of age who had a partial response were grouped according to their plasma T790M mutation status, the PFS of the T790M‐positive patients (n = 11) was significantly shorter than that of the T790M‐negative patients (n = 29, P = 0.03). The SABER method is a feasible means of determining the plasma T790M mutation status and could potentially be used to monitor EGFR‐TKI therapy.
APC promoter 1B deletion in familial polyposis—implications for mutation‐negative families
Authors: Kadiyska T.K. , Todorov T.P. , Bichev S.N. , Vazharova R.V. , Nossikoff A.V. , Savov A.S. , Mitev V.I.
Published: May 2013

Over 1500 adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations have already been identified as causative of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, routine genetic testing fails to detect mutations in about 10% of classic FAP cases. Recently, it has been shown that a proportion of mutation‐negative FAP cases bear molecular changes in deep intronic and regulatory sequences. In this study, we used direct sequencing, followed by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) of genomic DNA from family members, affected by classic FAP. We first reported the family as mutation negative. With the launch of a new version of MLPA kit, we retested the family and a novel full deletion of promoter 1B was detected. The exact breakpoints of the deletion were determined by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and long range polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by direct sequencing. The total APC expression levels were investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and allele‐specific expression (ASE) analysis. The APC gene expression was highly reduced, which indicates causative relationship. We suggest that there is a significant possibility that APC promoter 1B mutations could be found in mutation‐negative FAP patients. In the light of our findings it seems reasonable to consider targeted genetic re‐analysis of APC promoter 1B region in a larger cohort of unsolved cases.
Resilience and Survival: Black Teenage Mothers ‘Looked After’ by the State Tell their Stories About their Experience of Care
Authors: Mantovani Nadia , Thomas Hilary
Published: May 2013

‘Looked after’ young people are among the most disadvantaged members of our society. While their disadvantaged status should not be ignored, poor outcomes are often emphasised at the expense of good ones. This article reports a study that adopts the concept of resilience to understand the narratives of the participants’ experience of care and foster care. A total of 15 young mothers, aged 16–19 and mainly from black African backgrounds, were interviewed. Despite lacking a ‘secure base’, informants invested in a sense of moral identity and a source of self‐directedness, which enabled them to move from victim of circumstances to individuals who overcome their circumstances.
Excellent outcome of living donor liver transplantation in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome: a single centre experience
Authors: Saigal Sanjiv , Choudhary Narendra , Saraf Neeraj , Kotecha Hardik , Kakodkar Rahul , Mohanka Ravi , Rastogi Amit , Menon Palat , Goja Sanjay , Govil Deepak , Vohra Vijay , Soin Arvinder
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) worsens the prognosis of cirrhosis and liver transplantation is only definitive treatment. There is paucity of data about role of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in HPS.

Methods

Fourteen patients with HPS and cirrhosis who underwent LDLT were prospectively included. HPS was defined as PaO2 < 80 mmHg in presence of demonstrable macro‐aggregated albumin (MAA) scan shunt fraction >6%.

Results

The study group composed of 11 male and three female patients, mean age 50.3 ± 8.6 yr. Most common presentations were dyspnea (92.8%), cyanosis (78.5%) and clubbing (64.2%). Mean model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score was 18.2 ± 4.7, mean MAA shunt fraction was 23.0 ± 13.2%, mean PaO2 was 58.7 ± 8.4 mmHg. Two patients had very severe HPS (PaO2 <50 mmHg), five had severe HPS (PaO2 >50 <60 mmHg) and seven had moderate HPS (PaO2 >60 <80 mmHg). All patients underwent right lobe LDLT. The overall time to extubation was 2 (1–32 days) and for hospital stay was 20 (17–46 days). The main complications in post‐LT course were infection in 57% (cytomegalovirus or bacterial). All the patients are alive and off oxygen at a mean follow up of 29 ± 25 months.

Conclusion

We report one of the largest series of LDLT in HPS which has shown excellent results.
Role of total artificial heart in the management of heart transplant rejection and retransplantation: case report and review
Authors: Kalya Anantharam , Jaroszewski Dawn , Pajaro Octavio , Scott Robert , Gopalan Radha , Kasper Diane , Arabia Francisco
Published: May 2013

Cardiac allograft rejection and failure may require mechanical circulatory support as bridge‐to‐retransplantation. Prognosis in this patient group is poor and implantable ventricular assist devices have had limited success due to organ failure associated with the high dose immunosuppression required to treat ongoing rejection. We present a case from our institution and the world‐wide experience utilizing the SynCardia CardioWest Total Artificial Heart (TAH‐t; SynCardia Systems, Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA) for replacement of the failing graft, recovery of patient and end‐organ failure with ultimate bridge to retransplantation. We present our experience and review of world‐wide experience for use of TAH‐t in this type patient.
Immunohistochemical expression of p16 in desmoplastic melanoma
Authors: Blokhin Elena , Pulitzer Melissa , Busam Klaus J.
Published: May 2013

