bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism and Serum Homocysteine Levels in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Franco Brochado Maria José , Domenici Fernanda Aparecida , Candolo Martinelli Ana de Lourdes , Zucoloto Sergio , de Carvalho da Cunha Selma Freire , Vannucchi Helio
Published: September 2013

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hepatic fat accumulation in the absence of alcohol consumption. Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered an independent risk factor for liver diseases, and the genetic polymorphisms C677T and A1298C in the MTHFR gene have been linked to hyperhomocysteinemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations and the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms as risk factors for the development of NAFLD. Methods: One hundred and thirty-four Brazilian patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 134 healthy controls were recruited. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were detected through polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum Hcy levels were determined by chemiluminescence. Results: Serum Hcy levels were higher in NAFLD patients as compared to control subjects, but there were no differences between patients with steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The NAFLD and control groups did not differ in genotypic and allelic frequencies of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, either. Elevated plasma Hcy levels were positively correlated with age in the NAFLD subjects. Conclusion: The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are not genetic risk factors for the development of NAFLD. Higher Hcy levels exist in NAFLD subjects, but they are not associated with liver disease severity.
Effects of Prenatal Stress on Fetal Neurodevelopment and Responses to Maternal Neurosteroid Treatment in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Bennett Greer A. , Palliser Hannah K. , Saxby Britt , Walker David W. , Hirst Jonathan J.
Published: September 2013

Background: Maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. These outcomes result from changes in fetal brain development and lead to disrupted cognitive, behavioural and emotional development. The neurosteroid allopregnanolone has been shown to reduce neural excitability and aid in protecting the fetal brain from excitotoxic insults. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of prenatal maternal stress on fetal brain development with and without maternal allopregnanolone treatment. Methods: Pregnant guinea pigs were subjected to stress induced by exposure to a strobe light at 50, 55, 60 and 65 days gestation. Salivary cortisol levels were measured before and after each exposure. Fetal brains were assessed for markers of brain development using immunohistochemistry and plasma allopregnanolone was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Female, but not male prenatal stress-exposed fetuses demonstrated higher brain-to-liver ratios (BLR). Male fetuses showed significantly reduced expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and both males and females showed reduced expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). These markers were not affected by maternal allopregnanolone treatment. However, maternal allopregnanolone treatment resulted in an increase in fetal plasma allopregnanolone concentrations in control pregnancies but concentrations were not raised after prenatal stress exposure. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the effects of prenatal stress on fetal brain development are sexually dimorphic with more pronounced negative effects seen on male neurodevelopment. Allopregnanolone treatment was not effective in raising fetal plasma concentrations after prenatal stress suggesting a stress-induced dysregulation of neurosteroid pathways during gestation. Interestingly, this study directly implicates prenatal stress in the disruption of fetal neurosteroid levels, such that it may mediate some of the deleterious effects on fetal neurodevelopment by facilitating a deficit in normal endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms.
Prognostic Indicators and Treatment Outcome in 94 Cases of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kaseb Ahmed O. , Shama Mohamed , Sahin Ibrahim Halil , Nooka Ajay , Hassabo Hesham M. , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas , Aloia Thomas , Abbruzzese James L. , Subbiah Ishwaria M. , Janku Filip , Curley Steven , Hassan Manal M.
Published: September 2013

Objective: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is a rare variant of HCC. We report an analysis of the clinicopathologic features, treatment outcomes, and prognostic indicators of 94 cases. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinicopathologic and treatment outcome data from 94 FLHCC patients (48 males and 46 females). Median overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and survival rates were compared by the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate estimation of hazard risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors that correlated with survival and disease recurrence after resection. Results: Median age was 23 years (14-75); median OS was 57.2 months (95% CI, 36.4-77.9), and median RFS was 13.9 months (95% CI, 8.8-18.9). White race, female gender, early tumor stage, and tumor resection including metastasectomy were positively associated with longer OS, while female gender was the only significant positive predictor of longer RFS. Finally, the 5-fluorouracil-interferon combination was the most frequently used systemic therapy. Conclusions: Our analyses indicate that surgical approaches including metastasectomy as the first-line treatment in FLHCC correlated with better outcome. Multimodality approaches, including neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, prolonged patient survival.
Incidence of Brain Metastases after Trimodality Therapy in Patients with Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Cancer: Implications for Screening and Surveillance
Authors: Wadhwa Roopma , Taketa Takashi , Correa Arlene M. , Sudo Kazuki , Campagna Maria-Claudia , Blum Mariela A. , Komaki Ritsuko , Skinner Heath , Lee Jeffrey H. , Bhutani Manoop S. , Weston Brian , Maru Dipen M. , Rice David C. , Swisher Stephen , Hofstetter Wayne L. , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: September 2013

