bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The complexity of GP commissioning
Authors: Geyer Robert
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to explore the implications of GP commissioning through the lens of complexity theory. The key point that the article attempts to rise is that GP commissioning does imply greater freedom, responsibility and ability to move the English NHS in a more public oriented, locally responsive and public health oriented direction. At the same time, as demonstrated by the Stacey diagram, it forces GPs into difficult, complex situations that lie outside of their traditional skill range and experiences and implores them to deal with a much wider range of actors and institutions that they are unfamiliar with and are well beyond their control.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper that explores the recent proposals for GP commissioning from a complexity framework, and in particular the “Stacey diagram”.

Findings

The commissioning reforms may represent a healthy organisational transformation of the NHS and over time generate a number of positive outcomes. Nevertheless, with a complexity perspective, one can begin to understand why this reform is so challenging for GPs, and that it will take a whole new range of GP skills and decision‐making strategies (and maybe even a shift in the overall GP culture) in order to make it work.

Originality/value

To the author's knowledge this is the first attempt to use complexity theory to explore the strengths and weaknesses of GP commissioning.
Inns and hotels in fiction
Authors: Ingram Hadyn
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the way in which fiction written in English has portrayed establishments which provide accommodation and food: namely inns and hotels. This personal mental portrayal contributes to the image of hotels by readers of fiction and ultimately to hospitality and tourism buying behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The author reviews the increasing visibility of inns and hotels in fiction in the last 700 years and focuses upon six selected texts which the researcher considers important.

Findings

The paper offers some conclusions as to the way in which authors perceive the way in which inns and hotels operate: people, places, plots, products and principles.

Practical implications

There may be few direct practical implications which might follow immediately from this exploratory study. The paper seeks to explore some of ways in which the image of inns and hotels is expressed in fictional literature, so as to better understand and market hospitality and tourism products more effectively in future.

Originality/value

This is a topic which has, to date, been little, if ever, researched. Fiction is increasing in popularity and it has influenced the way in which readers think, feel and react. This paper addresses this gap and opens the field for more interdisciplinary research.
Migration, remittances, and agricultural productivity in small farming systems in Northwest China
Authors: Li Lihua , Wang Chenggang , Segarra Eduardo , Nan Zhibiao
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between migration, remittances and agricultural productivity by applying the new economics of labor migration model in the context of north‐west China. The specific objectives are to examine the impacts of rural out‐migration on agricultural productivity in various farming systems, and whether remittances have been reinvested in agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross‐sectional household survey data from three townships were analyzed with the three‐stage least squares (3SLS) regression model.

Findings

In multi‐cropping small farming systems, at least in the short run, the loss resulting from losing family labour on lower‐return grain crop production is likely to be offset by the gain from investing in capital‐intensive and profitable cash crop production.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence for the MELM theory. It expands Taylor et al.'s studies by comparing investment behavior and production choices among multiple farm activities, and enriches previous studies by showing that the relation between remittances and agricultural investment depends on the farm activities' profitability.
The market for lawyers and quality layers in legal services
Authors: Iossa Elisabetta , Jullien Bruno
Published: January 2013

We study the functioning of the market for lawyers, considering the strategic interaction among litigants, lawyers, and judges. We investigate the value of legal representation and of systems of quality certification, such as the Queen’s Counsel system. In our setting, higher quality lawyers obtain better‐quality evidence and are better able to interpret it. Judges receive information from the lawyers and have reputational concerns. We show that reputational concerns generate a decision bias in favor of certified lawyers and that this causes misallocation of lawyers at the market equilibrium. As a result, whereas a higher quality of lawyers increases welfare, public information over quality may be welfare reducing.
Cellular immune function monitoring after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation: evaluation of a new assay
Authors: Israeli M , Klein T , Herscovici C , Ram R , Shpilberg O , Sredni B , Yeshurun M
Published: January 2013

Managing the patient's immune system after haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a challenge, mainly in the unstable period immediately after the transplant. Currently there is no standardized non-invasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation of immunological complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and for managing the cellular immune function of the transplant recipient. The ImmuKnow assay for cellular immune function monitoring has been incorporated successfully into the clinical follow-up routine of solid organ transplant recipients. This study aims to explore the relevance and potential contribution of immune monitoring using the assay in the setting of HCT. We found that ImmuKnow-level measurement can distinguish between states of immune function quiescence and between events of acute GVHD. ImmuKnow levels were significantly higher in patients going through GVHD than the levels measured for the same patients during immunological stability. Moreover, we demonstrate a patient case where longitudinal monitoring using the ImmuKnow assay provided a trustworthy depiction of the patient's cellular immune function post-HCT. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the potential contribution of the ImmuKnow assay for longitudinal individualized cellular immune function monitoring of patients following HCT. Further studies are necessary in order to establish the optimal practice for utilizing the assay for this purpose.
Choline treatment affects the liver reticuloendothelial system and plasma fatty acid composition in diabetic rats
Authors: Al‐Saeedi Fatma J. , Cheng Behling
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This study investigated effects of choline treatment on hepatic reticuloendothelial and biliary functions and plasma fatty acid composition in diabetic rats.

