bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Previous Cancer and/or Lymphoma in Patients with Refractory IBD - Pro: Anti-TNF or Immunosuppressive Treatment
Authors: Laharie David
Published: December 2014

Management of patients with IBD and a past or current malignancy has become more frequent in daily practice. As trends in IBD therapy are moving to more immunomodulators, administered earlier and for longer periods than ever, an increasing number of IBD patients with a prior malignancy may receive conventional immunosuppressants (IS) and/or anti-TNF. However, few data are available for managing this IBD subpopulation due to three main reasons: (1) previous cancer is usually an exclusion criterion from all clinical trials, (2) guidelines do not recommend any immunomodulator use in patients who have had a malignancy within the last 5 years, and (3) physicians are reluctant to use immunomodulators which could reactivate dormant micrometastasis. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence for avoiding immunomodulators in IBD patients with previous cancer. In a recently published cohort of patients with previous cancer, no excess incidence of incident cancer was associated with exposure to IS. Data with anti-TNF are lacking in IBD. Recently in a registry including 79 patients with refractory IBD who started an anti-TNF therapy while having had a prior malignancy within the past 5 years, survival rates without incident cancer were 96 and 72% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Thus, evidence to not start IS and/or anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients who have had a previous cancer is weak. Pending larger studies, a case-by-case joint decision taken with the oncologist and the patient is recommended, and should take IBD and the cancer risk-benefit ratio for using immunomodulators to treat refractory disease into consideration.
Immunoglobulin G4, Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Bojková Martina , Dítě Petr , Dvořáčková Jana , Novotný Ivo , Floreánová Katarina , Kianička Bohuslav , Uvírová Magdalena , Martínek Arnošt
Published: December 2014

Background: Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related diseases are a group of diseases characterized by enlargement of the affected organs, elevation of serum IgG4, massive infiltration of affected organs with lymphocytes and plasma cells with IgG4 positivity and tissue fibrosis. Type I autoimmune pancreatitis is one form of IgG4-related disease. For IgG4-related diseases, various localizations are described for up to 10% of malignancies. The aim of our study was to examine IgG4 serum levels and pancreatic tissue with respect to the simultaneous presence of autoimmune pancreatitis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: IgG4 serum levels were examined In 106 patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer. The level of 135 mg/dl was considered as the normal value. Pancreatic tissue was histologically examined with respect to the presence of markers of autoimmune pancreatitis. Results: A higher IgG4 level than the cut-off value of 135 mg/dl was proven in 11 patients with pancreatic cancer. Of these 11 patients, 7 had levels twice the normal limit (65.6%). Autoimmune pancreatitis was diagnosed in these individuals. In the case of 1 patient, it was basically an unexpected finding; another patient was initially diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis. Repeated biopsy of the pancreas at the time of diagnosis did not confirm the presence of tumour structures, therefore steroid therapy was started. At a check-up 6 months after starting steroid therapy, the condition of the patient improved subjectively and IgG4 levels decreased. However, endosonographically, malignancy was suspected, which was subsequently confirmed histologically. This patient also demonstrated an IgG4 level twice the normal limit. Conclusion: IgG4-related diseases can be accompanied by the simultaneous occurrence of malignancies, which also applies to autoimmune pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It cannot be reliably confirmed whether this also applies to autoimmune pancreatitis. In accordance with other works, however, it is evident that, despite the described high sensitivity and specificity for IgG4 elevation in the case of autoimmune pancreatitis, even levels twice the normal limit are demonstrable in some individuals with pancreatic cancer, without the presence of autoimmune pancreatitis. We believe that patients with IgG4-related disease, including autoimmune pancreatitis, must be systematically monitored with respect to the potential presence of malignancy.
Pancreatic Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm - Where Is the Challenge?
Authors: Fritz Stefan , Hackert Thilo , Büchler Markus W.
Published: December 2014

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are increasingly recognized due to the widespread use of modern abdominal imaging technologies. The majority of these lesions display pseudocysts and mucinous cystic neoplasms. In contrast to pseudocysts, it is well established that mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas exhibit a significant potential for malignant transformation over time. Among mucinous cystic tumors, the most frequently observed entity is pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). IPMNs are characterized by cystic dilation of pancreatic ducts and the production of mucus and by an adenoma-carcinoma sequence eventually culminating in invasive carcinoma in some patients. Due to the high risk of harboring malignancy, there is international consensus that IPMNs with involvement of the main pancreatic duct should be recommended for surgical resection. To date, the indication for surgery of branch-duct IPMNs is controversially discussed because of the overall lower risk of malignant transformation compared to main-duct IPMNs. Particularly for small and asymptomatic side-branch IPMNs, the indication for surgical resection remains challenging. In addition to the international consensus guidelines, a number of potential preoperative features predicting malignant transformation have been discussed recently. Moreover, novel surgical pancreatic parenchyma-sparing techniques such as enucleations or segmental pancreatic resections have been reported in order to treat IPMNs. The present article aims to demonstrate the current scientific knowledge in this field and to highlight the current controversy.
Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Promotes Osteoblastic Differentiation of Valvular Interstitial Cells through RAGE/MAPK
Authors: Li Fei , Zhao Zhihong , Cai Zhejun , Dong Nianguo , Liu Yi
Published: December 2014

