bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Liquidity-Profitability Nexus: A Reference of Modaraba Companies
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Khan Muhammad Atif , Azad Tahir
Published: February 2015

Optimal tradeoff between liquidity and profitability is an imperative phenomenon that demands pragmatic managerial focus in almost every organization. The study emphases to measure and analyzes the empirical relationship between liquidity and profitability of 26 Modaraba companies operating in Pakistan. Secondary data for 2006-2012 have been analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression and SPSS (version 20) used for data analysis. Empirical findings reveal that profitability of Modaraba companies operating in Pakistan has not been significantly influenced by liquidity indicators, only CATCL has a significant control over ROA and LTITTA has strong positive and significant impact on ROE. It is suggested that more evidences required from financial and non-financial sector in testifying the theoretical association of liquidity and profitability. Either liquidity of Modaraba companies has an impact upon solvency, leverage or efficiency that is a separate prospective horizon.
Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis for a Multi-Product Company: Micro Approach
Authors: Kim Seung Hwan
Published: February 2015

Cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis is one of the most common-and-important chapters in an introductory managerial accounting course. While a CVP analysis for a single-product company is relatively easier to be illustrated, the CVP analysis for a multi-product company necessarily takes extra steps to illustrate. For the case of a multi-product company having a sales mix ratio among their products, this study developed a micro approach to the handling of decimals, if appearing, when the company finds their break-even point and target profit point. This study exemplifies how the developed approach gets to closer answers to a break-even point and a target profit point than an existing approach.
Gauging Profitability and Liquidity of Islamic Banks: Evidence from Malaysia and Pakistan
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Ali Majid , Khan Muhammad Atif
Published: February 2015

This study aims at evaluating and comparatively analysing the financial performance of all full-fledged Islamic banks operating in Pakistan and five Islamic banks from Malaysia conveniently chosen, subject to profitability and liquidity. Data has been compiled from annual reports for 2006-11. Famous ratios analysis model has been applied with descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the results. Empirical results revealed that Malaysian Islamic banks are more profitable, liquid and well ahead to Pakistani Islamic banks in profit margin, profit to expense, earnings per share, cash ratio and loan to deposit ratio. However no significant difference is observed in return on asset, return on equity, current ratio, cash & portfolio investment to deposit and loan to asset ratio, although Malaysian Islamic banks are superior in maintaining healthy investment portfolio and high cash ratio while Pakistani Islamic banks have maintained high loan to deposits.
Exploring Henri Meschonnic’s Poetics of Translating
Authors: Kadiu Silvia
Published: February 2015

Henri Meschonnic (1932–2009) is a relatively unknown figure in the Anglophone world. A French poet, linguist, and translator, he has authored several texts about translation, only one of which has been translated into English: Ethics and Politics of Translating (2011). Dr Marko Pajević’s exploration of Henri Meschonnic’s philosophy of language, given as a part of the UCL Translation in History lecture series on 23 October 2014, provided an informative introduction to the translation theory of this controversial French thinker. The present review describes the main aspects of Meschonnic’s poetics addressed by Dr Pajević during his lecture.
Ring‐Expanding Carbonylation of Epoxides
Authors: Kramer John W. , Rowley John M. , Coates Geoffrey W.
Published: February 2015

This review summarizes the field of metal‐catalyzed ring‐expanding carbonylation of epoxides. Specifically, epoxide carbonylation to ‐, ‐, and ‐lactones is reviewed, in addition to epoxide carbonylation to succinic anhydrides, 1,3‐oxazinane‐2,4‐diones and 1,3‐oxathiolan‐2‐ones. For each reaction, the mechanism of catalysis and control of stereochemistry are discussed and the scope and limitations of the catalysts are considered. Experimental conditions and procedures are also presented. In addition, non‐carbonylative routes preparing similar products are compared.
The Tishchenko Reaction
Authors: Koskinen Ari M. P. , Kataja Antti O.
Published: February 2015

Aldehydes may be dimerized to symmetric esters via the Tishchenko reaction. This process is traditionally catalyzed by aluminum alkoxides, but a wide variety of different metal catalysts has been explored and implemented, ranging from simple alkali metal compounds to actinoid complexes. The mechanistic key step is a hydride transfer from a hemiacetal intermediate to an aldehyde, both participants being coordinated to the metal catalyst in the transition state. Recent research on the Tishchenko reaction has especially focused on the controlled synthesis of unsymmetrical esters.

In the aldol‐Tishchenko variant, an aldol reaction takes place first between two aldehydes, or a ketone and an aldehyde. In the subsequent Tishchenko step, another aldehyde molecule coordinates to the aldol product, forming a hemiacetal intermediate. An intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the hemiacetal to the carbonyl group takes place, giving a 1,3‐diol monoester product. With ‐hydroxy ketone substrates, the reaction is highly diastereoselective towards 1,3‐anti‐diols due to a highly organized six‐membered transition state promoted by coordination of a metal catalyst to both the hemiacetal and carbonyl groups. Thus, recent research has strongly focused on the development of direct catalytic asymmetric aldol‐Tishchenko reactions.