Background: It is unclear whether patients undergoing trimodality therapy (TMT) should be screened or surveyed for brain metastases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed esophageal cancer (EC) patients who underwent TMT between the years 2000 and 2010. All were systematically staged and surveyed but none had screening or surveillance brain imaging. Results: The median follow-up time for 518 patients was 29.3 months (range 1-149.2); all patients had adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Of 188 (36.3%) patients who developed distant metastases, 20 (10.6% of 188 patients or 3.9% of 518 patients) had brain metastases. A higher baseline clinical stage (stage III or IVa) was associated with brain metastases. Most (90%) patients with brain metastases were diagnosed within 24 months of surgery. Sixteen patients had central nervous system symptoms at diagnosis. Twelve (60%) patients had solitary metastasis and 8 (40%) patients had multiple metastases. Although 17 patients received therapy for brain metastases, the median overall survival time of 20 patients was only 10.5 months (95% CI 6.6-14.0). Conclusion: After TMT, 3.9% of EC patients developed brain metastases and their prognosis was poor. Our data suggest that screening and/or surveillance for brain metastases in the EC population undergoing TMT is not warranted.
Age-and sex-specific seasonal variation of venous thromboembolism in patients with and without family history: a nationwide family study in Sweden
Authors: Li Xinjun , Ohlsson Henrik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina , Zöller Bengt
Published: September 2013

Seasonal variation in venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in individuals with familial predisposition to VTE has not been explored. This nationwide study aimed to determine whether there are age- and sex-specific seasonal differences in risk of hospitalisation of VTE among individuals with and without a family history of VTE. The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was linked to Hospital Discharge Register data for the period 1964–2010. Seasonal variation in first VTE events in 1987–2010 for individuals with and without a family history of VTE (siblings or parents) was determined by several independent methods. Stratified analyses were performed according to age, sex, and VTE subtype (pulmonary embolism [PE] or deep venous thrombosis [DVT]). Seasonal variation in VTE incidence, mostly with a peak during the winter, was observed in both sexes in individuals with and without family history with overall peak-to-low ratios (PLRs) of 1.15 and 1.21, respectively. The peak day was December 25 and February 1 for those with and without a family history of VTE, respectively. Seasonal variation was strongest among individuals aged >50 years. Among individuals aged 0–25 years with a family history, the peak for VTE was in July (PLR = 1.20). Significant seasonal variation was observed for PE and DVT with the exception of DVT among those with a family history (PLR = 1.01). In conclusion, our data support the presence of a modest seasonal variation of VTE among individuals with and without a family history of VTE. However, young age and family history may modify and attenuate the effect of season on VTE.
Inactivation of Myosin Binding Protein C Homolog in Zebrafish as a Model for Human Cardiac Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Chen Yau‐Hung , Pai Chiung‐Wen , Huang Shu‐Wei , Chang Sheng‐Nan , Lin Lian‐Yu , Chiang Fu‐Tien , Lin Jiunn‐Lee , Hwang Juey‐Jen , Tsai Chia‐Ti
Published: September 2013

Background

Sudden cardiac death due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia is a devastating manifestation of cardiac hypertrophy. Sarcomere protein myosin binding protein C is functionally related to cardiac diastolic function and hypertrophy. Zebrafish is a better model to study human electrophysiology and arrhythmia than rodents because of the electrophysiological characteristics similar to those of humans.

Methods and Results

We established a zebrafish model of cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction by genetic knockdown of myosin binding protein C gene (
mybpc3
) and investigated the electrophysiological phenotypes in this model. We found expression of zebrafish
mybpc3
restrictively in the heart and slow muscle, and
mybpc3
gene was evolutionally conservative with sequence homology between zebrafish and human
mybpc3
genes. Zebrafish with genetic knockdown of
mybpc3
by morpholino showed ventricular hypertrophy with increased myocardial wall thickness and diastolic heart failure, manifesting as decreased ventricular diastolic relaxation velocity, pericardial effusion, and dilatation of the atrium. In terms of electrophysiological phenotypes,
mybpc3
knockdown fish had a longer ventricular action potential duration and slower ventricular diastolic calcium reuptake, both of which are typical electrophysiological features in human cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Impaired calcium reuptake resulted in increased susceptibility to calcium transient alternans and action potential duration alternans, which have been proved to be central to the genesis of malignant ventricular fibrillation and a sensitive marker of sudden cardiac death.