Objectives: We have previously shown that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promotes the osteogenic differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We also demonstrated the detrimental role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) activation and signaling in the development and progression of aortic valve (AV) calcification. Here, we test the hypothesis that oxLDL may induce the osteoblastic differentiation of VICs via RAGE. Methods: Cultured porcine aortic VICs were used in an in vitro model. The VICs were incubated with oxLDL for analysis, with and without RAGE siRNA. Results: We found that oxLDL markedly increased the expression of RAGE, induced high levels of proinflammatory cytokine production and promoted the osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of VICs. oxLDL also induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK. However, these effects were found to be markedly suppressed by siRNA silencing of RAGE. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence that RAGE mediates oxLDL-induced activation of p38 and JNK MAPK and the osteogenic differentiation of VICs.
Preneoplastic Conditions in the Stomach: Always a Point of No Return
Authors: Venerito Marino , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: December 2014

Gastric atrophy (GA) and intestinal metaplasia are defined preneoplastic conditions of the stomach, whereas Helicobacter pylori gastritis by itself represents a risk condition for gastric cancer (GC) development. After H. pylori eradication, an overall reduction of GC incidence has been shown. However, this effect is lost once H. pylori gastritis has evolved to severe GA. On the other hand, only up to 5% of patients with severe GA may develop intestinal-type GC, and therefore the so-called ‘point of no return' may not be appropriate to define the condition of all patients carrying preneoplastic changes in the gastric mucosa. Patients with the highest risk for GC are those who have already had GC that was cured by endoscopic resection. Prospective trials on the effect of H. pylori eradication in this high-risk group of patients showed inconsistent results, probably because of the inclusion of patients with and without baseline severe GA. Severe fundic GA determined by means of histology or serology represents the condition with the highest risk for metachronous neoplastic lesions in the stomach. In the present review, we focus on the effects of H. pylori eradication in patients with severe atrophy in terms of GC prevention.
The Effects of Kidney Transplantation on Sleep, Melatonin, Circadian Rhythm and Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Living Donors
Authors: Russcher Marije , Nagtegaal J. Elsbeth , Nurmohamed S. Azam , Koch Birgit C.P. , van der Westerlaken Monique M.L. , van Someren Eus J.W. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , ter Wee Pieter M. , Gaillard Carlo A.J.M.
Published: December 2014

Background: Sleep disturbance is an important medical problem in patients with end-stage renal disease. It might be related to the disruption of the body's circadian clock since nocturnal levels of its key biomarker melatonin are markedly reduced. We aimed at investigating whether a change in renal function due to kidney transplantation or donation would modify sleep, melatonin levels, circadian rhythmicity, and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and living donors (LD). Methods: In KTR, we assessed saliva melatonin concentrations, sleep quality and daytime sleepiness prior to and at 2 weeks and 3 months after transplantation. In LD, we assessed these parameters prior to and at 3 months after donation. We additionally assessed 24-hour core body temperature (cBT), 24-hour blood pressure profile, and quality of life (QoL) prior to and 3 months after transplantation. Results: Twenty-three KTR and 23 LD completed the study. Regarding sleep, the amount of nighttime awake minutes tended to be reduced in recipients after transplantation (p = 0.05). Nocturnal melatonin concentrations did not change with transplantation or donation. Blood pressure dipping profile and the two circadian markers dim-light melatonin onset and time of core body temperature minimum did not change. Nevertheless, KTR reported that daytime sleepiness and QoL had improved. Conclusion: Objectively nocturnal sleep quality marginally improved after transplantation. Subjectively patients reported improved QoL and daytime sleepiness scores. Changes in renal function were not associated with modified melatonin secretion or circadian rhythmicity.
Foot Process Effacement Is an Early Marker of Nephropathy in Young Classic Fabry Patients without Albuminuria
Authors: Tøndel Camilla , Kanai Takahiro , Larsen Kristin Kampevold , Ito Shuichi , Politei Juan Manuel , Warnock David G. , Svarstad Einar
Published: December 2014