Methods

Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Choline was administered to untreated rats and a portion of STZ‐treated rats for two sequences of five consecutive days, separated by a 2‐day interval. Hepatic functions were studied using 99mTc Tin (II) colloid (TIN) and 99 mTc mebrofenin [bromo‐iminodiacetic acid (BrIDA)] imaging. The TIN‐uptake ratios (organ/whole body) of heart, liver and spleen, and the BrIDA‐uptake ratios (organ or tissue/whole body) of liver, biliary tree and abdomen were obtained following imaging studies. Fatty acids were analysed by GC/MS.

Results

Choline treatment did not attenuate hyperglycaemic development. Diabetic rats showed (i) a decreased TIN‐uptake ratio in liver with co‐increased ratios in heart and spleen; choline treatment diminished these changes, (ii) elevated BrIDA‐uptake ratios in biliary tree and abdomen but not in liver; choline treatment did not attenuate the elevations and (iii) decreases in plasma palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, reflecting an impaired stearoyl‐CoA desaturase function; choline treatment did not affect the diminutions, but caused a decrease in arachidonic acid with a co‐increase in linoleic acid. Some rats developed hypoproteinemia (HPO). HPO rats also exhibited decreases in plasma palmitoleic acid and oleic acid. Diabetes caused almost absence of palmitoleic acid in HPO rats. Choline treatment exerted no effect on the plasma fatty acid composition of diabetic HPO rats.

Conclusions

Choline treatment affected hepatic reticuloendothelial function and plasma fatty acid composition, but not hepatobiliary function, in diabetic rats. Whether choline treatment is beneficial requires further studies.
Multiple infections and the evolution of virulence
Authors: Alizon Samuel , de Roode Jacobus C. , Michalakis Yannis
Published: January 2013

Infections that consist of multiple parasite strains or species are common in the wild and are a major public health concern. Theory suggests that these infections have a key influence on the evolution of infectious diseases and, more specifically, on virulence evolution. However, we still lack an overall vision of the empirical support for these predictions. We argue that within‐host interactions between parasites largely determine how virulence evolves and that experimental data support model predictions. Then, we explore the main limitation of the experimental study of such ‘mixed infections’, which is that it draws conclusions on evolutionary outcomes from studies conducted at the individual level. We also discuss differences between coinfections caused by different strains of the same species or by different species. Overall, we argue that it is possible to make sense out of the complexity inherent to multiple infections and that experimental evolution settings may provide the best opportunity to further our understanding of virulence evolution.
Exposure to anaesthetic agents does not affect multiple sclerosis risk
Authors: Hedström A. K. , Hillert J. , Olsson T. , Alfredsson L.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

It has been hypothesized that exposure to anaesthetic agents, some of which are chemically related to organic solvents, may affect the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of occupational exposure to anaesthetic agents on the risk for MS. We further aimed to investigate the impact of general anaesthesia and usage of nitrous oxide.

Methods

This report is based on two population‐based, case–control studies, one with incident cases (1798 cases, 3907 controls) and one with prevalent cases (5216 cases, 4701 controls). Using logistic regression, the occurrence of MS among subjects who have been exposed to anaesthetic agents was compared with that of those who have never been exposed by calculating the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

No association was found between occupational exposure to anaesthetic agents and risk of developing MS, also general anaesthesia or usage of nitrous oxide had no impact on MS risk.

Conclusions

Neither occupational exposure to anaesthetic agents, nor general anaesthesia or usage of nitrous oxide has any impact on MS risk and is safe also for people with a genetic susceptibility to the disease. However, further studies would be valuable in order to clarify whether other forms of organic solvents contribute to the triggering of MS.
Investigating the impact of a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation on oral health literacy and oral hygiene of older adults
Authors: Hjertstedt Jadwiga , Barnes Stacy L. , Sjostedt Jennifer M.
Published: January 2013

Objective

This study investigated the impact of a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation on older adults' oral health literacy and oral hygiene.

Materials and methods

A pre–post study design was used to assess the impact of the educational intervention. The study sample consisted of 67 older adults, who resided in independent or assisted living apartments (age: M = 84, SD = 7.3). Over the course of the programme, participants received patient education pertaining to oral health and oral hygiene. Oral health literacy was assessed using the Rapid Estimation of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD–30) test at baseline and on the final visit. Oral hygiene was measured on four visits using the O'Leary, Drake and Naylor Plaque Control Record (PI).

