bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where does the Fair Trade price premium go? Confronting consumers' request with reality
Authors: Langen Nina , Adenaeuer Lucie
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– An important characteristic of Fair Trade products is that a fair price is paid to the producer. At the same time the Fair Trade system is accused of being inefficient with respect to the distribution of the price premium paid by consumers along the supply chain. This study aims to focus in particular on consumers' perceptions of fair pricing. Besides, the paper seeks to assess the extent to which consumers' expectations are somehow anchored in or in accordance with reality in Germany in 2007.

Design/methodology/approach

– To get insights into German consumers' perception of Fair Trade a consumer survey based on face-to-face interviews withn=484 participants was conducted in 2008. To approach the profit distribution along the Fair Trade coffee chain a web-based market investigation was performed.

Findings

– One important result is that most of the consumers actually narrow Fair Trade down to the issue of paying fair prices to farmers. The comparison of the efficiency of the Fair Trade system that is requested by the study participants (measured as the share of an additional euro paid for a Fair Trade product) and the point of sale calculations (revealing the percentage of the retail price going to the producer) indicates that for 60 percent of the respondents a calculated share of 50 percent reaching the producer would not be high enough. Results reveal that 10 percent of the respondents require a minimum share of 90 percent of the retail price to reach the producer. A total of 23 percent are satisfied with 80 percent; 60 percent of the respondents want that more than 50 percent of an additional euro spent reaches the producer. Only 4 percent of the participants are willing to accept an efficiency of less than 20 percent.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper not only investigating how much of the price premium paid by consumers reaches the Fair Trade producers but also delivering insights regarding how much of the price premium paid in the retail store for Fair Trade coffee consumers do request to reach the Fair Trade producer.
The management revolution's growing army of rebel voices
Authors: Denning Stephen
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The author adds six books to a cannon of books that together delineate the emerging practice and theory of radical management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author identifies the mismatch between modern business' need to achieve continuous innovation in product development and service delivery and traditional, hierarchical management.

Findings

– The paradigm shift to radical management involves not merely the application of new technology or a simple set of fixes or adjustments to hierarchical bureaucracy. It means basic change in the way people think, talk and act in the workplace–including changes in attitudes, values, habits and beliefs.

Practical implications

– This masterclass shows how the paradigm shift in leadership and management can generate dramatic reductions in cost, size, and time, and improvements in convenience, reliability and personalization, of products and services.

Originality/value

– This masterclass defines the principles authors need to follow to successfully prescribe useful approaches and best practices for surviving and thriving the management revolution in the creative economy.
Direct and indirect effects of tree canopy facilitation in the recruitment of Mediterranean oaks
Authors: Caldeira Maria C. , Ibáñez Inés , Nogueira Carla , Bugalho Miguel N. , Lecomte Xavier , Moreira Andreia , Pereira João S.
Published: October 2013

Tree recruitment in Mediterranean ecosystems is strongly limited at the seedling stage by drought. Increasing evidence shows the critical positive role of the canopy nurse effect on seedling survival which results from direct and indirect, positive and negative interactions between species.

Most studies, however, have only focused on the effects of tree canopy on water and light, ignoring other critical factors affecting seedling regeneration, such as canopy effects on high temperatures and the competing herb biomass.

Here, we evaluate how tree canopy cover and removal of herbs affect the survival and growth of seedlings of two dominant Mediterranean Quercus species during a 3‐year study. We use an integrated model that combines several data sets to quantify and predict regeneration dynamics along environmental gradients of soil moisture, temperature and light.

Low soil moisture, increased soil temperature and herb biomass negatively affected seedling survival of both Quercus species. Seedling growth was positively associated with increasing soil moisture and light.

Although tree canopy cover directly facilitated seedling survival in both Quercus species, it also negatively affected herb biomass and thus indirectly facilitated the survival of Quercus suber, but not of Quercus ilex seedlings at low levels of soil moisture.

Overall, tree canopies increased seedling survival but not growth during the establishment phase, mainly by ameliorating the effects of low soil moisture and high temperatures. Tree canopy indirectly facilitated survival of Q. suber seedlings by negatively affecting the competing herb layer.

Synthesis and applications. To improve tree recruitment and conserve Mediterranean Quercus woodlands, the removal of herbs should be integrated into management plans for dry habitats. Interactions between abiotic and biotic factors may also effect the regeneration of these tree species. In particular, a healthy tree canopy will become important for providing conditions to facilitate seedling establishment if these habitats become drier and warmer, as predicted by some climate change scenarios.
Boundaries of Middle-Class Identities in Turkey
Authors: Hazır Irmak Karademir
Published: October 2013