In Fabry disease, globotriaocylceramid (GL3) starts to accumulate in kidney cells in utero, and continues to accumulate throughout childhood and adulthood with progressive tissue damage, which may lead to renal failure. Material and Methods: Eight children with classical Fabry disease, median age 12 (range 4-16 years) had a renal biopsy performed before the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). All patients were normalbuminuric and had normal GFR. Three patients were re-biopsied after three or five years. Results: In all patients, significant GL3-accumulation was found in several types of kidney cells with high amounts of GL3 in the podocytes. Segmental podocyte foot process effacement was shown in all but two patients; no effacement was seen neither in the youngest male patient at 4 years of age nor in a male aged 12. A 12-year-old female patient had normal podocyte foot processes before the start of ERT, but de novo foot process flattening and unchanged high score of podocyte GL3 accumulation were seen in the re-biopsy after three years of ERT (agalsidase alpha 0.2 mg/kg/every other week). Two boys showed worsening of podocyte effacement in kidney biopsy after five years of agalsidase alpha 0.2 mg/kg/eow. Conclusions: Podocyte foot process effacement was found in the majority of eight young classical Fabry patients of both genders after the age of 11 years, without clinical signs of Fabry nephropathy. Kidney biopsies are essential in the early diagnosis of nephropathy and in the evaluation of the response to enzyme replacement therapy of early Fabry nephropathy.
Physical Fitness and Hypertension in a Population at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: The Henry Ford ExercIse Testing (FIT) Project
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , Blaha Michael J. , Whelton Seamus P. , Blumenthal Roger , Jones Steven R. , Keteyian Steven J. , Schairer John , Brawner Clinton A. , Al‐Mallah Mouaz H.
Published: December 2014

Background

Increased physical fitness is protective against cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that increased fitness would be inversely associated with hypertension.

Methods and Results

We examined the association of fitness with prevalent and incident hypertension in 57 284 participants from The Henry Ford ExercIse Testing (
FIT
) Project (1991–2009). Fitness was measured during a clinician‐referred treadmill stress test. Incident hypertension was defined as a new diagnosis of hypertension on 3 separate consecutive encounters derived from electronic medical records or administrative claims files. Analyses were performed with logistic regression or Cox proportional hazards models and were adjusted for hypertension risk factors. The mean age overall was 53 years, with 49% women and 29% black. Mean peak metabolic equivalents (
MET
s) achieved was 9.2 (
SD
, 3.0). Fitness was inversely associated with prevalent hypertension even after adjustment (≥12
MET
s versus <6
MET
s;
OR
: 0.73; 95%
CI
: 0.67, 0.80). During a median follow‐up period of 4.4 years (interquartile range: 2.2 to 7.7 years), there were 8053 new cases of hypertension (36.4% of 22 109 participants without baseline hypertension). The unadjusted 5‐year cumulative incidences across categories of
MET
s (<6, 6 to 9, 10 to 11, and ≥12) were 49%, 41%, 30%, and 21%. After adjustment, participants achieving ≥12
MET
s had a 20% lower risk of incident hypertension compared to participants achieving <6
MET
s (
HR
: 0.80; 95%
CI
: 0.72, 0.89). This relationship was preserved across strata of age, sex, race, obesity, resting blood pressure, and diabetes.

Conclusions

Higher fitness is associated with a lower probability of prevalent and incident hypertension independent of baseline risk factors.
A review of the physonect siphonophore genera Halistemma (Family Agalmatidae) and Stephanomia (Family Stephanomiidae)
Authors: PUGH P. R. , BAXTER E. J.
Published: December 2014

Re-descriptions are given for all the known species in the siphonophore physonect genera Halistemma (Family Agalmatidae) and Stephanomia (Family Stephanomiidae fam. nov.) based almost entirely on specimens collected by submersibles or ROVs. A new Halistemma species, H. maculatum sp. nov., is also described. Until now two of the Halistemma species were known only from incomplete specimens, such that for one, H. cupulifera Lens & van Riemsdijk, only the tentilla had been described, while for the other, H. striata Totton, only the nectophores were known. The species Stephanomia amphytridis Lesueur & Petit, originally established on the basis of only an illustration of part of the siphosome, is poorly known and several descriptions in the past have been based on further siphosomal material that actually belonged to a species of Halistemma. A specimen of that species, which included the nectosome, was recently described by Mapstone (2004) as H. amphytridis, but Pugh (2006) considered that it actually belonged to H. foliacea Quoy & Gaimard. That specimen has been re-examined for this study. The taxonomic position of the two genera is discussed. Although only distantly related the species of the two genera have a post-larval form referred to as the Nectalia stage. Haeckel (1888b) originally described a specimen at this stage as a separate species, Nectalia loligo. Nectalia stage specimens of two Halistemma species and of S. amphytridis were present in the material and their relationship with Haeckel's specimen is discussed.
Why Eddy Momentum Fluxes are Concentrated in the Upper Troposphere
Authors: Ait-Chaalal Farid , Schneider Tapio
Published: December 2014