Results

REALD‐30 scores significantly increased, and PI scores significantly decreased for all subjects following participation in the programme (p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively). Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that neither study subjects' individual characteristics nor their health literacy significantly predicted the change in oral hygiene.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation involving multiple interactions with dental students can in the short term significantly and positively impact older adults' oral health literacy and oral hygiene status.
Dimensions of cosmopolitanism and their influence on political consumption: an analysis focused onSpanish consumers
Authors: Llopis‐Goig Ramon
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this study was to confirm the hypothesis thatpolitical consumption– a form of consumerism whose importance has increased during the past few years – can be considered a form of critical action, and thatcosmopolitanismcontributes to its development. The main objective was, first, to analyse an unexplored dimension of political consumption and, second, to obtain a measurement proposal for what some authors have calledordinary cosmopolitanism. The study, based on a survey, was divided into three sections. The first section offers a theoretical introduction to the study proposal. The second describes the hypothesis and the data analysis strategy, and proposes an operationalization of cosmopolitanism in three dimensions – symbolic cosmopolitanism, experiential cosmopolitanism and moral cosmopolitanism – which have been obtained by means of the application of categorical principal components analysis. By applying one‐way analysis of variance andTukey's test, the third section shows the existence of significantly higher scores in these three dimensions for those individuals who have bought or boycotted products for ethical, political or environmental reasons. Finally, an ordinary least squares regression analysis was performed to test the association between cosmopolitanism and political consumerism, controlling the effect of the main socio‐demographic variables. The study confirms the initial hypothesis; therefore, political consumption could be considered a type of consumerism that is clearly related to cosmopolitanism.
Endoscopic resection (endoscopic mucosal resection/ endoscopic submucosal dissection) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Current status of various techniques
Authors: Shimizu Yuichi , Takahashi Masakazu , Yoshida Takeshi , Ono Shouko , Mabe Katsuhiro , Kato Mototsugu , Asaka Masahiro , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: January 2013

Endoscopic resection (ER) has been widely accepted as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Techniques of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) were first developed for ER. There are three representative methods of conventional EMR: endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection (EEMR)‐tube method, EMR using a cap‐fitted endoscope (EMRC) method and two‐channel EMR method. In the past decade, techniques of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) have become established as standard methods of ER. ESD allows en bloc resection of a lesion, irrespective of the size and shape of the lesion. Recently, results of retrospective cohort studies confirming that ESD is superior to EMR as a curative treatment for superficial esophageal SCC have been reported. Representative knives that are now frequently used in esophageal ESD include Hook knife, Triangle tip knife, IT knife nano, Flush knife‐BT, Dual knife, SB knife, and so on. Although there are various knives developed for ESD, the basic techniques for safe and effective ESD are the same.
Tracking the migratory success of stocked European eels Anguilla anguilla in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Prigge E. , Marohn L. , Hanel R.
Published: January 2013

To investigate the extent to which European silver eels Anguilla anguilla, originating from stocking programmes in the Baltic Sea tributaries, effectively contribute to the spawning stock, two hundred and seventy‐four formerly stocked A. anguilla. emigrating from the Schwentine River near Kiel, Germany, were tagged with T‐Bar anchor tags. A total of 29 Anguilla spp. were recaptured (c. 11%) up to 14 months after release. Stocking history of recaptured A. anguilla. was confirmed by otolith microchemistry. Recapture locations were concentrated around the outlet of the Baltic Sea (Danish Belt Sea) with 62% of all recaptures reported here or in the Kattegat. Recaptured Anguilla spp. showed a reduction in both LT and mass (mean ± s.d. = −1·5 ± 0·9 cm and −125·3 ± 50·1 g) while average total fat content remained in the order of values previously reported as high enough to provide energy resources to allow successful completion of the spawning migration (mean ± s.d. = 28·4 ± 4·4%). The documented mean rate of travel (0·8 km day−1), however, indicated a delay in the target‐oriented migration that might be interpreted as a delayed initial migration phase of orientation towards the exit of the Baltic Sea.
Individual and organizational factors related to work engagement among home‐visiting nurses in Japan
Authors: Naruse Takashi , Sakai Mahiro , Watai Izumi , Taguchi Atsuko , Kuwahara Yuki , Nagata Satoko , Murashima Sachiyo
Published: January 2013

Aim

The increasing number of elderly people has caused increased demand for home‐visiting nurses. Nursing managers should develop healthy workplaces in order to grow their workforce. This study investigated the work engagement of home‐visiting nurses as an index of workplace health. The aim of the present study was to reveal factors contributing to work engagement among Japanese home‐visiting nurses.

Methods

An anonymous, self‐administered questionnaire was sent to 208 home‐visiting nurses from 28 nursing agencies in three districts; 177 (85.1%) returned the questionnaires. The Job Demands–Resources model, which explains the relationship between work environment and employee well‐being, was used as a conceptual guide. The authors employed three survey instruments: (i) questions on individual variables; (ii) questions on organizational variables; and (iii) the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Japanese version). Multiple regression analyses were performed in order to examine the relationships between individual variables, organizational variables, and work engagement.

Results

Nurse managers and nurses who felt that there was a positive relationship between work and family had significantly higher work engagement levels than others. The support of a supervisor was significantly associated with work engagement. Nurses in middle‐sized but not large agencies had significantly higher work engagement than nurses in small agencies.