The aim of this paper is to provide an analytical account of the diversity within middle-class identities in Turkey by drawing on an inductive and interview-based investigation of boundary-making processes. Inspired by Lamont's framework, it explores the nature and content of drawn symbolic boundaries and relates the causes of the observed variations to the rapid changes in Turkey's socio-economic structure. The research challenges the homogeneous and strictly hierarchical reading of class/cultural distinctions as it demonstrates the existence of horizontal tensions and culturally inclusive middle-class repertoires. The analysis unpacks the material basis of differentiation and highlights the most significant factors in strengthening or weakening cultural boundaries in the Turkish case: mobility profiles into middle-class positions, composition of overall capital and the sector of employment. The paper contributes both to the growing interest in divergent manifestations of class distinction in non-Euro-American national contexts and to our understanding of middle-class cultures in Turkey.
HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS Analysis of Phenolic Compounds During Ripening in Exocarp and Mesocarp of Tomato Fruit
Authors: Carrillo‐López Armando , Yahia Elhadi
Published: October 2013

Identification of phenolic compounds was done by means of liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) using the electrospray ionization interface (ESI). Quantification of phenolic compounds was carried out by using HPLC with diode array detector (DAD) in exocarp and mesocarp of tomato fruit at 6 different ripeness stages (mature‐green, breakers, turning, pink, light‐red, and red). Several phenolic compounds were identified including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and rutin and some combined phenolic acids were tentatively identified, mainly glycosides, such as caffeoyl hexose I, caffeoyl hexose II, caffeoylquinic acid isomer, dicaffeoylquinic acid, p‐coumaroyl hexose I, p‐coumaroyl hexose II, feruloyl hexose I, feruloyl hexose II, siringyl hexose, and caffeoyl deoxyhexose hexose. Fruit exocarp had higher quantities of total soluble phenolics (TSP) compared to mesocarp. During ripening, TSP increased in both exocarp and mesocarp, mainly in exocarp. While rutin increased, chlorogenic acid decreased in both tissues: exocarp and mesocarp.
Mutagenicity of Edible Palm Oil on the Ghanaian Market before and after Repeated Heating
Authors: Asare George A. , Okyere Genevieve O. , Asante Matilda , Brown Charles A. , Santa Sheila , Asiedu Bernice
Published: October 2013

Red palm oil produced in Ghana largely by village folks has never been tested for its mutagenic potential. The study aimed at determining the mutagenicity of high‐energy heated red palm oil (RRPO) and refined, bleached imported palm oil (PO) on the Ghanaian market. Samples of RRPO and PO were 1× and 5× heated for 10 min at 180 °C with a cooling period of 5 h in‐between. Unheated, together with heated samples, were tested for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 tester stains. Unheated PO was negative for the Ames mutagenicity test with TA 98 strain. However, 1× and 5× heated PO were mutagenic (P = 0.05, each). Testing PO, using TA 100 strain was negative. RRPO was mutagenic with TA 98 strain for heated oils (P = 0.05, each). Assays with TA 100 strain showed highly significant mutations (P = 0.001, each) that increased with increasing heating frequency. PO 1× and 5× heated samples caused significant frameshift mutation in the S. typhimurium TA 98 strain. RRPO caused highly significant point and frameshift mutations in heated samples. Furthermore, unheated RRPO mutagenic potential has serious health implications.
Part 2: MRI of hypervascular focal liver lesions using liver specific contrast agents
Authors: Sutherland Tom , Seale Melanie , Yap Kelvin
Published: October 2013

Hypervascular liver lesions are frequently encountered and can be characterised by using hepatobiliary contrast agents at MRI examinations. The imaging characteristics of a variety of hypervascular liver lesions are presented with an emphasis on differentiating features.
Characterization and high cross‐species transferability of microsatellite markers from the floral transcriptome of Aspidistra saxicola (Asparagaceae)
Authors: Huang Danni , Zhang Yiqing , Jin Mingda , Li Hankun , Song Zhiping , Wang Yuguo , Chen Jiakuan
Published: October 2013

Recent studies utilizing transcriptome sequences generated by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have demonstrated the ability to rapidly detect and characterize thousands of gene‐based microsatellites from different plants. However, these simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were seldom used directly to test interspecific transferability in the populations of closely related species. Aspidistra Ker‐Gawl. is a monocot genus with high species richness and diversity in flower structure, but its fresh floral materials are not easy to obtain. Until now, little is known about genetic background in the species of Aspidistra, quite apart from the fearful reduction of their natural habitats. In this study, the floral transcriptome of Aspidistra saxicola was obtained using NGS. Based on these data, a total of 5527 SSRs were identified in the unigenes. Among these SSRs, the proportions of di‐ and tri‐nucleotide repeats were quite close (49.6% verse 46.8%), and the most tri‐nucleotide repeats were AGG/CCT followed by AAG/CTT and AGC/GCT in A. saxicola, showing distinct differences with other angiosperm species. To assess genetic diversity in the species of Aspidistra, 48 SSR loci were tested in four available populations of A. elatior. The results revealed that more than a third of the loci were polymorphic. The majority of these primers could be amplified in 24 species representing the main clades of Aspidistra. The primer subsets from transcriptome data proved highly useful for detecting polymorphisms in the related species, supporting the finding that NGS is an efficient approach to molecular marker development at both intra‐ and interspecies levels, especially in endangered nonmodel species.
Calculating the ecological impacts of animal‐borne instruments on aquatic organisms
Authors: Todd Jones T. , Van Houtan Kyle S. , Bostrom Brian L. , Ostafichuk Peter , Mikkelsen Jon , Tezcan Emre , Carey Michael , Imlach Brittany , Seminoff Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2013