The Evans‐Tishchenko reaction is a further variant of the aldol‐Tishchenko reaction, being used to reduce preformed ‐hydroxy ketones toanti‐1,3‐diols under relatively mild conditions. This method is applied to various total syntheses of natural products. Samarium iodide is commonly used as the catalyst, and nearly any aldehyde is suitable as the reducing agent. The reaction has also been exploited in a reverse fashion to oxidize complex aldehydes to carboxylic acids using a simple sacrificial ‐hydroxy ketone as the oxidant.

This review covers the literature from the discovery of the Tishchenko reaction in 1887 up to early 2014. Different catalyst systems for both Tishchenko and aldol‐Tishchenko reactions are discussed and compared in the “Scope and Limitations” section, and the state of the art in substrate complexity for the reaction is presented in the “Tabular Survey”.
Online Games, Community Aspects of
Authors: Clark Joshua , Leavitt Alex , Williams Dimitri
Published: February 2015

The study of online gaming communities focuses on the relationships formed between players through participation in online games. Research into gaming communities sees games as a fundamentally social arena. The exact form of this sociability varies depending on the nature of the people involved and the technical constraints imposed by the game. However, a common pattern has emerged across research. Specifically, interaction often begins through team formation, as players form groups in order to tackle the challenges presented by the game world. Both forming and working within a team require communication, which is provided through text and voice chat as well as nonverbal means. Repeated interactions provide the basis for trust, which is critical in the formation of social capital, which in turn generates positive social outcomes for players.
Content Regulation
Authors: Flew Terry
Published: February 2015

This entry discusses the origins and history of media content regulation, the reasons for content regulations, and their application to different media platforms. It discusses online content regulations and the concerns that have motivated such policies with particular reference to debates about internet filtering. It is noted that, as there is growing convergence of media content, platforms, devices, and services, the debates can be expected to shift from free speech and censorship on the internet and the social protection of internet users, to wider issues of media policy reform that include cultural policy and industry development in the digital economy.
FDA Designations for Therapeutics and Their Impact on Drug Development and Regulatory Review Outcomes
Authors: Kesselheim AS , Darrow JJ
Published: February 2015

New prescription drugs receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on tests establishing safety and adequate and well‐controlled trials demonstrating “substantial evidence” of efficacy. However, a number of legislative and regulatory initiatives, the most recent being the breakthrough therapy designation created in 2012, give the FDA flexibility to approve drugs on the basis of less rigorous data in situations of greater clinical need. These expedited development and review pathways now contribute to a majority of all new drug approvals and have important benefits in encouraging efficient availability of transformative drugs. They also have a number of risks, including a heightened possibility that the drugs will be discovered to be ineffective or unsafe after widespread use, and confusion by patients and physicians over what it means for a product to be “FDA approved.”
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics: The Next Five Years
Authors: Waldman SA , Terzic A
Published: February 2015

It has been nearly ten years since we joined the editorial organization of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (CPT), as part of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) family. During that tenure, the primary mandate has been the growth of CPT, recognized as one of the key voices of the discipline and the Society. Set goals were realized in concert with a strong editorial team, a diverse editorial board, a dedicated editorial staff, and outstanding authors, leveraging a leading publishing infrastructure and responding to the needs of a global readership, expanding membership, and the discipline as a whole. The impending decade anniversary, and the transition to a new publisher, offers a natural juncture to reflect on progress, and chart plans for the future of the Journal.
Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain: Still No Evidence for Superiority of Sustained‐Release Opioids
Authors: Pedersen L , Fredheim OMS
Published: February 2015

Opioids are controversial in the treatment of chronic pain due to the risk of addiction, misuse, and death. Long‐acting formulations of opioids have been hypothesized to improve pain relief, sleep quality, and lower the risk of side effects and addiction compared to short‐acting formulations of opioids. Thus, several guidelines have recommended the use of long‐acting opioid formulations over short‐acting ones in the treatment of chronic noncancer pain. However, is there really evidence of their superiority?
Optimizing Oncology Therapeutics Through Quantitative Translational and Clinical Pharmacology: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Venkatakrishnan K , Friberg LE , Ouellet D , Mettetal JT , Stein A , Trocóniz IF , Bruno R , Mehrotra N , Gobburu J , Mould DR
Published: February 2015

Despite advances in biomedical research that have deepened our understanding of cancer hallmarks, resulting in the discovery and development of targeted therapies, the success rates of oncology drug development remain low. Opportunities remain for objective dose selection informed by exposure–response understanding to optimize the benefit–risk balance of novel therapies for cancer patients. This review article discusses the principles and applications of modeling and simulation approaches across the lifecycle of development of oncology therapeutics. Illustrative examples are used to convey the value gained from integration of quantitative clinical pharmacology strategies from the preclinical‐translational phase through confirmatory clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety.
Glutathione trapping of reactive drug metabolites produced by biomimetic metalloporphyrin catalysts
Authors: Lassila Toni , Mattila Sampo , Turpeinen Miia , Tolonen Ari
Published: February 2015

RATIONALE

Metalloporphyrins can be useful in the production of drug metabolites, as they enable easier production of oxidative metabolites usually produced by the cytochrome P450 enzymes. Our aim was to test metalloporphyrin‐based biomimetic oxidation (BMO) methods for production and S‐glutathione trapping of reactive drug metabolites in addition to phase I metabolites.

