bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHRISTMAS ECONOMICS—A SLEIGH RIDE
Authors: Birg Laura , Goeddeke Anna
Published: May 2016

This article reviews the literature on Christmas economics. First, we present an overall picture of the debate on the potential welfare loss of gift‐giving and we show strategies that reduce the potential welfare loss and might increase the number of presents received. Second, we discuss the effect of Christmas on prices and the business cycle. We provide evidence that at Christmas stock prices and airfares increase, while food prices decrease. (JEL D6, E3, H4, Z1)
OPTIMAL ENFORCEMENT OF NONCOMPETE COVENANTS
Authors: Ghosh Suman , Shankar Kameshwari
Published: May 2016

Noncompete covenants or covenant not to compete (CNC) are clauses in employment contracts in which the employee agrees not to gain employment with a competitor firm. In this article, we study the efficiency aspects of such contracts by incorporating the effect of labor mobility restrictions on knowledge transfer across firms, investment decisions by firms, and investment by workers. Following research that shows state‐wise variations in the degree of CNC enforcement, we allow the strength of CNC enforcement to vary as a matter of regulatory policy and derive the optimal strength of enforcement. We also look at how regulations around CNCs should be optimally designed when employers can use collusive agreements, such as “no poaching” agreements, as an alternative to noncompete clauses. Given recent allegations of employer collusion among large Silicon Valley firms, we argue for a cautious approach in designing policies on CNC enforcement. (JEL J24, J41, J63, K31)
Optimizing dialysate potassium
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Mendelssohn David C.
Published: May 2016

Potassium shifts in thrice weekly HD patients are likely a reversible cause of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. In general, a dialysate potassium <2.0 mmol/L should be avoided, and many patients with dialysate potassium of 2 mmol/L could safely be adjusted upwards. The ideal predialysis serum potassium should be around 5.0 mmol/L. Trends in serum potassium and not single values, should inform chronic changes of dialysate potassium prescription. Atypical values should be dealt with as a one off, but should not lead to chronic bath changes. Referral to a renal dietician for counseling to limit dietary potassium intake is vital to prevent recurrence of these atypical episodes. Finally, facilities should develop and implement a formal and reliable way to alert the physician about possible potassium bath mismatching. This facility level approach works best if a policy is developed and endorsed by all involved stakeholders.
Asymmetric interspecific aggression in New Guinean songbirds that replace one another along an elevational gradient
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. , Class Freeman Alexandra M. , Hochachka Wesley M.
Published: May 2016

A common pattern in tropical avifaunas is for closely related species to inhabit largely parapatric elevational distributions such that they replace one another along the elevational gradient. A long‐standing hypothesis for this pattern is that parapatry is maintained by interspecific interference competition mediated by interspecific aggression. However, empirical tests of this hypothesis remain scarce. We used reciprocal playback experiments to measure interspecific aggression in five species‐pairs of New Guinean passerine elevational replacements. We found evidence of interspecific aggression in three species‐pairs. In these three cases, interspecific aggression was asymmetric, with the lower elevation species more aggressive towards the upper elevation species than vice versa. Two patterns suggest that this interspecific aggression is a learned response to the presence of a heterospecific competitor rather than misdirected intraspecific aggression or an evolved response to a competitor. First, when present, interspecific aggression was always strongest at the upper elevation range margin of the lower elevation species (i.e. in the elevational zone in which the two species were found in close proximity and thus interacted with each other), and diminished over very short distances away from this zone. Secondly, the two species‐pairs that did not exhibit interspecific aggression had narrow ‘no man's land’ gaps between their elevational distributions such that heterospecifics did not encounter one another, possibly explaining the lack of interspecific aggression in these examples. Our results support the hypothesis that interspecific aggression is one factor influencing elevational limits in species‐pairs of New Guinean elevational replacements.
Food shortage affects reproduction of Feral PigeonsColumba liviaat rearing of nestlings
Authors: Stock Birte , Haag‐Wackernagel Daniel
Published: May 2016

Feral PigeonsColumba liviaare highly adapted to urban environments and are thus often abundant in cities. This can lead to various problems, including fouling of building facades and pavements, transmission of allergens and pathogenic micro‐organisms, and infestations of ectoparasites derived from breeding sites. To develop effective, long‐lasting and humane control strategies, it is necessary to understand the demography of Feral Pigeons. Although food shortage is a major source of reproductive failure in Feral Pigeons, it is still unclear at which phase of the reproductive cycle this reduces overall reproductive success. Here, we assess the effect of a sudden reduction in the food base on the reproduction of a well‐studied Feral Pigeon breeding colony. The findings of this study suggest that the number of broods per pair decreases significantly during food scarcity, and that although hatching success remains constant, a significantly greater number of nestlings die during the rearing phase. This suggests that the high energy demand of Feral Pigeon nestlings could not be met under conditions of food scarcity, which reduced the total number of fledged young by more than half and led to a reduction in the colony size. These results have important implications for selecting suitable, durable and humane control strategies for the management of large Feral Pigeon populations in urban environments.
Incentives versus insurance in the design of tax‐financed unemployment insurance
Authors: Andersen Torben M.
Published: May 2016