The extratropical eddy momentum flux (EMF) is controlled by generation, propagation, and dissipation of large-scale eddies and is concentrated in Earth’s upper troposphere. An idealized GCM is used to investigate how this EMF structure arises. In simulations in which the poles are heated more strongly than the equator, EMF is concentrated near the surface, demonstrating that surface drag generally is not responsible for the upper-tropospheric EMF concentration. Although Earth’s upper troposphere favors linear wave propagation, quasi-linear simulations in which nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions are suppressed demonstrate that this is likewise not primarily responsible for the upper-tropospheric EMF concentration. The quasi-linear simulations reveal the essential role of nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions in the surf zone in the upper troposphere, where wave activity absorption away from the baroclinic generation regions occurs through the nonlinear generation of small scales. In Earth-like atmospheres, wave activity that is generated in the lower troposphere propagates upward and then turns meridionally, eventually being absorbed nonlinearly in the upper troposphere. The level at which the wave activity begins to propagate meridionally appears to be set by the typical height reached by baroclinic eddies. This can coincide with the tropopause height but also can lie below it if convection controls the tropopause height. In the latter case, EMF is maximal well below the tropopause. The simulations suggest that EMF is concentrated in Earth’s upper troposphere because typical baroclinic eddies reach the tropopause.
Long-Term Mortality Rates in Acute De Novo Versus Acute-on-Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: AlHabib Khalid F. , Kashour Tarek , Elasfar Abdelfatah A. , Alfaleh Hussam , Hersi Ahmad , Alshamiri Mostafa , Alshaer Fayez , Mimish Layth , Almasood Ali , AlHabeeb Waleed , AlGhamdi Saleh , Ghabashi Abdullah , Asfina KaziNur , Altaradi Hani , Alnobani Omar , Alkamel Nour , Thalib Lukman
Published: December 2014

Aim:

The heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) is a national multicenter project that compared de novo versus acute-on-chronic heart failure (ACHF).

Methods and Results:

This is a prospective registry in 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010. The study enrolled 2610 patients: 940 (36%) de novo and 1670 (64%) ACHF. Patients with ACHF were significantly older (62.2 vs 60 years), less likely to be males (64% vs 69%) or smokers (31.6% vs 36.7%), and more likely to have history of diabetes mellitus (65.7% vs 61.3%), hypertension (74% vs 65%), and severe left ventricular dysfunction (52% vs 40%). The ACHF group had a higher adjusted 3-year mortality rate (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.0; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patients with ACHF had significantly higher long-term mortality rates than those with de novo acute heart failure (HF). Multidisciplinary HF disease management programs are highly needed for such high-risk populations.
Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography in the Evaluation of Liver Transplant Candidates
Authors: Poulin Marie-France , Chan Edie Y. , Doukky Rami
Published: December 2014

The feasibility, safety, and value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in evaluating orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) candidates are unknown. We studied a cohort of consecutive OLT candidates with intermediate-to-high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Intermediate risk candidates received CCTA, and those at high risk or with abnormal noninvasive testing underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA). One hundred consecutive patients were evaluated. Fifty patients underwent a CCTA, 71.4% were β-blocked, the image quality was “good” or “excellent” in 71.4% of cases, and there was no event of significant contrast-induced nephropathy. Twenty (20%) patients were found to have severe CAD (≥70% stenosis) by CCTA and/or ICA. Independent predictors of severe CAD were age (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4 per 10-year increment, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-17.0; P = .004), dyslipidemia (OR = 12.3, 95% CI = 2.6-57.6; P = .001), and chest pain (OR = 6.0, 95% CI = 1.2-29.1; P = .03). Implementing CCTA in the evaluation of intermediate/high CAD risk OLT candidates is challenging but feasible and seems safe.
Voice Quality in Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Hillel Alexander T. , Karatayli-Ozgursoy Selmin , Benke James R. , Best Simon , Pacheco-Lopez Paulette , Teets Kristine , Starmer Heather , Akst Lee M.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

To assess the impact of suspension microlaryngoscopy with balloon dilation on voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) in laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS).

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of LTS patients dilated at a tertiary-care academic hospital from 2010 to 2013. Data were obtained and then analyzed. LTS was stratified by (1) subglottic or tracheal stenosis and (2) multilevel stenosis (MLS; glottic and subglottic/tracheal). Pre- and postoperative V-RQOL and grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain (GRBAS) scores were compared. The number and frequency of balloon dilation procedures over the lifetime were secondary outcome variables.

Results:

Thirty-eight patients were identified: 26 subglottic/tracheal and 12 multilevel. Of these, 71.4% required multiple dilations, with greatest dilations/patient for multilevel stenosis (4.8). V-RQOL improved in the 27 patients with completed pre- and postoperative scores from a mean of 70.4 to 80 ( P = .025). Pre/postoperative V-RQOLs for tracheal/subglottic (mean, 82.8/93.8) were significantly higher ( P = .0001/.0001) than multilevel stenosis (48/55.3). Voice quality-of-life improvement was significant for the subglottic/tracheal cohort ( P = .036) but not for the MLS group. GRBAS was performed pre- and postoperatively in 10 patients with improvement in all domains except breathiness.