METHODS

Clozapine, ticlopidine and citalopram were selected as model compounds. These were incubated with the BMO assay and the incubations were analyzed with high‐resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Additionally, incubations with human liver S9 fraction were performed to compare the results with the BMO assay.

RESULTS

Six glutathione conjugates were identified for clozapine from the S9 incubation, while the BMO assay produced four of these. Four out of the five phase I metabolites produced by S9 were detected using the BMO assay. For ticlopidine, four glutathione conjugates were detected from the S9 incubation, but none of these were observed using the BMO assay. Eight of the nine phase I metabolites produced by S9 incubation were detected in the BMO assay. As expected, no glutathione conjugates were detected for citalopram, and the same three phase I metabolites were detected in both S9 and BMO incubations.

CONLUSIONS

Differences in formation of GSH‐trapped reactive metabolites by BMO assay between clozapine and ticlopidine are probably due to different reactive intermediates and reaction mechanisms. The reactive intermediate of clozapine, the nitrenium ion was generated, but the reactive intermediates of ticlopidine, S‐oxide and epoxide, were not detected from the incubations. However, the results show that for selected cases the use of biomimetic assays can be used to produce high amounts of S‐glutathione conjugates identical to those from liver subfraction incubations, on a scale that is relevant for purification and subsequent identification by NMR spectroscopy; which is often difficult using incubations with liver subfractions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of cough reflex sensitivity by diphenhydramine during acute viral respiratory tract infection
Authors: Dicpinigaitis Peter V. , Dhar Sean , Johnson Amber , Gayle Yvonne , Brew John , Caparros-Wanderley Wilson
Published: February 2015

Background: Currently available over-the-counter cough remedies historically have been criticized for lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. Although the first-generation antihistamine diphenhydramine is classified as an antitussive by the United States Food and Drug Administration, to the authors’ knowledge it has never been shown to inhibit cough reflex sensitivity in subjects with pathological cough. Objective: To evaluate the effect of diphenhydramine on cough reflex sensitivity. Setting: Montefiore Medical Center, an academic medical center in New York City. Methods: Twenty two subjects with acute viral upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) underwent cough reflex sensitivity measurement employing capsaicin challenge on 3 separate days, 2 h after ingesting single doses of study drug (to coincide with peak blood concentrations), administered in randomized, double-blind manner: a multicomponent syrup containing diphenhydramine (25 mg), phenylephrine (10 mg), in a natural cocoa formulation; dextromethorphan (30 mg) syrup; and, placebo syrup. The standard endpoint of cough challenge was used: concentration of capsaicin inducing ≥5 coughs (C5). Main outcome measure: Effect on cough reflex sensitivity (C5). Results: A significant difference (p = 0.0024) was established among groups, with pairwise analysis revealing a significant increase in mean log C5 (0.4 ± 0.55 (SD); p < 0.01) for the diphenhydramine-containing medication versus placebo, but not for dextromethorphan versus placebo. Conclusions: Our results provide the initial evidence of the ability of diphenhydramine to inhibit cough reflex sensitivity in subjects with acute pathological cough. Timing of cough reflex sensitivity measurement may not have allowed demonstration of maximal antitussive effect of dextromethorphan.
Population genetic structure and distribution patterns of sexual and asexual gecko species in the Ogasawara Islands
Authors: Murakami Yuki , Sugawara Hirotaka , Takahashi Hiroo , Hayashi Fumio
Published: February 2015

Asexual reproduction lacks genetic diversity but is predicted to be advantageous for dispersal and for increasing abundance relative to sexual reproduction. The oceanic Ogasawara Islands are inhabited by two gecko species, the asexual (parthenogenetic) all‐female Lepidodactylus lugubris and the sexually reproductive Hemidactylus frenatus. This situation offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationships among sexuality and the abundance, distribution, and genetic diversity of the two species. A total of 445 geckos were collected across nine islands, and the population genetic structure of both species was estimated using microsatellite markers. Lepidodactylus lugubris was collected on all nine islands and consisted of two widely distributed clones: one diploid and the other triploid. In contrast, H. frenatus was limited to four islands and exhibited variation in population genetic structure among islands, with some bottleneck effects. Successful dispersal may be more frequent in L. lugubris than in H. frenatus; therefore, the asexual reproductive strategy of L. lugubris appears to have contributed to its dispersal success and increased abundance among the small oceanic islands. However, the absence of H. frenatus on islands not inhabited by humans may be partially explained by their different microhabitat preferences, as H. frenatus collection sites were relatively more confined to artificial substrates in towns and along roadways compared to L. lugubris. Moreover, the colonization histories of these two geckos have not yet been assessed; therefore, further study is needed to confirm the effects of sexuality on the population dynamics of these species.
Effects of the hemiparasitic plant Pedicularis kansuensis on plant community structure in a degraded grassland
Authors: Bao Gensheng , Suetsugu Kenji , Wang Hongsheng , Yao Xiang , Liu Li , Ou Jing , Li Chunjie
Published: February 2015

