bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the effectiveness of three different methods in decreasing pain during venipuncture in children: ball squeezing, balloon inflating and distraction cards
Authors: Aydin Diler , Şahiner Nejla Canbulat , Çiftçi Esra Karaca
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to investigate three different distraction methods (squeezing a soft ball, balloon inflation and distraction cards) on pain and anxiety relief in children during phlebotomy.

Background

Needle‐requiring medical procedures such as venipuncture, phlebotomy and intramuscular injections are common and significant sources of pain for children, and these cause anxiety, distress and fear.

Design

This study was a prospective, randomised controlled trial.

Methods

The sample consisted of children (n = 120) who required blood tests. Data were obtained through face‐to‐face interviews with the children, their parents and the observer before and after the procedure. The children's pain levels were assessed and reported by the parents and observers, and the children themselves who self‐reported using Wong–Baker FACES. The children's anxiety levels were also assessed using the Children's Fear Scale.

Results

One hundred and twenty children (mean age: 9·64 ± 2·07 years) were included. No difference was found between the groups in the self‐, parent‐ and observer‐reported procedural pain levels (p = 0·446, p = 0·467, p = 0·318 respectively). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the groups in procedural child anxiety levels according to the parents and observer (p = 0·323, p = 0·144 respectively).

Conclusion

Pain and anxiety relief was seen in the three methods used during phlebotomy; however, no statistically significant difference was observed.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study contributes to the literature on nonpharmacologic pain relief methods during phlebotomy in children.
Early Settlement in European Merger Control
Authors: Garrod Luke , Lyons Bruce
Published: April 2016

We analyse the determinants of early settlement between merging parties and the European Commission over remedies that remove concerns of anticompetitive effects. This extends the previously narrow range of econometric literature on early settlement. Consistent with the theory of early settlement, our results confirm the importance of delay costs and of uncertainty, measured by the complexity of the economic analysis required for each merger. We also find a non‐monotonic effect of agency resourcing, which raises questions about the Commission's efficiency in times of high case load. Econometrically, we select a sample of merger decisions in which the European Commission intervened due to concerns of anticompetitive effects, and our selection model provides estimates of the factors determining intervention by the Commission. Conclusions are drawn for public policy.
Competitive Nonlinear Pricing and Contract Variety
Authors: Shen Jian , Yang Huanxing , Ye Lixin
Published: April 2016

We analyze markets with both horizontally and vertically differentiated products under both monopoly and duopoly. In the base model with two consumer types, we identify conditions under which entry prompts an incumbent to expand or contract its low end of the product line. Our analysis offers a novel explanation for the widespread use of ‘fighting brands’ and ‘product line pruning.’ We also extend our analysis to asymmetric firms and three types of consumers and show that depending on the specific environment, entry may lead the incumbent to expand or contract the middle range of its product line (middle contracts). Our results are mainly driven by interactions between horizontal differentiation (competition) and vertical screening of consumers.
Incubation temperature affects development order of morphological features and staging criteria in turtle embryos
Authors: Dormer J. , Old J. M. , Van Dyke J. U. , Spencer R.‐J.
Published: April 2016

Embryonic development is strongly affected by incubation temperature in most animals, and the effects of incubation temperature continue after partition. However, relatively little is known about the effects of incubation temperature on the development of morphological features in reptiles. As a result, whether developmental rates of different traits change uniquely in response to incubation temperature remains unknown. In this study, we compared embryonic development of an Australian turtle incubated at different temperatures. We examined 43 internal and external morphological features of embryos at each week of development and compared presence and absence of each feature within and across weeks and temperature treatments, using a multivariate statistical approach. We identified morphological features that develop at different rates in turtle embryos incubated at different temperatures. Embryos incubated at 30°C hatched 3 weeks earlier, grew to hatchling size faster, and developed advanced morphological features earlier than those incubated at 26°C. Furthermore, embryonic features that appear late in development appeared progressively earlier in embryos incubated at 30°C. Embryos incubated at 26°C also retained some early embryonic features for longer periods of time during development, especially from weeks 2–4. Despite temperature effects, some traits appeared at the same week of development in embryos from both treatments, including a clearly distinguishable carapace and distinct gut villi at week 3. Variation in appearance and retention of features means that not all external features consistently appear in the same order, depending on incubation temperature. From a practical perspective, cool‐ and warm‐incubated embryos may exhibit different sets of embryological features, which may not be captured by previously published embryological staging guides.
Afghan Refugee Explanatory Models of Depression: Exploring Core Cultural Beliefs and Gender Variations
Authors: Alemi Qais , Weller Susan C. , Montgomery Susanne , James Sigrid
Published: April 2016

