bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All for Nothing? Accounting for Land under Roads by Australian Local Governments
Authors: Elhawary Hassan M.A. , West Brian
Published: March 2015

Accounting for land under roads by local governments has been one of the most controversial and protracted episodes in the setting of Australian accounting standards. However, after more than two decades of exposure drafts, regulation, transitional provisions and re‐regulation, most land under roads has not been recognised in local government balance sheets. Australian Accounting Standard AAS 27 Financial Reporting by Local Governments was first issued in 1991 and, among other significant reforms, proposed that local governments report land under roads as an asset in their financial reports. However, persistent opposition to this requirement and practical difficulties associated with its implementation gave rise to a succession of transitional provisions deferring its mandatory application. Finally, in 2007 – 16 years after AAS 27 was first promulgated – the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) sought to bring closure to this issue with the release of AASB 1051 Land Under Roads. However, in the interim some state governments had pursued their own resolutions, forbidding the recognition of land under roads. This research reports the results of a survey of the impact of land under roads on local government financial reports. After two decades of debate and regulation, diversity is found to persist in the extent and manner of recognition of this ‘asset’. However, recognition remains the exception rather than the norm and is typically confined to recent acquisitions that comprise only a very small portion of total assets. These circumstances are suggestive of an episode of regulatory failure.
Inconsistent Depreciation Practice and Public Policymaking: Local Government Reform in New South Wales
Authors: Drew Joseph , Dollery Brian
Published: March 2015

Public policy based on numerical indicators – a form of ‘public management by numbers’ – has become commonplace across the world. Whereas a good deal is known about the deleterious effects of this type of policymaking – including ratcheting, output distortion and ‘gaming’ – unfortunately little attention has focused on the adverse local government policy consequences of inconsistent depreciation accruals by local authorities. This paper seeks to address this gap in the empirical literature on local government performance. After examining the use of accounting data by local government policymakers, the paper reviews available empirical evidence of inconsistent depreciation practice both in Australia and abroad. We then consider the recent New South Wales (NSW) Independent Local Government Review Panel's use of accounting ratios as supporting evidence for boundary change in local government as a case study of the adverse impact of inconsistent depreciation practice. The NSW experience clearly demonstrates the distortionary effects of empirical evidence resulting from significant variation in depreciation accruals by individual local councils. The paper concludes with an assessment of the options available to local government policymakers wishing to obtain more accurate accounting accrual data for policy formulation purposes.
Regulatory review time and post‐market safety events for novel medicines approved by the EMA between 2001 and 2010: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zeitoun Jean‐David , Lefèvre Jérémie H. , Downing Nicholas S. , Bergeron Henri , Ross Joseph S.
Published: March 2015

Aims

Regulatory review time has been associated with post‐market medication safety issues in the United States. Our objective was to evaluate whether regulatory review time and near deadline approval are associated with post‐market safety events (PMSEs) for novel medicines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of all novel medicines approved by the EMA through the centralized authorization procedure between 2001 and 2010. PMSEs were defined as withdrawals and communications identified through Dear Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs). Regulatory review time was defined as the time that elapsed between the start of the assessment procedure and approval. Near regulatory deadline approval was defined as approval within the 30 days before the EMA's 210 day regulatory deadline.

Results

Among 161 eligible medicines, PMSEs were identified for 49 (30.4%), 44 of which were DHPCs, five of which were withdrawals. Median regulatory review time was 337 days (IQR 276–406) and was not associated with PMSEs (P = 0.57). However, when categorized by regulatory review speed tertile, there were differences in risk of PMSEs, with higher rates among medicines in the middle tertile (25 of 55, 45.4%; P = 0.01). Finally, 26 medicines were approved near the 210 day regulatory deadline, but were not more likely to have PMSEs (38.5% vs. 28.7%; P = 0.32).

Conclusions

Neither faster EMA regulatory review speed nor approval near regulatory deadlines was associated with greater likelihood of PMSEs among recently approved novel medicines.
Favipiravir inhibits acetaminophen sulfate formation but minimally affects systemic pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen
Authors: Zhao Yanli , Harmatz Jerold S. , Epstein Carol R. , Nakagawa Yukako , Kurosaki Chie , Nakamura Tetsuro , Kadota Takumi , Giesing Dennis , Court Michael H. , Greenblatt David J.
Published: March 2015

Aims

The antiviral agent favipiravir is likely to be co‐prescribed with acetaminophen (paracetamol). The present study evaluated the possiblility of a pharmacokinetic interaction between favipiravir and acetaminophen, in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The effect of favipivir on the transformation of acetaminophen to its glucuronide and sulfate metabolites was studied using a pooled human hepatic S9 fraction in vitro. The effect of acute and extended adminstration of favipiravir on the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen and metabolites was evaluated in human volunteers.