Animal‐borne instruments provide researchers with valuable data to address important questions on wildlife ecology and conservation. However, these devices have known impacts on animal behaviour and energetics. Tags deployed on migrating animals may reduce reproductive output through increased energy demands or cause phenological mismatches of foraging and nesting events. For marine organisms, the only tagging guidelines that exist are based on lift and thrust impacts on birds – concepts that do not translate well to aquatic animals. Herein, we provide guidelines on assessing drag from animal‐borne instruments and discuss the ecological impacts on marine organisms. Of particular concern is the effect of drag from instruments to the welfare of the animals and for the applicability of collected data to wild populations.

To help understand how drag from electronic tags affects marine animals in the wild, we used marine turtles as model aquatic organisms and conducted wind tunnel experiments to measure the fluid drag of various marine turtle body types with and without commercially available electronic tags (e.g. satellite, TDR, video cameras). We quantified the drag associated with carrying biotelemetry devices of varying frontal area and design (squared or tear drop shaped) and generated contour plots depicting percentage drag increase as a framework for evaluating tag drag by scientists and wildlife managers. Then, using concepts of fluid dynamics, we derived a universal equation estimating drag impacts from instruments across marine taxa.

The drag of the marine turtle casts was measured in wind speeds from 2 to 30 m s−1 (Re 3·0 × 104–1·9 × 106), equivalent to 0·1–1·9 m s−1 in seawater. The drag coefficient (CD) of the marine turtles ranged from 0·11 to 0·22, which is typical of other large, air‐breathing, marine vertebrates (0·08–0·26). The CD of tags in reference to the turtle casts was 0·91 ± 0·18 and most tags caused minimal additional drag (<5%) to adult animals, but the same devices increased the drag for juveniles significantly (>100%). The sensitivity of aquatic animals to instrument drag is a dynamic relationship between the fluid flow patterns, or CD, and the frontal area ratio of the animal and tag.

In this paper, we have outlined methods for quantifying the drag costs from animal‐borne instrumentation considering the instrument retention time (time to release from the animal) and the activity of the instrumented animal. With this valuable tool, researchers can quantify the drag costs from animal‐borne instrumentation and choose appropriate tags for their intended study organism and question. Reducing drag will ultimately reduce the impact on the instrumented animals and lead to greater biological realism in the collected data.
Prognostic molecular markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in a New Zealand population: matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and sialyl Lewis x antigen
Authors: Gunawardena Indunil , Arendse Michael , Jameson Michael B. , Plank Lindsay D. , Gregor R. Theo
Published: October 2013

Objective

The survival rate for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the lowest of the major cancers and has not substantially improved in the past two decades. Tumours with similar histological features may have widely differing clinical outcomes and thus identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers may be valuable for determining appropriate clinical management strategies. The objective of this study was to establish the prognostic significance of six molecular markers in HNSCC in a New Zealand population: matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP‐2, MMP‐9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1, sialyl Lewis antigens a and x (sLea, sLex) and alpha B‐crystallin.

Methods

Retrospective review of 145 sequential HNSCC patients from a tertiary centre with minimum 3 years surveillance. Sections from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumour blocks were immunostained for the molecular markers and scored. Cox regression modelling was used to adjust for potential confounding variables impacting on cancer survival.

Results

Multivariate analysis for individual biomarkers, controlling for age, sex, tumour grade, N‐stage, T‐stage, tumour site, smoking history and alcohol use, revealed poorer survival with tumour expression of MMP‐2 (hazard ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.11–3.52, P = 0.021) and sLex (hazard ratio = 3.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–7.80, P = 0.010). A stepwise analysis showed that MMP‐2 and sLex were independently prognostic after covariate adjustment.

Conclusions

MMP‐2 and sLex were negative prognostic markers for survival in these HNSCC patients. This offers opportunities for clinical trials to reduce the risk of nodal and distant metastases through blocking tumour cell adhesion to endothelium.
Minimally Invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation After Cardiac Recovery: Surgical Technical Considerations
Authors: Schmitto Jan D. , Rojas Sebastian V. , Hanke Jasmin S. , Avsar Murat , Haverich Axel
Published: October 2013

The new generation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has enabled minimally invasive surgical procedures for implantation. Herein we present two alternative approaches for minimally invasive LVAD explantation following cardiac recovery, avoiding a sternotomy and improving patient safety.
The influence of cannabinoids on generic traits of neurodegeneration
Authors: Fagan S G , Campbell V A
Published: October 2013