Relatively little empirical attention has been paid to understanding how refugees conceptualize depression and how this concept varies between genders. The purpose of this study was to explore beliefs about depression among Afghans residing in San Diego County, California, using cultural consensus analysis. Using the prescribed mixed‐method approach, we employed results from in‐depth interviews to develop a culturally meaningful questionnaire about depression. Consensus analysis of responses to questionnaire items from 93 Afghans (50 men, 43 women) indicates shared beliefs that associates depression causality with mild traumatic experiences and post‐resettlement stressors, symptomatology to include culturally salient idioms of distress, and treatment selections ranging from lay techniques to professional care. Divergence between genders occurred most in the symptoms subdomain, with women associating depression with more somatic items. This study contributes to understanding the etiology of and cultural responses to depression among this population, which is critical to improving culturally sensitive intervention for Afghan refugees.
On the Existence and Characterization of Unequal Exchange in the Free Trade Equilibrium
Authors: Yoshihara Naoki , Kaneko Soh
Published: April 2016

As in Roemer (, chapter 1), this article considers a simple international trade model and examines the existence and characterization of free trade equilibria involving the unequal exchange of labor (UE). The article provides an almost complete characterization of the domain of economies in which free trade equilibria with incomplete specialization exist. Moreover, the necessary and sufficient conditions for free trade equilibrium to involve UE is identified. It suggests that the emergence of free trade equilibria with UE cannot be entailed by the competitive mechanism of markets and unequal distribution of wealth alone, but might be understood as an outcome of equilibrium selection on the basis of Nash bargaining between rich and poor nations.
Microvascular Response in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as Measured by Laser Doppler Imaging
Authors: Gorodkin Rachel , Herrick Ariane L. , Murray Andrea K.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Our aim was to investigate the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction occurs in patients with CRPS. Specifically, whether there were functional differences in either deeper cutaneous blood vessels or more superficial nutritive vessels between the affected and unaffected limb in patients with CRPS, and between CRPS patients and healthy control subjects.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients with CRPS (five male; mean age 45 years; eight upper limb involvement, 14 lower limb) and 23 healthy control subjects (one male; 43 years) were recruited. Microvascular flow at affected and unaffected contralateral sites was measured, following local heating, using laser Doppler imaging (red/green wavelengths). Corresponding sites were imaged in healthy controls. Maximum flux level and area under the curve (first 20 scans, AUC20) were measured.

Results

Vasodilator responses to heat were similar in affected and unaffected limbs, and in healthy controls. For example, median (IQR) “red” AUC20 in CRPS was 138.6 (120.0–152.9)% change from baseline in affected limb and 135.0 (120.7–166.8)% in unaffected limb, and (in healthy controls) 133.1 (117.2–145.9)% and 139.1% (126.0–162.1) in limb 1 and 2.

Conclusions

We found no impairment of vasodilation in cutaneous microvessels in CRPS. The vasomotor changes in CRPS may relate to larger vessel dysfunction.
A novel block of plant virus movement genes
Authors: Lazareva Ekaterina A. , Lezzhov Alexander A. , Komarova Tatiana V. , Morozov Sergey Y. , Heinlein Manfred , Solovyev Andrey G.
Published: April 2016

Hibiscus green spot virus (HGSV) is a recently discovered and so far poorly characterized bacilliform plant virus with a positive‐stranded RNA genome consisting of three RNA species. Here, we demonstrate that the proteins encoded by the ORF2 and ORF3 in HGSV RNA2 are necessary and sufficient to mediate cell‐to‐cell movement of transport‐deficient Potato virus X in Nicotiana benthamiana. These two genes represent a specialized transport module called a ‘binary movement block’ (BMB), and ORF2 and ORF3 are termed BMB1 and BMB2 genes. In agroinfiltrated epidermal cells of N. benthamiana, green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐BMB1 fusion protein was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. However, in the presence of BMB2, GFP‐BMB1 was directed to cell wall‐adjacent elongated bodies at the cell periphery, to cell wall‐embedded punctate structures co‐localizing with callose deposits at plasmodesmata, and to cells adjacent to the initially transformed cell. Thus, BMB2 can mediate the transport of BMB1 to and through plasmodesmata. In general, our observations support the idea that cell‐to‐cell trafficking of movement proteins involves an initial delivery to membrane compartments adjacent to plasmodesmata, subsequent entry of the plasmodesmata cavity and, finally, transport to adjacent cells. This process, as an alternative to tubule‐based transport, has most likely evolved independently in triple gene block (TGB), double gene block (DGB), BMB and the single gene‐coded transport system.
Coarticulation and Gesture: an Analysis of Melodic Movement in South Indian Raga Performance
Authors: PEARSON LARA
Published: April 2016

This article presents an analysis of small‐scale melodic movement in South Indian rāga performance employing the concept of coarticulation, defined here as the tendency for the performance of a unit to be influenced by that which precedes or follows it. Coarticulation has been much studied in phonetics and also explored to some extent in sign language and the kinematics of instrumental performance. Here I seek to account for variation in the performance of Karnatak musical units known as svaras (the scale degrees of a rāga) and gamakas (ornaments) through the phenomenon of coarticulation, thus providing an analysis of small‐scale melodic movement that focuses on the dynamic processes which form the style rather than on the categorisation of discrete elements.