The distortions of job‐search incentives caused by unemployment benefits and their financing are well known. However, a benefit‐tax scheme also provides insurance having direct utility effects as well as indirect effects on risk taking. The latter mitigates or may even dominate standard incentive effects to produce a non‐monotone relation between efficiency (incentives) and equity (insurance). An increase in benefits (and thus tax rate) may up to some point increase average income and reduce inequality. However, optimal utilitarian policies always position the economy at a point where marginal policy changes involve a trade‐off, otherwise policies would not be optimal.
Arms build‐up and arms race in optimal economic growth
Authors: Larrosa Juan M. C.
Published: May 2016

I analyze a model of strategic interdependence between two economies linked by investments in defensive capital for deterrence purposes. I adapt a two‐agent dynamic setting where weapon production affects consumption. Individually both economies determine their balanced growth path by taking this interdependence into account in different grades of awareness. I associate two types of equilibria with internal or external determinants for defense production analogous to scenarios of arms build‐up or arms race. I find that a defense sector is compatible with economic growth but a tight arms race can harm growth.
Challenging passivity in venous leg ulcer care – the ABC model of management
Authors: Harding Keith
Published: May 2016

The under‐utilisation of compression for venous leg ulcer (VLU) management translates into lost opportunities to heal wounds, improve patients' quality of life and maximise health care system efficiency. Although compression therapy is considered gold standard according to clinical guidelines, lack of clinician knowledge, unclear referral pathways, local unavailability of compression and patient unwillingness to receive compression, amongst other reasons, mean many candidates for compression do not receive appropriate treatment. This article presents a solution in the form of the ‘ABC model of VLU management, a simplified approach that challenges passivity in the current approach to VLU treatment and supports wider adoption of appropriate compression therapy systems.
Contact allergy to rubber accelerators remains prevalent: retrospective results from a tertiary clinic suggesting an association with facial dermatitis
Authors: Schwensen J.F. , Menné T. , Johansen J.D. , Thyssen J.P.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Chemicals used for the manufacturing of rubber are known causes of allergic contact dermatitis on the hands. Recent European studies have suggested a decrease in thiuram contact allergy. Moreover, while an association with hand dermatitis is well established, we have recently observed several clinical cases with allergic facial dermatitis to rubber.

Objectives

To evaluate temporal trends of contact allergy to rubber accelerators from the European baseline series in a tertiary patch test clinic in Denmark, and examine associations with anatomical locations of dermatitis.

Methods

Patch test and clinical data collected in a Danish tertiary dermatology clinic in Gentofte, Herlev, Copenhagen between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2014 were analysed. The following rubber accelerators or mixtures in petrolatum from the European baseline patch test series were included: thiuram mix 1.0%, mercaptobenzothiazole 2.0% and mercapto mix 1.0%.

Results

The overall prevalence of contact allergy to rubber accelerators was 3.1% with no significant change during the study period (Ptrend = 0.667). Contact allergy to thiuram mix was the most prevalent and was significantly associated with occupational contact dermatitis, hand dermatitis, age >40 years and facial dermatitis in adjusted binary logistic regression analysis. Current clinical relevance of contact allergy to thiuram mix was 59.3%. Patients with contact allergy to mercapto mix and mercaptobenzothiazole had a concomitant reaction to thiuram mix in 35.2% (19/54) and 35.4% (17/48) of the cases respectively.

Conclusion

Contact allergy to rubber accelerators remains prevalent. Clinicians should be aware of the hitherto unexplored clinical association with facial dermatitis.
N‐Acetylcysteine in the treatment of trichotillomania: remarkable results in two patients
Authors: Özcan D. , Seçkin D.
Published: May 2016

Background

The management of trichotillomania is challenging. The limited efficacy and side‐effects of pharmacological medications and difficulty in long‐term maintenance of behavioural therapies necessitates alternative treatment options. A dysregulated glutamatergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of trichotillomania. A limited number of reports indicate that N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutamate modulator, may be a promising treatment for this disorder.

Objectives

We report two patients with trichotillomania for whom treatment with NAC was successful.

Methods

The first patient was a 30‐year‐old female, and the second patient was a 14‐year‐old girl, both who were diagnosed with trichotillomania and prescribed NAC (1200 mg/d, p.o.).

Results

Hair pulling behaviour subsided within 2 months and 2 weeks of initiating NAC in the first and second patient, respectively. Complete hair regrowth was observed after 4 and 6 months of NAC treatment in the first and second patient, respectively. No side‐effects related to NAC were noted.