Species‐rich grasslands have high conservation value because they support diverse floral and faunal assemblages. Alpine grassland is an important and characteristic ecosystem of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, but ca. 30 % has been severely degraded by the combined effects of climate change, human activity, overgrazing and rodent damage. One potential method to restore grassland diversity involves using hemiparasitic plants to modify the competitive relationships among neighboring species. A possible candidate is Pedicularis kansuensis, a hemiparasitic plant found in grasslands throughout the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, but more information on its host associations and its effects on surrounding vegetation is required to assess its suitability. Thus, we examined host associations of P. kansuensis by direct root excavation at a selected site on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and found that haustoria formation is non‐randomly distributed among host species, with preferential bias for members of Poaceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae. We also found that aboveground biomass of grasses and legumes was higher in quadrats from which the parasite had been removed than in intact controls, while the biomass of sedges and forbs was unaffected by parasite removal. However, removal significantly decreased plant species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity. These results suggest that P. kansuensis modifies the competitive balance in grassland communities of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, allowing for colonization by subordinate species and thereby enhancing species diversity and contributing to restoration of these degraded grasslands.
Combined PET/MR: The Real Work Has Just Started. Summary Report of the Third International Workshop on PET/MR Imaging; February 17–21, 2014, Tübingen, Germany
Authors: Bailey D. L. , Antoch G. , Bartenstein P. , Barthel H. , Beer A. J. , Bisdas S. , Bluemke D. A. , Boellaard R. , Claussen C. D. , Franzius C. , Hacker M. , Hricak H. , la Fougère C. , Gückel B. , Nekolla S. G. , Pichler B. J. , Purz S. , Quick H. H. , Sabri O. , Sattler B. , Schäfer J. , Schmidt H. , van den Hoff J. , Voss S. , Weber W. , Wehrl H. F. , Beyer T.
Published: February 2015

This paper summarises the proceedings and discussions at the third annual workshop held in Tübingen, Germany, dedicated to the advancement of the technical, scientific and clinical applications of combined PET/MRI systems in humans. Two days of basic scientific and technical instructions with “hands-on” tutorials were followed by 3 days of invited presentations from active researchers in this and associated fields augmented by round-table discussions and dialogue boards with specific themes. These included the use of PET/MRI in paediatric oncology and in adult neurology, oncology and cardiology, the development of multi-parametric analyses, and efforts to standardise PET/MRI examinations to allow pooling of data for evaluating the technology. A poll taken on the final day demonstrated that over 50 % of those present felt that while PET/MRI technology underwent an inevitable slump after its much-anticipated initial launch, it was now entering a period of slow, progressive development, with new key applications emerging. In particular, researchers are focusing on exploiting the complementary nature of the physiological (PET) and biochemical (MRI/MRS) data within the morphological framework (MRI) that these devices can provide. Much of the discussion was summed up on the final day when one speaker commented on the state of PET/MRI: “the real work has just started”.
Abnormal cortico-limbic connectivity during emotional processing correlates with symptom severity in schizophrenia
Authors: Vai B. , Sferrazza Papa G. , Poletti S. , Radaelli D. , Donnici E. , Bollettini I. , Falini A. , Cavallaro R. , Smeraldi E. , Benedetti F.
Published: February 2015

Background

Impaired emotional processing is a core feature of schizophrenia (SZ). Consistent findings suggested that abnormal emotional processing in SZ could be paralleled by a disrupted functional and structural integrity within the fronto-limbic circuitry. The effective connectivity of emotional circuitry in SZ has never been explored in terms of causal relationship between brain regions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) to characterize effective connectivity during implicit processing of affective stimuli in SZ.

Methods

We performed DCM to model connectivity between amygdala (Amy), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC), fusiform gyrus (FG) and visual cortex (VC) in 25 patients with SZ and 29 HC. Bayesian Model Selection and average were performed to determine the optimal structural model and its parameters.

