bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sons do not take advantage of a head start: parity in herring gull offspring sex ratios despite greater initial investment in males
Authors: Bonter David N. , Moglia Michelle C. , DeFisher Luke E.
Published: July 2015

Skewed adult sex ratios sometimes occur in populations of free‐living animals yet the proximate mechanisms, timing of sex‐biases, and the selective agents contributing to skew remain a source of debate with contradictory evidence from different systems. We investigated potential mechanisms contributing to sex biases in a population of herring gulls with an apparent female skew in the adult population. Theory predicts that skewed adult sex ratios will adaptively lead to skewed offspring sex ratios to restore balance in the effective breeding population. Parents may also adaptively bias offspring sex ratios to increase their own fitness in response to environmental factors. Therefore, we expected to detect skewed sex ratios either at hatching or at fledging as parents invest differentially in offspring of different sexes. We sampled complete clutches (n = 336 chicks) at hatching to quantify potential skews in sex ratios by position in the hatch order, time of season, year, and nesting context (nest density), finding no departure from equal sex ratios at hatching related to any of these factors. Further, we sampled 258 chicks at near‐fledging to investigate potential sex biases in survival at the chick stage. Again, no biases in sex ratios were recorded. Male offspring were favored in this population via greater maternal investment in eggs carrying male embryos and greater parental provisioning of male offspring which reached greater sizes by fledging. Despite the advantages realized by male offspring, females were equally as likely to fledge as males. Thus, biased adult sex ratios apparently arise in the post‐fledging and pre‐recruitment stage in our population.
A Viable Insolvency Procedure for Sovereigns in the Euro Area
Authors: Fuest Clemens , Heinemann Friedrich , Schröder Christoph
Published: July 2015

A mechanism to restructure the debt of an insolvent euro country is a missing element in the emerging institutional architecture of the euro area. The introduction of an insolvency procedure for sovereigns faces a dilemma: in the foreseeable future, its introduction would risk pushing Europe back into acute crisis; but the indefinite postponement of reform would impair the credibility of a future regime change. Against this background, this article reviews arguments and existing blueprints for sovereign insolvency procedures in the euro area and develops a Viable Insolvency Procedure for Sovereigns. This procedure avoids any sudden measures which could destabilize the present fragile situation but carefully designs an irreversible transition toward the new regime. The proposal comprises two pillars: an insolvency procedure for the long run and a credible bridge toward that system.
Transplacental Transmission of Pemphigus Herpetiformis in the Setting of Maternal Lymphoma
Authors: Schoch Jennifer J. , Boull Christina L. , Camilleri Michael J. , Tollefson Megha M. , Hook Kristen P. , Polcari Ingrid C.
Published: July 2015

Pemphigus herpetiformis (PH) is characterized by grouped vesicular or papular pruritic lesions with histologic and immunopathologic features of pemphigus. PH can manifest at any age, and paraneoplastic cases have been reported. We describe a healthy boy born with acral crateriform erosions of the hands and feet whose 35‐year‐old mother had similar lesions. Biopsies from both patients were most consistent with PH. The mother was diagnosed with high‐grade B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and began chemotherapy with dexamethasone, and her lesions quickly improved. The infant had no additional lesions after 3 weeks of age and his acral erosions healed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a diagnosis of PH in an infant and the first case of transplacental transmission of PH. This is also the first report of paraneoplastic PH in lymphoma. This case adds to the growing differential diagnosis of skin disease in postpartum women and their neonates.
Immunity and immune modulation elicited by the larval cestode Mesocestoides vogae and its products
Authors: Vendelova E. , Lutz M. B. , Hrčková G.
Published: July 2015