Results

Favipiravir inhibited the in vitro formation of acetaminophen sulfate, but not acetaminophen glucuronide. In human volunteers, both acute (1 day) and extended (6 days) administration of favipiravir slightly but significantly increased (by about 20 %) systemic exposure to acetaminophen (total AUC), whereas Cmax was not significantly changed. AUC for acetaminophen glucuronide was increased by 23 to 35 % above control by favipiravir, while AUC for acetaminophen sulfate was reduced by about 20 % compared to control. Urinary excretion of acetaminophen sulfate was likewise reduced to 44 to 65 % of control values during favipiravir co‐administration, while excretion of acetaminophen glucuronide increased to 17 to 32 % above control.

Conclusion

Favipiravir inhibits acetaminophen sulfate formation in vitro and in vivo. However the increase in systemic exposure to acetaminophen due to favipiravir co‐administration, though statistically significant, is small in magnitude and unlikely to be of clinical importance.
The causes of variation in the presence of genetic covariance between sexual traits and preferences
Authors: Fowler‐Finn Kasey D. , Rodríguez Rafael L.
Published: March 2015

Mating traits and mate preferences often show patterns of tight correspondence across populations and species. These patterns of apparent coevolution may result from a genetic association between traits and preferences (i.e. trait–preference genetic covariance). We review the literature on trait–preference covariance to determine its prevalence and potential biological relevance. Of the 43 studies we identified, a surprising 63% detected covariance. We test multiple hypotheses for factors that may influence the likelihood of detecting this covariance. The main predictor was the presence of genetic variation in mate preferences, which is one of the three main conditions required for the establishment of covariance. In fact, 89% of the nine studies where heritability of preference was high detected covariance. Variables pertaining to the experimental methods and type of traits involved in different studies did not greatly influence the detection of trait–preference covariance. Trait–preference genetic covariance appears to be widespread and therefore represents an important and currently underappreciated factor in the coevolution of traits and preferences.
Clinical and Radiological Long‐Term Outcome of a Tapered Implant System with Special Emphasis on the Influence of Augmentation Procedures
Authors: Schiegnitz Eik , Al‐Nawas Bilal , Tegner Alexander , Sagheb Keyvan , Berres Manfred , Kämmerer Peer W , Wagner Wilfried
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

Tapered implant designs aim to improve primary stability and implant survival in soft bone. However, respective clinical long‐term data are scarce. Therefore, a clinical and radiological evaluation of the long‐term success of a transgingival‐supracrestal inserted tapered implant system with special emphasis on the influence of augmentation procedures was conducted.

Material and Methods

In a retrospective study design, all in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany, between May 2002 and March 2012, placed tapered implants (Straumann TE®, Basel, Switzerland) were analyzed. In this time period, a total of one hundred ninety‐seven tapered implants were inserted in 90 patients. For patients available for clinical recall, success criteria according to Albrektsson and Buser were evaluated.

Results

The in situ rate was 96.3% after an average time in situ of 62 ± 31 months. In one hundred twenty‐seven sites, bone augmentation procedures were performed. Hereof, 96 sites were sinus augmentation procedures and 31 sites were alveolar ridge augmentations. For patients with sinus augmentation procedures, implant survival was 97.9% and for patients with alveolar ridge augmentations, implant survival was 93.5% after 5 years, indicating a higher implant survival for sinus augmentation, however not statistically different (p = .194). Implant diameter and timing of implant placement had no significant impact on implant survival (p > .05). Mean marginal bone loss was −0.50 ± 1.54 mm for patients receiving maxillary sinus augmentation and −1.16 ± 1.13 mm for patients with alveolar ridge augmentations, indicating a lower marginal bone loss in patients receiving maxillary sinus augmentation (p = .046). Implant success rates ranged between 88% and 92% after a mean follow‐up of 6 years.

Conclusions

Within the limits of the retrospective character of this study, the tapered soft tissue level implant showed especially in maxillary sinus augmentation promising long‐term survival and success rates and a low peri‐implant bone resorption compared with the literature.
Haploidentical stem cell transplantation in patients aged 50 yr and older with leukemia: similar outcomes compared to younger adults
Authors: Chen Yao , Wang Yu , Xu Lan‐Ping , Liu Kai‐Yan , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐Hong , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Wang Feng‐Rong , Han Wei , Wang Jing‐Zhi , Yan Chen‐Hua , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Sun Yu‐Qian , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: March 2015

Aim

We aimed to analyze the complications and survival associated with myeloablative haploidentical SCT in patients aged ≥50 yr and compare these results with a younger group population.

Design and methods

In this case–control study, enrolled patients with leukemia were identified from 1262 patients between May 2002 and May 2013 at a single institution.

Results

Thirty‐one patients were aged ≥50 yr (the older group) and 165 patients were aged 18–49 yr (the younger group). Of the older group, 20 of 31 (64.5%) had a hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT‐CI) of 0 or 2. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the incidences of grades II to IV acute GVHD, extensive chronic GVHD, and non‐relapse mortality (NRM), or probability of relapse between the two groups. Furthermore, the 3‐yr overall survival (OS) and leukemia‐free survival (LFS) were not significantly different between the older and younger groups: 67.0 ± 9.3% vs. 75.3 ± 3.4% (p = 0.406) and 60.5 ± 9.6% vs. 72.5 ± 3.5% (p = 0.183), respectively.