Conclusions

mybpc3
knockdown in zebrafish recapitulated the morphological, mechanical, and electrophysiological phenotypes of human cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic heart failure. Our study also first demonstrated arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans in cardiac hypertrophy.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp in Church Slavonic: An Evidence of the Academic Menologion
Authors: Khomych Taras
Published: September 2013

Abstract

This contribution deals with a significant gap in the studia Polycarpiana. It focuses, in particular, on a Church Slavonic translation of the Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the earliest of Christian martyria. This versional evidence has not been published until now and, consequently, not taken into account by any of the previous editions of the Martyrdom. The present article offers a collation and a detailed analysis of the earliest available copy of the translation. Eventually it shows that the Slavonic version may provide an independent (from the extant Greek manuscripts) testimony to the text of the Martyrdom and as such is of significant text-critical value.
Condemning Nature? Natura and Asceticism in the Jovinian Affair
Authors: Hunt Thomas E.
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Writing and preaching at Rome in the 390s, Jovinian argued that ascetic Christianity was based on a heretical denial of the good of God’s creation. This article points out that conformity to nature (natura) was a key element of Jovinian’s teaching as it comes down to us through Jerome. Jovinian taught that marriage was a part of human nature and demonstrably good as part of God’s creation. The word natura was also important in Jerome’s arguments against Jovinian. To refute Jovinian, Jerome offered a vision of human nature based not in empirical observation, nor in social custom, but in the actions of the incarnate Christ. In so doing, he challenged notions of human nature and social custom circulating in contemporary Rome.
Representing Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Convection in Large-Scale Models
Authors: Bechtold Peter , Semane Noureddine , Lopez Philippe , Chaboureau Jean-Pierre , Beljaars Anton , Bormann Niels
Published: September 2013

A new diagnostic convective closure, which is dependent on convective available potential energy (CAPE), is derived under the quasi-equilibrium assumption for the free troposphere subject to boundary layer forcing. The closure involves a convective adjustment time scale for the free troposphere and a coupling coefficient between the free troposphere and the boundary layer based on different time scales over land and ocean. Earlier studies with the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) have already demonstrated the model’s ability to realistically represent tropical convectively coupled waves and synoptic variability with use of the “standard” CAPE closure, given realistic entrainment rates.

A comparison of low-resolution seasonal integrations and high-resolution short-range forecasts against complementary satellite and radar data shows that with the extended CAPE closure it is also possible, independent of model resolution and time step, to realistically represent nonequilibrium convection such as the diurnal cycle of convection and the convection tied to advective boundary layers, although representing the late night convection over land remains a challenge. A more in-depth regional analysis of the diurnal cycle and the closure is provided for the continental United States and particularly Africa, including comparison with data from satellites and a cloud-resolving model (CRM). Consequences for global numerical weather prediction (NWP) are not only a better phase representation of convection, but also better forecasts of its spatial distribution and local intensity.
Assessing the Influence of Regional SST Modes on the Winter Temperature in China: The Effect of Tropical Pacific and Atlantic
Authors: Jiang Zhihong , Yang Hao , Liu Zhengyu , Wu Yanzhu , Wen Na
Published: September 2013

This study investigates the influence of different sea surface temperature (SST) modes on the winter temperature in China using the generalized equilibrium feedback assessment (GEFA). It is found that the second EOF mode of winter temperature in China during 1958–2010 shows a typical northeast–southwest (NE–SW) pattern, which is a major spatial mode of Chinese winter temperature at interannual scales. The winter temperature of the NE–SW pattern is forced mainly by SST modes in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic. For 2009/10, the tropical Pacific El Niño mode and tropical Atlantic tripole mode have the largest contribution to the response. The physical mechanism of the cold northeast–warm southwest (CNE–WSW) pattern is also explained in terms of GEFA of the responses of the atmospheric circulation. The northerly flow at the low level transports cold air to northern and northeastern China, resulting in a lower temperature there. Meanwhile, the anomaly meridional wind advects warm air from the southern oceans to southwestern China, leading to warming there.
Long-term labour market consequences of dropping out of upper secondary school
Authors: Brekke Idunn
Published: September 2013

In this study, I compare the labour market outcomes of school completers and school dropouts 10 years after they have entered upper secondary education. I compare second-generation immigrant youth from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, Vietnam, India and Chile with native majority youth in terms of economic inactivity, employment probability and educational enrolment. I use register data from Statistics Norway, which contain information on all students who entered upper secondary school between 1994 and 1998. The results show that youths who drop out of school have a lower probability of being employed than school completers. However, the labour market penalty of dropping out is not more excessive among second-generation immigrant youth than among native majority youth.
Beyond Treatment and Impact
Authors: Hirsh C. Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