Results

Analyses revealed that patients with SZ are characterized by a significant reduced top-down endogenous connectivity from DLPFC to Amy, an increased connectivity from Amy to VPFC and a decreased driving input to Amy of affective stimuli compared to HC. Furthermore, DLPFC to Amy connection in patients significantly influenced the severity of psychopathology as rated on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

Conclusions

Results suggest a functional disconnection in brain network that contributes to the symptomatic outcome of the disorder. Our findings support the study of effective connectivity within cortico-limbic structures as a marker of severity and treatment efficacy in SZ.
Localization of Atg3 to autophagy‐related membranes and its enhancement by the Atg8‐family interacting motif to promote expansion of the membranes
Authors: Sakoh-Nakatogawa Machiko , Kirisako Hiromi , Nakatogawa Hitoshi , Ohsumi Yoshinori
Published: February 2015

The E2 enzyme Atg3 conjugates the ubiquitin‐like protein Atg8 to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to drive autophagosome formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we show that Atg3 localizes to the pre‐autophagosomal structure (PAS) and the isolation membrane (IM), providing crucial evidence that Atg8‐PE conjugates are produced on these structures. We also find that mutations in the Atg8‐family interacting motif (AIM) of Atg3 significantly impairs the PAS/IM localization of Atg3, resulting in inefficient IM expansion. It is suggested that the AIM‐mediated PAS/IM localization of Atg3 facilitates membrane expansion in these structures probably by ensuring active production of Atg8‐PE on the membranes.
Managing Customer Acquisition Risk Using Co-operative Databases
Authors: Liu Hongju , Pancras Joseph , Houtz Malcolm
Published: February 2015

Acquisition of new customers involves both opportunity and risk, and it is important for firms to predict and manage the risks involved in customer acquisition. Despite its importance, the management of customer acquisition risk has not been the subject of much academic research. This paper develops a framework for firms to manage customer acquisition risk using co-operative databases. We illustrate this framework in the context of the optimal selection of customers for direct mail with a ‘buy now, pay later’ payment option when the acquisition risk manifests as bad debt risk. Using data from a large scale direct marketing campaign, we show that our empirical model that incorporates bad debt risk substantially outperforms suboptimal targeting schemes that overlook bad debt risk. We also demonstrate how alleviating bad debt risk is one beneficial outcome of a fairly recent trend in database marketing, namely the emergence of co-operative databases.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Gout: Clinical Presentations, Surgical Findings, and Outcomes after Surgery
Authors: Joseph Mak Kwok-Chu , Fu-Keung Ip , Tak-Chuen Wong , Siu-Ho Wan , Sze-Yan Chan
Published: February 2015

Background/Purpose

Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by gout is rare. We presented our experience in treating these patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of cases treated from 2010 to 2013. Eight patients were identified out of 348 carpal tunnel releases performed.

Results

All patients were male. All patients had gouty tophi on the same hand and other locations on the body. Open carpal tunnel release was performed on all patients. There was gouty tenosynovitis in all patients but no encasement of the median nerve. The mean follow-up was 16 months. Numbness improved in seven out of eight patients.

Conclusion

Gout should be considered a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly in patient with a history of gout. Early surgical outcome is promising. Longer follow-up is needed to detect recurrence.
Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Patella
Authors: Rupak Chatterjee , Kanchan Sabui , Atin Jaiswal , Jayanta Mandal , Mukesh Kumar
Published: February 2015

Patellar tuberculosis is a rare occurrence despite the knee being the third most common osteoarticular site to be involved. This is the reason for its late diagnosis and the potential to spread posteriorly to the knee. We present an atypical case of patellar tuberculosis in an 8-year-old boy presenting with discharging sinus and diagnosed by biopsy.
A Computational Introduction to Number Theory and Algebra
Authors: Shoup Victor
Published: February 2015

Number theory and algebra play an increasingly significant role in computing and communications, as evidenced by the striking applications of these subjects to such fields as cryptography and coding theory. This introductory book emphasizes algorithms and applications, such as cryptography and error correcting codes, and is accessible to a broad audience. The presentation alternates between theory and applications in order to motivate and illustrate the mathematics. The mathematical coverage includes the basics of number theory, abstract algebra and discrete probability theory. This edition now includes over 150 new exercises, ranging from the routine to the challenging, that flesh out the material presented in the body of the text, and which further develop the theory and present new applications. The material has also been reorganized to improve clarity of exposition and presentation. Ideal as a textbook for introductory courses in number theory and algebra, especially those geared towards computer science students.
Vasopressor and Inotrope Use in Canadian Emergency Departments: Evidence Based Consensus Guidelines
Authors: Djogovic Dennis , MacDonald Shavaun , Wensel Andrea , Green Rob , Loubani Osama , Archambault Patrick , Bordeleau Simon , Messenger David , Szulewski Adam , Davidow Jon , Kircher Janeva , Gray Sara , Smith Katherine , Lee James , Marc Benoit Jean , Howes Dan
Published: February 2015

Patients may present to Emergency Departments (ED) in shock for various reasons. Emergency medicine physicians may require the use of vasopressors or inotropes to manage these patients. The Critical Care Practice Committee of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (C4) conducted an intensive literature search and guideline development process to help create an evidence based approach for use of these agents in the stabilization of shock.
Lattès maps and combinatorial expansion
Authors: YIN QIAN
Published: February 2015

A Lattès map $f:\widehat{\mathbb{C}}\rightarrow \widehat{\mathbb{C}}$ is a rational map that is obtained from a finite quotient of a conformal torus endomorphism. We characterize Lattès maps by their combinatorial expansion behavior.
Compound Poisson statistics for multiple returns in shrinking cylinders for mixing processes
Authors: RAPAPORT ARIEL
Published: February 2015