Conclusion

Selected older patients aged ≥50 yr with low HCT‐CI and good performance status could safely undergo haploidentical SCT.
S3‐Leitlinie zum Umgang mit Antikoagulation bei Operationen an der Haut
Authors: Sporbeck Birte , Bechara Falk Georges , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Koenen Wolfgang , Kolk Andreas , Koscielny Jürgen , Meissner Markus , Pokrywka Anna , Schirmer Steffen , Strömer Klaus , Löser Christoph , Nast Alexander
Published: March 2015

Hintergrund: Immer häufiger sind Patienten aufgrund verschiedener Erkrankungen auf die Einnahme von Antikoagulanzien und Thrombozytenaggregationshemmern angewiesen. Besteht bei diesen Patienten die Notwendigkeit einer Operation an der Haut, stellt sich die Frage des perioperativen Umgangs mit Antikoagulation.

Methoden: Entwicklung einer S3‐Leitlinie unter Berücksichtigung des Regelwerkes der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Wissenschaftlicher Medizinischer Fachgesellschaften. Systematische Literaturrecherche und ‐auswertung, Verwendung der GRADE‐Methodik, strukturierte Konsensuskonferenz unter Verwendung eines nominalen Gruppenprozesses.

Ergebnisse: Bei Operationen an der Haut soll eine medizinisch notwendige Medikation mit Acetylsalicylsäure (ASS) weitergeführt werden. Bei Operationen an der Haut mit höherem Blutungsrisiko und einer positiven Blutungsanamnese sollte präoperativ eine Bestimmung des INR erfolgen. Eine Operation an der Haut mit höherem Blutungsrisiko und einer positiven Blutungsanamnese sollte bei einem INR oberhalb des therapeutischen Bereichs nicht durchgeführt werden. Eine Umstellung der Medikation mit Vitamin‐K‐Antagonisten (VKA) auf Heparin wegen einer Operation an der Haut sollte nicht erfolgen. Die letzte Einnahme einer Medikation mit direkt wirkenden Antikoagulanzien sollte 24 Stunden präoperativ erfolgen.

Schlussfolgerungen: Die Empfehlungen der Deutschen Leitliniengruppe entsprechen weitestgehend den Empfehlungen anderer Leitlinien. Die US amerikanische ÑChest‐Guidelineì empfiehlt bei Patienten mit kleinen Eingriffen an der Haut die Fortführung von ASS‐ und VKA‐Therapie. Die Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin erachtet bei ÑHaut‐Operationenì einen INR Wert von 2 als ausreichend.
Wnt signaling in skin homeostasis and pathology
Authors: Augustin Iris
Published: March 2015

The mammalian skin mediates the primary interphase between the body and the external environment and provides the first line of defense against pathogens, mechanical trauma, sunlight injuries, and chemical stress. Proper physical, biochemical, and immunological composition of the skin is necessary to maintain its barrier function. Therefore, the skin reflects a complex dynamic organ with high cellular turnover during normal tissue replacement and wound repair. Stem cell reservoirs ensure constant skin renewal. Wnt signaling controls stem cell maintenance and fate decisions in various tissues and also reflects a key pathway in controlling skin development and homeostasis. Disruption of Wnt signaling in the skin causes disorders such as alopecia, chronic inflammatory skin diseases or cancer. This review summarizes the role of Wnt signaling during skin development, homeostasis, and disease.
Storage of Dothistroma septosporum cultures
Authors: Fraser S. , Weitz H. J. , Brown A. V. , Woodward S.
Published: March 2015

Culture collections are invaluable resources for supporting current and future research activities on plant pathogens. Reliable culture storage (preservation) methods are required for these collections. To determine what methods of storage were most reliable for the pine‐needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum, six widely available methods for the storage of fungi were compared: agar slopes at 4°C; slopes at −20°C, mycelial plugs under sterile reverse osmosis (RO) water at 4°C, mycelial plugs under sterile mineral oil at 4°C, uncovered mycelial plugs at 4°C and mycelial plugs under sterile 10% glycerol at −80°C. Revival of cultures was assessed after 12 and 21 months. Storage of mycelial plugs under sterile RO water at 4°C and under glycerol at −80°C both had 100% culture revival at both time points and are therefore recommended for future use. The four remaining methods had revival rates below 70% at 12 months.
Anatomically structured burst spiking of thalamic reticular nucleus cells: implications for distinct modulations of sensory processing in lemniscal and non‐lemniscal thalamocortical loop circuitries
Authors: Kimura Akihisa , Imbe Hiroki
Published: March 2015