Discrimination remains integral to understanding both how inequality is produced and how it can be remedied in employment settings. Yet like many sociological concepts, the notion of discrimination involves an uneasy mapping of theory to practice. Traditional conceptualizations of discrimination as differential treatment are ill-fitted to the structural and relational nature of much discrimination in the contemporary era. The disparate impact doctrine, which recognizes policies or practices that systematically disadvantage protected groups, picks up some of the theoretical slack, but offers little in the way of conceptualizing individuals’ complex and entangled experiences with inequality at work. In this article, I provide a conceptual reorganization of theories of discrimination, underscoring recent calls to move beyond the confines of the current disparate treatment and disparate impact binary by recognizing the structurally and culturally embedded nature of bias and discrimination. Drawing on recent sociological research as well as my own analysis of legal records and interviews with plaintiffs involved in high-profile sex and race lawsuits settled in the past decade, I illustrate how differential treatment emerges in the context of and enabled by systems of vulnerability and privilege, workplace culture, and compositional asymmetries. I conclude with a discussion of the implications of this framework for antidiscrimination enforcement efforts.
Class, Control, and Relational Indignity
Authors: Crowley Martha
Published: September 2013

This article investigates how complex combinations of control contribute to class variations in the experience of work through their impacts on relational aspects of workplace dignity. Analysis of content-coded data on 154 work groups suggests that control structures vary by class and have significant implications for levels of abuse and shame, but exert little direct impact on hostility toward management or coworker conflict. Abusive treatment rooted in coercion, however, generates hostility toward management and intensifies feelings of shame associated with coercive control. Contrary to expectations, a pattern of abuse does not tend to generate coworker conflict. Reimmersion in the case studies suggests that when it does, the cause is often favoritism—a correlate of abuse.
Peri-operative troponin monitoring using a prototype high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay: comparisons with hs-cTnT and contemporary cTnI assays
Authors: Lee Graham R , Jhanji Shaman , Tarrant Heloise , James Steve , Pearse Rupert M , Fitzgibbon Maria
Published: September 2013

Background

Non-cardiac surgery is associated with major vascular complications and higher incidences of elevated plasma troponin (cTn) concentration. Goal-directed therapy (GDT) is a stroke volume (SV)-guided approach to intravenous (IV) fluid therapy that improves tissue perfusion, oxygenation and reduces post-operative complications. In patients undergoing major gastro-intestinal surgery, we compared high sensitive and contemporary troponin assays and correlated results with patient outcome.

Methods

Patients ( n = 135) were randomized to receive IV fluid, guided by either the central venous pressure (CVP group, n = 45) or SV (± dopexamine inotrope, n = 45 per group). Serum was obtained pre- and post-operatively (0, 8 and 24 h) for troponin analysis by a prototype hs-cTnI assay (Abbott Laboratories), hs-cTnT (Roche Diagnostics) and contemporary cTnI (Beckman Coulter) assays.

Results

All troponin measurements were increased ( P ≤ 0.05) post-operatively but there was no difference ( P > 0.05) amongst treatments. Post-operative increases were reported more frequently ( P ≤ 0.05) and earlier with hs-cTnI. Temporal increases ( P ≤ 0.05) were reported in patients with and without complications for hs-cTnI/T assays but only in the complications group for cTnI measurements. Elevations ≥99th centile occurred most often ( P ≤ 0.05) for hs-cTnT measurements but with similar frequency for both outcome groups (all assays). Only the hs-cTnI assay showed an increased relative risk of mortality ( P ≤ 0.05) for elevations ≥99th centile

Conclusions

Our study may suggest a possible preference for the hs-cTnI assay in the peri-operative setting; however, our findings should be verified for larger cohort studies where emerging reference range data is incorporated for improving risk prediction with hs-cTn assays.
Detection of cytochrome P450 2C19 gene polymorphism from noninvasive samples by cycling probe technology
Authors: Nakagawa Saori , Kuwabara Naoko , Takamatsu Yu , Shimoeda Sadahiko , Ohta Shin , Yamato Susumu
Published: September 2013

Background

The proportion of poor metabolizers (PMs) of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 is much higher in the Japanese population than in European populations. Cycling probe technology (CPT) is a simple signal amplification technique for targeting specific DNA sequences. CPT utilizes a chimeric DNA-RNA-DNA probe that is cleaved by the enzyme ribonuclease (RNase H). In this study, using CPT, we aimed to detect the CYP2C19 gene polymorphism from noninvasive samples to determine extensive metabolizers (EMs) and PMs of CYP2C19.

Methods

DNA samples were extracted from hair, buccal mucosa, and blood cells. Primers and cycling probes were designed specifically for region G636A for exon 4 and G681A for exon 5, reported to be gene polymorphisms of CYP2C19.

Results

DNA extracted from hair follicle cells and buccal epithelial cells was the same as that collected from invasive blood sampling. The genotype of CYP2C19 was successfully identified as either EM or PM in 71 samples, producing identical results to those for the TaqMan method, except in three samples.