Conclusion

NAC could be a well‐tolerated and effective treatment option for trichotillomania.
Clinical Nurse Leader Integrated Care Delivery to Improve Care Quality: Factors Influencing Perceived Success
Authors: Bender Miriam , Williams Marjory , Su Wei , Hites Lisle
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Clinical nurse leaderTM (CNL)‐integrated care delivery is a new model for organizing master's‐level nursing clinical leadership at the microsystem level. While there is growing evidence of improved patient care quality and safety outcomes associated with CNL practice, organizational and implementation characteristics that influence CNL success are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to identify organization and implementation factors associated with perceived success of CNL integration into microsystem care delivery models.

Methods

A survey was developed and administered to a nationwide sample of certified CNLs and managers, leaders, educators, clinicians, and change agents involved in planning or integrating CNLs into a health system's nursing care delivery model. Items addressed organizational and implementation characteristics and perceived level of CNL initiative success. Generalized linear modeling was used to analyze data.

Results

The final sample included 585 respondents. The final model accounted for 35% of variance in perceived CNL initiative success, and included five variables: phase of CNL initiative, CNL practice consistency, CNL instructor or preceptor involvement, CNL reporting structure, and CNL setting ownership status.

Conclusions

CNL initiative success is associated with modifiable organizational and implementation factors.

Clinical Relevance

Study findings can be used to inform the development of successful implementation strategies for CNL practice integration into care delivery models to improve care quality outcomes.
A Comparative Study of the Accuracy of Dies Made from Digital Intraoral Scanning vs. Elastic Impressions: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Serag Mahmoud , Nassar Talal al , Avondoglio Dane , Weiner Saul
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To compare the dimensional accuracy of dies generated from digital intraoral scans with dies generated from conventional polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression material.

Materials and Methods

A machined metal die was impressed 10 times using PVS, and scanned 10 times using the iTero Cadent system and 10 times using the LAVA C.O.S. system. Dies generated from each system were imaged in a standardized holder using a microscope and measured with analytical software at three sites and compared with the dimensions of the master die.

Results

The dimensional differences between the master die and both the PVS and iTero groups were approximately 60 μm in all three dimensions but the Lava C.O.S. die dimensions measured close to 100 μm at two of the three sites.

Conclusion

PVS/Die and iTero groups offered superior reproduction of the master die in terms of dimensional accuracy, but these differences are likely of little clinical significance.
Japanese History of the Psychology of Fine Arts and Aesthetics
Authors: Arakawa Ayumu
Published: May 2016

In this paper we discuss the history of Japanese psychology of fine arts and aesthetics across five distinct periods: (a) the first expansion of arts psychology research (1907–1932); (b) children's drawings and Gestalt psychology (approximately 1932–1947); (c) the second expansion of arts psychology research, the psychoanalysis of art and art as a target for Gestalt and social psychology (1948–1967); (d) art therapy and the psychology of aesthetics using the semantic differential method and factor analysis (approximately 1968–1996); and (e) the third expansion of arts psychology research, Kansei and neuroaesthetics (1996–). Japanese arts psychology has been altered by the reformation of the discipline, and by the implementation of new methods and theories from overseas. The research targets, such as traditional arts (calligraphy, rock gardens, etc.) and pop culture (“Kawaii,” “Hello Kitty,” etc.), have appeared as Japanese original contributions to the psychology of the arts.
Porphyromonas gingivalis‐induced production of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, CXCL8 and CCL2 by neutrophils from localized aggressive periodontitis and healthy donors: modulating actions of red blood cells and resolvin E1
Authors: Damgaard C. , Kantarci A. , Holmstrup P. , Hasturk H. , Nielsen C. H. , Van Dyke T. E.
Published: May 2016

Background and Objectives

Porphyromonas gingivalis is regarded as a significant contributor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and certain systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis. P. gingivalis occasionally translocates from periodontal pockets into the circulation, where it adheres to red blood cells (RBCs). This may protect the bacterium from contact with circulating phagocytes without affecting its viability.

Material and Methods

In this in vitro study, we investigated whether human peripheral blood neutrophils from 10 subjects with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP) and 10 healthy controls release the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), the chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL‐8) and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2; also known as monocyte chemotactic protein‐1) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to challenge with P. gingivalis. In addition, the impact of RBC interaction with P. gingivalis was investigated. The actions of resolvin E1 (RvE1), a known regulator of P. gingivalis induced neutrophil responses, on the cytokine and ROS responses elicited by P. gingivalis in cultures of neutrophils were investigated.

Results

Upon stimulation with P. gingivalis, neutrophils from subjects with LAgP and healthy controls released similar quantities of IL‐6, TNF‐α, CXCL8, CCL2 and intracellular ROS. The presence of RBCs amplified the release of IL‐6, TNF‐α and CCL2 statistically significant in both groups, but reduced the generation of ROS in the group of healthy controls, and showed a similar tendency in the group of subjects with LAgP. RvE1 had no impact on the production of intracellular ROS, TNF‐α, IL‐6, CXCL8 and CCL2 by neutrophils from either group, but tended to reduce the generation of ROS in subjects with LAgP in the absence of RBCs.