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) occupies a highly strategic position to modulate sensory processing in the thalamocortical loop circuitries. It has been shown that TRN visual cells projecting to first‐ and higher‐order thalamic nuclei have distinct levels of burst spiking, suggesting the possibility that the TRN exerts differential influences on information processing in first‐ and higher‐order thalamic nuclei that compose the lemniscal and non‐lemniscal sensory systems, respectively. To determine whether this possibility could extend across sensory modalities, the present study examined activities of TRN auditory cells projecting to the ventral and dorsal divisions (first‐ and higher‐order auditory thalamic nuclei) of the medial geniculate nucleus (TRN‐MGV and TRN‐MGD cells) in anesthetized rats, using juxta‐cellular recording and labeling techniques. Burst spiking of TRN‐MGV cells consisted of larger numbers of spikes with shorter inter‐spike intervals as compared with that of TRN‐MGD cells in auditory response evoked by noise burst stimuli. Similar distinctions, although not statistically significant, were observed in spontaneous activity. Furthermore, the features of burst spiking varied in association with the topographies of cell body and terminal field locations. These features of burst spiking are similar to those observed in the two types of TRN visual cells. First‐ and higher‐order thalamic nuclei are known to have distinct levels of burst spiking across sensory modalities. Taken together, it is suggested that the distinctions in burst spiking in the TRN, in conjunction with those in thalamic nuclei, could constitute distinct circuitries for lemniscal and non‐lemniscal sensory processing in the thalamocortical loop.
Diagnostic yield of genetic testing in epileptic encephalopathy in childhood
Authors: Mercimek‐Mahmutoglu Saadet , Patel Jaina , Cordeiro Dawn , Hewson Stacy , Callen David , Donner Elizabeth J. , Hahn Cecil D. , Kannu Peter , Kobayashi Jeff , Minassian Berge A. , Moharir Mahendranath , Siriwardena Komudi , Weiss Shelly K. , Weksberg Rosanna , Snead O. Carter
Published: March 2015

Objective

Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder of childhood. To determine the genetic diagnostic yield in epileptic encephalopathy, we performed a retrospective cohort study in a single epilepsy genetics clinic.

Methods

We included all patients with intractable epilepsy, global developmental delay, and cognitive dysfunction seen between January 2012 and June 2014 in the Epilepsy Genetics Clinic. Electronic patient charts were reviewed for clinical features, neuroimaging, biochemical investigations, and molecular genetic investigations including targeted next‐generation sequencing of epileptic encephalopathy genes.

Results

Genetic causes were identified in 28% of the 110 patients: 7% had inherited metabolic disorders including pyridoxine dependent epilepsy caused byALDH7A1mutation, Menkes disease, pyridox(am)ine‐5‐phosphate oxidase deficiency, cobalamin G deficiency, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, glucose transporter 1 deficiency, glycine encephalopathy, and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency; 21% had other genetic causes including genetic syndromes, pathogenic copy number variants on array comparative genomic hybridization, and epileptic encephalopathy related to mutations in theSCN1A,SCN2A,SCN8A,KCNQ2,STXBP1,PCDH19, andSLC9A6genes. Forty‐five percent of patients obtained a genetic diagnosis by targeted next‐generation sequencing epileptic encephalopathy panels. It is notable that 4.5% of patients had a treatable inherited metabolic disease.

Significance

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to combine inherited metabolic disorders and other genetic causes of epileptic encephalopathy. Targeted next‐generation sequencing panels increased the genetic diagnostic yield from <10% to >25% in patients with epileptic encephalopathy.
Comparing cortical auditory processing in children with typical and atypical benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: Electrophysiologic evidence of the role of non–rapid eye movement sleep abnormalities
Authors: Filippini Melissa , Boni Antonella , Giannotta Melania , Pini Antonella , Russo Angelo , Musti Muriel Assunta , Guerra Angelo , Lassonde Maryse , Gobbi Giuseppe
Published: March 2015

Objective

The mismatch negativity (MMN) is an objective measure of central auditory discrimination.MMNalterations have been shown in children with language and/or developmental disorders. In benign focal epilepsies, neuropsychological disorders are often reported and linked to interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) during non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. There are few studies reportingMMNin children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) and sleepIEDs. Moreover, noMMNrecording has yet been reported in atypicalBECTSchildren with continuous spike‐and‐wave during sleep (CSWS). We retrospectively comparedMMNin typical and atypicalBECTSchildren, particularly addressing the impact ofNREMsleepIEDs on auditory discrimination. Moreover, we attempted a neuropsychological characterization of patients.

Methods

TheMMNwas recorded in 9 normal controls and 23 patients (14 typicalBECTSand 9 atypicalBECTS) in an oddball paradigm with syllable stimuli.MMN, sleep electroencephalography (EEG) and neuropsychological evaluation were realized in the same testing session.

Results

MeasurableMMNresponses to speech stimuli were identified in both the control and patient groups. A significant difference between control and atypicalBECTSchildren was found with respect to amplitude (p = 0.0061). AtypicalBECTSalso showed a lowerMMNamplitude with respect to typicalBECTS, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0545). Statistical comparisons between groups revealed no differences in latency. Among the neuropsychological variables, academic difficulties were significantly more prominent in the patients with atypicalBECTS(p = 0.04).