Conclusions

We successfully detected the two gene polymorphisms of CYP2C19 from noninvasive samples using a simple DNA extraction method and CPT.
Hyperamylasaemia and dual paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Akinosoglou Karolina , Siagris Dimitrios , Geropoulou Eleni , Kosmopoulou Oliana , Velissaris Dimitrios , Kyriazopoulou Venetsana , Gogos Charalambos
Published: September 2013

We hereby describe the rare case of a 59-year-old patient presenting with marked hyperamylasaemia mimicking acute pancreatitis upon admission. Investigation of co-existent hypokalemia revealed the presence of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, leading to the final diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, exhibiting dual paraneoplastic syndromes including Cushing Syndrome and hyperamylasaemia. Although, paraneoplastic syndromes occur commonly, paraneoplastic hyperamylasaemia especially in the context of dual paraneoplastic syndromes occurring simultaneously, is extremely rare. Such misleading manifestations require a high index of suspicion on behalf of the physician, so that an underlying malignancy is not missed, and a final diagnosis combining all clinical and laboratory findings is reached. In turn, in rare cases common biochemical markers such as amylase can be used as a useful follow up index driving further management.
Key practices of the transition to parenthood: The everyday figuration of parents’ and children’s bodies and personalities through the lens of a new materialist ethnography
Authors: Schadler Cornelia
Published: September 2013

At the transition to parenthood humans become parents or children. Sociology traditionally defines the transition to parenthood as the attainment of a new role or a new cultural identity. Recent new materialist redefinitions of the human and human relations have consequences for the empirical and conceptual view on the transition to parenthood. Parents and children become figurations within material-cultural practices. Their bodies and personalities solidify in those processes. Research from this perspective has often focused on the conception and birth of children (and parents) within techno-scientific practices (e.g. IVF). The research presented here focuses on everyday material-cultural practices during the transition to parenthood to explicate how parents and children are produced during the transition to parenthood. This article gives detailed descriptions of four key practices that allow humans to gain the status of parent or child: gaining evidence over an existing pregnancy, the normalization of the foetus and the parents, the sexing of the child and the official registration of the child. These situated practices form ‘real’ parents and children and their living conditions.
The background to the third world-wide failure exercise
Authors: Kaddour AS , Hinton MJ , Smith PA , Li S
Published: September 2013

The authors have recently completed two world-wide failure exercises, which dealt with benchmarking recognised failure criteria under two-dimensional and three-dimensional loadings, respectively. A new phase, called the ‘third world-wide failure exercise’ is currently underway to fill some of the major gaps identified in the previous activities. The third world-wide failure exercise is concerned with highlighting the degree of maturity of the current capabilities of 12 internationally recognised methods for modelling various aspects of damage in composite materials. Such problems include matrix cracks due to thermal and mechanical loads; delamination; ply constraint and stacking sequence effects; loading and unloading phenomena; failure due to stress gradients (in particular the hole size effect). The topics addressed within the third world-wide failure exercise represent an extremely important and crucial area for advanced modelling and virtual testing of composites. The third world-wide failure exercise runs in two stages (1) Part A which is devoted to providing full details and a comparison between the 12 theories together with their ‘blind’ predictions, made by their originators, for a challenging set of test problems and (2) Part B which is concerned with comparing the theoretical predictions with experimental results and assessing the accuracy and maturity of the methods. This paper provides details of the background to third world-wide failure exercise, the process of completing Part A and a summary of key conclusions.
Mechanical properties and details of composite laminates for the test cases used in the third world-wide failure exercise
Authors: Kaddour AS , Hinton MJ , Smith PA , Li S
Published: September 2013

This paper gives details of the input data and a full description of a set of 13 test cases provided to the participants of the third world-wide failure exercise for use in their theoretical models. World-wide failure exercise is aimed at benchmarking leading methods, capable of predicting initiation and progression matrix cracking and damage and failure in composites. The originators of leading theories were requested to use the exact input data provided here in their blind predictions of the test cases. The input data include all of the elastic constants, ultimate strains and strengths and the nonlinear stress–strain curves for the unidirectional laminae and their constituents. Various types of laminates, chosen for the analysis, are described together with the lay-up, layer thicknesses, stacking sequences and the loading conditions. Detailed instructions, issued to the contributors, are also presented at the end of this paper.
On the gradient-based algorithm for solving the general coupled matrix equations
Authors: Salkuyeh Davod Khojasteh , Beik Fatemeh Panjeh Ali
Published: September 2013

Recently, the gradient-based iterative algorithms have been widely exploited for finding the (least-squares) solutions of the different kinds of (coupled) linear matrix equations. Nevertheless, so far, the convergence of the propounded gradient-based algorithms has been studied for the case where the mentioned (coupled) linear matrix equations have a unique (least-squares) solution. In the present paper, we consider the consistent general coupled linear matrix equations which incorporate many of the recently investigated (coupled) linear matrix equations as their special instances. It is demonstrated that using a gradient-based iterative algorithm for solving the mentioned coupled linear matrix equations is equivalent to extending the well-known Richardson method for solving the normal equations corresponding to the original coupled linear matrix equations. In addition, we prove the semi-convergence of the Richardson method when the coefficient matrix of the associated normal equations is singular. Finally, some numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the validity of our theoretical results.
Effects of Enteral Nutrition on the Barrier Function of the Intestinal Mucosa and Dopamine Receptor Expression in Rats With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Jiang Xiaoying
Published: September 2013