Larval cestodes (metacestodes) induce long‐lasting infections leading to considerable pathology in humans and livestock. Their survival is typically associated with Th2‐biased immune responses and immunosuppressive effects and depends on the parasite's ability to excrete/secrete antigens with immunoregulatory properties. Here, Mesocestoides vogae, a natural parasite of mice, is proposed as a new model species for the identification and characterization of cestode‐derived immunomodulatory factors. We followed the kinetics of immune parameters after infection with M. vogae or exposure to their excretory/secretory (ES) products in a permissive strain of mice. Besides, a dominant IL‐10 production and accumulation of macrophages and eosinophils expressing mRNA for Fizz‐1, YM1 and Arg‐1, mice showed minimal IFN‐γ and transient IL‐4 production at early time points with a complete loss at later stages of infection. We found that serum‐free ES products without host contamination directly induced M2 macrophages and suppressed IFN‐γ production in vivo and in vitro. This study highlights the use of the M. vogae as a cestode infection model and its ES products as a valuable tool for the identification of new therapeutic targets for the control of larval cestodiasis.
Ischemic Preconditioning and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Salvador Amadeo F. , De Aguiar Rafael A. , Lisbôa Felipe D. , Pereira Kayo L. , Cruz Rogério S. de O. , Caputo Fabrizio
Published: July 2015

Although the amount of evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on exercise performance is increasing, conclusions about its efficacy cannot yet be drawn. Therefore, the purposes of this review were to determine the effect of IPC on exercise performance and identify the effects of different IPC procedures, exercise types, and subject characteristics on exercise performance. The analysis comprised 19 relevant studies from 2000 to 2015, 15 of which were included in the meta-analyses. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated as the standardized mean difference. Overall, IPC had a small beneficial effect on exercise performance (ES = 0.43; 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.28 to 0.51). The largest ES were found for aerobic (ES = 0.51; 90% CI, 0.35 to 0.67) and anaerobic (ES = 0.23; 90% CI, -0.12 to 0.58) exercise. In contrast, an unclear effect was observed in power and sprint performance (ES = 0.16; 90% CI, –0.20 to 0.52). In conclusion, IPC can effectively enhance aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance.
Validity of Skinfold-Based Measures for Tracking Changes in Body Composition in Professional Rugby League Players
Authors: Delaney Jace A. , Thornton Heidi R. , Scott Tannath J. , Ballard David A. , Duthie Grant M. , Wood Lisa G. , Dascombe Ben J.
Published: July 2015

High levels of lean mass are important in collision-based sports for the development of strength and power, which may also assist during contact situations. While skinfold-based measures have been shown to be appropriate for cross-sectional assessments of body composition, their utility in tracking changes in lean mass is less clear.

Purpose:

To determine the most effective method of quantifying changes in lean mass in rugby league athletes.

Methods:

Body composition of 21 professional rugby league players was assessed on 2 or 3 occasions separated by ≥6 wk, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), leanmass index (LMI), and a skinfold-based prediction equation (SkF). Dual-X-ray absorptiometry provided a criterion measure of fat-free mass (FFM). Correlation coefficients (r) and standard errors of the estimate (SEE) were used as measures of validity for the estimates.

Results:

All 3 practical estimates exhibited strong validity for cross-sectional assessments of FFM (r > .9, P < .001). The correlation between change scores was stronger for the LMI (r = .69, SEE 1.3 kg) and the SkF method (r = .66, SEE = 1.4 kg) than for BIA (r = .50, SEE = 1.6 kg).

Conclusions:

The LMI is probably as accurate in predicting changes in FFM as SkF and very likely to be more appropriate than BIA. The LMI offers an adequate, practical alternative for assessing in FFM among rugby league athletes.
Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumour of the duodenum: a rare entity
Authors: Banerjee Niladri , Gupta Shahana , Dash Suvashis , Ghosh Shibajyoti
Published: July 2015

Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumour (PAMT) has recently emerged as a new entity among gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours. All of the 27 cases reported until now originated from the stomach. We report the first case of a duodenal PAMT arising from the first part of the duodenum in a 19-year-old woman presenting with upper abdominal pain and an abdominal lump.
On the Trade-Offs among Performance, Energy, and Endurance in a Versatile Hybrid Drive
Authors: Li Zhichao , Chen Ming , Mukker Amanpreet , Zadok Erez
Published: July 2015