Conclusion

Supervisor support and an appropriate number of people reporting to each supervisor are important factors in fostering work engagement among home‐visiting nurses.
Body Mass Index, Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, and Sexuality in Young Italian Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Morotti Elena , Battaglia Bruno , Paradisi Roberto , Persico Nicola , Zampieri Marina , Venturoli Stefano , Battaglia Cesare
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Increased body mass index is associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic diseases, depression, and sexual dysfunction. In obese patients, the perception of an altered body image may influence health and psychologically related behaviors. Furthermore, there is a significant positive relationship between sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and all body image variables.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between body weight, perceived body image, and sexual behavior.

Methods

Ninety women underwent ultrasonographic clitoral volume measurement and color Doppler evaluation of the clitoral and ophthalmic arteries. The subjects filled the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ), the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (FRS), and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

Clitoral volume, clitoral and ophthalmic artery pulsatility index (PI), MFSQ, FRS, and BDI.

Results

The women were distributed into three groups: lean (N = 47); overweight (N = 22); and obese (N = 21). The ophthalmic artery showed lower PI in lean (1.72 ± 0.39) than in overweight (1.99 ± 0.30) and obese women (2.08 ± 0.19). The obese subjects presented the worst clitoral vascularization. The MFSQ for sexuality was higher in lean (45.8 ± 11.8) than in overweight (36.4 ± 15.0) and obese (36.1 ± 10.8) women. The frequency of intercourse per week was higher in lean (2.2 ± 1.4) than in overweight (1.3 ± 0.7) and obese (1.2 ± 0.4) women. The percentage of anorgasmic women was higher in obese (23%) than in lean subjects (6%). The FRS evidenced that the lean subjects represented themselves with a mean value (3.5 ± 1.0) lower than overweight (4.8 ± 0.7) and obese women (5.9 ± 0.6). The silhouette that represented their own ideal was significantly higher in obese (4.0 ± 0.4) than in overweight (3.3 ± 0.5) and lean (2.9 ± 0.7) subjects. The mean BDI was significantly higher in obese (15.8 ± 5.4) than in lean (8.4 ± 6.8) women.

Conclusions

Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss may be mandatory in obese subjects because obesity might impair the quality of sexual life by inducing genital and general vascular stiffness and body image distortion.
Impaired Masturbation-Induced Erections: A New Cardiovascular Risk Factor for Male Subjects with Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Rastrelli Giulia , Boddi Valentina , Corona Giovanni , Mannucci Edoardo , Maggi Mario
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered an early surrogate marker of silent, or even overt, cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, epidemiological studies take into account only sexual intercourse-related erections. Although autoeroticism is a very common practice, data on masturbation-induced erections as a possible predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are lacking.

Aim

To evaluate the clinical correlates of impaired masturbation-induced erections and to verify the importance of this sexual aspect in predicting MACE.

Methods

A consecutive series of 4,031 male patients attending the Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among these subjects, 64% reported autoeroticism during the last 3 months, and only this subset was considered in the following analyses. In the longitudinal study, 862 subjects reporting autoeroticism were enrolled.

Main Outcome Measures

Several clinical, biochemical, and instrumental (Prostaglandin E1 [PGE1] test and penile color Doppler ultrasound) parameters were studied.

Results

Subjects with an impaired erection during masturbation (46% of those reporting autoeroticism) had more often a positive personal or family history of CVD, a higher risk of reduced intercourse- and sleep-related erections, hypoactive sexual desire and perceived reduced ejaculate volume, and impaired PGE1 test response. Prolactin levels were lower in those having impaired erection during masturbation. In the longitudinal study, unadjusted incidence of MACE was significantly associated with impaired masturbation-induced erections. When dividing the population according to the median age and diagnosis of diabetes, the association between impaired masturbation-induced erections and incidence of MACE was maintained only in the youngest (<55 years old) and in nondiabetic subjects, even after adjusting for confounders (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.348 [1.085–10.335], P = 0.032 and HR = 2.108 [1.002–4.433], P = 0.049; respectively).

Conclusion

This study indicates that, in subjects with male sexual dysfunction, evaluating an often neglected sexual parameter, such as masturbation-induced erections, can provide further insights on forthcoming MACE in particular in “low risk” subjects.
Surgical Solutions for the Complications of the Vaseline Self-Injection of the Penis
Authors: Bajory Zoltán , Mohos Gábor , Rosecker Ágnes , Bordás Noémi , Pajor László
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Penile girth enhancement by the injection of Vaseline is an existing practice. Many cases develop severe complications that need surgery.

Aim

To report on the reconstructive surgical solutions of the complications of Vaseline self-injection and the outcomes. To develop a modification of a one-step reconstruction method involving the use of pedicled scrotal flaps.

Main Outcome Measures

The complications and their surgical solutions were classified as regards severity and difficulty. The outcomes were observed and a newly introduced one-step surgical method was investigated.