Background: Impaired intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) function is common in traumatic brain injury (TBI), but dopamine receptors (DRs) change in intestinal mucosa after TBI, and effects of enteral nutrition (EN) and supplements on IMB function remain unclear. Our purpose was to study the effects of EN and supplements on intestinal mucosal permeability (IMPB) and the expression of DRs DRD1 and DRD2 in the intestinal mucosa of rats with TBI. Methods: Forty‐eight rats were divided into 8 groups; control, animals with TBI, dopamine group, animals with TBI treated with dopamine antagonist, EN alone, or EN combined with glutamine, probiotics, or a combination of probiotics and glutamine daily after TBI. Results: The IMPB was improved in the glutamine, probiotics, and combination groups. Including probiotics improved IMPB more than adding glutamine, and bacterial translocation in the intestines after TBI was reduced in the probiotics and combination groups (all Ps < .01). TBI led to elevated DRD1 and DRD2 mRNA and protein levels, which were reduced in the DA antagonist, glutamine, probiotics, and combination groups. DRD2 mRNA and protein levels in the probiotics and combination groups were decreased more than in the DA antagonist group (all Ps < .01). The increased IMPB after TBI correlated with increased DRD1 and DRD2 levels in the rat intestinal mucosa. Conclusion: EN supplemented with probiotics or combining glutamine and probiotics lowers the increased IMPB, bacterial translocation, and DRD1 and DRD2 mRNA and protein expression in rat intestinal mucosa caused by TBI.
Parental Status and Subjective Well-Being Among Currently Married Individuals in China
Authors: Qian Yue , Knoester Chris
Published: September 2013

Using data from the 2006 Chinese General Social Survey ( N = 2,515), we examine the relationship between parental status and subjective well-being among Chinese adults who are in their first marriages. After accounting for background characteristics, parents and childless individuals do not report significantly different feelings of well-being. When parental status is disaggregated according to family structure, parents of adult children only report higher levels of subjective well-being than both parents of minor children and the childless. The number of daughters is positively associated with feelings of well-being. Furthermore, the effects of coresiding with adult children appear to depend on whether one has minor children in the household. Coresident adult children are positively associated with well-being when minor children are also present but are negatively associated with well-being when minor children are not present.
Postdischarge Complications Predict Reoperation and Mortality after Otolaryngologic Surgery
Authors: Chen Michelle M. , Roman Sanziana A. , Sosa Julie A. , Judson Benjamin L.
Published: September 2013

Objectives

(1) Determine procedure‐specific rates of postdischarge complications (PDCs) and their risk factors in the first 30 days following inpatient otolaryngologic surgery. (2) Evaluate association between PDCs and risk of reoperation and mortality.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005‐2011).

Subjects and Methods

We identified 48,028 adult patients who underwent inpatient otolaryngologic surgery. Outcomes of interest included complications, reoperation, and mortality in the first 30 days following surgery. Statistical analysis included chi‐square, t tests, and multivariate regression.

Results

Laryngectomy, lip, and tongue/floor of mouth surgery had the highest PDC rates (8.0%, 7.4%, and 4.1%, respectively). Within the first 48 hours, week, and 2 weeks post discharge, 10%, 44%, and 73% of PDCs occurred, respectively. Common PDCs included surgical site infections (53.6%), other infections (37.4%), and venous thromboembolic events (7.4%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01‐1.02), prolonged operative time (OR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.39‐2.03), hospital stay >1 day (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.86), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class ≥3 (OR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.78) were independently associated with PDCs. Patients with PDCs were more likely to die (0.9% vs 0.1%, P <. 001) or have a reoperation (10.4% vs 1.2%, P <. 001).

Conclusion

This is the first study of overall postdischarge events after otolaryngologic surgery. PDC rates in otolaryngology occur soon after discharge, are procedure specific, and are associated with reoperation and mortality. Targeted procedure‐specific triage and follow‐up plans for high‐risk patients may improve outcomes.
The role of the opioid system in alcohol dependence
Authors: Nutt David J
Published: September 2013