The material investigated is a video recording of ālāpana (improvisation) in rāga Toḍi performed by the Karnatak violinist T. V. Ramanujacharlu in Tamil Nadu, South India. A section of the recording is transcribed into staff notation and visualised through pitch‐contour graphs created in Praat sound‐analysis software. The hand movements required to produce the musical phrases are described from observation of the video alongside figures showing motion‐tracking data. Interviews with musicians, participant observation and the author's experience as a student of Karnatak violin provide the foundation for interpretation of the material. Results show that coarticulation can be seen between svaras through the oscillatory gamakas with which they are performed. Atomistic and gestural conceptions of South Indian music are discussed, following which suggestions are made for the implications of this research in modelling the Karnatak style, as well as for potential applications in musical information retrieval (MIR).
Vitamin D in dementia prevention
Authors: Annweiler Cédric
Published: April 2016

Beyond effects on bone health, vitamin D exerts effects on a variety of target organs, including the brain. The discussion herein presents the state of the art in research on the neurological role of vitamin D and clinical implications among older adults, including implications for dementia onset and progression. Some of the neurosteroid actions of vitamin D include regulation of calcium homeostasis, clearance of amyloid‐β peptide, antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, and possible protection against the neurodegenerative mechanisms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The correction of age‐related hypovitaminosis D and cognitive decline has been reported by various cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies reporting associations of lower vitamin D concentrations with brain changes and poorer cognition, specifically with respect to executive dysfunction. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown an association between inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D and cognitive disorders, including greater AD risk. Although there have not been any randomized placebo‐controlled trials conducted to examine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation to prevent AD, several nonrandomized controlled studies have found that older adults experienced cognitive improvements after 1–15 months of vitamin D supplementation. Therefore, it appears crucial to maintain vitamin D concentrations at sufficiently high levels in order to slow, prevent, or improve neurocognitive decline.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Outcomes in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Time to System Revision
Authors: DECHERT BRYNN E. , BRADLEY DAVID J. , SERWER GERALD A. , DICK II MACDONALD , LAPAGE MARTIN J.
Published: April 2016

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are intended to prevent sudden cardiac death yet also impose a risk of morbidity. This study describes the outcomes of ICDs in a pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) population from a single center.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of all patients with an ICD followed at the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center from 2005–2013. The primary outcome was ICD system revision for any reason excluding routine generator change for battery depletion.

Results

There were 191 ICD systems in 131 patients, including 57 with CHD, 24 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 45 with structurally normal hearts. Median age was 16 years at initial implant. Total follow‐up was 850 patient‐years; median 4.9 years/patient. There were 43 (33%) patients who required 60 ICD revisions; 70 revisions/1,000 patient‐years of follow‐up. Revisions included 25 lead extractions with replacement, 21 lead additions, five lead repositions, and four full system revisions. Kaplan‐Meier (K‐M) median time to appropriate shock was similar to the median time to system revision. K‐M time to system revision was significantly affected by recalled lead performance.

Conclusions

The need for ICD system revision is high in this pediatric and CHD population and occurs at a rate similar to the rate of receiving appropriate therapy. These results highlight the need for judicious implant criteria and improved device longevity.
Pediatric preoperative risk factors to predict postoperative ICU admission and death from a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Lian Chunwei , Xie Zuokai , Wang Zhao , Huang Congcong , Zhang Mazhong , Ye Mao , Zhang Xiying , Zhang Jianmin , Lu Kaizhi , Li Liwei , Zhu Bo , Ma Daqing , Li Jun , Lian Qingquan , Shang Guan Wangning
Published: April 2016

Background

Although some studies have investigated the potential predictors of perioperative mortality, there are few specifically for pediatrics.

Objective

The aim of the retrospective study was to analyze potential preoperative risk factors and to develop a pediatric preoperative risk prediction score (PRPS), and to predict postoperative ICU admission and the incidence of perioperative death in pediatric patients.

Methods

Patients who postoperatively admitted to ICU or died (occurred within 30 days after the surgery) from 263 607 pediatric surgical patients with age from 1 day to 14 years old in eight centers in China from October 2010 to September 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. About 5500 non‐ICU admission and death patients were randomly selected from those 263 607 patients as controls for analysis comparison. Independent risk factors and a risk model were derived from these analyses, and were further assessed with the likelihood ratio test and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