Methods

Seventy-eight consecutive patients (87.2% of them with a history of imprisonment) were divided into three groups. In group A, aesthetic penile defects or phimosis caused by the Vaseline necessitated circumcision or local excision. In group B, the whole penile skin was involved, and total skin removal and two- or (a newly modified) one-step reconstructive surgery were performed. In group C, both the whole penile skin and the scrotum were involved: complete skin removal and skin grafting or skin pedicled flap transplantation were carried out.

Results

In five cases in group B, postoperative skin necrosis made a second operation necessary. There was one intraoperative urethral injury, where a urethral fistula developed and a second urethral reconstruction was performed. There was no major complication with the newly developed one-stage pedicled flap procedure. At the end of the therapy, all the cases were healed. All of the patients reported successful sexual intercourse after the operations and 91% were satisfied with the result.

Conclusions

The complications depend mainly on the amount of Vaseline injected, the hygienic circumstances, and the personal tolerability. In the worst cases, only radical skin removal and skin transplantation can solve the problem. The newly developed one-step arterial branch-preserving scrotal skin flap reconstruction appears to be a suitable and cost-effective solution for these patients.
Liver transplantation for urea cycle disorders in pediatric patients: A single‐center experience
Authors: Kim Irene K. , Niemi Anna‐Kaisa , Krueger Casey , Bonham Clark A. , Concepcion Waldo , Cowan Tina M. , Enns Gregory M. , Esquivel Carlos O.
Published: January 2013

LThas emerged as a surgical treatment forUCDs. We hypothesize thatLTcan be safely and broadly utilized in the pediatric population to effectively prevent hyperammonemic crises and potentially improve neurocognitive outcomes. To determine the long‐term outcomes ofLTforUCDs, charts of children withUCDwho underwentLTwere retrospectively reviewed at an academic institution betweenJuly 2001 andMay 2012. A total of 23 patients withUCDunderwentLTat a mean age of 3.4 yr. Fifteen (65%) patients received a whole‐liver graft, seven patients (30%) received a reduced‐size graft, and one patient received a living donor graft. Mean five‐yr patient survival was 100%, and allograft survival was 96%. Mean peak blood ammonia (NH3) at presentation was 772 μmol/L (median 500, range 178–2969, normal <30–50). After transplantation, there were no episodes of hyperammonemia. Eleven patients were diagnosed with some degree of developmental delay before transplantation, which remained stable or improved after transplantation. Patients without developmental delay before transplantation maintained their cognitive abilities at long‐term follow‐up.LTwas associated with the eradication of hyperammonemia, removal of dietary restrictions, and potentially improved neurocognitive development. Long‐term follow‐up is underway to evaluate whetherLTat an early age (<1 yr) will attain improved neurodevelopmental outcomes.
An interesting case of screen-detected breast cancer encasing a ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Authors: Jain Yogesh Kumar , Kokan Jalal S
Published: January 2013

A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with a breast cancer via screening encasing the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Triple assessment including MRI scan of the breast confirmed the presence of a breast mass and the tubing of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt was running directly through the mass. She underwent wide local excision of the breast cancer as well as rerouting of VP shunt as a joint procedure with the neurosurgery team and recovered uneventfully. This is a very rare and an interesting case and required management involving a different specialty.
RESEARCH ON PERFORMANCE OF DIAMOND BLADE IN DICING SAW BASED ON ANSYS METHOD
Authors: MA YAN
Published: January 2013

Mechanical analysis is performed on the diamond blade in the dicing saw, and the tangential and radial stresses are presented. The maximum tangential stress and the critical rotating speed to the destructive moment of the grinding wheel are determined. With the finite element analysis software ANSYS, the model of grinding wheel diamond blade is studied and the equivalent stress nephogram with different speeds is presented. The simulation results demonstrate that the tangential stress is larger than the radial stress and that the maximum tangential stress happens on the inner surface. Moreover, the movement trend of curve of the maximum tangential stress nearly corresponds to the theoretical curve.
Redox artifacts in electrophysiological recordings
Authors: Berman Jonathan M. , Awayda Mouhamed S.
Published: January 2013

Electrophysiological techniques make use of Ag/AgCl electrodes that are in direct contact with cells or bath. In the bath, electrodes are exposed to numerous experimental conditions and chemical reagents that can modify electrode voltage. We examined voltage offsets created in Ag/AgCl electrodes by exposure to redox reagents used in electrophysiological studies. Voltage offsets were measured in reference to an electrode separated from the solution by an agar bridge. The reducing reagents Tris-2-carboxyethly-phosphine, dithiothreitol (DTT), and glutathione, as well as the oxidizing agent H2O2 used at experimentally relevant concentrations reacted with Ag in the electrodes to produce voltage offsets. Chloride ions and strong acids and bases produced offsets at millimolar concentrations. Electrolytic depletion of the AgCl layer, to replicate voltage clamp and sustained use, resulted in increased sensitivity to flow and DTT. Offsets were sensitive to electrode silver purity and to the amount and method of chloride deposition. For example, exposure to 10 μM DTT produced a voltage offset between 10 and 284 mV depending on the chloride deposition method. Currents generated by these offsets are significant and dependent on membrane conductance and by extension the expression of ion channels and may therefore appear to be biological in origin. These data demonstrate a new source of artifacts in electrophysiological recordings that can affect measurements obtained from a variety of experimental techniques from patch clamp to two-electrode voltage clamp.
Somatosensory responses in a human motor cortex
Authors: Shaikhouni Ammar , Donoghue John P. , Hochberg Leigh R.
Published: January 2013