Desmoplastic melanoma can be difficult to distinguish from desmoplastic melanocytic nevi both clinically and histopathologically. Several attempts have been made to explore the use of ancillary studies to facilitate this distinction. Prior work has suggested that immunohistochemical expression of p16 could help distinguish sclerosing Spitz nevi from desmoplastic melanomas. We re‐evaluated the expression of p16 in 22 desmoplastic melanomas (13 mixed and 9 pure desmoplastic tumors) and five desmoplastic melanocytic nevi (three desmoplastic Spitz nevi and two congenital melanocytic nevi with prominent dermal sclerosis). All desmoplastic melanocytic nevi were strongly immunoreactive for p16. Of the 22 desmoplastic melanomas, 6 tumors failed to label for p16, 10 were focally positive, but 6 tumors were diffusely immunoreactive. The latter finding is relevant, as it points to limitations in the diagnostic value of immunohistochemical staining for p16 for the diagnosis of desmoplastic melanocytic proliferations. Diffuse staining for p16 is not restricted to desmoplastic Spitz nevi but can also occur in a subset of desmoplastic melanomas, and this warrants caution in the use of this marker for diagnostic purposes.
Coexistence of Left Ventricular Noncompaction and Aortic İnterruption
Authors: Isilak Zafer , Incedayi Mehmet , Aribal Serkan , Saglam Muzaffer , Yalcin Murat
Published: May 2013

Mini‐Abstract

A 22‐year‐old male patient was admitted to our hospital cardiology service suffering from dyspnea on exertion. Real time two‐ and three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed a mild regurgitant bicuspid aortic valve, a spongy appearance of the left ventricular wall and hypoplasia of the distal part of aortic arch. Left ventricular noncompaction was seen in his contrast enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interruption at the level of distal aortic arch and hypoplasia of the descending thoracic aorta was seen in his computerized tomography angiography.
Magnetic resonance microscopy atlas of equine embryonic development
Authors: Jenner F. , Närväinen J. , de Ruijter‐Villani M. , Stout T. A. E. , van Weeren P. R. , Brama P.
Published: May 2013

Reasons for performing study

Equine embryogenesis post implantation is not well studied, and only two‐dimensional illustrations are available. A thorough appreciation of the complex three‐dimensional relationship between tissues and organs and their development is, however, crucial for understanding physiological and pathological mechanisms.

Objectives

The goals were 2‐fold: 1) to establish a freely accessible online atlas as a reference tool for the scientific and pedagogic communities; and 2) to create a framework for integration of data with known spatiotemporal distribution, such as gene expression or cell lineage.

Study design

Descriptive anatomical study.

Methods

Magnetic resonance microscopy was performed on embryos of 28, 32, 35, 37, 39, 40, 42, 45, 50 and 65 days gestation using a 9.4 T magnet. Equine embryos were staged according to the Carnegie system. Acquired images were optimised using histogram optimisation and processed for easy online access.

Results

Magnetic resonance microscopy protocols for imaging of equine embryos and fetuses were developed. The wider spread of signal intensity values achieved by histogram equalisation increased visual contrast considerably. Despite their longer gestation, equine conceptuses appeared to reach the various Carnegie staging benchmarks earlier than human embryos.

Conclusions

The equine atlas is designed to serve as an online reference tool for research and teaching.

Potential relevance

The equine atlas may serve as a foundation and scaffold for improved anatomical labelling, spatial and temporal data integration and further understanding of physiological and pathophysiological processes involved in development and disease.
Weight functions for the determination of stress intensity factor and T‐stress for semi‐elliptical cracks in finite thickness plate
Authors: Jin Z. , Wang X.
Published: May 2013

This paper presents the application of weight function method for the calculation of stress intensity factors (K) and T‐stress for surface semi‐elliptical crack in finite thickness plates subjected to arbitrary two‐dimensional stress fields. New general mathematical forms of point load weight functions for K and T have been formulated by taking advantage of the knowledge of a few specific weight functions for two‐dimensional planar cracks available in the literature and certain properties of weight function in general. The existence of the generalised forms of the weight functions simplifies the determination of specific weight functions for specific crack configurations. The determination of a specific weight function is reduced to the determination of the parameters of the generalised weight function expression. These unknown parameters can be determined from reference stress intensity factor and T‐stress solutions. This method is used to derive the weight functions for both K and T for semi‐elliptical surface cracks in finite thickness plates, covering a wide range of crack aspect ratio (a/c) and relative depth (a/t) at any point along the crack front. The derived weight functions are then validated against stress intensity factor and T‐stress solutions for several linear and nonlinear two‐dimensional stress distributions. These derived weight functions are particularly useful for the development of two‐parameter fracture and fatigue models for surface cracks subjected to fluctuating nonlinear stress fields, such as these resulting from surface treatment (shot peening), stress concentration or welding (residual stress).
HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 polymorphism in Koreans defined by sequence‐based typing of 4128 cord blood units
Authors: Huh J. Y. , Yi D. Y. , Eo S.‐H. , Cho H. , Park M. H. , Kang M. S.
Published: May 2013