Conclusion:

Laryngotracheal stenosis is associated with dysphonia. Patients with glottic involvement have significantly worse voice quality of life than those with tracheal/subglottic stenosis. Endoscopic balloon dilation improves V-RQOL in patients with subglottic/tracheal stenosis.
Stimulant use disorders in people with psychosis: A meta-analysis of rate and factors affecting variation
Authors: Sara Grant E , Large Matthew M , Matheson Sandra L , Burgess Philip M , Malhi Gin S , Whiteford Harvey A , Hall Wayne D
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Stimulant abuse and dependence often complicate the care of people with psychotic disorders. This study systematically reviews the prevalence estimates reported for stimulant abuse and dependence in people with psychotic disorders, and examines personal, clinical, regional and methodological factors which explain variation in these rates.

Methods:

PsychINFO, EMBASE and MEDLINE (1946–2013) were searched systematically for studies reporting on stimulant drug use disorders in representative samples of people with psychotic disorders. Random effects models estimated the pooled rate of a stimulant use disorder, defined to include stimulant abuse and stimulant dependence. Study characteristics associated with heterogeneity in rates of stimulant use disorder were examined by subgroup analyses for categorical variables, by meta-regression for continuous independent variables and by multiple meta-regression.

Results:

Sixty-four studies provided 68 estimates of lifetime or recent stimulant use disorders in 22,500 people with psychosis. The pooled rate of stimulant use disorder was 8.9% (95% CI 7.4%, 10.5%). Higher rates of stimulant use disorders were reported in studies of affective psychosis, studies from inpatient settings, studies from the USA and Australia, and studies with higher rates of cannabis disorder; in multiple meta-regression analysis these factors explained 68% of between-study variance. Rates of stimulant use disorder were stable over time, and unrelated to age, sex, stage of psychosis, type of stimulant drug or study methodology factors.

Conclusions:

Reported rates of stimulant use disorder in people with psychosis are much higher than in the general population but vary widely and are associated with regional, service setting and clinical differences between studies. It is likely that stimulants contribute to the overall burden of psychosis, and that social and environmental factors combine with drug and illness-related factors to influence stimulant use in psychosis.
Prevalence of Parental Smoking and Predictors of Cessation
Authors: Roberts James R. , Basco William T. , Hulsey Thomas C. , Ebeling Myla D. , O’Brien Elizabeth , Alberg Anthony J.
Published: December 2014

Background. Secondhand smoke exposure harms children. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure in children ≤2 years and determine the predictors of smoking and smoking cessation in parents. Methods. We surveyed parents of children ≤2 years of age, asking about parental smoking patterns, interest in quitting and children’s respiratory symptoms. Data were analyzed with chi-square and multiple logistic regression. Results. Thirteen percent were current smokers and 18% had quit. The most common reason for quitting was being pregnant (42%). Children’s respiratory symptoms did not predict quitting. Parents on Medicaid were more likely to smoke than those on private insurance (OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 2.0-16.5) and less likely to quit (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1-0.9). Conclusion. Having a new baby may be a motivator for parents to quit. We must address socioeconomic factors to develop a successful intervention in pediatric practices.
Bargaining and informal interactions in the national budget: a game theory analysis of the Israeli case
Authors: Cohen Nissim
Published: December 2014

This article suggests a game theory analysis of the interaction between Israeli politicians and bureaucrats regarding the national budget process since the 1980s. During the 1970s and 1980s new structural conditions created new formal and informal rules that weakened Israeli politicians’ bargaining position vis-à-vis the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The 1985 Israeli Economic Stabilization Plan not only changed the formal political institutions, but also created new informal institutions. Under the new circumstances, Israeli politicians can rarely challenge the MOF in the political bargaining process. Given that the MOF officials are aware of Israel’s internal processes and public opinion, attempts by Israeli politicians to create the impression that they are willing to challenge the MOF officials are unlikely. We demonstrate that this situation may ultimately lead to a sub-optimal equilibrium for Israel’s social welfare because the balance of power between the players favors one dominant side – the MOF officials.

Points for practitioners

This article provides insights into how institutional change and various formal and informal political strategies are played out in budgetary decision-making. When structural conditions create new formal and informal rules that weaken politicians’ bargaining position vis-à-vis the Ministry of Finance, politicians may find it very hard to challenge the Ministry of Finance officials. The results may include the creation of a significant gap between public opinion and the socioeconomic policy in practice. The key for preventing such scenarios is making sure, via strong institutions, that the balance of power between the players will not favor one dominant side.
“Only God Can Judge Me”: Faith, Trauma, and Combat
Authors: Solomon Nathan
Published: December 2014

The particular trauma of combat is a special subset of trauma for those who experience it (the “Sent”), those who call for it (the “Senders”), and those who minister in the midst of it (the “Liminals”). The trauma experiences of veterans are a unique opportunity for the church to embrace its own liminal calling.
Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies: A Tale of Two Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in Karnataka
Authors: Sabar Bhubaneswar
Published: December 2014