Somatic sensory signals provide a major source of feedback to motor cortex. Changes in somatosensory systems after stroke or injury could profoundly influence brain computer interfaces (BCI) being developed to create new output signals from motor cortex activity patterns. We had the unique opportunity to study the responses of hand/arm area neurons in primary motor cortex to passive joint manipulation in a person with a long-standing brain stem stroke but intact sensory pathways. Neurons responded to passive manipulation of the contralateral shoulder, elbow, or wrist as predicted from prior studies of intact primates. Thus fundamental properties and organization were preserved despite arm/hand paralysis and damage to cortical outputs. The same neurons were engaged by attempted arm actions. These results indicate that intact sensory pathways retain the potential to influence primary motor cortex firing rates years after cortical outputs are interrupted and may contribute to online decoding of motor intentions for BCI applications.
Alignment to natural and imposed mismatches between the senses
Authors: van der Kooij K. , Brenner E. , van Beers R. J. , Schot W. D. , Smeets J. B. J.
Published: January 2013

Does the nervous system continuously realign the senses so that objects are seen and felt in the same place? Conflicting answers to this question have been given. Research imposing a sensory mismatch has provided evidence that the nervous system realigns the senses to reduce the mismatch. Other studies have shown that when subjects point with the unseen hand to visual targets, their end points show visual-proprioceptive biases that do not disappear after episodes of visual feedback. These biases are indicative of intersensory mismatches that the nervous system does not align for. Here, we directly compare how the nervous system deals with natural and imposed mismatches. Subjects moved a hand-held cube to virtual cubes appearing at pseudorandom locations in three-dimensional space. We alternated blocks in which subjects moved without visual feedback of the hand with feedback blocks in which we rendered a cube representing the hand-held cube. In feedback blocks, we rotated the visual feedback by 5° relative to the subject's head, creating an imposed mismatch between vision and proprioception on top of any natural mismatches. Realignment occurred quickly but was incomplete. We found more realignment to imposed mismatches than to natural mismatches. We propose that this difference is related to the way in which the visual information changed when subjects entered the experiment: the imposed mismatches were different from the mismatch in daily life, so alignment started from scratch, whereas the natural mismatches were not imposed by the experimenter, so subjects are likely to have entered the experiment partly aligned.
Silent synapses persist into adulthood in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of visual cortex in dark-reared mice
Authors: Funahashi Rie , Maruyama Takuro , Yoshimura Yumiko , Komatsu Yukio
Published: January 2013

Immature excitatory synapses often have NMDA receptors but not AMPA receptors in central neurons, including visual cortical pyramidal neurons. These synapses, called silent synapses, are converted to functional synapses with AMPA receptors by NMDA receptor activation during early development. It is likely that this process underlies the activity-dependent refinement of neuronal circuits and brain functions. In the present study, we investigated postnatal development of excitatory synapses, focusing on the role of visual inputs in the conversion of silent to functional synapses in mouse visual cortex. We analyzed presumably unitary excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) between a pair of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, using minimal stimulation with a patch pipette attached to the soma of one of the pair. The proportion of silent synapses was estimated by the difference in the failure rate between AMPA- and NMDA-EPSCs. In normal development, silent synapses were present abundantly before eye opening, decreased considerably by the critical period of ocular dominance plasticity, and almost absent in adulthood. This decline in silent synapses was prevented by dark rearing. The amplitude of presumably unitary AMPA-EPSCs increased with age, but this increase was suppressed by dark rearing. The quantal amplitude of AMPA-EPSCs and paired-pulse ratio of NMDA-EPSCs both remained unchanged during development, independent of visual experience. These results indicate that visual inputs are required for the conversion of silent to functional synapses and this conversion largely contributes to developmental increases in the amplitude of presumably unitary AMPA-EPSCs.
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with concurrent but not adjuvant chemotherapy in primary nasopharyngeal cancer – a retrospective single center analysis
Authors: Saleh-Ebrahimi Ladan , Zwicker Felix , Muenter Marc W , Bischof Marc , Lindel Katja , Debus Juergen , Huber Peter E , Roeder Falk
Published: January 2013

Background

We report our experience in 49 consecutive patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated by Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with simultaneous but not adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT).

Methods

The medical records of 49 patients with histologically proven primary nasopharygeal carcinoma treated with IMRT and concurrent platin-based CHT (predominantly cisplatin weekly) were retrospectively reviewed. The majority of patients showed advanced clinical stages (stage III/IV:72%) with undifferentiated histology (82%). IMRT was performed in step-and-shoot technique using an integrated boost concept in 84%. In this concept, the boost volume covered the primary tumor and involved nodes with doses of 66–70.4 Gy (single dose 2.2 Gy). Uninvolved regional nodal areas were covered with doses of 54–59.4 Gy (median single dose 1.8 Gy). At least one parotid gland was spared. None of the patients received adjuvant CHT.