Significance

CSWS EEGpattern affects auditory discrimination and may have a long‐lasting impact on academic skills acquisition, whereas in typicalBECTSchildren with a lower degree ofIED NREMsleep, plastic brain reorganization or the preservation of participating networks may prevent such difficulty. Early electrophysiologic identification of auditory discrimination deficits in epileptic children could be used in early rehabilitation, thereby reducing the risk of developing neuropsychological disorders.
Effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation following epilepsy surgery: Current state of knowledge
Authors: Mazur‐Mosiewicz Anya , Carlson Helen L. , Hartwick Cailey , Dykeman Jonathan , Lenders Taryn , Brooks Brian L. , Wiebe Samuel
Published: March 2015

Objective

Cognitive rehabilitation (CR) is a well‐researched therapeutic option for a variety of neurocognitive problems. Recently, CR has been proposed as an option for patients who experience cognitive difficulties following epilepsy surgery (ES). However, there is inconsistency in reporting the efficacy of CR in this population. We appraise existing evidence regarding CR approaches in patients undergoing resective ES and review effectiveness of specific CR strategies.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EBM Reviews (including the Cochrane database) identified studies in English published before September 2014, without age restriction, related to CR in patients who underwent resective ES. We included studies focused on patients who underwent ES and who received at least one type of cognitive rehabilitation.

Results

Of 2,059 citations identified, four fulfilled eligibility criteria (n = 577), and all investigated the effectiveness of specific CR strategies in patients with either left or right temporal lobe resections. CR strategies used included internal compensatory strategies, external memory aids, psychoeducation, verbal and visual memory training, and exercises of attention and executive functions. None were randomized trials, and only one study involved standardized methods or described the procedures in detail. Evidence suggests that CR may contribute to improvements in aspects of verbal memory, with particular benefit of visual imagery techniques; CR aimed at verbal memory functions may be less effective for patients with hemispheric‐dominant resections, and figural memory may not be improved by CR. Furthermore, CR may improve functional and life outcomes, but its timing does not appear to influence its effectiveness.

Significance

We demonstrate that CR interventions are overwhelmingly under researched or underreported, and there is a need for a systematic evaluation of CR in this patient population. CR should be given greater attention after ES to determine its efficacy and role in the management of these patients.
If We Build It, They Will Come: Exploring Policy and Practice Implications of Public Support for Couple and Relationship Education for Lower Income and Relationally Distressed Couples
Authors: Bradford Angela B. , Hawkins Alan J. , Acker Jennifer
Published: March 2015

Over the past decade, public funding for Couple and Relationship Education programs has expanded. As program administrators have been able to extend their reach to low‐income individuals and couples using this support, it has become apparent that greater numbers of relationally distressed couples are attending classes than previously anticipated. Because psychoeducational programs for couples have traditionally served less distressed couples, this dynamic highlights the need to examine the policy and practice implications of more distressed couples accessing these services. This paper reviews some of the most immediate issues, including screening for domestic violence and couple needs, pedagogical considerations, and the potential integration of therapy and education services. We also make suggestions for future research that can inform policy and practice efforts.
Finding Hope in the Life of Young Part‐timers
Authors: Masuda Jin
Published: March 2015

The objective of this article is to link the structural factor (employment structure) and subjective factor (notion of labor) concerned with the generation process of young part‐timers (freeters) by considering their life histories in terms of hope. Based on the ongoing research conducted over a period of 5 years on three male freeters, the following facts have come to light. Freeters are located on the lower strata of full‐time and part‐time jobs. They cannot envision a future career path in either employment style. Due to current labor ethics, they cannot form a subgroup that acknowledges their employment style and present‐time orientation. Under pressure from labor ethics, which insist that they do “decent” work, they cannot help but hope to escape from this double‐bind. To put it briefly, present Japanese society needs flexible workers, on the one hand, but cannot permit them to be flexible on the other. This kind of structural tension drives the young workers to hope. But hope does not dissolve the structural tension. On the contrary, it works to prolong this structural tension itself.
Social Capital in Korea: Relational Capital, Trust, and Transparency
Authors: Yee Jaeyeol
Published: March 2015

This article starts by distinguishing two different types of social capital, that is, societal moral resource capital and relational capital. Social capital as a societal moral resource is best characterized in Putnam's works. Social capital as the relational mobilization of information and control is best conceptualized by Coleman. By contrasting these two aspects of social capital, and by contextualizing the peculiarity of social relations in East Asian countries, this article explores the characteristics of social capital in Korea. For that purpose, I focus on the working of relational capital, or inmaek, in the creation and reproduction of social inequality. Moreover, I calculate the macro‐level transformation of Korean society in terms of the role of societal moral resources.
Multilayer, Multimaterial Thermal Barrier Coating Systems: Design, Synthesis, and Performance Assessment
Authors: Viswanathan Vaishak , Dwivedi Gopal , Sampath Sanjay
Published: March 2015