In an increasingly ageing population, the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease are rising. While the aetiologies of these disorders are different, a number of common mechanisms that underlie their neurodegenerative components have been elucidated; namely neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced trophic support. Current therapies focus on treatment of the symptoms and attempt to delay the progression of these diseases but there is currently no cure. Modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system is emerging as a potentially viable option in the treatment of neurodegeneration. Endocannabinoid signalling has been found to be altered in many neurodegenerative disorders. To this end, pharmacological manipulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system, as well as application of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids have been investigated. Signalling from the CB1 and CB2 receptors are known to be involved in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis, mitochondrial function, trophic support and inflammatory status, respectively, while other receptors gated by cannabinoids such as PPARγ, are gaining interest in their anti‐inflammatory properties. Through multiple lines of evidence, this evolutionarily conserved neurosignalling system has shown neuroprotective capabilities and is therefore a potential target for neurodegenerative disorders. This review details the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and highlights the beneficial effects of cannabinoid treatment.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐6
Short‐term exposure to oleandrin enhances responses to IL‐8 by increasing cell surface IL‐8 receptors
Authors: Raviprakash Nune , Manna Sunil Kumar
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose

One of the first steps in host defence is the migration of leukocytes. IL‐8 and its receptors are a chemokine system essential to such migration. Up‐regulation of these receptors would be a viable strategy to treat dysfunctional host defence. Here, we studied the effects of the plant glycoside oleandrin on responses to IL‐8 in a human monocytic cell line.

Experimental Approach

U937 cells were incubated with oleandrin (1‐200 ng mL−1) for either 1 h (pulse) or for 24 h (non‐pulse). Apoptosis; activation of NF‐κB, AP‐1 and NFAT; calcineurin activity and IL‐8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) were measured using Western blotting, RT‐PCR and reporter gene assays.

Key Results

Pulse exposure to oleandrin did not induce apoptosis or cytoxicity as observed after non‐pulse exposure. Pulse exposure enhanced activation of NF‐κB induced by IL‐8 but not that induced by TNF‐α, IL‐1, EGF or LPS. Exposure to other apoptosis‐inducing compounds (azadirachtin, resveratrol, thiadiazolidine, or benzofuran) did not enhance activation of NF‐κB. Pulse exposure to oleandrin increased expression of IL‐8 receptors and chemotaxis, release of enzymes and activation of NF‐κB, NFAT and AP‐1 along with increased IL‐8‐mediated calcineurin activation, and wound healing. Pulse exposure increased numbers of cell surface IL‐8 receptors.

Conclusions and Implications

Short‐term (1 h; pulse) exposure to a toxic glycoside oleandrin, enhanced biological responses to IL‐8 in monocytic cells, without cytoxicity. Pulse exposure to oleandrin could provide a viable therapy for those conditions where leukocyte migration is defective.
Comparison of two commonly used reference materials for exercise bicycle tests with a Swedish clinical database of patients with normal outcome
Authors: Brudin L. , Jorfeldt L. , Pahlm O.
Published: October 2013

Background

Reference values for working capacity, blood pressure, heart rate, perceived exertion, etc. during bicycle exercise tests have been sought after for many years. This is because earlier commonly used reference values for physical work capacity have been either too low or too high when compared to the clinical experience of several Swedish departments of clinical physiology. The aim of the study was to compare two commonly used reference materials with normal outcomes from a clinical database.

Methods

Data from a clinical database of standardized exercise tests in Kalmar, Sweden, between 2004 and 2012, and having been judged as normal, were divided into 5‐year categories of 5–10 to 75–80 years of age covering people from 7 to 80 years of age.

Results

Maximal working capacity (Wmax), maximal heart rate, maximal systolic blood pressure and maximal perceived exertion are presented for each of the 15 age categories. Regression equations are also presented for each sex with age and height as independent predictors. Quantitative comparisons of Wmax are calculated for the three materials and possible explanations discussed.

Conclusions

Values of Wmax lie between the two reference materials most commonly used in Sweden. In addition, the present material covers subjects aged 7–19 years.
Depressive symptoms linked to 1‐h plasma glucose concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test in men and women with the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Birnbaum‐Weitzman O. , Goldberg R. , Hurwitz B. E. , Llabre M. M. , Gellman M. D. , Gutt M. , McCalla J. R. , Mendez A. J. , Schneiderman N.
Published: October 2013

Aims

The addition of the 1‐h plasma glucose concentration measure from an oral glucose tolerance test to prediction models of future Type 2 diabetes has shown to significantly strengthen their predictive power. The present study examined the relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and hyperglycaemia, focusing on the 1‐h glucose concentration vs. fasting and 2‐h glucose measures from the oral glucose tolerance test.