Conclusions

Our data support that binding to RBCs protects P. gingivalis from ROS and concomitantly enhances neutrophil release of proinflammatory cytokines providing a selective advantage for P. gingivalis growth.
Effects of an intervention on infant growth and development: evidence for different mechanisms at work
Authors: Prado Elizabeth L. , Abbeddou Souheila , Yakes Jimenez Elizabeth , Somé Jérôme W. , Dewey Kathryn G. , Brown Kenneth H. , Hess Sonja Y.
Published: May 2016

Millions of children in low‐income and middle‐income countries falter in linear growth and neurobehavioral development early in life. This faltering may be caused by risk factors that are associated with both growth and development, such as insufficient dietary intake and infection in infancy. Alternatively, these risk factors may be indicative of an environment that constrains both linear growth and development through different mechanisms. In a cluster‐randomized trial in Burkina Faso, we previously found that provision of lipid‐based nutrient supplements plus malaria and diarrhoea treatment from age 9 to 18 months resulted in positive effects of ~0.3 standard deviation on length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ) and of ~0.3 standard deviation on motor, language and personal–social development scores at age 18 months. In this paper, we examined whether the effect of the intervention on developmental scores was mediated by the effect on LAZ, or, alternatively, whether the intervention had independent effects on growth and development. For motor, language, and personal–social z‐scores, the effect of the intervention decreased from 0.32 to 0.21, from 0.33 to 0.27 and from 0.35 to 0.29, respectively, when controlling for change in LAZ from 9 to 18 months. All effects remained significant. These results indicate that the intervention had independent positive effects on linear growth and development, suggesting that these effects occurred through different mechanisms. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Delay Dynamics in a Classical IS‐LM Model with Tax Collections
Authors: Matsumoto Akio , Szidarovszky Ferenc
Published: May 2016

An IS‐LM model is developed for the dynamics of income, interest rate and money stock with delay in tax revenue. The main aim is to show that the delay matters in macro dynamics. Two different delays, fixed time delays and continuously distributed time delays, are considered explicitly and described by delay‐differential equations and integro‐differential equations, respectively. Conditions for the local stability of the two models are derived and compared. The destabilizing effects caused by the delay are numerically examined. Appearance of wide spectrum of dynamics ranging from simple cyclic oscillations to complex dynamics is described through Hopf bifurctions.
RNase E‐based degradosome modulates polyadenylation of mRNAs after Rho‐independent transcription terminators in Escherichia coli
Authors: Mildenhall Kristen B. , Wiese Nicholas , Chung Daewhan , Maples Valerie F. , Mohanty Bijoy K. , Kushner Sidney R.
Published: May 2016

Here we demonstrate that the RNase E‐based degradosome is required for poly(A) polymerase I (PAP I)‐dependent polyadenylation after Rho‐independent transcription terminators for both mono‐ and polycistronic transcripts. Disruption of degradosome assembly in mutants lacking the polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) binding domain led to a significant increase in the level of PNPase synthesized polynucleotide tails in the rpsJ and rpsM polycistronic transcripts and the lpp monocistronic transcript. The polynucleotide tails were mostly located within the coding sequences in the degradosome mutants compared to the wild type control where the majority of the PAP I synthesized poly(A) tails were after the Rho‐independent transcription terminators. For the Rho terminated metNIQ operon, the tails for all three mRNAs were predominately polynucleotide and were located within the coding sequences in both wild type and degradosome mutant strains. Furthermore, by employing a pnp‐R100D point mutant that encodes a catalytically inactive PNPase protein that still forms intact degradosomes, we show that a catalytically active PNPase is required for normal mRNA polyadenylation by PAP I. Our data suggest that polyadenylation requires a functional degradosome to maintain an equilibrium between free PNPase and the PAP I polyadenylation complex.
Central perimetric sensitivity estimates are directly influenced by the fixation target
Authors: Denniss Jonathan , Astle Andrew T.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Perimetry is increasingly being used to measure sensitivity at central visual field locations. For many tasks, the central (0°, 0°) location is functionally the most important, however threshold estimates at this location may be affected by masking by the nearby spatial structure of the fixation target. We investigated this effect.

Methods

First we retrospectively analysed microperimetry (MAIA‐2; CenterVue, Padova, Italy) data from 60 healthy subjects, tested on a custom grid with 1° central spacing. We compared sensitivity at (0°, 0°) to the mean sensitivity at the eight adjacent locations. We then prospectively tested 15 further healthy subjects on the same instrument using a cross‐shaped test pattern with 1° spacing. Testing was carried out with and without the central fixation target, and sensitivity estimates at (0°, 0°) were compared. We also compared sensitivity at (0°, 0°) to the mean of the adjacent four locations in each condition. Three subjects undertook 10 repeated tests with the fixation target in place to assess within‐subject variability of the effect.