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes differ significantly among different ethnic groups, and high‐resolution typing methods allow for the detection of a wider spectrum of HLA variations. In this study, HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 genotypes were analysed in 4128 cord blood units obtained from Korean women using the sequence‐based typing method. A total of 44 HLA‐A, 67 HLA‐B and 48 HLA‐DRB1 most probable alleles were identified. Of these, high‐frequency alleles found at a frequency of ≥5% were 6 HLA‐A (A*02:01, A*02:06, A*11:01, A*24:02, A*31:01, A*33:03), 5 HLA‐B (B*15:01, B*44:03, B*51:01, B*54:01, B*58:01) and 7 HLA‐DRB1 (DRB1*01:01, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*07:01, DRB1*08:03, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*13:02, DRB1*15:01) alleles. At each locus, A*02, B*15 and DRB1*04 generic groups were most diverse at allelic level, consisting of 8, 11 and 10 different alleles, respectively. Two‐ and three‐locus haplotypes estimated by the maximum likelihood method revealed 73 A‐B, 74 B‐DRB1 and 42 A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes with frequencies of ≥0.3%. A total of 193 A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes found at a frequency of ≥0.1% were presented, and the six most common haplotypes were A*33:03‐B*44:03‐DRB1*13:02 (4.6%), A*33:03‐B*58:01‐DRB1*13:02 (3.0%), A*24:02‐B*07:02‐DRB1*01:01 (2.7%), A*33:03‐B*44:03‐DRB1*07:01 (2.5%), A*30:01‐B*13:02‐DRB1*07:01 (2.2%) and A*24:02‐B*52:01‐DRB1*15:02 (2.1%). Compared with previous smaller scale studies, this study further delineated the allelic and haplotypic diversity in Koreans including low‐frequency alleles and haplotypes. Information obtained in this study will be useful for the search for unrelated bone marrow donors and for anthropologic and disease association studies.
A group‐specific sequencing approach to investigate the presence of atypical human leucocyte antigen alleles
Authors: Foster L. , Tate D. , Poulton K.
Published: May 2013

Accurate human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing results are essential in determining the degree of compatibility between donor and recipient in both solid organ (SO) and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Current HLA typing methodologies can generate ambiguous results which may need resolving. This group‐specific sequencing approach allowed investigation into the presence of the low expressor HLA‐A*24:02:01:02L allele and the rare HLA‐A*02:64 allele in a SO transplant recipient and a HSC transplant recipient, respectively. Locus‐specific amplification of HLA‐A was performed. Exons 2 and 3 were sequenced in both directions followed by group‐specific sequencing to resolve ambiguities. Hemizygous sequence data of intron 2 generated from the HLA‐A*24 allele indicated the presence of the HLA‐A*24:02:01:01 allele. HLA‐A*02:64 was identified by sequencing the allele in isolation over exons 2 and 3 and allowed confirmation of this allele sequence with the IMGT/HLA database (Accession number AY297166). This approach is cost efficient and can be modified to sequence alleles at other HLA loci. It has also been adapted to characterize the novel HLA‐DQB1*06:48 allele (Accession number HE647646) as well as the non‐HLA gene, UGT2B17, making it a useful tool to augment existing typing methodologies.
Communicative genres as organising structures in online communities – of team players and storytellers
Authors: Moser Christine , Ganley Dale , Groenewegen Peter
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we examine the question of how participants in online communities enact organising structures. We conduct an empirical study based on interpretative and quantitative data and analysis, and argue that communicative genres fulfil the role of intangible organising structures in online communities. These structures are important in the absence of more formal or tangible structures. Furthermore, we take into account participants' position in the social network and find that distinct participant clusters use communicative genres quite differently. In particular, we distinguish four participant clusters using distinct genre repertoires: team players, who make short, advising messages; storytellers, who post less but longer and very social messages; utility posters, who share knowledge but neglect social interaction; and all‐round talents, who engage in various actions and have average messages, without blinking out in any activity. With this research, we provide an analytical tool that allows practitioners to assess community activities, and inform and evaluate strategies for change toward improved outcomes.
Toward Dialysis “a la Carte”
Authors: Funck‐Brentano J. L.
Published: May 2013