There are trade-offs among performance, energy, and device endurance for storage systems. Designs optimized for one dimension or workload often suffer in another. Therefore, it is important to study the trade-offs to enable adaptation to workloads and dimensions. As Flash SSD has emerged, hybrid drives have been studied more closely. However, hybrids are mainly designed for high throughput, efficient energy consumption, or improving endurance—leaving quantitative study on the trade-offs unexplored. Past endurance studies also lack a concrete model to help study the trade-offs. Last, previous designs are often based on inflexible policies that cannot adapt easily to changing conditions.

We designed and developed
GreenDM
, a versatile hybrid drive that combines Flash-based SSDs with traditional HDDs. The SSD can be used as cache or as primary storage for hot data. We present our endurance model together with GreenDM to study these trade-offs. GreenDM presents a block interface and requires no modifications to existing software. GreenDM offers tunable parameters to enable the system to adapt to many workloads. We have designed, developed, and carefully evaluated GreenDM with a variety of workloads using commodity SSD and HDD drives. We demonstrate the importance of versatility to enable adaptation to various workloads and dimensions.
Frog
Authors: Zhang Ji , Jiang Xunfei , Qin Xiao , Ku Wei-Shinn , Alghamdi Mohammed I.
Published: July 2015

This article presents a framework, Frog, for Context-Based File Systems (CBFSs) that aim at simplifying the development of context-based file systems and applications. Unlike existing informed-based context-aware systems, Frog is a unifying informed-based framework that abstracts context-specific solutions as views, allowing applications to make view selections according to application behaviors. The framework can not only eliminate overheads induced by traditional context analysis, but also simplify the interactions between the context-based file systems and applications. Rather than propagating data through solution-specific interfaces, views in Frog can be selected by inserting their names in file path strings. With Frog in place, programmers can migrate an application from one solution to another by switching among views rather than changing programming interfaces. Since the data consistency issues are automatically enforced by the framework, file-system developers can focus their attention on context-specific solutions. We implement two prototypes to demonstrate the strengths and overheads of our design. Inspired by an observation that there are more than 50% of small files (<4KB) in a file system, we create a Bi-context Archiving Virtual File System (BAVFS) that utilizes conservative and aggressive prefetching for the contexts of random and sequential reads. To improve the performance of random read-and-write operations, the Bi-context Hybrid Virtual File System (BHVFS) combines the
update-in-place
and
update-out-of-place
solutions for read-intensive and write-intensive contexts. Our experimental results show that the benefits of Frog-based CBFSs outweigh the overheads introduced by integrating multiple context-specific solutions.
Map-Based Channel Model for Urban Macrocell Propagation Scenarios
Authors: Monserrat Jose F. , Inca Saúl , Calabuig Jordi , Martín-Sacristán David
Published: July 2015

The evolution of LTE towards 5G has started and different research projects and institutions are in the process of verifying new technology components through simulations. Coordination between groups is strongly recommended and, in this sense, a common definition of test cases and simulation models is needed. The scope of this paper is to present a realistic channel model for urban macrocell scenarios. This model is map-based and takes into account the layout of buildings situated in the area under study. A detailed description of the model is given together with a comparison with other widely used channel models. The benchmark includes a measurement campaign in which the proposed model is shown to be much closer to the actual behavior of a cellular system. Particular attention is given to the outdoor component of the model, since it is here where the proposed approach is showing main difference with other previous models.
Immunoadjuvant Therapy and Noninvasive Ventilation for Acute Respiratory Failure in Lung Tuberculosis: A Case Study
Authors: Flores-Franco René Agustín , Olivas-Medina Dahyr Alberto , Pacheco-Tena Cesar Francisco , Duque-Rodríguez Jorge
Published: July 2015