Results

The median follow-up for the entire cohort was 48 months. Radiation therapy was completed without interruption in all patients and 76% of the patients received at least 80% of the scheduled CHT. Four local recurrences have been observed, transferring into 1-, 3-, and 5-year Local Control (LC) rates of 98%, 90% and 90%. One patient developed an isolated regional nodal recurrence, resulting in 1-, 3-, and 5-year Regional Control (RC) rates of 98%. All locoregional failures were located inside the radiation fields. Distant metastases were found in six patients, transferring into 1-, 3, and 5-year Distant Control (DC) rates of 92%, 86% and 86%. Progression free survival (PFS) rates after 1, 3 and 5 years were 86%, 70% and 69% and 1-, 3- and 5-year Overall Survival (OS) rates were 96%, 82% and 79%. Acute toxicity ≥ grade III mainly consisted of dysphagia (32%), leukopenia (24%), stomatitis (16%), infection (8%) and nausea (8%). Severe late toxicity (grade III) was documented in 18% of the patients, mainly as xerostomia (10%).

Conclusion

Concurrent chemoradiation without the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles using IMRT with an integrated boost concept yielded good disease control and overall survival in patients suffering from primary nasopharyngeal cancer with acceptable acute side effects and limited rates of late toxicity.
Effects of Terms of Trade Gains and Tariff Changes on the Measurement of US Productivity Growth
Authors: Feenstra Robert C , Mandel Benjamin R , Reinsdorf Marshall B , Slaughter Matthew J
Published: January 2013

The acceleration in US productivity growth since 1995 is often attributed to declining prices for information technology (IT) goods, and therefore enhanced productivity growth in that sector. We investigate an alternative explanation for these IT price movements: gains in the US terms of trade and tariff reductions, especially for IT products, which led to greater gains than shown by official indexes. We do not, however, investigate the indexes used to deflate the domestic absorption components of GDP, and if upward biases are present in those indexes that could offset some of the effects of mismeasured export and import indexes. (JEL C43, E23, F13, F14, J24)
Mechanistic models for the spatial spread of species under climate change
Authors: Leroux Shawn J. , Larrivée Maxim , Boucher-Lalonde Véronique , Hurford Amy , Zuloaga Juan , Kerr Jeremy T. , Lutscher Frithjof
Published: January 2013

Global climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. The most common methods for predicting the response of biodiversity to changing climate do not explicitly incorporate fundamental evolutionary and ecological processes that determine species responses to changing climate, such as reproduction, dispersal, and adaptation. We provide an overview of an emerging mechanistic spatial theory of species range shifts under climate change. This theoretical framework explicitly defines the ecological processes that contribute to species range shifts via biologically meaningful dispersal, reproductive, and climate envelope parameters. We present methods for estimating the parameters of the model with widely available species occurrence and abundance data and then apply these methods to empirical data for 12 North American butterfly species to illustrate the potential use of the theory for global change biology. The model predicts species persistence in light of current climate change and habitat loss. On average, we estimate that the climate envelopes of our study species are shifting north at a rate of 3.25 ± 1.36 km/yr (mean ± SD) and that our study species produce 3.46 ± 1.39 (mean ± SD) viable offspring per individual per year. Based on our parameter estimates, we are able to predict the relative risk of our 12 study species for lagging behind changing climate. This theoretical framework improves predictions of global change outcomes by facilitating the development and testing of hypotheses, providing mechanistic predictions of current and future range dynamics, and encouraging the adaptive integration of theory and data. The theory is ripe for future developments such as the incorporation of biotic interactions and evolution of adaptations to novel climatic conditions, and it has the potential to be a catalyst for the development of more effective conservation strategies to mitigate losses of biodiversity from global climate change.
Seasonal variation in Importance Value Index (IVI), Diversity Indices and Biomass of aquatic macrophytes at Biratnagar and adjoining areas, eastern Nepal
Authors: Niroula Bhabindra , Singh KLB
Published: January 2013

Aquatic macrophytes of three freshwater bodies of Biratnagar and adjoining areas in eastern Nepal namely, Betana-a natural oxbow pond, Bhattapokhari-an aged derelict depression, and Singhia river were analysed for their importance value index (IVI), diversity indices and biomass seasonally from January 2008 to December 2009. Singhia river had high species richness-d (2.08-3.84) and Shannon Wienner index-H' (2.16-2.68). Betana pond and Bhattapokhari had low diversity indices; however, nutrient rich Bhattapokhari had highest primary productivity (2675.5 g/m2/yr) in comparison to Betana pond (303.7 g/m2/yr) and Singhia river (479.09 g/m2/yr). Seasonally vittates dominated Betana pond had IVI range between 6.3 and 258.8 and biomass range between 168.1±7.3 and 265.8±38.7 g/m2); pleustophytes dominated Bhattapokhari had IVI range between 41.6 and 192.8 and biomass range between 925.5±353.2 and 2020.02±213.1 g/m2), and hyperhydate dominated Singhia river had IVI ranged between 2.5 and 160.9 and biomass ranged between 120.7±55.8 and 283.5±28.3 g/m2.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7462 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 1-7 (2011)
Comparative studies on lentic environment of Mai Pokhari, Ilam and Kechana jheel wetland ecosystems, Jhapa, Nepal (With reference to bottom dwelling fauna)
Authors: Rai Kalu Ram Khambu
Published: January 2013