Given a periodic point${\it\omega}$in a${\it\psi}$-mixing shift with countable alphabet, the sequence$\{S_{n}\}$of random variables counting the number of multiple returns in shrinking cylindrical neighborhoods of${\it\omega}$is considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence in distribution of$\{S_{n}\}$are obtained, and it is shown that the limit is a Pólya–Aeppli distribution. A global condition on the shift system which guarantees the convergence in distribution of$\{S_{n}\}$for every periodic point is introduced. This condition is used to derive results for$f$-expansions and Gibbs measures. Results are also obtained concerning the possible limit distribution of sub-sequences$\{S_{n_{k}}\}$. A family of examples in which there is no convergence is presented. We also exhibit an example for which the limit distribution is pure Poissonian.
Early-life dietary spray-dried plasma influences immunological and intestinal injury responses to later-lifeSalmonellatyphimuriumchallenge
Authors: Boyer P. E. , D'Costa S. , Edwards L. L. , Milloway M. , Susick E. , Borst L. B. , Thakur S. , Campbell J. M. , Crenshaw J. D. , Polo J. , Moeser A. J.
Published: February 2015

Increasing evidence supports the concept that early-life environmental influences, including nutrition and stress, have an impact on long-term health outcomes and disease susceptibility. The objective of the present study was to determine whether dietary spray-dried plasma (SDP), fed during the first 2 weeks post-weaning (PW), influences subsequent immunological and intestinal injury responses toSalmonellatyphimuriumchallenge. A total of thirty-two piglets (age 16–17 d) were weaned onto nursery diets containing 0, 2·5 % SDP (fed for 7 d PW) or 5 % SDP (fed for 14 d PW), and were then fed control diets (without SDP), for the remainder of the experiment. At 34 d PW (age 50 d), pigs were challenged with 3 × 109colony-forming units ofS. typhimurium. A control group (non-challenged) that was fed 0 % SDP in the nursery was included. At 2 d post-challenge, the distal ileum was harvested for the measurement of inflammatory, histological and intestinal physiological parameters.S.typhimuriumchallenge induced elevated ileal histological scores, myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-8 and TNF, and increased intestinal permeability (indicated by reduced transepithelial voltage (potential difference) and elevated 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FD4) flux rates). Compared withS.typhimurium-challenged controls (0 % SDP), pigs fed the 5 % SDP-14 d diet exhibited reduced ileal histological scores, MPO levels, IL-8 levels and FD4 flux rates. Pigs fed the 5 % SDP-14 d nursery diet exhibited increased levels of plasma and ileal TNF-α in response to the challenge, compared with the other treatments. These results indicate that inclusion of SDP in PW diets can have an influence on subsequent immunological and intestinal injury responses induced by later-lifeS.typhimuriumchallenge.
PEARL MILLET PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN SEMI-ARID WEST AFRICA: A REVIEW
Authors: MASON STEPHEN C. , MAMAN NOURI , PALÉ SIÉBOU
Published: February 2015

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucumL.) is an important grain crop for millions of poor farmers and consumers in the semi-arid region of West Africa. During the past 40 years, much research on pearl millet production practices and adoption in this region has been conducted, but an attempt to summarize these results has not been previously completed and these research results are not readily available to many West African scientists. This review was completed to address this need and integrate knowledge, and at the same time identify research needs for the future and extension priorities for semi-arid West African agro-ecological zones. Research has shown that selection of improved varieties and cropping systems, appropriate cultural practices, and recommended integrated soil, nutrient, residue and pest management can greatly increase grain and stover yields of pearl millet. However, adoption by farmers has been minimal due to limited profitability, high risk and labour demand, limited input supply, market availability and appropriate public policy. This review has 196 articles included as in-text citations (Table 1) compared to 149 articles in the reference list, indicating that only one in four articles integrated two or more topics in the research. The obvious conclusion is that most of the past research has not addressed the ‘system’ but rather one or two management practices. In addition, most studies have interpreted responses in terms of yield without addressing other important considerations for farmer adoption. Recent conservation agriculture research moves closer to addressing the larger integrative types of research needed. Such research is complex and requires sustained funding for field and laboratory activities, but also for computer simulation modelling and economic assessment.
Sublittoral soft bottom assemblages within a Marine Protected Area of the northern Alboran Sea
Authors: Marina Pablo , Rueda José L. , Urra Javier , Salas Carmen , Gofas Serge , García Raso J. Enrique , Moya Francina , García Teresa , López-González Nieves , Laiz-Carrión Raúl , Baro Jorge
Published: February 2015