Methods

Participants included 140 adults with the metabolic syndrome and without diabetes who completed a baseline psychobiological assessment and a 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test, with measurements taken every 30 min. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

Multivariate linear regression revealed that higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of 1‐h plasma glucose concentrations after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, antidepressant use and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein. Results were maintained after controlling for fasting glucose as well as for indices of insulin resistance and secretion. Neither fasting nor 2‐h plasma glucose concentrations were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Elevated depressive symptoms in persons with the metabolic syndrome were associated with greater glycaemic excursion 1‐h following a glucose load that was not accounted for by differences in insulin secretory function or insulin sensitivity. Consistent with previous findings, this study highlights the value of the 1‐h plasma glucose measurement from the oral glucose tolerance test in the relation between depressive symptoms and glucose metabolism as an indicator of metabolic abnormalities not visible when focusing on fasting and 2‐h post‐oral glucose tolerance test measurements alone.
A plastic shakedown constitutive curve based on uniaxial ratcheting behavior of 304 stainless steel at room temperature
Authors: Jiang G. , Sun L. , Liu Y. , Chen G.
Published: October 2013

On the basis of the Bauschinger effect, a relationship between the elastic space defined in this study and the accumulated plastic strain is measured in uniaxial ratcheting tests of 304 stainless steel at room temperature. According to this relationship, a new model of uniaxial ratcheting is established and used to simulate uniaxial ratcheting behavior. The results of simulation agree well with the experimental results. These results demonstrate that the relationship between the elastic space and the accumulated plastic strain plays an important role in uniaxial ratcheting simulation. Furthermore, by taking into account the interaction of ratcheting and viscoplasticity, the relationships among elastic space, accumulated plastic strain and loading cases are discussed. It can be seen that, when the stress ratio R of valley stress versus peak stress is not less than zero, the accumulated plastic strain is a function of the peak stress. So, a constitutive curve is obtained to describe the stable states of plastic shakedown for 304 stainless steel material under the stress ratio R ≥ 0. It can be used to determine the accumulated plastic strain of engineering structures under cyclic loading only by an elastic–plastic analysis.
Circumpolar assessment of permafrost C quality and its vulnerability over time using long‐term incubation data
Authors: Schädel Christina , Schuur Edward A. G. , Bracho Rosvel , Elberling Bo , Knoblauch Christian , Lee Hanna , Luo Yiqi , Shaver Gaius R. , Turetsky Merritt R.
Published: October 2013

High‐latitude ecosystems store approximately 1700 Pg of soil carbon (C), which is twice as much C as is currently contained in the atmosphere. Permafrost thaw and subsequent microbial decomposition of permafrost organic matter could add large amounts of C to the atmosphere, thereby influencing the global C cycle. The rates at which C is being released from the permafrost zone at different soil depths and across different physiographic regions are poorly understood but crucial in understanding future changes in permafrost C storage with climate change. We assessed the inherent decomposability of C from the permafrost zone by assembling a database of long‐term (>1 year) aerobic soil incubations from 121 individual samples from 23 high‐latitude ecosystems located across the northern circumpolar permafrost zone. Using a three‐pool (i.e., fast, slow and passive) decomposition model, we estimated pool sizes for C fractions with different turnover times and their inherent decomposition rates using a reference temperature of 5 °C. Fast cycling C accounted for less than 5% of all C in both organic and mineral soils whereas the pool size of slow cycling C increased with C : N. Turnover time at 5 °C of fast cycling C typically was below 1 year, between 5 and 15 years for slow turning over C, and more than 500 years for passive C. We project that between 20 and 90% of the organic C could potentially be mineralized to CO2 within 50 incubation years at a constant temperature of 5 °C, with vulnerability to loss increasing in soils with higher C : N. These results demonstrate the variation in the vulnerability of C stored in permafrost soils based on inherent differences in organic matter decomposability, and point toward C : N as an index of decomposability that has the potential to be used to scale permafrost C loss across landscapes.
Antiretroviral treatment‐based cost saving interventions may offset expenses for new patients and earlier treatment start
Authors: Angeletti C , Pezzotti P , Antinori A , Mammone A , Navarra A , Orchi N , Lorenzini P , Mecozzi A , Ammassari A , Murachelli S , Ippolito G , Girardi E
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has become the main driver of total costs of caring for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). The present study estimated the short/medium‐term cost trends in response to the recent evolution of national guidelines and regional therapeutic protocols for cART in Italy.

Methods

We developed a deterministic mathematical model that was calibrated using epidemic data for Lazio, a region located in central Italy with about six million inhabitants.

Results

In the Base Case Scenario, the estimated number of PLHIV in the Lazio region increased over the period 2012–2016 from 14 414 to 17 179. Over the same period, the average projected annual cost for treating the HIV‐infected population was €147.0 million. An earlier cART initiation resulted in a rise of 2.3% in the average estimated annual cost, whereas an increase from 27% to 50% in the proportion of naïve subjects starting cART with a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based regimen resulted in a reduction of 0.3%. Simplification strategies based on NNRTIs co‐formulated in a single tablet regimen and protease inhibitor/ritonavir‐boosted monotherapy produced an overall reduction in average annual costs of 1.5%. A further average saving of 3.3% resulted from the introduction of generic antiretroviral drugs.