Mai Pokahri is a mountain lake situated in midland at an altitude of 2150 m from sea level whereas Kechana jheel is situated in lowland (Tarai) at an altitude of 63 m from the sea level respectively. The lentic environments of the both lakes vary in the composition of bottomdwelling fauna and limnetic fauna respectively. The comparative studies were carried out in two different years by sampling the macroinvertebrates periodically. The bottom-fauna at Mai pokhari was found higher than Kechana jheel. Mai pokhari is still in natural condition but Kechana jheel is losing its native entity because of aquaculture. Mainly, the abundance of Chironomids showed the stratification in Mai pokhari but abundance of Trichoptera and Coleoptera in Kechana jheel indicate unstable bottom condition because continuous application of manure for pre-conditioning it as a fish pond. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7467 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 32-36 (2011)
Vascular plant specimens in Tribhuvan University Herbarium (TUH), Biratnagar, Nepal
Authors: Jha Sasinath , Rai Shiva Kumar , Koirala Umesh , Niroula Bhabindra , Bhagat Indramani , Dhakal Min Raj , Mandal Tej Narayan
Published: January 2013

This report comprises the first list of 1019 specimens of vascular plants (Pteridophytes: 25 families and 106 species; Gymnosperms: 9 families and 19 species; Angiosperms: 136 families and 894 species) reposited in the “Tribhuvan University Herbarium (TUH)”, Department of Botany, Post Graduate Campus, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal. These specimens have been collected by students and teachers of the Department of Botany, Post Graduate Campus from various locations of eastern Nepal (tropical to temperate climates; 60 to 3000 m, msl altitudes) since the year 1992 onwards. For the purpose of easy access to the specimens, families within a taxon, genera within a family, and species within a genus are arranged alphabetically. Scientific names provided by Hara et al. (1978, 1979, 1982), Iwatsuki (1988), Koba et al. (1994), Siwakoti (1995), Press et al. (2000), Jha and Jha (2000), and Thapa (2002) have been adopted for the nomenclature of the reposited specimens. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7475 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 83-95 (2011)
Food item selection of Hanuman Langur (Presbytes entellus) in different season in Char-Koshe jungle of eastern Terai, Nepal
Authors: Adhikaree Shaligram , Shrestha Tej Kumar
Published: January 2013

Common langur was found to be a mixed feeder. 33 species of plants were found to be consumed and 16 more species were said to be consumed in that locality. Most of the plants were consumed during fruiting and flowering seasons. Most preferred (frequently used) plants were Terminalia belarica, Geruga pinnata, Spathalobus parviflora, Ficus bengalensis, Schlichera oleosa, Ficus glomerata, Diospyrus tomentosa, Terminalia tomentosa, Emblica officinalis etc. On the basis of time spent to consume, fruit and seed comprised of about 56%, flower, leaf-bud, young leaves 29%, and mature leaves, bark and petiole 15% of annual budget of diet. Amount of different items in different seasons vary according to availability of first item (fruits and flower) and second items (new growths and leaf-bud). Fruits constitute more than 83% of diet during month of monsoon. Insectivory was not observed except during grooming. The langurs were not reported to raid the crops in vicinity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7476 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 96-103 (2011)
Macrophytes of the lowland wetlands in Morang district, Nepal
Authors: Koirala Umesh , Jha Sasinath
Published: January 2013

In total, 149 species of macrophytes (angiosperms 138, pteridophytes 7, bryophytes 2, algae 2) were recorded among which 117 species were emergent, 12 floating-leafed, 14 submerged and 6 free-floating on the basis of life form. In general, 68% species had flowering-fruiting during the rainy season, 17% in winter and 15% in the summer season. Many of the plant species were observed to play important role in meeting day to day requirements of the rural people. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7480 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 131-139 (2011)
An assessment of the impact of Koshi floods to birds and mammals
Authors: Baral Hem Sagar
Published: January 2013

Flood impact assessment with a focus on wetland dependent birds and mammals was carried out in 2009. Data compared to 2008, showed decline in the total number of birds. The results showed that while some bird benefitted from replenished fish stock, many others suffered. South Asian River Dolphin Platanista gangetica increased in number within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve after the flooding. Poverty and illiteracy contributing to lack of awareness amongst local people were hampering conservation works in the Reserve.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v2i0.7482 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 2 : 1-4 (2012)