There were 1812 ICU admission or death patients but 187 patients’ records are incomplete. There were 487 patients with incomplete records among 5500 controls. Collectively, data from 6626 patients were enrolled in final analyses. With multiple logistic regression analysis, age, ASA physical status, SpO2, prematurity, and unfasted status were found to be independent predictors for critical patients. The AUC value of 0.905 indicated excellent predictive performance between critical and noncritical predictors.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that age, ASA physical status, SpO2, prematurity, and unfasted status are risk factors to predict postoperative ICU admission and death in pediatric patients.
Correlation of serum sHLA‐G levels with cyst stage in patients with cystic echinococcosis: is it an immune evasion strategy?
Authors: Mariconti M. , Meroni V. , Badulli C. , Brunetti E. , Tinelli C. , De Silvestri A. , Tamarozzi F. , Genco F. , Casulli A. , Martinetti M.
Published: April 2016

Patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) can harbour cysts for years or even decades, apparently without effect of the immune system on the metacestode. Although several immune evasion mechanisms by echinococcal cysts have been described, it is unclear whether the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system plays a role in the susceptibility or resistance to CE in humans. HLA‐G molecules are known to exert a suppressive action on dendritic cells maturation and on natural killer (NK) cells functions, therefore hampering T‐cell responses and NK cytolysis. HLA‐G plays an important role in immune tolerance, is involved in foetus and in allotransplant tolerance, and may be involved in tumoral and viral immune evasion. In this study, we assessed the presence and levels of soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G) in patients with CE using a commercial ELISA kit to determine whether host's HLA‐G may have a role in the course of human CE.
Knot Policy Theory
Authors: Breunig Christian , Koski Chris , Workman Samuel
Published: April 2016

This research note synthesizes the main theoretical frameworks in public policy. The concept of policy knots ties policy cycles, multiple streams, punctuated equilibrium, and other frameworks into one useful analytical tool. We introduce two particular policy knots—the granny knot and the clinch knot—to demonstrate the utility of the concept. As an illustration, we examine climate change policy in the United States in order to show the challenges of tying and securing a policy knot.
Science Use in Regulatory Impact Analysis: The Effects of Political Attention and Controversy
Authors: Costa Mia , Desmarais Bruce A. , Hird John A.
Published: April 2016

Scholars, policy makers, and research sponsors have long sought to understand the conditions under which scientific research is used in the policy‐making process. Recent research has identified a resource that can be used to trace the use of science across time and many policy domains. U.S. federal agencies are mandated by executive order to justify all economically significant regulations by regulatory impact analyses (RIAs), in which they present evidence of the scientific underpinnings and consequences of the proposed rule. To gain new insight into when and how regulators invoke science in their policy justifications, we ask: does the political attention and controversy surrounding a regulation affect the extent to which science is utilized in RIAs? We examine scientific citation activity in all 101 economically significant RIAs from 2008 to 2012 and evaluate the effects of attention—from the public, policy elites, and the media—on the degree of science use in RIAs. Our main finding is that regulators draw more heavily on scientific research when justifying rules subject to a high degree of attention from outside actors. These findings suggest that scientific research plays an important role in the justification of regulations, especially those that are highly salient to the public and other policy actors.
Policy Stalemate and Policy Change in Israel's Water Sector 1970–2010: Advocacy Coalitions and Policy Narratives
Authors: Menahem Gila , Gilad Shula
Published: April 2016

This paper seeks to explain policy stalemates that persist despite recognition of their risks and damages, as well as the factors and processes that enable a breakthrough and lead to policy change. The paper seeks to fill a gap in the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) theory by supplementing it with Narrative Analysis (NA). We claim that NA provides a link missing in the ACF that is required for the transformation of “necessary” conditions—like external and internal shocks to the system—into “sufficient” conditions for policy persistence or change. We use the ACF to delineate coalition members and their belief systems and policy positions, as well as external, internal, and structural shocks to the system. We rely on NA to analyze the narratives employed in the public arena, which turn conditions necessary both for hurting stalemates and for policy change into sufficient conditions. We illustrate the benefits of combining the two approaches through a study of Israel's water policy during four decades (1970s–2000s) based on government records and on information from interviews with key players.
Willingness to Pay for Solar Lanterns: Does the Trial Period Play a Role?
Authors: Yoon Semee , Urpelainen Johannes , Kandlikar Milind
Published: April 2016

Where electricity access is limited, solar lanterns are a viable and relatively inexpensive source of basic lighting for households. However, the creation of commercially viable business models for solar lanterns is difficult because the customers are poor and make decisions under tight liquidity constraints. To understand the economics of technology adoption in the case of solar lanterns, we conduct a field experiment on willingness to pay (WTP) for solar lanterns in rural Uttar Pradesh. Applying the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak method of eliciting WTP, we evaluate the ability of a trial period and postponed payment to increase sales. We find no evidence for the effectiveness of the trial period and only weak evidence for the positive effect of postponed payment. Overall, WTP for the product among the customers is low. There is no clear evidence for concerns about the uncertain quality of the product, liquidity constraints, or present‐bias. In this context, policies to subsidize very small solar lanterns would not correct a market failure, as people appear to have only a limited interest in the product.
Emotion processing deficits in the different dimensions of psychometric schizotypy
Authors: Giakoumaki Stella G.
Published: April 2016