Acute respiratory failure caused by pulmonary tuberculosis is a rare event but with a high mortality even while receiving mechanical ventilatory support. We report the case of a young man with severe pulmonary tuberculosis refractory to conventional therapy who successfully overcame the critical period of his condition using noninvasive ventilation and immunoadjuvant therapy that included three doses of etanercept 25 mg subcutaneously. We conclude that the use of etanercept along with antituberculosis treatment appears to be safe and effective in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with acute respiratory failure.
Validation of the Continuum of Care Conceptual Model for Athletic Therapy
Authors: Lafave Mark R. , Butterwick Dale , Eubank Breda
Published: July 2015

Utilization of conceptual models in field-based emergency care currently borrows from existing standards of medical and paramedical professions. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a comprehensive conceptual model that could account for injuries ranging from nonurgent to catastrophic events including events that do not follow traditional medical or prehospital care protocols. The conceptual model should represent the continuum of care from the time of initial injury spanning to an athlete’s return to participation in their sport. Finally, the conceptual model should accommodate both novices and experts in the AT profession. This paper chronicles the content validation steps of the Continuum of Care Conceptual Model for Athletic Therapy (CCCM-AT). The stages of model development were domain and item generation, content expert validation using a three-stage modified Ebel procedure, and pilot testing. Only the final stage of the modified Ebel procedure reached a priori 80% consensus on three domains of interest: (1) heading descriptors; (2) the order of the model; (3) the conceptual model as a whole. Future research is required to test the use of the CCCM-AT in order to understand its efficacy in teaching and practice within the AT discipline.
The Development of a Tourism Attraction Model by Using Fuzzy Theory
Authors: Chang Jieh-Ren , Chang Betty
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop a model to investigate the tourists’ preference. Ten attributes of tourist destinations were used in this study. Fuzzy set theory was adopted as the main analysis method to find the tourists’ preference. In this study, 248 pieces of data were used. Besides the evaluations for the factors, the overall evaluations (namely, satisfied, neutral, and dissatisfied) for every tourism destination were also inquired. After screening, 201 pieces of these data could be used. In these 201 pieces of data, 141 were classified into “satisfied” with the tourism destination, accounting for 70.15%, and 49 were “neutral,” accounting for 24.38%, while 11 were “dissatisfied,” accounting for 5.47%. Eight rules were obtained with the method of fuzzy preprocess. Regarding the condition attributes, three of the original ten attributes were found influential, namely, level of prices, living costs, information and tourist services, and tourist safety of the tourism destinations. From the results of this study, it is shown that top management of tourism destinations should put resources in these fields first, in order to allow limited resources to perform to maximum effectiveness.
Compact Unequal Power Divider with Filtering Response
Authors: Pan Wei-Qiang , Xu Jin-Xu , Wang Kai Xu , Zhao Xiao Lan
Published: July 2015

We present a novel unequal power divider with bandpass responses. The proposed power divider consists of five resonators and a resistor. The power division ratio is controlled by altering the coupling strength among the resonators. The output ports have the characteristic impedance of 50 Ω and impedance transformers in classical Wilkinson power dividers are not required in this design. Use of resonators enables the filtering function of the power divider. Two transmission zeros are generated near the passband edges, resulting in quasielliptic bandpass responses. For validation, a 2 : 1 filtering power divider is implemented. The fabricated circuit size is 0.22λg × 0.08λg, featuring compact size for unequal filtering power dividers, which is suitable for the feeding networks of antenna arrays.
Are Early Seizures Predictive of Epilepsy after a Stroke? Results of a Population-Based Study
Authors: Serafini Anna , Gigli Gian Luigi , Gregoraci Giorgia , Janes Francesco , Cancelli Iacopo , Novello Stefano , Valente Mariarosaria
Published: July 2015