Results

In the retrospective analysis, central sensitivity was median 2.8 dB lower (95% range 0.1–8.8 dB lower, p < 0.0001) than the mean of the adjacent locations. In the prospective study, central sensitivity was median 2.0 dB lower with the fixation target vs without (95% range 0.4–4.7 dB lower, p = 0.0011). With the fixation target in place central sensitivity was median 2.5 dB lower than mean sensitivity of adjacent locations (95% range 0.8–4.2 dB lower, p = 0.0007), whilst without the fixation target there was no difference (mean 0.4 dB lower, S.D. 0.9 dB, p = 0.15). These differences could not be explained by reduced fixation stability. Mean within subject standard deviation in the difference between central and adjacent locations' sensitivity was 1.84 dB for the repeated tests.

Conclusions

Perimetric sensitivity estimates from the central (0°, 0°) location are, on‐average, reduced by 2 to 3 dB, corresponding to a 60–100% increase in stimulus luminance at threshold. This effect can be explained by masking by the nearby fixation target. The considerable within‐ and between‐subject variability in magnitude, and the unknown effects of disease may hamper attempts to compensate threshold estimates for this effect. Clinicians should interpret central perimetric sensitivity estimates with caution, especially in patients with reduced sensitivity due to disease.
Manipulation Arguments and the Freedom to do Otherwise
Authors: Todd Patrick
Published: May 2016

I provide a manipulation‐style argument against classical compatibilism—the claim that freedom to do otherwise is consistent with determinism. My question is simple: if Diana (the designer) really gave Ernie (the designed) free will, why isn't she worried that he won't use it precisely as she would like? Diana's non‐nervousness, I argue, indicates Ernie's non‐freedom. Arguably, the intuition that Ernie lacks freedom to do otherwise is stronger than the direct intuition that he is simply not responsible; this result highlights the importance of the denial of the principle of alternative possibilities for compatibilist theories of responsibility. Along the way, I clarify the dialectical role and structure of “manipulation arguments”, and compare the manipulation argument I develop with the more familiar Consequence Argument. I contend that the two arguments are importantly mutually supporting and reinforcing. The result: classical compatibilists should be nervous—and ifPAPis true, all compatibilists should be nervous.
Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Early Meetings and Activation
Authors: Maibom Jonas , Rosholm Michael , Svarer Michael
Published: May 2016

We analyse three Danish experiments with combinations of early and intensive active labour market policy. We find that frequent individual meetings between newly unemployed workers and their caseworkers have substantial (and significant) effects on employment rates in both the medium and long run. Group meetings or an “activation wall” show positive but insignificant effects. Based on information on the costs of running the experiments, active labour programmes, and public transfer payments, we analyse the impact on government budgets and we show that individual meetings improved budgets with up to 4,500 euros per unemployed worker. We also look at the impact for subgroups.
The Time‐related Underemployment of Lone Parents during Welfare Reform, Recession and Austerity: A Challenge to In‐work Conditionality?
Authors: Rafferty Anthony , Wiggan Jay
Published: May 2016

Reforms to UK social security benefits introduced between 2008 and 2012 that increased lone parent obligations to enter employment coincided with economic crisis and government austerity. Increases in underemployment in the broader population during this period both in terms of unemployment and time‐related underemployment raise questions regarding the extent to which lone parents not only managed to enter paid work but obtain a sufficient number of employment hours. Activation policies have increased labour market exposure at a time of greater underemployment. At the same time, high levels of economic hardship, in the context of stagnant real wage growth and benefit cuts linked to broader austerity policy, could place additional pressures on lone parent time‐related underemployment where a desire for greater employment hours to improve household income is not met by availability. We present findings showing disproportionately high growth in time‐related underemployment among lone mothers with, at peak, around one in five employed lone mothers with a youngest dependent child aged over five experiencing such underemployment. The implications to in‐work conditionality policies and the roll out of the UK's new working age benefit Universal Credit are highlighted.
Addendum to ‘Characterising the Strain and Temperature Fields in a Surrogate Bone Material Subject to Power Ultrasonic Excitation’
Authors: Pierron F.
Published: May 2016

Recently, a very interesting article was published in Strain where a rigid polyurethane foam specimen was submitted to longitudinal vibrational excitation in the ultrasonic range. The authors showed that it was possible to measure time‐resolved strain response maps by combining digital image correlation and ultra‐high‐speed imaging. The objective of this discussion is to propose further analysis of the data published in that article, showing that it is possible to extract meaningful values for Young's modulus by using the acceleration field in the specimen as a load cell. The aim here is not to provide a complete solution to this problem but to alert the readers on the possibilities offered by this kind of test. This method is an interesting alternative where the energy is input repeatedly instead of in one go as in impact‐based tests. Full‐field vibration measurements have already been used in the past to identify stiffnesses but only in bending and at much lower strain rates. This article shows that the method can be extended to cover a much wider strain rate range. Finally, only global stiffness values were identified then, whereas here, maps of stiffnesses can be derived.
Landscape response to changes in dynamic topography
Authors: Ruetenik Gregory A. , Moucha Robert , Hoke Gregory D.
Published: May 2016