The role of the brain opioid system in alcohol dependence has been the subject of much research for over 25 years. This review explores the evidence: firstly describing the opioid receptors in terms of their individual subtypes, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and ligands; secondly, summarising emerging data from specific neurochemical, behavioural and neuroimaging studies, explaining the characteristics of addiction with a focus on alcohol dependence and connecting the opioid system with alcohol dependence; and finally reviewing the known literature regarding opioid antagonists in clinical use for alcohol dependence. Further interrogation of how modulation of the opioid system, via use of MOP (mu), DOP (delta) and KOP (kappa) agents, restores the balance of a dysregulated system in alcohol dependence should increase our insight into this disease process and therefore guide better methods for understanding and treating alcohol dependence in the future.
Who Would You Like To Be Like? Family, Village, and National Role Models Among Black Youth in Rural South Africa
Authors: Madhavan Sangeetha , Crowell Jacqueline
Published: September 2013

In this article, we examine how Black youth in rural South Africa construct role models and connect them to their own life aspirations. We pay particular attention to individual and group identity development in shaping these perceptions. Based on analysis of qualitative data from 99 Black male and female youth aged 14 to 22, we find that (a) the choice of role models reflects a balancing strategy to reconcile individual and group identity development; (b) while the reasons they give for choosing role models are aligned with dominant models of upward mobility in the new South Africa (and globally), our respondents are also attuned to the difficulty of attaining such success; and (c) the choices underscore the continued importance of close and extended kin amidst an increasingly ego-focused life strategy aimed at individual status attainment. These findings can contribute to improving the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at strengthening the role of positive influences in the lives of Black youth in South Africa.
Denying What Workers Believe Are Unethical Workplace Requests
Authors: Bisel Ryan S. , Kramer Michael W.
Published: September 2013

This message-production experiment demonstrates workers’ tendency to use organizational policy justifications when publicly denying what they privately believe are unethical requests. Working adults ( N = 234) responded to an unethical request from a supervisor, coworker, or subordinate. Participants avoided using explicitly moralized justifications for their noncompliance publicly and thus engaged in issue crafting. Specifically, content and statistical analyses revealed that (a) most participants invoked policy justifications to deny requests and (b) differences in hierarchical relationships were not significantly associated with policy justification frequency. These dynamics afford important face-saving functions but hold implications for the moral learning capacity of organizations. The essay concludes with implications for crafting organizational ethics policy.
Comparative study of the effect of several trains on the rotation motion of ballast stones
Authors: Navarro-Medina Fermín , Perez-Grande Isabel , Sanz-Andres Angel
Published: September 2013

The ballast pick-up (or ballast train-induced-wind erosion (BTE)) phenomenon is a limiting factor for the maximum allowed operational train speed. The determination of the conditions for the initiation of the motion of the ballast stones due to the wind gust created by high-speed trains is critical to predict the start of ballast pick-up because, once the motion is initiated, a saltation-like chain reaction can take place. The aim of this paper is to present a model to evaluate the effect of a random aerodynamic impulse on stone motion initiation, and an experimental study performed to check the capability of the proposed model to classify trains by their effect on the ballast due to the flow generated by the trains. A measurement study has been performed at kp 69 + 500 on the Madrid – Barcelona High Speed Line. The obtained results show the feasibility of the proposed method, and contribute to a technique for BTE characterization, which can be relevant for the development of train interoperability standards.
Markov-based model for the prediction of railway track irregularities
Authors: Bai Lei , Liu Rengkui , Sun Quanxin , Wang Futian , Xu Peng
Published: September 2013

Irregularities in railway tracks are a key factor influencing the safety of trains. In this paper, rail track is considered to consist of consecutive track maintenance units whose individual defect states can be quantified in terms of a track quality index. A Markov stochastic process approach is used to evaluate the deterioration of a maintenance unit. A hazard model is formulated using the heterogeneity of the maintenance units, and a matrix of the Markov transition probabilities is constructed. The parameters of the developed models are estimated via a maximum log-likelihood function. The prediction model is validated with track irregularity data measured using track geometry cars.
Care of HIV-positive women aged 50 and over – can we do better?
Authors: Samuel MI , Welch J , Tenant-Flowers M , Poulton M , Campbell L , Taylor C
Published: September 2013

A sample of 123 HIV-positive women aged 50 years and over showed high rates of late diagnosis with CD4 count <350 (71%), significant co-morbidities (90%), high rates of premature menopause (6.8%) and early menopause (6.8%) and cervical cytological abnormalities (47%). Specific interventions to improve care in this group should include yearly cervical cytology, early counselling with regard to reproductive options, menopause management and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Acute kidney injury as a presentation of primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in HIV
Authors: Hughes DJ , Fitzgerald N , Sran H , Konig M , Moore-Moffatt R , Webb A , Gilleece Y , Churchill DR
Published: September 2013

We report a case of acute kidney injury due to primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which developed after initiation of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy in a 28-year-old HIV-positive man.
Return, Volume and Volatility Relationship in Indian Stock Market: Pre and Post Rolling Settlement Analysis
Authors: Mahajan Sarika , Singh Balwinder
Published: September 2013