This paper explores the food insecurity level and coping strategies of two particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in India. It finds that despite the availability of resources, limited income always becomes a proxy for their food vulnerability because they cannot purchase food items outside state programmes. These groups traditionally adopt various coping strategies to overcome food insecurity at household level and these have become a structure and behaviour for ensuring food security
Why Does the United States Intervene Abroad? Democracy, Human Rights Violations, and Terrorism
Authors: Choi Seung-Whan , James Patrick
Published: December 2014

Democracy, human rights, and terrorism are major foreign policy issues. However, among these issues, what do the US leaders care about the most? This study assesses the degree to which Washington responds militarily to threats to democratic institutions, human rights abuses, and terrorist activity in other countries. Based on a cross-national, time-series data analysis of 164 countries for the years 1981 to 2005, this study presents empirical models that evaluate the relative importance of these issues for contemporary American foreign and security policy. It turns out that, all other things being equal, the United States is likely to engage in military campaigns for humanitarian reasons that focus on human rights protection rather than for its own security interests such as democracy promotion or terrorism reduction. This finding is extremely robust and reinforced by case illustrations that support a causal explanation for US intervention with a basic and sustained place for human rights protection.
British Public Opinion and Military Intervention in Greece, December 1944–January 1945: Stories from Mass-Observation
Authors: Hassiotis Loukianos
Published: December 2014

British military intervention in Greece in December 1944, in support of the anti-communist forces in the country, elicited a significant reaction at home, from left-wing politicians and trade unions as well as by the press. Indeed, records of the Mass-Observation organization, which became known for its practice of ‘Anthropology from Below’, indicate that the issue continued to hold the public’s interest for several months. This article discusses the inquiry conducted by Mass-Observation during December 1944 and January 1945 and analyses the views and feelings of ‘ordinary British citizens’ about British policy in Greece.
Learning From the Experts
Authors: Hickey Maud
Published: December 2014

There is a growing interest in alternative forms of pedagogy for students in K–12 settings. Free improvisation, a relatively new and unfamiliar genre, offers potential as an ensemble for teachers to provide in order to offer more egalitarian and creative music experiences for their students. The purpose of this multiple case study was to determine common elements of instruction among four university free-improvisation instructors in order to inform K–12 music education. Pauline Oliveros, Fred Frith, Ed Sarath, and David Ballou were interviewed and observed in order to find common elements among their teaching. Data collection included transcripts from interviews and field notes, recordings, course materials, and other documents, such as course syllabi, university catalogues, texts, and press material about the pedagogues. The common themes that emerged among the four pedagogues included an array of unique teaching exercises, facility with nontraditional vocabulary, the establishment of a safe and egalitarian teaching space, lack of evaluation, leader as guide, comfort with spontaneity, and pedagogue as performer/improviser. The conclusion offers ideas for implementing these ideas in K–12 and music teacher education.
Welfare and religion in Europe
Authors: Davie Grace
Published: December 2014

This article considers the persistent links between religion and welfare across Europe. It does so by drawing on an extensive body of comparative material brought together by the Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre. A central question is addressed: why is it that the churches are doing more than they used to as agents of welfare despite the fact that Europe itself is becoming more rather than less secular? The findings reveal the continuing significance of religion (and indeed of theology) as an independent variable in this increasingly studied field.
Cross-sectional and Panel Data Analyses of an Incompletely Observed Variable Derived From the Nonrandomized Method for Surveying Sensitive Questions
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuo
Published: December 2014

This article describes (1) the survey methodological and statistical characteristics of the nonrandomized method for surveying sensitive questions for both cross-sectional and panel survey data and (2) the way to use the incompletely observed variable obtained from this survey method in logistic regression and in loglinear and log-multiplicative association models. The nonrandomized method, which was introduced by Yu, Tian, and Tang and Tian et al. for surveying sensitive questions, is much more efficient than randomized response methods, and unlike the latter, the former can be included in a mail survey. The method also has unique advantages compared with the randomized response method for the analysis of panel survey data. A simulation analysis presents how the relative efficiency of statistics in the analysis of data collected with this method changes as a function of mixing probability compared with a hypothetical situation of collecting responses of a sensitive question from every sample subject. The use of statistical software for the application of the logistic regression model, with an incompletely observed variable from cross-sectional and panel surveys, is also described.
Band of Brothers (and Fathers and Sisters and Mothers…)
Authors: Johnson Tim , Lidow Nicholai
Published: December 2014

Past studies reveal that military service “runs in the family”: offspring’s service records often accord with those of their parents. To extend this research, this study uses the complete Liberian Housing and Population Census of 2008 to estimate rates of military participation among Liberians living with relatives in the military. The study finds—both in the overall data and in an exactly matched subset consisting of observations that share the same values on all control variables—that Liberians living with a relative in the military participate in the armed forces at over two times the rate of individuals who do not live with a member of the military. This finding provides new insight into military participation and civil–military relations in Liberia and, perhaps, other developing nations.
Chinese College Students’ Perceptions of Characteristics of Excellent Teachers
Authors: Liu Shujie , Keeley Jared , Buskist William
Published: December 2014