Conclusions

In the medium term, cost saving interventions could finance the increase in costs resulting from the inertial growth in the number of patients requiring treatment and from the earlier treatment initiation recommended in recent guidelines.
Gendered Prison Work: Female Prison Officers in the Local Prison System, 1877–1939
Authors: Johnston Helen
Published: October 2013

This article examines the working lives of female prison officers between 1877 and 1939. It documents a relatively under‐researched, but important, period in the history of women's imprisonment in England. In doing so it aims to uncover the working lives of female officers, the role and daily duties of officers, the development of training schools for female staff and to understand the ambiguous role of officers in the ‘reform’ of prisoners during these decades. The research contextualises the work of the female officer within the changing female prison estate and declining female prison population in this period and examines the ways in which gender and class combined in prison work.
Punish or Reform? Predicting Prison Staff Punitiveness
Authors: Kelly Dominic
Published: October 2013

Public views regarding the punishment of offenders have been extensively examined. Yet, the opinions of prison staff have been relatively less well documented, despite the clear implications of such views in officers' use of personal discretion on the job. The aim of the study was to assess the nature and sources of punitive attitudes among prison staff from a maximum‐security prison, using surveys. It was found that the most punitive staff members had less experience and minimal contact with prisoners. The least punitive staff were those with many years of service and whose work involved direct engagement in aspects of prisoner care and rehabilitation. The implications of these findings for the recruitment and training of prison staff are discussed.
Trace metal contents of three tricalcium silicate materials: MTA Angelus, Micro Mega MTA and Bioaggregate
Authors: Kum K. Y. , Kim E.‐C. , Yoo Y.‐J. , Zhu Q. , Safavi K. , Bae K. S. , Chang S. W.
Published: October 2013

Aim

To investigate the levels of nine metals [aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and molybdenum (Mo)] in MTA Angelus, Micro Mega MTA and Bioaggregate using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES).

Methodology

Each material (0.2 g) was digested using a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids and then filtered. The levels of nine metals in the resulting filtrates were measured by ICP‐OES. The results were statistically analysed using one‐way anova and the Bonferroni test.

Results

MTA Angelus contained more aluminium, beryllium and chromium than Micro Mega MTA (P < 0.05), whilst their levels of arsenic, cadmium and iron were similar. Antimony, lead and molybdenum were not detected in any of the three tested cements. Bioaggregate contained trace amounts of aluminium.

Conclusions

MTA Angelus and Micro Mega MTA contained small amounts of seven tested metal oxides. Bioaggregate only contained trace amounts of aluminium.
Primary over‐expression of AβPP in muscle does not lead to the development of inclusion body myositis in a new lineage of the MCK‐AβPP transgenic mouse
Authors: Luo Yue‐Bei , Johnsen Russell D. , Griffiths Lisa , Needham Merrilee , Fabian Victoria A. , Fletcher Sue , Wilton Steve D. , Mastaglia Frank L.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study is to determine whether primary over‐expression of AβPP in skeletal muscle results in the development of features of inclusion body myositis (IBM) in a new lineage of the MCK‐AβPP transgenic mouse. Quantitative histological, immunohistochemical and western blotting studies were performed on muscles from 3 to 18 month old transgenic and wild‐type C57BL6/SJL mice. Electron microscopy was also performed on muscle sections from selected animals. Although western blotting confirmed that there was over‐expression of full length AβPP in transgenic mouse muscles, deposition of amyloid‐β and fibrillar amyloid could not be demonstrated histochemically or with electron microscopy. Additionally, other changes typical of IBM such as rimmed vacuoles, cytochrome C oxidase‐deficient fibres, upregulation of MHC antigens, lymphocytic inflammatory infiltration and T cell fibre invasion were absent. The most prominent finding in both transgenic and wild‐type animals was the presence of tubular aggregates which was age‐related and largely restricted to male animals. Expression of full length AβPP in this MCK‐AβPP mouse lineage did not reach the levels required for immunodetection or deposition of amyloid‐β as in the original transgenic strains, and was not associated with the development of pathological features of IBM. These negative results emphasise the potential pitfalls of re‐deriving transgenic mouse strains in different laboratories.
Use of cone beam CT in children and young people in three United Kingdom dental hospitals
Authors: Hidalgo‐Rivas Jose Alejandro , Theodorakou Chrysoula , Carmichael Fiona , Murray Brenda , Payne Martin , Horner Keith
Published: October 2013

Background

There is limited evidence about the use of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) in paediatric dentistry. Appropriate use of CBCT is particularly important because of greater radiation risks in this age group.

Aim

To survey the use of CBCT in children and young people in three Dental Hospitals in the United Kingdom (UK), with special attention paid to aspects of justification and optimisation.

Design

Retrospective analysis of patient records over a 24‐month period, looking at CBCT examinations performed on subjects under 18 years of age. Clinical indications, region of interest, scan field of view (FoV), incidental findings and exposure factors used were recorded.