Schizotypy refers to a personality structure indicating “proneness” to schizophrenia. Around 10% of the general population has increased schizotypal traits, they also share other core features with schizophrenia and are thus at heightened risk for developing schizophrenia and spectrum disorders. A key aspect in schizophrenia‐spectrum pathology is the impairment observed in emotion‐related processes. This review summarizes findings on impairments related to central aspects of emotional processes, such as emotional disposition, alexithymia, facial affect recognition and speech prosody, in high schizotypal individuals in the general population. Although the studies in the field are not numerous, the current findings indicate that all these aspects of emotional processing are deficient in psychometric schizotypy, in accordance to the schizophrenia‐spectrum literature. A disturbed frontotemporal neural network seems to be the critical link between these impairments, schizotypy and schizophrenia. The limitations of the current studies and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Robust Inference in Two‐phase Sampling Designs with Application to Unit Nonresponse
Authors: Favre‐Martinoz Cyril , Haziza David , Beaumont Jean‐François
Published: April 2016

Influential units occur frequently in surveys, especially in business surveys that collect economic variables whose distributions are highly skewed. A unit is said to be influential when its inclusion or exclusion from the sample has an important impact on the sampling error of estimates. We extend the concept of conditional bias attached to a unit and propose a robust version of the double expansion estimator, which depends on a tuning constant. We determine the tuning constant that minimizes the maximum estimated conditional bias. Our results can be naturally extended to the case of unit nonresponse, the set of respondents often being viewed as a second‐phase sample. A robust version of calibration estimators, based on auxiliary information available at both phases, is also constructed.
Bayesian Conditional Mean Estimation in Log‐Normal Linear Regression Models with Finite Quadratic Expected Loss
Authors: Fabrizi Enrico , Trivisano Carlo
Published: April 2016

Log‐normal linear regression models are popular in many fields of research. Bayesian estimation of the conditional mean of the dependent variable is problematic as many choices of the prior for the variance (on the log‐scale) lead to posterior distributions with no finite moments. We propose a generalized inverse Gaussian prior for this variance and derive the conditions on the prior parameters that yield posterior distributions of the conditional mean of the dependent variable with finite moments up to a pre‐specified order. The conditions depend on one of the three parameters of the suggested prior; the other two have an influence on inferences for small and medium sample sizes. A second goal of this paper is to discuss how to choose these parameters according to different criteria including the optimization of frequentist properties of posterior means.
From Dispositions to Goals to Ideology: Toward a Synthesis of Personality and Social Psychological Approaches to Political Orientation
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Plaks Jason E. , Peterson Jordan B.
Published: April 2016

We review existing research on the associations between political orientation and Big Five traits such as Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness. We suggest that analyzing these traits at the aspect level sheds light on motivational mechanisms underlying these links. For example, we present evidence that only one of the two aspects of Conscientiousness (“Orderliness”) reliably predicts conservatism. To account for this relationship, and to more generally describe how traits translate into political orientation, we present a new model, the Disposition‐Goals‐Ideology (DiGI) Model. The DiGI model outlines specific interrelationships among dispositions, goals, and ideological beliefs that help to shape individual differences in political orientation.
Individual Differences in the Consideration of Future and (More) Immediate Consequences: A Review and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Joireman Jeff , King Skyler
Published: April 2016

In 1994, Strathman, Gleicher, Boninger, and Edwards (1994) introduced the 12‐item consideration of future consequences scale to measure individual differences in the extent to which people base their decisions on the immediate versus future consequences of their actions. After tracing the origin and development of the CFC construct, theoretical models, including the awareness and concern models, buffering and susceptibility models, and an integrative model of CFC are outlined. Next, a narrative review of work examining the role of CFC within several outcome domains is presented, including research in the areas of health, financial, work, ethical, and environmental behaviors and decision‐making. Measurement issues including the dimensionality of the scale and adaptation to specific domains (e.g., healthy eating) are subsequently considered, and eight directions for future research are discussed.
Führt Polarisierung zu politischem Engagement?
Authors: Kleiner Tuuli‐Marja
Published: April 2016