Mantle convection modelling can be used to understand the temporal evolution of dynamic, or convectively maintained, topography. A promising way of assessing these geodynamic models is by comparison of the predicted erosional response of dynamic topography with observed offshore sedimentary records. However, it is difficult to deconvolve this observed record into contributions from changes in climate, tectonics, and dynamic topography. Here, we use a landscape evolution model capable of producing simulations at the necessary spatial and temporal scales to quantify landscape response to moderate changes in dynamic topography in the presence of flexural isostatic unloading and loading due to erosion and deposition. We demonstrate that moderate changes in dynamic topography can produce an erosional response in the form of increased sediment flux to continental margins. This response can persist long after the influence of dynamic topography and is dependent on the interplay of uplift rate, rock erodibility and initial topography.
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry as a screening method for the identification of degradation products in lithium-ion batteries—A multivariate data analysis approach
Authors: Heller Danica , Hagenhoff Birgit , Engelhard Carsten
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a case study for the application of multivariate data analysis (MVA) to time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) data from sample sets of mainly unknown surface composition. Aged lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes were used as the test sample set due to their relatively complex composition. For example, LIB samples typically contain a large variety of different and often unidentified degradation products that complicate manual data processing. In this work, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied as a first step to find and classify relevant but unknown peaks in the ToF-SIMS mass spectra. As a result, peak identification was simplified in such a way that the chemical nature of 76% of the characteristic but previously unknown peaks was successfully identified. In a second step, multivariate curve resolution (MCR) was applied to depth profiles of the battery anodes for the first time, and a layered structure of the model samples was successfully determined. This approach also provided an efficient way to compare the layers' structure and the thickness across different samples. In addition to MCR, PCA was used on ToF-SIMS data to investigate all of the layer compositions of the complete sample set simultaneously. It is demonstrated that ToF-SIMS data from rarely characterized data sets can be processed successfully using MVA methods even if a priori knowledge of the sample sets is very limited. With respect to the test samples, the combination ToF-SIMS and MVA proved to be an attractive method to study the influence of different additives (vinylene carbonate, fluoroethylene carbonate, and ethylene sulfite) that appeared in the mass spectra, and was therefore helpful in understanding the formation of different degradation products in LiPF6-containing battery anodes.
Laboratory Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Downward-Flow Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Antibodies to Treponema pallidum and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Herbst de Cortina S. , Bristow C. C. , Vargas S. K. , Perez D. G. , Konda K. A. , Caceres C. F. , Klausner J. D.
Published: May 2016

Combining the detection of syphilis and HIV antibodies into one point-of-care test integrates syphilis screening into already existing HIV screening programs, which may be particularly beneficial in settings such as antenatal care. Using the INSTI Multiplex downward-flow immunoassay, we tested 200 stored serum samples from high-risk patients enrolled in a longitudinal study on HIV infection and syphilis in Peruvian men who have sex with men and transgender women. This rapid assay detected HIV and
Treponema pallidum
serum antibodies with sensitivities of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.9% to 100%) and 87.4% (95% CI, 81.4% to 92.0%), respectively, and specificities of 95.5% (95% CI, 89.9% to 98.5%) and 97.0% (95% CI, 84.2% to 99.9%), respectively (
n
= 200). The sensitivity for syphilis antibody detection was higher in patients with a rapid plasma reagin titer of ≥1:8 (97.3%) than in those with a titer of ≤1:4 (90%) or a nonreactive titer (66.7%).
NF-κB Signaling Regulates Expression of Epstein-Barr Virus BART MicroRNAs and Long Noncoding RNAs in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Verhoeven Rob J. A. , Tong Shuang , Zhang Gaohong , Zong Jingfeng , Chen Yixin , Jin Dong-Yan , Chen Mei-Ru , Pan Jianji , Chen Honglin
Published: May 2016

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expresses few viral proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) but high levels of BamHI-A rightward transcripts (BARTs), which include long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and BART microRNAs (miRNAs). It is hypothesized that the mechanism for regulation of BARTs may relate to EBV pathogenesis in NPC. We showed that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activates the BART promoters and modulates the expression of BARTs in EBV-infected NPC cells but that introduction of mutations into the putative NF-κB binding sites abolished activation of BART promoters by NF-κB. Binding of p50 subunits to NF-κB sites in the BART promoters was confirmed in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and further demonstrated
in vivo
using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. Expression of BART miRNAs and lncRNAs correlated with NF-κB activity in EBV-infected epithelial cells, while treatment of EBV-harboring NPC C666-1 cells with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA]) and the IκB kinase inhibitor PS-1145 inhibited NF-κB activity, resulting in downregulation of BART expression. Expression of EBV LMP1 activates BART promoters, whereas an LMP1 mutant which cannot induce NF-κB activation does not activate BART promoters, further supporting the idea that expression of BARTs is regulated by NF-κB signaling. Expression of LMP1 is tightly regulated in NPC cells, and this study confirmed that miR-BART5-5p downregulates LMP1 expression, suggesting a feedback loop between BART miRNA and LMP1-mediated NF-κB activation in the NPC setting. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism underlying the deregulation of BARTs in NPC and identify a regulatory loop through which BARTs support EBV latency in NPC.