The composition and structure of sublittoral faunal assemblages inhabiting soft bottoms (15–72 m depth) within the Marine Protected Area ‘Acantilados y Fondos Marinos de Calahonda-Castell de Ferro’ in southern Spain (North Alboran Sea, Mediterranean) have been studied in relation to sediment and water column variables. Three assemblages were identified and corresponded to mixed bottom, unstable bottom and coastal detritic bottom assemblages, based on Pérès & Picard's (1964) benthic classification. A total of 14,318 individuals were collected and 218 species identified, molluscs being the best represented group (141 species). Species richness displayed significant differences with depth and transect, with the highest values observed in the medium to very fine sand and muddy bottoms with bioclasts located at the shallowest sampling stations. The presence of some rare and poorly known invertebrates that are scarce in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea is remarkable, such as the crustacean decapods Bythocaris cosmetops and Pagurus mbizi, Atlantic species with no records in the Mediterranean Sea, and the bathyal molluscs Poromya granulata and Alvania testae, collected at shallow depths. The spatial distribution of faunal assemblages was mainly related to depth and percentage of gravel and clay according to the canonical correspondence analysis. The geographic location of the area, the heterogeneity of soft bottoms and the presence of upwellings in the area may favour the high biodiversity found in the studied soft bottoms. This study increases the scarce knowledge of the circalittoral fauna of sedimentary habitats of the Alboran Sea, providing a baseline for the management of this interesting SCI and for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in developing countries: a resurvey of Albania 22 years after the fall of communism
Authors: Balestrieri Alessandro , Messina Simone , Pella Francesca , Prigioni Claudio , Saino Nicola , Fasola Mauro
Published: February 2015

In countries with emerging and developing economies the need to promote development and the lack of information on the status of the Near Threatened Eurasian otter Lutra lutra have given rise for concern about the conservation status of the species. In Albania information about the distribution of this otter dates from 1985. In 2013 we resurveyed 31 sites previously surveyed in 1985, and a further 42 sites throughout the country. At each site nine habitat variables of potential importance to otters were recorded and analysed. Overall the distribution pattern in 2013 did not differ from that recorded in 1985, although a reduction in marking intensity suggested a possible decline in otter numbers. Distribution of the otter has been influenced by land use and human density, suggesting man-induced habitat changes since the fall of communism may have affected the quality and fragmentation of otter habitats.
Exploring gender, age, time and space in research with older Pakistani Muslims in the United Kingdom: formalised research ‘ethics’ and performances of the public/private divide in ‘the field’
Authors: ZUBAIR MARIA , VICTOR CHRISTINA
Published: February 2015

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in researching ageing ethnic minority populations in the West. However, older people from such minority communities have received comparatively little attention in wide-ranging discussions on appropriate research methodologies. By a process of critically reflecting on our experiences of undertaking fieldwork for our Economic and Social Research Council New Dynamics of Ageing study of ‘Families and Caring in South Asian Communities', this paper maps out the key methodological and ethical challenges we faced and, in the process, highlights the importance of developing socially appropriate research methodologies and ethical frameworks for research with such populations. With a reflexive approach, we specifically explore the significance of gender, age, time and space to the fieldwork processes and the ‘field’ relationships formed at various stages of the research process. In particular, we explore three key emergent issues which conflicted with our formal research protocols and presented particular challenges for us and our older Pakistani Muslim participants: (a) structuring of time in daily life; (b) gendered use of public and private spaces; and (c) orality of informal social contexts and relationships. Using illustrations from our fieldwork which reveal the particular significance of these issues to our fieldwork experiences and performativities of public/private identities, we highlight important tensions between formalised ethical and methodological dimensions of conducting funded research and the realities of being in ‘the field’. We conclude the paper by emphasising the need to explore further not only the ways in which researchers can adopt more socially and culturally sensitive data collection processes and methodologies at the micro level of their interactions with research participants, but also contextualising the particular challenges experienced by researchers and their participants in terms of the wider research frameworks and agendas as well as the broader social contexts within which they live and work.
Justifying answer sets using argumentation
Authors: SCHULZ CLAUDIA , TONI FRANCESCA
Published: February 2015

An answer set is a plain set of literals which has no further structure that would explain why certain literals are part of it and why others are not. We show how argumentation theory can help to explain why a literal is or is not contained in a given answer set by defining two justification methods, both of which make use of the correspondence between answer sets of a logic program and stable extensions of the assumption-based argumentation (ABA) framework constructed from the same logic program.Attack Treesjustify a literal in argumentation-theoretic terms, i.e. using arguments and attacks between them, whereasABA-Based Answer Set Justificationsexpress the same justification structure in logic programming terms, that is using literals and their relationships. Interestingly, an ABA-Based Answer Set Justification corresponds to an admissible fragment of the answer set in question, and an Attack Tree corresponds to an admissible fragment of the stable extension corresponding to this answer set.
Legal Aspects (Barriers) of Granting Compulsory Licenses for Clean Technologies in Light of WTO/TRIPS Rules: Promise or Mirage?
Authors: NI KUEI-JUNG
Published: February 2015

The development and use of clean technologies constitute a useful means of mitigating global warming. Although certain developing countries have become major emitters of greenhouse gases, they are not in a position to access the clean technologies that are prevalent in developed nations. In advocating technology transfers under the United Nations' climate change regime, developing countries argue that the intellectual property regime covering climate-related technologies must be ameliorated. In their proposals, they argue that compulsory licensing for clean technologies can be instrumental in furthering global access.