Results

There were 294 CBCT examinations performed in this age group, representing 13.7% of all scanned patients. CBCT was used more frequently in the >13 year age group. The most common use was for localisation of unerupted teeth in the anterior maxilla and the detection of root resorption. Optimisation of X‐ray exposures did not appear to be consistent.

Conclusions

When planning a CBCT service for children and young people, a limited FoV machine would be the appropriate choice for the majority of clinical requirements. It would facilitate clinical evaluation of scans, would limit the number of incidental findings and contribute to optimisation of radiation doses.
Improving agricultural economic efficiency in Brazil
Authors: Souza Geraldo da Silva e , Gomes Eliane Gonçalves
Published: October 2013

In this article, we use Brazilian census data (1995/1996 and 2006) to model agricultural production at the state level in Brazil. Cost‐efficiency measurements are computed using data envelopment analysis techniques, and the response is assessed via fractional regression. We examine the effects of time, geographic region, education, and investment in agricultural research on economic efficiency. We found that investment in agricultural research and regional dummies have a significant effect on efficiency measurements. On average, South and Southeast states are more efficient than other states. An increase in cost efficiency can be accomplished through investment in agricultural research.
Do Atrial Differences in Endothelial Damage, Leukocyte and Platelet Activation, or Tissue Factor Activity Contribute to Chamber‐Specific Thrombogenic Status in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?
Authors: JESEL LAURENCE , ARENTZ THOMAS , HERRERA‐SIKLODY CLAUDIA , TRENK DIETMAR , ZOBAIRI FATIHA , ABBAS MALAK , WEBER REINHOLD , MINNERS JAN , TOTI FLORENCE , MOREL OLIVIER
Published: October 2013

Atrial Differences in Endothelial Damage, Leukocyte and Platelet Activation

Background

Thrombi form mainly in the left rather than the right atria of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the reason of this predilection being unknown.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether atrial‐specific differences in endothelial damage, leukocyte activation, platelet stimulation, and tissue factor activity occur in patients with AF.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients (16 men, 6 women; age 56 ± 8 years; 16 paroxysmal AF, 6 persistent AF) with AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation were investigated. Blood samples from the left and the right atrium were obtained at the start of the procedure. Microparticles (MPs) released by apoptotic/stimulated cells were measured by capture assays. Their procoagulant abilities were quantified by functional prothrombinase and tissue factor assays and their cellular origin were determined (endothelium, platelet, leukocyte). Platelet reactivity was evaluated by whole blood flow cytometry for expression of platelet P‐selectin (CD62P), active glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor (PAC‐1). Platelet aggregation was evaluated using ADP, TRAP and collagen‐induced whole blood aggregometry.

Results

There were no atrial‐specific differences in the levels of total procoagulant MPs, leukocyte‐derived‐MPs or platelet‐derived MPs. Conversely, endothelial‐derived MPs and tissue factor activity and collagen‐induced platelet aggregation were slightly elevated in the right atrium (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our data show no evidence for increased thrombogenic status in the left atrium that would account for its greater propensity for thrombus formation in patients with AF.
The Cochrane Skin Group: a vanguard for developing and promoting evidence‐based dermatology
Authors: Reddi Anand , Prescott Laura , Doney Elizabeth , Delamere Finola , Kollipara Ramya , Dellavalle Robert P , Williams Hywel C
Published: October 2013

Aim

The Cochrane Skin Group (CSG) is part of the international Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane.org/). The CSG prepares, maintains and disseminates high quality evidence‐based summaries on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. We present a synopsis of the history, scope and priorities of the CSG. In addition, we report outcomes of CSG reviews and critically assess clinical value.

Methods

Descriptive analysis of systematic reviews published by the CSG since its inception including output, impact factor, associated methodological studies, and influence in clinical guidelines, promoting patient and public engagement and in triggering new primary research.

Results

The CSG started in 1997, and has published 61 reviews, 34 protocols and 31 registered titles by August 2013. The CSG scope includes 1000 skin diseases; 80% of reviews cover the top ten diagnoses and 40% of reviews provide clear guidance for clinical practice. CSG reviews had an impact factor of 6.1 in 2011 which places it alongside top dermatology journals. CSG reviews are typically broad in focus and have been shown to be of better quality than non‐Cochrane reviews. They are highly cited in clinical guidelines. Several reviews have identified evidence gaps that have led to better primary research.