IMPORTANCE
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells are ubiquitously infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Notably, EBV expresses very few viral proteins in NPC cells, presumably to avoid triggering an immune response, but high levels of EBV BART miRNAs and lncRNAs which exhibit complex functions associated with EBV pathogenesis. The mechanism for regulation of BARTs is critical for understanding NPC oncogenesis. This study provides multiple lines of evidence to show that expression of BARTs is subject to regulation by NF-κB signaling. EBV LMP1 is a potent activator of NF-κB signaling, and we demonstrate that LMP1 can upregulate expression of BARTs through NF-κB signaling and that BART miRNAs are also able to downregulate LMP1 expression. It appears that aberrant NF-κB signaling and expression of BARTs form an autoregulatory loop for maintaining EBV latency in NPC cells. Further exploration of how targeting NF-κB signaling interrupts EBV latency in NPC cells may reveal new options for NPC treatment.
Comparison of characteristics of anxiety sensitivity across career stages and its relationship with nursing stress among female nurses in Hunan, China
Authors: Li Shichen , Li Lingyan , Zhu Xiongzhao , Wang Yuping , Zhang Jinqiang , Zhao Liping , Li Lezhi , Yang Yanjie
Published: May 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate anxiety sensitivity (AS) in female Chinese nurses to better understand its characteristics and relationship with nursing stress based on the following hypotheses: (1) experienced nurses have higher AS than newly admitted nurses; and (2) specific nursing stresses are associated with AS after controlling general stress.

Setting

The cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 2014 to June 2015 among female nurses at the provincial and primary care levels in Hunan Province, China.

Participants

Among 793 nurses who volunteered to participate, 745 returned and completed the questionnaires. Eligible participants are healthy female nurses aged 18–55 years and exempt from a history of psychiatric disorder or severe somatic disease and/or a family history of psychiatric disorder.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

AS was assessed by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Anxiety symptoms, general stress and nursing stress were measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS).

Results

There were significant differences overall and in the three dimensions of AS across nurses of different career stages (all p<0.05). Middle and late career nurses had higher AS than early career nurses (all p<0.05), while no significant difference was found between middle and late career nurses. Conflict with physicians and heavy workload had a significant effect on all aspects of AS, whereas lack of support was related to cognitive AS (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

After years of exposure to stressful events during nursing, experienced female nurses may become more sensitive to anxiety. Middle career stage might be a critical period for psychological intervention targeting on AS. Hospital administrators should make efforts to reduce nurses' workload and improve their professional status. Meanwhile, more social support and appropriate psychological intervention would be beneficial to nurses with higher AS.
Cognitive-Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), a drug, or their combination: differential therapeutics for persistent depressive disorder: a study protocol of an individual participant data network meta-analysis
Authors: Furukawa Toshi A , Schramm Elisabeth , Weitz Erica S , Salanti Georgia , Efthimiou Orestis , Michalak Johannes , Watanabe Norio , Cipriani Andrea , Keller Martin B , Kocsis James H , Klein Daniel N , Cuijpers Pim
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Despite important advances in psychological and pharmacological treatments of persistent depressive disorders in the past decades, their responses remain typically slow and poor, and differential responses among different modalities of treatments or their combinations are not well understood. Cognitive-Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is the only psychotherapy that has been specifically designed for chronic depression and has been examined in an increasing number of trials against medications, alone or in combination. When several treatment alternatives are available for a certain condition, network meta-analysis (NMA) provides a powerful tool to examine their relative efficacy by combining all direct and indirect comparisons. Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis enables exploration of impacts of individual characteristics that lead to a differentiated approach matching treatments to specific subgroups of patients.

Methods and analysis

We will search for all randomised controlled trials that compared CBASP, pharmacotherapy or their combination, in the treatment of patients with persistent depressive disorder, in Cochrane CENTRAL, PUBMED, SCOPUS and PsycINFO, supplemented by personal contacts. Individual participant data will be sought from the principal investigators of all the identified trials. Our primary outcomes are depression severity as measured on a continuous observer-rated scale for depression, and dropouts for any reason as a proxy measure of overall treatment acceptability. We will conduct a one-step IPD-NMA to compare CBASP, medications and their combinations, and also carry out a meta-regression to identify their prognostic factors and effect moderators. The model will be fitted in OpenBUGS, using vague priors for all location parameters. For the heterogeneity we will use a half-normal prior on the SD.

Ethics and dissemination

This study requires no ethical approval. We will publish the findings in a peer-reviewed journal. The study results will contribute to more finely differentiated therapeutics for patients suffering from this chronically disabling disorder.