Abstract: From the very beginning, the artificial kidney postponed the death of patients with end‐stage renal failure. For years, owing to the performance of the machine, the patient was obliged to follow a severe diet in order to maintain good humoral and circulatory status. Now technological improvements allow “dialysis à la carte,” whereby each individual achieves a better clinical status. The next step will be automation of the procedure to improve its security, mainly for dialysis performed at home.
Therapeutic Application of Phenylalanine Immunoadsorbent with On‐Line Regeneration
Authors: Niwa Toshimitsu , Nomura Totnohide , Ozawa Yuko , Maeda Kenji , Shibata Masao , Yamada Kazumasa , Oda Osamu
Published: May 2013

Abstract: To improve the adsorption capacity of the artificial reticuloendothelial system containing phenylalanineas a ligand, a regeneration method for the adsorbent during plasma perfusion was developed. The adsorbed rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins, and complements were demonstrated to be elutable from the adsorbent with a 5% glucose solution in vitro. The regeneration method was applied to the treatment of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. During each plasma perfusion, the adsorbent was regenerated, usually twice, with a 5% glucose solution at a flow rate of 50 ml/min. After each regeneration, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was found to be improved by determining the pre‐ and post‐column plasma titers of a rheumatoid arthritis hem agglutination test.
Effects of pK Variability on Bicarbonate Balance Evaluation in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Santoro Antonio , Ferrari Giuseppe , Spongano Marco , Cavalli Francesco , Zucchelli Pietro
Published: May 2013

Abstract: Bicarbonate balance is usually calculated from the Henderson‐Hasselbalch equation under the assumption that pK is constant. To evaluate the pK variability and its effects on bicarbonate computed with autoanalyzers in dialysis patients, we studied 44 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The pH, Pco, total CO2 and pK were determined in each patient before and after the dialysis session. The mean total CO, calculated (22.5 ± 2.7 meq/L) from pH and PCO, values was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that directly measured (20.4 ± 3.0 meq/L) with total CO, analyzer. The mean (2 SD) pK value was 6.14 ± 0.06 (range 6.05–6.28). The percentage error in computed bicarbonate due to pK variations from the traditional pK value of 6.1 ranged between ‐ 11% and 52%. The pK value changed during dialysis in the majority of our patients, thereby confirming that pK consistency does indeed vary. Thus, investigation of acid‐base balance based on pH and PCO, determination may lead to erroneous results determined by pK abnormalities.
Effects of Membrane Structure on Removal of Low Molecular Weight Proteins
Authors: Takesawa Shingo , Ohashi Hidehiko , Hidai Hideo , Sakai Kiyotaka
Published: May 2013

Abstract: Much attention is being devoted to the efficient removal of β2‐microglobulin from patients on hemodialysis as it may cause amyloidosis. The objective of the present article is to clarify the β2‐microglobulin removal characteristics of dialysis membranes having varying water contents and pore radii. For membranes of regenerated cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and ethylenevinyl alcohol (EVA), solute and pure water permeability and water content were determined by the standard methods. Data analysis using a tortuous pore model allows determination of pore radius, surface porosity, and tortuosity, and hence, the sieving coefficient as a function of Stokes radius. Based on the tortuouspore model calculation, little β2‐microglobulin is removed from patients on hernodialysis by regenerated cellulose and PMMA membranes, but EVA membranes, with a sieving coefficient of 0.5, are capable of removing it. The solute permeability for urea is about 2 orders greater than that for β,‐microglobulin.
Explicit risk of getting caught does not affect unethical behavior
Authors: Gamliel Eyal , Peer Eyal
Published: May 2013

Research showed that given the opportunity, people behave dishonestly only to the degree that will allow them to maintain a positive self‐concept. These experiments did not include the probability of getting caught cheating, although in everyday life, this risk always exists. If it is shown that people behave more honestly when faced with an explicit risk of getting caught, the ecological validity of these experiments may be at risk. This study showed that explicit risk, framed as the probability of getting caught or as the complementary probability of not getting caught, did not reduce participants’ dishonest behavior relative to no risk. These findings support the ecological validity of previous research on unethical behavior.
A study on purchasing behavior of teenagers in Taiwan: example of counterfeit goods
Authors: Fan Wei‐Shang , Lan Chun‐Hsiung , Huang Yu‐Kai , Chang Ruei‐Shiuan
Published: May 2013

This study has established a relationship model encompassing such aspects as consumer values, consumer involvement, purchase behavior, and consumer satisfaction. Furthermore, taking counterfeit goods as an example, this study employs factor analysis, reliability analysis, and the structural equation model to verify the relationship between the research aspects.

Another major discovery of this study was that teenagers' behavioral purchasing mentality is graphic, hyperlinked, and is geared toward useful situations and functional needs. When they consider their degree of need, they inevitably incorporate many emotional needs. However, their attitude toward counterfeit goods is rational, which is confirmed by the fact that Hypothesis 1 was not supported.