Background: In addition to determining the cumulative incidence and risk factors for early seizures (ES), late seizures (LS) and post stroke epilepsy (PSE), we aimed at checking if ES represented a risk factor for epilepsy and if early treatment after ES prevented the occurrence of subsequent seizures. Methods: This study was part of a 2-year prospective community-based registry of all cerebrovascular events in the district of Udine (153,312 inhabitants), North-Eastern Italy, between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009. People with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) were excluded from this study. Results: In all, 782 cases of stroke (79.28% ischemic, 14.83% hemorrhagic, 3.20% subarachnoid hemorrhage and 2.69% undetermined) were identified. The incidence of ES, LS and PSE was 5.10, 3.14 and 2.22%, respectively. Intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke of undetermined origin and hyponatremia, represented risk factors for ES (p < 0.05). Among ischemic strokes, ES risk factors were hyponatremia (p = 0.024) and hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.046). LS risk factors were younger age (p = 0.004) and cortical location of stroke (p = 0.004). Within ischemic strokes, LS risk factors were younger age (p = 0.020) and cortical location (p < 0.0001). Within intracerebral hemorrhages, the only risk factor for LS was the presence of a previous ES (p = 0.017). PSE risk factors were the same as for LS. Conclusions: All acute conditions related to the occurrence of stroke are implicated in the pathogenesis of ES, which becomes a risk factor for LS only in the setting of intracerebral hemorrhages. Therefore, early antiepileptic treatment is needed only in this situation.
Fast and automatic microseismic phase-arrival detection and denoising by pattern recognition and reduced-rank filtering
Authors: Velis Danilo , Sabbione Juan I. , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: July 2015

We have developed a fast method that allowed us to automatically detect and denoise microseismic phase arrivals from 3C multichannel data. The method is a two-step process. First, the detection is carried out by means of a pattern recognition strategy that seeks plausible hyperbolic phase arrivals immersed in noisy 3C multichannel data. Then, the microseismic phase arrivals are denoised and reconstructed using a reduced-rank approximation of the singular value decomposition of the data along the detected phase arrivals in the context of a deflation procedure that took into account multiple arrivals and/or phases. For the detection, we have defined an objective function that measured the energy and coherence of a potential microseismic phase arrival along an apex-shifted hyperbolic search window. The objective function, which was maximized using very fast simulated annealing, was based on the energy of the average signal and depended on the source position, receivers geometry, and velocity. In practice, the detection process did not require any a priori velocity model, leading to a fast algorithm that can be used in real time, even when the underlying velocity model was not constant. The reduced-rank filtering coupled with a crosscorrelation-based synchronization strategy allowed us to extract the most representative waveform for all the individual traces. Tests using synthetic and field data have determined the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed method for the accurate detection and denoising of 3C multichannel microseismic events under noisy conditions. Two confidence indicators to assess the presence of an actual phase arrival and the reliability of the denoised individual wave arrivals were also developed.
Procedure of Value Formation by Developer for Objects Finished by Construction on Terms of Share Participation
Authors: Шабанов  , Shabanov A.
Published: July 2015

Problems related to accounting of developer’s costs on objects construction on terms of share participation are considered in this paper. A comparative analysis for various models of objects construction cost distribution between rooms and their prime cost formation has been carried out.
Multinational Enterprises, Foreign Knowledge and Host Country
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej
Published: July 2015

In this paper we study how the expansion of multinational enterprises in the host country affects its wages using a general equilibrium factor specific framework for a small open economy with a flexible labor market. We identify three potential effects of MNE activity associated with the transfer of foreign knowledge, diffusion of this knowledge among indigenous firms and the inflow of capital from abroad. We show that the impact of multinational enterprises on wages in the host country depends on differences in capital intensity between multinational and local sectors, the amount of capital transferred to the host country from abroad and the magnitude of knowledge spillovers stemming from multinational activity to indigenous firms.
Delayed healing of lower limb fractures with bisphosphonate therapy
Authors: Yue B , Ng A , Tang H , Joseph S , Richardson M
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Bisphosphonate therapy (BT) is used commonly in the management of osteoporosis. A systematic review was conducted investigating delayed union of lower limb, long bone fractures in patients on BT. We specifically assessed whether BT increases the risk of delayed union or non-union in lower limb, long bone fractures.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Embase™ on 4 November 2014. Articles that investigated lower limb fractures, history of BT and fracture union were included in the review.