Conclusions

The CSG has emerged as a vanguard of evidence‐based dermatology by growing a community interested in applying best external evidence to the care of skin patients and by identifying topics for research. CSG reviews are high impact, clinically relevant and have tangibly influenced international dermatology clinical practice guidelines and new research.
Application of Mathematical Model for the Quantification of Acylated Homoserine Lactones Produces by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Chicken Breast Meat and Broth
Authors: Zhang Qiu‐Qin , Wang Hu‐Hu , Zhuang Su , Xiao Hong‐Mei , Xu Xing‐Lian , Zhou Guang‐Hong
Published: October 2013

As storage temperature had no influence on the acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) production, the main AHLs (C8‐HSL and C6‐HSL) were used as reference standards. We proposed to describe the relationship between AHLs and β‐galactosidase of AHL biosensor with an equation. The equation could fit the β‐galactosidase data well with a high determination coefficient (0.994) and low root mean squared error (0.016). In all experiment, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the observed and calculated AHL values in chicken meat, when different type of AHLs was used. Hence, based on the equation the AHLs similar to Pseudomonas aeruginosa production can be calculated. This approach simplified the calculation of the AHL production in chicken meat and broth. Based on this method, we found that during bacterial growth, the AHLs accumulate in the exponential phase, but decreased in the stationary phase. The highest AHLs were determined during late exponential and early stationary phase.

Practical Application

In present study, we propose to simplify the calculation of the AHL produced by P. aeruginosa in chicken meat and broth based on the microplate bioassay. We developed a nonlinear model to describe the relationship between the β‐galactosidase expression of Agrobacterium tumefaeiens KYC55 and AHLs addition. The model can be applied to quantify the AHLs‐extraction concentration in the range 0–6 ug/mL.
Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: Complex presentations and protracted time to diagnosis
Authors: Knight Sarah , Harvey Adrienne , Lubitz Lionel , Rowe Kathy , Reveley Colette , Veit Frederike , Hennel Sabine , Scheinberg Adam
Published: October 2013

Aim

The diagnosis and management of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remain ongoing challenges for paediatric clinicians, particularly given its unknown aetiology and the little research on effective treatments for this condition. The aim of this study was to describe the presenting features of new patients attending a specialist chronic fatigue clinic at a tertiary‐level Australian children's hospital.

Method

The medical records of all patients with an initial consultation at the chronic fatigue clinic over a 12‐month period were reviewed using a standardised data collection template. Functional impact was based on school attendance and classified according to the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines (2007).

Results

A total of 99 patients attending the clinic were identified. Of these, 59 were diagnosed with CFS. Median age was 15.4 years with almost two‐thirds of patients of female sex. Median time between symptom onset and diagnosis was 15.5 months. There was a high occurrence of fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, postexertional malaise, and autonomic and cognitive symptoms in the group. The functional impact of CFS was classified as mild for 20%, moderate for 66% and severe for 14% of patients.

Conclusions

Most young people diagnosed with CFS experience symptoms for a protracted period, with considerable functional impact prior to initial tertiary service consultation. This audit has identified important areas for research, practice development and education in relation to the management of patients with CFS.
A review of wild boarSus scrofadiet and factors affecting food selection in native and introduced ranges
Authors: Ballari Sebastián A. , Barrios‐García M. Noelia
Published: October 2013

The wild boarSus scrofais an omnivore with one of the largest geographical ranges of all species. However, no synthesis exists on its diet, feeding behaviour and factors affecting food selection in its native and introduced ranges.

A literature review and a test of effect size revealed significant differences in wild boar diet composition in native and introduced ranges. Wild boar diet is dominated by plant material (∼90%) in both ranges, but animal matter and fungi are consumed in greater proportions in the introduced range than in the native range. Food items frequently include agricultural crops (especially in the native range) and endangered animal species (especially in the introduced range). Energy requirements, food availability, and seasonal and geographical variations are major factors influencing food selection by wild boar. These factors may also interact with human activities (e.g. agricultural crops, supplementary feeding) to influence diet composition further.

Dietary studies should be more rigorous and consistent across ranges to allow better comparisons. A detailed study of diet in combination with seasonal patterns of habitat use could provide key information such as target species and susceptible habitats on which management efforts should focus.
Third‐degree Price Discrimination with Fairness‐concerned Consumers
Authors: Okada Tomohisa
Published: October 2013

This paper studies monopolistic third‐degree price discrimination, incorporating consumers' fairness concerns: discriminatory pricing antagonizes consumers and may reduce their demand. In contrast to the findings in previous studies, we show that consumers' concerns regarding price inequalities may deter discriminatory pricing by monopolists. Furthermore, a strong aversion to unfair pricing may improve social welfare compared with the situation in which consumers do not perceive price discrimination as unfair. Conversely, if the disutility from price inequality is not sufficiently large, social welfare decreases.
Transparency and Risk Sharing in International Trade
Authors: Broll Udo , Eckwert Bernhard , Wong Kit Pong
Published: October 2013

The paper examines the impact of uncertainty on the decision problem of an international firm. The uncertainty under which the firm decides on home and foreign supply is affected by an information system that conveys public signals about the random spot exchange rate. Our notion of transparency proposes an information‐based concept of uncertainty. In this setting, we revisit the link between the transparency in the foreign exchange market and the behavior of the international firm. The welfare of domestic consumers, in contrast, may increase or decrease with higher transparency in the foreign exchange market.