Trial registration number

CRD42016035886.
Atypical myopathy: an update
Authors: Votion Dominique‐Marie
Published: May 2016

Atypical myopathy is an acute intoxication induced by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, a toxin contained in the seeds and seedlings of certain trees of the genusAcer(particularlyAcer pseudoplatanus[sycamore] in Europe), which results in disruption of the energy metabolism. The clinical signs arise from energy depletion in the type I fibres of the postural and respiratory muscles, and lead to a specific biochemical profile that may be used to confirm a diagnosis. Since there is no cure for the condition, the emphasis is on prevention, which requires knowledge of the conditions necessary for the causative agent to exert its toxicity. This article gives an overview of atypical myopathy, discussing the mechanism involved, its aetiology and the clinical signs and management (therapeutic and prevention).
Comments on the dilemma in the April issue: Too feral to save?
Authors: Hutchison Maureen
Published: May 2016

In the dilemma discussed in the April issue of In Practice, a feral cat had been brought into your practice. It had a simple fracture of the tibia that was eminently fixable, but the cat was feral to the point of being unhandleable. What was the best course of action? (IP, April 2016, vol 38, pp 198‐199). David Mills suggested that there were three options: to euthanase; to perform surgical internal stabilisation followed by a rest period, then rehome or release; or to amputate the limb and then rehome or release. None of these options was ideal but a possible solution might be to consider the cat's values. While some suffering in any veterinary intervention was inevitable, this cat's suffering could be prolonged and severe. Consideration of the cat's values and applying ‘critical anthropomorphism’ might help to crystallise thoughts about the animal's welfare and interests. With the potential for severe suffering with no end gain, euthanasia might be the most ethically appropriate option in this case.
Immunodeficiency syndrome in a Weimaraner involving the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Cuthbert R. , Morton M. , Lowrie M.
Published: May 2016

An 11‐week‐old male entire Weimaraner presented with a five‐day history of pyrexia and pain. Onset of clinical signs developed within five days of routine second vaccination with a modified live multivalent vaccination. General clinical examination identified a diffuse swelling across the muzzle indicative of vasculitis and concurrent blepharoconjunctivitis. Orthopaedic examination demonstrated pain and swelling in multiple joints of both thoracic and pelvic limbs. Neurological examination demonstrated ambulatory flaccid tetraparesis with decreased segmental spinal reflexes indicating a diffuse neuromuscular localisation. Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) analysis was performed, suggesting an inherited immunodeficiency. Radiographs of multiple joints confirmed bilateral effusions and evidence of hypertrophic osteodystrophy, also known as metaphyseal osteopathy. Joint taps suggested the presence of polyarthritis with neutrophilic inflammation. Electrodiagnostics supported a polyradiculoneuritis. Immunosuppressive prednisolone was administered and a full recovery was achieved. This is the first report of peripheral nervous system involvement in a dog with immunodeficiency.
Storage of Miscanthus-derived carbon in rhizomes, roots, and soil
Authors: Christensen Bent T. , Lærke Poul Erik , Jørgensen Uffe , Kandel Tanka P. , Thomsen Ingrid K.
Published: May 2016

Compared with annual crops, dedicated perennial bioenergy crops are ascribed additional benefits in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions; these benefits include increased carbon (C) storage in soil. We measured Miscanthus-derived C in rhizomes, roots, and 0–100 cm soil beneath three 16-yr-old stands established on sandy soils at two experimental sites in Denmark. Miscanthus C in soil was estimated from changes in the natural abundance of 13C. In the 0–20 cm depth, soil C derived from Miscanthus made up to 15–18% of the soil total C. In the 20–50 cm and 50–100 cm depth, Miscanthus C accounted for less than 7% and 5% of the soil total C, respectively. After 16 yr, the total quantity of Miscanthus C in 0–20 cm ranged from 11.9 to 18.2 Mg C ha−1, of which 23–34% was in rhizomes and roots, substantiating their crucial contribution to soil C storage. Future studies should prioritize the seasonal and annual dynamics of C stored in rhizomes and roots, and the fate of these C pools following termination of Miscanthus stands.
Bifurcation Analysis of a DC–DC Bidirectional Power Converter Operating with Constant Power Loads
Authors: Cristiano Rony , Pagano Daniel J. , Benadero Luis , Ponce Enrique
Published: May 2016

Direct current (DC) microgrids (MGs) are an emergent option to satisfy new demands for power quality and integration of renewable resources in electrical distribution systems. This work addresses the large-signal stability analysis of a DC–DC bidirectional converter (DBC) connected to a storage device in an islanding MG. This converter is responsible for controlling the balance of power (load demand and generation) under constant power loads (CPLs). In order to control the DC bus voltage through a DBC, we propose a robust sliding mode control (SMC) based on a washout filter. Dynamical systems techniques are exploited to assess the quality of this switching control strategy. In this sense, a bifurcation analysis is performed to study the nonlinear stability of a reduced model of this system. The appearance of different bifurcations when load parameters and control gains are changed is studied in detail. In the specific case of Teixeira Singularity (TS) bifurcation, some experimental results are provided, confirming the mathematical predictions. Both a deeper insight in the dynamic behavior of the controlled system and valuable design criteria are obtained.