We employed the Teacher Behavior Checklist (TBC) to investigate Chinese college students’ perceptions of excellent teachers’ qualities and then compared the results to those from previously collected data from American and Japanese students. Chinese students tended to favor additional structure both in the classroom and in teachers’ roles than either Japanese or American students. Teachers wishing to use the TBC to improve teaching quality should carefully consider subtle cultural differences that influence students’ perceptions of their teachers.
Development of a novel indirect-expansion solar-assisted multifunctional heat pump with four heat exchangers
Authors: Wang Q , Ren B , Zeng ZY , He W , Liu YQ , Xiangguo Xu , Chen GM
Published: December 2014

A novel indirect-expansion solar-assisted multifunctional heat pump with four heat exchangers was proposed in this paper, which integrates a heat pump air conditioner, a solar water heater and a heat pump water heater. In addition to these three basic operation modes, it also provided five energy-saving operation modes, which resulted in a higher utilization ratio of the solar energy and lower operational cost. Experiments of the solar-assisted space heating mode, air source heat pump water heating mode and solar-assisted heat pump water heating mode have been investigated in detail at different outdoor temperatures and different water temperatures. The novel indirect-expansion solar-assisted multifunctional heat pump is especially suitable for the regions abundant in solar radiation where the space heating, space cooling and water heating are required all the year round.

Practical applications: The novel IX-SAMHP can provide space cooling, space heating, hot water by one system. The space used for those appliances can be reduced effectively. Solar energy was used to assist the space heating and water heating and defrost process and it can save the energy consumption efficiently.
Foreign owners and the quality of industrial relations in Germany
Authors: Dill Verena , Jirjahn Uwe
Published: December 2014

German works councils provide a highly developed mechanism for codetermination designed to increase trust and cooperation within firms. This study examines whether or not the functioning of works councils depends on the type of ownership. Comparing domestic- and foreign-owned firms in Germany, the article finds that works councils and managers in foreign-owned firms are less likely to cooperate. The finding fits the notion that the activities of foreign multinational companies can involve tensions with the institutional framework of the host country.
Tackling employment in the informal economy: A critical evaluation of the neoliberal policy approach
Authors: Williams Colin C
Published: December 2014

This article evaluates critically the neoliberal perspective that employment in the informal economy is a product of high taxes, public sector corruption and state interference in the free market and that reducing taxes, corruption and the regulatory burden via minimal state intervention is the remedy. Analysing the varying size of the informal economy across 36 developing and transition countries, little or no association is found with higher tax rates, greater levels of corruption and state interference. Instead, employment in the informal economy appears to reduce with higher levels of regulation and state intervention. The theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
Temporary employment, job satisfaction and subjective well-being
Authors: Dawson Chris , Veliziotis Michail , Hopkins Benjamin
Published: December 2014

This article is concerned with whether employees on temporary contracts in Britain report lower well-being than those on permanent contracts, and whether this relationship is mediated by differences in dimensions of job satisfaction. Previous research has identified a well-being gap between permanent and temporary employees but has not addressed what individual and contract specific characteristics contribute to this observed difference. Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, the article finds that a large proportion of the difference in self-reported well-being between permanent and temporary employees appears to be explained by differences in satisfaction with job security. Other dimensions of job satisfaction are found to be less important. In fact, after controlling for differences in satisfaction with security, the results suggest that temporary employees report higher psychological well-being and life satisfaction. This indicates that an employment contract characterized by a definite duration lowers individual well-being principally through heightened job insecurity.
Undermining mobilization? The effect of job flexibility and job instability on the willingness to strike
Authors: Jansen Giedo , Akkerman Agnes , Vandaele Kurt
Published: December 2014

This article addresses the question of whether, and to what extent job flexibility is detrimental to mobilization with regard to the willingness to take part in industrial action. The authors examine the influence of job flexibility (‘standard’ versus ‘non-standard’ work) and job instability (changes from one job to another) on employees’ willingness to strike. Based on Dutch survey data it is shown that only minor differences exist between ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’ employees in their willingness to participate in a strike. While this study did not establish a major direct effect of job flexibility on strike participation, tests of interaction effects reveal that job flexibility moderates other mobilizing factors, such as union membership and job dissatisfaction. Job instability, on average, has no effect on strike participation.
Stochastic Curtailment in Adaptive Mastery Testing
Authors: Sie Haskell , Finkelman Matthew D. , Bartroff Jay , Thompson Nathan A.
Published: December 2014