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are increasingly playing a vital role in enhancing efficiency and performance of gas turbine engines. As engine operating temperatures rise, yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ), the currently principal TBC material, reaches its operational limits. Gadolinium Zirconate (GDZ)‐based pyrochlore oxides are now emerging contenders, not only due to their lower thermal conductivity, but also their ability to resist attack by silicate deposits. However, GDZ cannot be directly substituted for YSZ due to its incompatibility with the thermally grown alumina layer, therefore requiring to be a component of multilayer system. Although industry has already adopted these materials in various applications, a number of fundamental issues arise with respect to layered‐coating design, their properties and processing dependence. In this study several multilayer architectures, based on the YSZ–GDZ system, have been developed and tested for durability under furnace thermal cycling conditions. Coating designs considered optimization of microstructure and properties of individual layers based on their location within the top‐coat thickness to address competing interests of thermal conductivity, compliance, and resistance to silicates. A large variance in durability was observed in coatings made with different multilayer designs. The results and the associated failure mechanisms are rationalized through preliminary evaluation of elastic energies at the failure locations and corresponding energy release rates. The results point to new strategies in the design and manufacturing of optimal multilayer coatings.
Assessing the alignment of sexual and natural selection using radiomutagenized seed beetles
Authors: Power D. J. , Holman L.
Published: March 2015

A major unsolved question in evolutionary biology concerns the relationship between natural and sexual selection. Sexual selection might augment natural selection, for example if mutations that harm female fecundity also reduce male mating success. Conversely, sexual selection might favour traits that impair naturally selected fitness components. We induced detrimental mutations in Callosobruchus maculatus beetles using X‐ray irradiation and then experimentally measured the effect of precopulatory sexual selection on offspring number and survival rate. Sexual selection treatment had a negative effect on egg‐to‐adult survivorship, although the number of progeny reaching adulthood was unaffected, perhaps because eggs and juveniles that failed to develop lessened competition on the survivors. We hypothesize that the negative effect of sexual selection arose because sexually competitive males transmitted a smaller nuptial gift or carried alleles that conferred reduced survival. Although we found no evidence that sexual selection on males can purge alleles that are detrimental to naturally selected fitness components, such benefits might exist in other environmental or genetic contexts.
Visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging and simulated predation risk elicit similar physiological stress responses in three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Fürtbauer I. , King A. J. , Heistermann M.
Published: March 2015

The effect of visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging on the immediate physiological stress response was tested in female three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, using non‐invasive waterborne cortisol analysis. Post‐tagging cortisol levels were significantly higher compared with pretreatment baseline concentrations; however, when comparing post‐tagging cortisol levels with cortisol levels after exposure to a simulated aerial predator, no significant differences were found. This study indicates that VIE tagging elicits a physiological stress response similar to those occurring in the everyday lives of this important biological model organism.
A fast experimental beam hardening correction method for accurate bone mineral measurements in 3D μCT imaging system
Authors: KOUBAR KHODOR , BEKAERT VIRGILE , BRASSE DAVID , LAQUERRIERE PATRICE
Published: March 2015

Bone mineral density plays an important role in the determination of bone strength and fracture risks. Consequently, it is very important to obtain accurate bone mineral density measurements. The microcomputerized tomography system provides 3D information about the architectural properties of bone. Quantitative analysis accuracy is decreased by the presence of artefacts in the reconstructed images, mainly due to beam hardening artefacts (such as cupping artefacts). In this paper, we introduced a new beam hardening correction method based on a postreconstruction technique performed with the use of off‐line water and bone linearization curves experimentally calculated aiming to take into account the nonhomogeneity in the scanned animal. In order to evaluate the mass correction rate, calibration line has been carried out to convert the reconstructed linear attenuation coefficient into bone masses. The presented correction method was then applied on a multimaterial cylindrical phantom and on mouse skeleton images. Mass correction rate up to 18% between uncorrected and corrected images were obtained as well as a remarkable improvement of a calculated mouse femur mass has been noticed. Results were also compared to those obtained when using the simple water linearization technique which does not take into account the nonhomogeneity in the object.
AAV‐mediated expression of BAG1 and ROCK2‐shRNA promote neuronal survival and axonal sprouting in a rat model of rubrospinal tract injury
Authors: Challagundla Malleswari , Koch Jan Christoph , Ribas Vinicius Toledo , Michel Uwe , Kügler Sebastian , Ostendorf Thomas , Bradke Frank , Müller Hans Werner , Bähr Mathias , Lingor Paul
Published: March 2015

A lesion to the rat rubrospinal tract is a model for traumatic spinal cord lesions and results in atrophy of the red nucleus neurons, axonal dieback, and locomotor deficits. In this study, we used adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated over‐expression of BAG1 and ROCK2‐shRNA in the red nucleus to trace [by co‐expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)] and treat the rubrospinal tract after unilateral dorsal hemisection. We investigated the effects of targeted gene therapy on neuronal survival, axonal sprouting of the rubrospinal tract, and motor recovery 12 weeks after unilateral dorsal hemisection at Th8in rats. In addition to the evaluation of BAG1 and ROCK2 as therapeutic targets in spinal cord injury, we aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and the limits of an AAV‐mediated protein over‐expression versus AAV.shRNA‐mediated down‐regulation in this traumatic CNS lesion model. Our results demonstrate that BAG1 and ROCK2‐shRNA both promote neuronal survival of red nucleus neurons and enhance axonal sprouting proximal to the lesion.