This paper examines the legal issues associated with granting compulsory licenses for clean technologies. I analyze the legal challenges to authorizing such licenses, particularly in light of WTO/TRIPS and of national practices.

An analysis of the previous practices surrounding the application of compulsory licensing reveals the severe hurdles facing competent national authorities and indicates the costs and burdens of such an action, which not every WTO member can afford. Jumping to the conclusion that the compulsory licensing of clean technologies is simply an illusory option may be premature; nevertheless, the legal barriers and burdens may dissuade developing nations from using such licenses injudiciously.
Humanizing the Outgroup in Contexts of Protracted Intergroup Conflict
Authors: Gubler Joshua Ronald , Halperin Eran , Hirschberger Gilad
Published: February 2015

Current approaches to humanizing members of an outgroup in contexts marked by protracted intergroup conflict see mixed success. In both Study 1, conducted on a random sample of Israeli Jews (N = 103), and Study 2, conducted on a nationally diverse sample of Israeli Jews (N = 670), we experimentally test the effect of a unique approach to humanizing the outgroup based on empathy. Instead of requiring individuals to express empathy for outgroup suffering they might have caused, this approach requires an expression of empathy for suffering unrelated to the conflict between the groups. Results suggest that such an expression of empathy from one group member toward the other group can lead to “reciprocal empathy” which facilitates a greater willingness to accept the humanity of all members of the other group.
Insulintherapie bei Typ-2-Diabetes: ein Review vom «Wann» übers «Wie» bis zum «Warum»
Authors: Laimer Markus , Jenni Stefan , Stettler Christoph
Published: February 2015

Der progressive Charakter des Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus führt in vielen Fällen nach Ausschöpfen der oralen antidiabetischen Therapie zum Einsatz von Insulin. Insulin kann aber durchaus auch in der Frühphase direkt nach Diabetesdiagnose oder intermittierend bei Verschlechterung der glykämischen Kontrolle im Rahmen von Infekten oder Medikamenteneinnahmen (wie z.B. Kortison) hilfreich und indiziert sein. Auf jeden Fall stellt die Insulintherapie keine Einbahnstrasse dar und kann gerade in diesen Fällen durchaus auch wieder sistiert werden. Der Beginn einer Insulintherapie soll eher vorsichtig mit einer bedarfsmässigen Anpassung im Verlauf erfolgen. Diese Anpassung kann nach entsprechender Schulung durchaus auch durch den Patienten selbst erfolgen.
Control of cytoplasmic dynein force production and processivity by its C-terminal domain
Authors: Nicholas Matthew P. , Höök Peter , Brenner Sibylle , Wynne Caitlin L. , Vallee Richard B. , Gennerich Arne
Published: February 2015

Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule motor involved in cargo transport, nuclear migration and cell division. Despite structural conservation of the dynein motor domain from yeast to higher eukaryotes, the extensively studied S. cerevisiae dynein behaves distinctly from mammalian dyneins, which produce far less force and travel over shorter distances. However, isolated reports of yeast-like force production by mammalian dynein have called interspecies differences into question. We report that functional differences between yeast and mammalian dynein are real and attributable to a C-terminal motor element absent in yeast, which resembles a ‘cap’ over the central pore of the mammalian dynein motor domain. Removal of this cap increases the force generation of rat dynein from 1 pN to a yeast-like 6 pN and greatly increases its travel distance. Our findings identify the CT-cap as a novel regulator of dynein function.
Traditional Chinese Medication Qiliqiangxin attenuates cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in mice
Authors: Tao Lichan , Shen Sutong , Fu Siyi , Fang Hongyi , Wang Xiuzhi , Das Saumya , Sluijter Joost P. G. , Rosenzweig Anthony , Zhou Yonglan , Kong Xiangqing , Xiao Junjie , Li Xinli
Published: February 2015

In a multicenter randomized double-blind study we demonstrated that Qiliqiangxin (QLQX), a traditional Chinese medicine, had a protective effect in heart failure patients. However, whether and via which mechanism QLQX attenuates cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still unclear. AMI was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice. Treating the mice in the initial 3 days after AMI with QLQX did not change infarct size. However, QLQX treatment ameliorated adverse cardiac remodeling 3 weeks after AMI including better preservation of cardiac function, decreased apoptosis and reduced fibrosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) was down-regulated in control animals after AMI and up-regulated by QLQX administration. Interestingly, expression of AKT, SAPK/JNK and ERK was not altered by QLQX treatment. Inhibition of PPARγ reduced the beneficial effects of QLQX in AMI remodeling, whereas activation of PPARγ failed to provide additional improvement in the presence of QLQX, suggesting a key role for PPARγ in the effects of QLQX during cardiac remodeling after AMI. This study indicates that QLQX attenuates cardiac remodeling after AMI by increasing PPARγ levels. Taken together, QLQX warrants further investigation as as a therapeutic intervention to mitigate remodeling and heart failure after AMI.