Politische Partizipation wird von Kontextfaktoren mitbestimmt. Die ideologische Polarisierung ist ein solcher Faktor. Während sich die Wahlforschung mit dem Einfluss von Elitenpolarisierung auf das individuelle Wahlverhalten beschäftigt, ist bislang nichts über den Einfluss der ideologischen Polarisierung der Bevölkerung auf das nicht‐elektorale Partizipationsverhalten der Bürger bekannt. In diesem Beitrag wird daher danach gefragt, in welchem Zusammenhang die nicht‐elektorale Partizipation von Individuen mit dem Ausmaß an ideologischer Polarisierung ihrer regionalen sozialen Umwelt steht. Vermutet wird, dass wachsende ideologische Polarisierung die Bürger mobilisiert. Mit Daten des European Social Survey (2002–2012) lässt sich ein solcher Effekt zeigen. Dabei werden zwei neue Vorschläge zur Messung ideologischer Polarisierung gemacht. Anschließend wird die allgemeine Annahme spezifiziert und die These aufgestellt, dass ideologische Polarisierung besonders auf politisch bereits sensibilisierte Bevölkerungsgruppen wie ein Mobilisierungsverstärker wirkt. Zum Teil bestätigen die folgenden Analysen diese Annahme. Insgesamt legen die Ergebnisse die Schlussfolgerung nahe, dass sich das Ausmaß an ideologischer Polarisierung auf das Partizipationsverhalten der Individuen ungleich auswirkt.
Which adherence measure – self‐report, clinician recorded or pharmacy refill – is best able to predict detectable viral load in a public ART programme without routine plasma viral load monitoring?
Authors: Mekuria Legese A. , Prins Jan M. , Yalew Alemayehu W. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Nieuwkerk Pythia T.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) suppresses viral replication to an undetectable level if a sufficiently high level of adherence is achieved. We investigated which adherence measurement best distinguishes between patients with and without detectable viral load in a public ART programme without routine plasma viral load monitoring.

Method

We randomly selected 870 patients who started cART between May 2009 and April 2012 in 10 healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Six hundred and sixty‐four (76.3%) patients who were retained in HIV care and were receiving cART for at least 6 months were included and 642 had their plasma HIV‐1 RNA concentration measured. Patients' adherence to cART was assessed according to self‐report, clinician recorded and pharmacy refill measures. Multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify the predictors of detectable viremia. Model accuracy was evaluated by computing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Result

A total of 9.2% and 5.5% of the 642 patients had a detectable viral load of ≥40 and ≥400 RNA copies/ml, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, younger age, lower CD4 cell count at cART initiation, being illiterate and widowed, and each of the adherence measures were significantly and independently predictive of having ≥400 RNA copies/ml. The ROC curve showed that these variables altogether had a likelihood of more than 80% to distinguish patients with a plasma viral load of ≥400 RNA copies/ml from those without.

Conclusion

Adherence to cART was remarkably high. Self‐report, clinician recorded and pharmacy refill non‐adherence were all significantly predictive of detectable viremia. The choice for one of these methods to detect non‐adherence and predict a detectable viral load can therefore be based on what is most practical in a particular setting.
Socio‐economic differences in HIV/AIDS mortality in South Africa
Authors: Probst Charlotte , Parry Charles D. H. , Rehm Jürgen
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To quantify socio‐economic differences in the risk of HIV/AIDS mortality in South Africa for different measures of socio‐economic status.

Methods

Systematic literature search in Web of Knowledge and PubMed. Measures of relative risk (RR) were pooled separately for education, income, assets score and employment status as measures of socio‐economic status, using inverse‐variance weighted DerSimonian‐Laird random effects meta‐analyses.

Results

Ten studies were eligible for inclusion comprising over 175 000 participants and 6700 deaths. For income (RR 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–2.09), assets score (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12–2.36) and employment status (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.92), persons of low socio‐economic status had an over 50% higher risk of dying from HIV/AIDS. The RR of 1.10 for education was not significant (95% CI 0.74–1.65).

Conclusions

Future research should identify effective strategies to reduce HIV/AIDS mortality and alleviate the consequences of HIV/AIDS deaths, particularly for poorer households.
Maternal obesity and Caesarean delivery in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Cresswell Jenny A. , Campbell Oona M. R. , De Silva Mary J. , Slaymaker Emma , Filippi Veronique
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To quantify maternal obesity as a risk factor for Caesarean delivery in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

Multivariable logistic regression analysis using 31 nationally representative cross‐sectional data sets from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).

Results

Maternal obesity was a risk factor for Caesarean delivery in sub‐Saharan Africa; a clear dose–response relationship (where the magnitude of the association increased with increasing BMI) was observable. Compared to women of optimal weight, overweight women (BMI 25–29 kg/m2) were significantly more likely to deliver by Caesarean (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.33, 1.78), as were obese women (30–34.9 kg/m2 (OR: 2.39; 95%CI: 1.96–2.90); 35–39.9 kg/m2 (OR: 2.47 95%CI: 1.78–3.43)) and morbidly obese women (BMI ≥40 kg/m2 OR: 3.85; 95% CI: 2.46–6.00).