image

Understanding the mechanisms involved in neuronal survival and axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is pivotal for the development of new therapies. We showed that over‐expression of BAG1 (Bcl‐2‐associated athanogene‐1) and down‐regulation of ROCK2 (Rho‐associated protein kinase) improve neuronal survival and axonal sprouting after SCI. Our results imply that BAG1 and ROCK2 represent interesting molecular targets that can be used in future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SCI. AAV = adeno‐associated virus.
Efficacy of neurostimulation to treat symptoms of Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. A preliminary study using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Pearce Alan J. , Davies Charlotte P. , Major Brendan P.
Published: March 2015

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a rare and poorly understood condition of perceived continual motion. Using a multiple‐case design (n = 13; 8 f; 63.5 ± 12.6 years), this study investigated the efficacy of eight 20‐min sessions, over 4 weeks, of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral pre‐frontal cortex. Compared to sham, rTMS demonstrated improvement in balance and confidence in daily living activities. rTMS shows promise for the treatment of MdDS. However, larger trials with longer intervention periods are required.
Translating knowledge into best practice care bundles: a pragmatic strategy for EBP implementation via moving postprocedural pain management nursing guidelines into clinical practice
Authors: Saunders Hannele
Published: March 2015

Aims and objectives

To describe quantitative and qualitative best evidence as sources for practical interventions usable in daily care delivery in order to integrate best evidence into clinical decision‐making at local practice settings. To illustrate the development, implementation and evaluation of a pain management nursing care bundle based on a clinical practice guideline via a real‐world clinical exemplar.

Background

Successful implementation of evidence‐based practice requires consistent integration of best evidence into daily clinical decision‐making. Best evidence comprises high‐quality knowledge summarised in systematic reviews and translated into guidelines. However, consistent integration of guidelines into care delivery remains challenging, partly due to guidelines not being in a usable form for daily practice or relevant for the local context.

Design

A position paper with a clinical exemplar of a nurse‐led, evidence‐based quality improvement project to design, implement and evaluate a pain management care bundle translated from a national nursing guideline.

Methods

A pragmatic approach to integrating guidelines into daily practice is presented. Best evidence from a national nursing guideline was translated into a pain management care bundle and integrated into daily practice in 15 medical‐surgical (med‐surg) units of nine hospitals of a large university hospital system in Finland.

Conclusions

Translation of best evidence from guidelines into usable form as care bundles adapted to the local setting may increase implementation and uptake of guidelines and improve quality and consistency of care delivery.

Relevance to clinical practice

A pragmatic approach to translating a nursing guideline into a pain management care bundle to incorporate best evidence into daily practice may help achieve more consistent and equitable integration of guidelines into care delivery, and better quality of pain management and patient outcomes.
Cross‐Industry Product Diversification and Contagion in Risk and Return: The case of Bank‐Insurance and Insurance‐Bank Takeovers
Authors: Elyasiani Elyas , Staikouras Sotiris K. , Dontis‐Charitos Panagiotis
Published: March 2015

We investigate the impact of domestic/international bancassurance deals on the risk‐return profiles of announcing and nonannouncing banks and insurers within a GARCH model. Bank‐insurance deals produce intra‐ and interindustry contagion in both risk and return, with larger deals producing greater contagion. Bidder banks and peers experience positive abnormal returns, with the effects on insurer peers being stronger than those on bank peers. Insurance‐bank deals produce insignificant excess returns for bidder and peer insurers and positive valuations for peer banks. Following the deal, the bank bidders' idiosyncratic (systematic) risk falls (increases), while insurance bidders exhibit a lower systematic risk and maintain their idiosyncratic risk.
Refugee children's play: Before and after migration to Australia
Authors: MacMillan Kelli K , Ohan Jeneva , Cherian Sarah , Mutch Raewyn C
Published: March 2015

Aim

Play is vital to children's development, health and resilience. Play modulates cognitive, emotional and social well‐being. Children constitute approximately half of all humanitarian refugee entrants resettled in Australia. Refugee children are commonly victims and witnesses of war and persecution, living across resource‐poor environs during transit. Little is known about the effects of refugee migration on play. This study explores how refugee children engaged in play pre‐migration (in their home country) and post‐migration (Australia).

Methods

Refugee children attending the Refugee Health Clinic of a tertiary children's hospital were invited to complete a qualitative descriptive study of play. The children were asked to draw how they played pre‐ and post‐migration. Drawings were analysed for (i) the presence of play; (ii) location of play; and (iii) drawing detail.

Results

Nineteen refugee children were recruited (mean age 8.5 years ± standard deviation 6.4 months). Significantly fewer children drew play pre‐ versus post‐migration (11/19, 58% vs. 18/19, 95% P < 0.03). Girls had greater comparative changes in play with migration (pre: 2/8, 25% vs. post: 7/8, 87%, P = 0.06), trending to significance. Of those children who drew play, almost all drew playing outside (pre‐migration: 10/11, 90.9%; post‐migration: 17/18, 94.4%). Drawings showed equivalent detail pre‐ and post‐migration.