A well-known stopping rule in adaptive mastery testing is to terminate the assessment once the examinee’s ability confidence interval lies entirely above or below the cut-off score. This article proposes new procedures that seek to improve such a variable-length stopping rule by coupling it with curtailment and stochastic curtailment. Under the new procedures, test termination can occur earlier if the probability is high enough that the current classification decision remains the same should the test continue. Computation of this probability utilizes normality of an asymptotically equivalent version of the maximum likelihood ability estimate. In two simulation sets, the new procedures showed a substantial reduction in average test length while maintaining similar classification accuracy to the original method.
Corporate Governance and Bankruptcy Risk
Authors: Darrat Ali F. , Gray Stephen , Park Jung Chul , Wu Yanhui
Published: December 2014

We examine how firm characteristics, particularly the degree of firm complexity and the firm’s need for specialty knowledge, affect the relationship between corporate governance and the risk of bankruptcy. We find that having larger boards reduces the risk of bankruptcy only for complex firms. Our results also suggest that the proportion of inside directors on the board is inversely associated with the risk of bankruptcy in firms that require more specialist knowledge and that the reverse is true in technically unsophisticated firms. The results further reveal that the additional explanatory power from corporate governance variables becomes stronger as the time to bankruptcy is increased, implying that although corporate governance variables are important predictors, governance changes are likely to be too late to save a firm on the verge of bankruptcy.
The latent cognitive sociology in Habermas
Authors: Strydom Piet
Published: December 2014

The aim of this article is twofold: to display some of the fruitful starting points in the later Habermas’ principal monograph for the development of a new kind of cognitive sociology; and to indicate the form of such a sociology by critically extrapolating its major parameters from Habermas’ assumptions regarding immanent transcendence, formal pragmatics and reconstructive sociology. The intended cognitive sociology is conceived as a refinement of a hitherto largely implicit dimension of Critical Theory. Its promise is far-reaching: to sharpen considerably the latter’s analytical repertoire and penetration; to draw attention to the need to recognize that the foundations of critique are not to be sought directly in normativity but rather in the cognitively structured normative dimension; and to stimulate consideration of the materialist implications of the rootedness of the human cognitive endowment in natural evolution and phylogenesis and the role of the resultant cognitive structures in the construction and elaboration of socio-cultural forms of life.
Spontaneously Occurring Formation of Intranuclear and Cytoplasmic Inclusions in Renal Proximal Epithelium Due to Accumulation of d-Amino Acid Oxidase in Wistar Hannover Rats
Authors: Shimoyama Natsumi , Nakatsuji Shunji , Andoh Rie , Yamaguchi Yuko , Tamura Kazutoshi , Hoshiya Toru
Published: December 2014

Intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions in the renal proximal tubular epithelium were observed in nontreated male and female Wistar Hannover rats in a 26-week study (32 weeks of age) and a 104-week study (110 weeks of age). The incidence rates were less than 5% in these two studies. In affected animals, the inclusions were observed in more than 60% of proximal tubular epithelium as various sized (approximately 1–8 μm in diameter) round and eosinophilic materials, but not in distal tubules, Henle’s loop, or collecting ducts. Ultrastructurally, inclusions appeared finely granular, homogenous with middle-electron density, and without a limiting membrane. These inclusions were determined to be protein histochemically stained by Azan-Mallory and immunoreactive with an antibody against d-amino acid oxidase (DAO). There was no abnormality in in-life observations or in clinical test values suggestive of renal dysfunction. There were no associated degenerative or inflammatory changes in the kidneys, and no similar inclusions were observed in the other organs. These inclusions are very similar to propiverine hydrochloride (propiverine) and norepinephreine/serotonin reuptake inhibitor–induced inclusions. This is the first report of accumulation of DAO and formation of inclusions occurring spontaneously in rat kidneys. The data are important for toxicological studies using Wistar Hannover rats.
Impact of Pathologists and Evaluation Methods on Performance Assessment of the Kidney Injury Biomarker, Kim-1
Authors: Rouse Rodney , Min Min , Francke Sabine , Mog Steven , Zhang Jun , Shea Katherine , Stewart Sharron , Colatsky Thomas
Published: December 2014

Attempts to characterize and formally qualify biomarkers for regulatory purposes have raised questions about how histological and histopathological methods impact the evaluation of biomarker performance. A group of pathologists was asked to analyze digitized images prepared from rodent kidney injury experiments in studies designed to investigate sources of variability in histopathology evaluations. Study A maximized variability by using samples from diverse studies and providing minimal guidance, contextual information, or opportunities for pathologist interaction. Study B was designed to limit interpathologist variability by using more uniform image sets from different locations within the same kidneys and allowing pathologist selected interactions to discuss and identify the location and injury to be evaluated but without providing a lexicon or peer review. Results from this study suggest that differences between pathologists and across models of disease are the largest sources of variability in evaluations and that blind evaluations do not generally make a significant difference. Results of this study generally align with recommendations from both industry and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should inform future studies examining the effects of common lexicons and scoring criteria, peer review, and blind evaluations in the context of biomarker performance assessment.