Conclusions

BMI is projected to rise substantially in sub‐Saharan Africa over the next few decades and demand for Caesarean sections already exceeds available capacity. Overweight women should be advised to lose weight prior to pregnancy. Furthermore, culturally appropriate prevention strategies to discourage further population‐level rises in BMI need to be designed and implemented.
New Frontiers in Language Evolution and Development
Authors: Oller D. Kimbrough , Dale Rick , Griebel Ulrike
Published: April 2016

This article introduces the Special Issue and its focus on research in language evolution with emphasis on theory as well as computational and robotic modeling. A key theme is based on the growth of evolutionary developmental biology or evo‐devo. The Special Issue consists of 13 articles organized in two sections: A) Theoretical foundations and B) Modeling and simulation studies. All the papers are interdisciplinary in nature, encompassing work in biological and linguistic foundations for the study of language evolution as well as a variety of computational and robotic modeling efforts shedding light on how language may be developed and may have evolved.
P‐class pentatricopeptide repeat protein PTSF1 is required for splicing of the plastid pre‐tRNAIle in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Goto Seiya , Kawaguchi Yasuhiro , Sugita Chieko , Ichinose Mizuho , Sugita Mamoru
Published: April 2016

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are widely distributed in eukaryotes and are mostly localized in mitochondria or plastids. PPR proteins play essential roles in various RNA processing steps in organelles; however, the function of the majority of PPR proteins remains unknown. To examine the function of plastid PPR proteins, PpPPR_4 gene knock‐out mutants were characterized in Physcomitrella patens. The knock‐out mosses displayed severe growth retardation and reduced effective quantum yield of photosystem II. Immunoblot analysis showed that knock‐out of PpPPR_4 resulted in a strongly reduced level of plastid‐encoded proteins, such as photosystem II reaction center protein D1, the β subunit of ATP synthase, and the stromal enzyme, Rubisco. To further investigate whether knock‐out of the PpPPR_4 gene affects plastid gene expression, we analyzed steady‐state transcript levels of protein‐ and rRNA‐coding genes by quantitative RT‐PCR. This analysis showed that the level of many protein‐coding transcripts increased in the mutants. In contrast, splicing of a spacer tRNAIle precursor encoded by the rrn operon was specifically impaired in the mutants, whereas the accumulation of other plastid tRNAs and rRNAs was not largely affected. Thus, the defect in tRNAIle splicing leads to a considerable reduction of mature tRNAIle, which may be accountable for the reduced protein level. An RNA mobility shift assay showed that the recombinant PpPPR_4 bound preferentially to domain III of the tRNAIle group‐II intron. These results provide evidence that PpPPR_4 functions in RNA splicing of the tRNAIle intron, and hence PpPPR_4 was named plastid tRNA splicing factor 1 (PTSF1).
The effects of topical diclofenac, topical flurbiprofen, and humidity on corneal sensitivity in normal dogs
Authors: Dorbandt Daniel M. , Labelle Amber L. , Mitchell Mark A. , Hamor Ralph E.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To determine the immediate and chronic effects of topical 0.1% diclofenac and 0.03% flurbiprofen on corneal sensitivity in normal canine eyes.

Animals studied

Eighteen normal, nonbrachycephalic dogs.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, masked, crossover study was performed. To determine the immediate effects associated with treatment, the study drug was instilled into the eye every 5 min for five doses, and corneal sensitivity of treated and untreated eyes was obtained prior to treatment and every 15 min post‐treatment for 60 min. To determine the chronic effects, the study drug was instilled every 12 h for 30 days, and corneal sensitivity of treated and untreated eyes was obtained prior to treatment on days 0 and 30. A washout period of at least 30 days occurred between drug crossover. Ambient temperature and humidity were measured throughout the study.

Results

After multiple instillations, there was no difference in corneal sensitivity between eyes over time for diclofenac (P = 0.67) or flurbiprofen (P = 0.54), with a median sensitivity of 25 mm (1.8 g/mm2). After chronic dosing, there was no difference in corneal sensitivity between eyes over time for diclofenac (P = 0.82) or flurbiprofen (P = 0.56), with a median sensitivity of 35 mm (1.0 g/mm2). Decreasing ambient humidity was associated with an increase in sensitivity measurements (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Neither diclofenac nor flurbiprofen had an effect on corneal sensitivity after multiple‐drops or twice‐daily dosing for 30 days. Ambient humidity may have an effect on corneal sensitivity measurements, with a longer filament length eliciting a blink response at lower humidity.
Arthroscopic Removal of Large Extensor Process Fragments in 18 Friesian Horses: Long‐Term Clinical Outcome and Radiological Follow‐Up of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint
Authors: Compagnie Ellen , ter Braake Frerik , de Heer Natascha , Back Willem
Published: April 2016

Objective

Report long‐term clinical and radiological follow‐up in horses after removal of large extensor process fragments occupying >25% of the joint surface of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals: Friesian horses (n=18) that underwent arthroscopic removal of a large extensor process fragment.

Methods

Arthroscopic examination of the DIJ was performed in dorsal recumbency with the affected foot in extension using routine portals. Visualization of the fragment was improved using motorized synovial resectors. A dissection plane between the common digital extensor tendon and the extensor process fragment was created using sharp lever instruments, in some cases aided by motorized burrs and radiofrequency ligament dissection. The fragment was removed piecemeal using Ferris‐Smith rongeurs. Medical records, preoperative and postoperative radiographs, and owner surveys were reviewed for case details and outcome.