The present article examines the impact of rolling settlement on contemporaneous and causal relationships between return, volume and volatility in Indian stock market using daily data of closing prices and volume of NIFTY index of NSE and SENSEX of BSE from January 1997 to June 2007. The correlation analysis reveals that contemporaneous relationship is not detected between volume and returns in post rolling settlement period for both NIFTY and SENSEX. Positive relationship between volume and return has been seen in only pre-rolling settlement period in both indices (NIFTY and SENSEX). This indicates that markets have become more efficient after introduction of rolling settlement. In addition, causality results also provide conclusive evidence of improvement in efficiency at NSE and BSE with the introduction of rolling settlement. Thus, rolling settlement makes shares more attractive; investors would be more willing to supply risk capital in the country if they know that shares can be rapidly converted into cash when need arises. Moreover, noise created by prices has been reduced with reduction in settlement days.
Impact of Store Personality Antecedents on Store Personality Dimensions: An Empirical Study of Department Retail Brands
Authors: Das Gopal , Guin Kalyan Kumar , Datta Biplab
Published: September 2013

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of store personality antecedents on store personality dimensions. A mall-intercept survey was undertaken using a systematic sampling of department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Questionnaire was used to collect data from busy shopping malls or centres located in different places of Kolkata with systematic sampling. The impact of store personality antecedents on store personality dimensions was explored using stepwise regression analysis.

Results revealed that different sets of store personality antecedent affect various department store personality dimensions differently. The impacts of all sets are positive and significant. Arguably, this article was the first to explore the link between store personality antecedents and store personality dimensions in Indian and department store personality contexts.
Customer Perception of Service Convenience: A Comparison between Public and New Private Sector Banks
Authors: Kaura Vinita , Prasad Ch. S. Durga , Sharma Sourabh
Published: September 2013

This study examines the difference between public sector and new private sector banks with reference to service convenience dimensions; decision convenience, access convenience, transaction convenience, benefit convenience and post-benefit convenience. A cross-sectional research on 445 retail banking customers through structured questionnaire is conducted. The population of the study is valued retail urban customers of the public and the new private sector banks in Rajasthan, who frequently visit bank premises for transactions, have accounts in at least two banks and have availed of at least one IT based service. The results reveal that service convenience dimensions differ between public and new private sector banks. New private sector bank customers’ mean score is found more than public sector bank customers. This study has theoretical and practical contribution. From theoretical point of view, service convenience scale is used and validated in retail banking sector in Indian context. For bank professionals, this study explains the difference of service convenience between public and new private sector banks and opens door to improve service convenience.
Book Review: India: Perspectives on Politics, Economy and Labour, 1918–2008 Volume 2: The Age of the Constitution, 1958–2007
Authors: Sharma S.C.
Published: September 2013

C. K. Johri, India: Perspectives on Politics, Economy and Labour, 1918–2008 Volume 2: The Age of the Constitution, 1958–2007. Delhi: AAKAR Books, 2012, 743 pp. (ISBN: 978-93-5002-186-6 [HB])
Book Review: How Some Small Businesses Get Their Ducks in a Row and Grow—While Others Remain Undistinguished
Authors: Kanjilal Kakali
Published: September 2013

Shil Niyogi, How Some Small Businesses Get Their Ducks in a Row and Grow—While Others Remain Undistinguished. New Delhi: SAGE South Asia Edition, SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd, 2012, 197 pp., ₹ 350 (ISBN: 978-81-321-0753-8[PB])
Parent-Implemented Interventions for Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Barton Erin E. , Fettig Angel
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this review was to analyze fidelity features in parent-implemented interventions for young children with disabilities. The authors conducted a review of 24 studies published in nine peer-reviewed journals. Each identified article was scored on the following categories: the participant characteristics, settings, study design, independent variables, measurement of implementation and intervention fidelity, parent training components, dependent variables, social validity, overall outcomes, and study rigor. The results indicated that, although all studies described parent training components, few reported implementation fidelity. Across the studies trainers were most likely to use performance-based feedback and modeling to support parent implementation of the intervention. Although 20 studies used single-case design methodologies, only 2 studies met contemporary single-case research design standards. The authors provide an analysis of implications for future research related to supporting high-fidelity implementation of parent-implemented interventions.
Migraine Mistakes
Authors: Borsook David , Aasted Christopher M. , Burstein Rami , Becerra Lino
Published: September 2013

Error awareness or detection is the conscious and subconscious processing to evaluate physiological signals that are different from a baseline or homeostatic level. Migraine is a unique neurological disorder in which there are repeated attacks interspersed by attack-free periods. These attacks are dynamic and multidimensional in the sense that sensory, affective, autonomic, and cognitive functions are altered and these changes evolve differently before (pre-ictal), during (ictal), and immediately after (post-ictal) an attack. Thus migraine serves as a model disease to understand how the brain monitors and react to the presence of errors.