Conclusion

Resettled refugee children, especially girls, demonstrated limited play pre‐migration, with higher levels of engagement post‐resettlement. Facilitating opportunities for variety of play may strengthen positive resettlement outcomes for children and parents. Larger longitudinal studies examining play in refugee children and associations with physical, development and psychological well‐being are warranted.
Two different approaches for novel extracapsular cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction: an in vitro kinematics study
Authors: Cinti F. , Signorelli C. , Lopomo N. , Baracchi M. , Del Magno S. , Foglia A. , Zaffagnini S. , Pisoni L.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the best combination of isometric points with the best kinematic results between two different approaches of TightRope® cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cranial drawer, cranial tibial thrust, internal/external, range of motion and varus/valgus tests were passively performed in different stifle conditions: cranial cruciate ligament‐intact/deficient, after F2‐T2/F2‐T3 TR reconstruction at 22‐44‐99 N of tension. Data were acquired by a custom‐made navigation system.

RESULTS

The cranial drawer test showed recovery of laxity only at 99 N in both approaches. Significant laxity reduction (cranial tibial thrust) was present at only the F2‐T2 point. Differences were noted in internal/external and varus/valgus rotation between the cranial cruciate ligament‐intact and TightRope® stifles at all of the implant tensions. The range of motion underlined significantly lower laxity values following the F2‐T2/F2‐T3 reconstruction at all of the evaluated implant tensions.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The best isometric site was at the F2‐T2 point, however significant differences in the amount of laxity between the two techniques were limited to the cranial tibial thrust and internal/external test. The F2‐T2 technique was the best consideration for clinical application because it is relatively easy to perform, repeatable and results in good stifle stability with low morbidity and complications.
Inferring the prevalence and function of finger hyperextension inArchosauria from finger‐joint range of motion in theAmerican alligator
Authors: Hutson J. D. , Hutson K. N.
Published: March 2015

Quadrupedal dinosaurs and other archosaurs are hypothesized to alleviate differences in height between shorter forelimbs and longer hindlimbs via digitigrady (standing on fingers). An alternative hypothesis suggests that they trend toward metacarpogrady (vertical, columnar palms with finger reduction and loss) to abandon semi‐pronated (mechanically misaligned) wrist and finger joints. Range of motion (ROM) studies provide support for the latter hypothesis by showing that some dinosaurian fingers were held hyperextended away from the palm at metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. However, recent studies dispute traditionalMCPhyperextension characters. Moreover,in vivo ROMis assumed to be less than fossilROMbecause of the constraining influence of lost soft tissues, further implying that reports ofMCPhyperextension in fossil archosaurs may be overstated. Because crocodilian fingers reportedly hyperextend during the high walk, aROMstudy of theirMCPjoints could clarify these issues. Here a repeated‐measures analysis was used to gatherex vivofinger jointROMdata in degrees from fully fleshed to skeletonized conditions in digitIIIof theAmerican alligatorAlligator mississippiensis. Results verify thatMCPjoints hyperextend, and show that soft tissues significantly affectex vivo ROM. SkeletalROMswere greater than fleshedROMsin the three interphalangeal joints; however theMCPjoint had the opposite result after losing curved articular cartilages. These results suggest that studies of flattened metacarpo‐ and metatarsophalangeal joints in fossil archosaurs may underestimatein vivohyperextension. A comparison of characters inAlligator mississippiensisand the rauisuchidPostosuchussuggests thatPostosuchusmetacarpal adaptations represent a transitional stage toward vertical quadrupedal support with hyperextendedMCPjoints. This information provides support for the preexisting hypothesis that quadrupedal archosaurs tend to transform their wrist + palm into a rigid stilt‐like extension of the forearm, which implies that locomotor abandonment of semi‐pronated wrist/finger joints and alleviation of limb disparity evolve synchronously.
Pedal grasping in an arboreal rodent relates to above‐branch behavior on slender substrates
Authors: Youlatos D. , Karantanis N. E. , Byron C. D. , Panyutina A.
Published: March 2015

In order to exploit the three‐dimensional, discontinuous and unstable arboreal milieu, most arboreal mammals employ efficient foot (pedal) grasping that establishes firm contact with the substrate and enables secure and safe locomotion and postures. Such pedal grasp can be performed in variable ways in relation to substrate characteristics. In order to investigate the interplay between pedal grasping modes, arboreal locomotor and postural behavior, and substrate size and inclination in arboreal mammals, we filmed and quantitatively analyzed these behaviors in captive African woodland dormice. Our observations revealed that African woodland dormice exhibited a flexible locomotor and postural repertoire, mainly on small and horizontal substrates. Hallucal grasping was the main pedal grasping mode and associated with walk, clamber and stand on mainly small‐ to medium‐sized horizontal substrates, whereas claws were commonly used during vertical climb and cling on medium‐sized to large vertical substrates. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of hallucal grasping for balancing above, and not below, small‐ and medium‐sized arboreal substrates of moderate inclinations. Therefore, we assert that efficient pedal grasping and its associated positional behavior may have been fundamental for the differentiation and successful radiation of virtually all early mammals that sought refuge in tree canopies, enabling efficient utilization of the small branch niche. Evidence suggests that extant arboreal rodents offer useful functional morphology evidence of the transitional stages that lead to arboreal specialists, euprimates included, and research toward this direction has much to offer to our understanding of evolutionary adaptations exhibited by small‐bodied arboreal mammals.