Results

The technique described allowed removal of the large fragment in all 18 horses. Of the 17 horses where long‐term clinical follow‐up was available, 14 were used as intended and 3 kept some degree of lameness. The angle between the remodeled extensor process and the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx was increased and subchondral bone remodeling at the fragment bed was noted on postoperative lateromedial radiographs.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic removal is a good treatment option for horses with large extensor process fragmentation with a good long‐term outcome. Remodeling of the remaining extensor process and the subchondral new bone formation in the fragment bed can occur with functional recovery.
Systematic Review of Outcome Measures Reported in Clinical Canine Osteoarthritis Research
Authors: Belshaw Zoe , Asher Lucy , Dean Rachel S.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To record and categorize the outcome measures used in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) by systematically reviewing the peer reviewed publications on OA in dogs.

Study Design

Systematic literature review.

Study Population

Peer reviewed literature on canine OA.

Methods

A computer‐based bibliographic search was performed on PubMed and CAB Abstracts in August 2013 to find peer reviewed publications relevant to canine OA. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The outcome measures reported within each publication were recorded and categorized for comparison. Adequately described outcome measures were assessed for uniqueness and evidence of prior validation.

Results

Of 3,697 publications identified and screened, 117 were deemed eligible for inclusion. Within eligible publications, outcome measures were used 618 times (median of 4 outcome measures per publication). Outcomes measured were divided into 5 groups containing 65 categories. The most frequently assessed outcomes were lameness assessment with no stated gait/mixed gaits (66 outcomes), radiography (58), and lameness single gait/lateral motion (55). Of 618 outcome measures reported, 491 were assessed for uniqueness and 348 (71%) were unique to a single publication. Ten outcome measures were reported to have been validated.

Conclusion

Many outcome measures have been used to assess canine OA. There is no consensus on which are the most useful outcomes or by which method they should be assessed. There is a pressing need for agreement on outcomes reporting in canine OA and for validation of outcome measures used for these assessments. Until consensus is reached, we recommend at least one validated outcome measure be used in every clinical study.
Response of Sorghum halepense demographic processes to plant density and rimsulfuron dose in maize
Authors: Barroso J , Maxwell B D , Dorado J , Andújar D , San Martín C , Fernández‐Quintanilla C
Published: April 2016

In spatially heterogeneous weed infestations, variable dose technologies could be used to minimise herbicide use; high doses could be applied to reduce high‐density patches and low doses to maintain weed populations in low‐density portions of a field. To assess the potential short‐ and long‐term effects of variable herbicide dose and site‐specific management, the major weed demographic processes were described and parameterised in this study. Various doses of rimsulfuron (from 0 to 12.5 g a.i. ha−1) were applied to different densities of Sorghum halepense (0–100 plants m−2). Contrary to similar studies with other weed species, higher herbicide efficacy was not observed at low densities, suggesting that the same rimsulfuron dose should be applied regardless of the S. halepense density. The highest percentage of control was obtained with the full rimsulfuron dose. However, it did not guarantee a decrease of the infestation in the following season in the field areas where the initial S. halepense density was lower than 60 plants m−2. Reduced doses of rimsulfuron to control S. halepense cannot be recommended based on our results.
Thermal Response of Multi-Microchannel Evaporators During Flow Boiling of Refrigerants Under Transient Heat Loads With Flow Visualization
Authors: Huang Houxue , Borhani Navid , Richard Thome John
Published: April 2016

Multi-microchannel evaporators with flow boiling, used for cooling high heat flux devices, usually experience transient heat loads in practical applications. These transient processes may cause failure of devices due to a thermal excursion or poor local cooling or dryout. However, experimental studies on such transient thermal behavior of multi-microchannel evaporators during flow boiling are few. Thus, an extensive experimental study was conducted to investigate the base temperature response of multi-microchannel evaporators under transient heat loads, including cold startups and periodic step variations in heat flux using two different test sections and two coolants (R236fa and R245fa) for a wide variety of flow conditions. The effects on the base temperature behavior of the test section, heat flux magnitude, mass flux, inlet subcooling, outlet saturation temperature, and fluid were investigated. The transient base temperature response, monitored by an infrared (IR) camera, was recorded simultaneously with the flow regime acquired by a high-speed video camera. For cold startups, it was found that reducing the inlet orifice width, heat flux magnitude, inlet subcooling, and outlet saturation temperature but increasing the mass flux decreased the maximum base temperature. Meanwhile, the time required to initiate boiling increased with the inlet orifice width, mass flux, inlet subcooling, and outlet saturation temperature but decreased with the heat flux magnitude. For periodic variations in heat flux, the resulting base temperature was found to oscillate and then damp out along the flow direction. Furthermore, the effects of mass flux and heat flux pulsation period were insignificant.