Results

A total of 9,809 papers were retrieved and 14 were deemed suitable for this review. The mean time to union in patients on BT was 8.5 months. A longer time to union was reported in a study investigating BT users versus controls (6.5 vs 4.8 months respectively). The mean rate of delayed or non-union for BT associated atypical fractures was 20% per fracture. Specifically in one study, delayed union was more common in the cohort with more than three years of BT (67%) than in the group with less than three years of BT (26%). Surgical fixation was associated with improved outcomes compared with non-operative management.

Conclusions

BT has been described to be associated with multiple adverse outcomes related to atypical fractures. Current evidence recommends operative management for this patient group. Further investigation is required to evaluate the exact effects of BT on lower limb fractures, in particular typical femoral fractures.
Small bowel obstruction in pregnancy is a complex surgical problem with a high risk of fetal loss
Authors: Webster PJ , Bailey MA , Wilson J , Burke DA
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) in pregnancy is rare and is most commonly caused by adhesions from previous abdominal surgery. Previous literature reviews have emphasised the need for prompt laparotomy in all cases of SBO because of the significant risks of fetal loss and maternal mortality. We undertook a review of the contemporary literature to determine the optimum management strategy for SBO in pregnancy.

Methods

The MEDLINE® and PubMed databases were searched for cases of SBO in pregnancy between 1992 and 2014. Two cases from our own institution were also reviewed.

Results

Forty-six cases of SBO in pregnancy were identified, with adhesions being the most common aetiology (50%). The overall risk of fetal loss was 17% and the maternal mortality rate was 2%. In cases of adhesional SBO, 91% of cases were managed surgically, with 14% fetal loss. Two cases (9%) were managed conservatively with no complications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to diagnose SBO in 11% of cases.

Conclusions

Based on our experience and the contemporary literature, we recommend that urgent MRI of the abdomen should be undertaken to diagnose the aetiology of SBO in pregnancy. In cases of adhesional SBO, conservative treatment may be safely commenced, with a low threshold for laparotomy. In other causes, such as volvulus or internal hernia, laparotomy remains the treatment of choice.
The new-style MRCS clinical exam: a candidate perspective
Authors: Burnand Katherine , Lahiri Rajiv
Published: July 2015

2008 saw the formulation of the new intercollegiate MRCS examination. The biggest change saw the old structured interview, best known as the 'viva,' and separate clinical exam scrapped and combined into an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), the new part B. On successful completion of this examination you gain membership of the Royal College of Surgeons. Unlike the old system every candidate is allowed four attempts at passing the examination irrespective of time elapsed from successful completion of part A; however, if you are unlucky with your fourth attempt you are never able to enter any part of the MRCS examination again.
Périphérique laparoscopic colorectal course
Authors: Beaton Ceri
Published: July 2015

Following the guidance from NICE in 2006 that stated that laparoscopic (including laparoscopically assisted) resection is recommended as an alternative to open resection for individuals with colorectal cancer in whom both laparoscopic and open surgery are considered suitable, training schemes in laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) have been developed. The National Training Programme in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery was developed to provide LCS training for consultants in England and the Welsh Laparoscopic Colorectal Training Scheme [see article above] is open to SpRs and colorectal consultants in Wales. Wet-lab courses are generally seen as the first of many platforms in LCS training and can be followed by clinical immersion courses, inreach and outreach preceptorship, and masterclasses.
ASGBI conference in Liverpool
Authors: Towell Elaine
Published: July 2015

Last month saw the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) host their 2010 international surgical conference at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool, in what is the association's 90th-anniversary year.
Developments and controversies in maxillofacial trauma: initial considerations in getting the patient to theatre
Authors: Perry Michael
Published: July 2015

Advances in our understanding of pathophysiology and tissue healing and developments in trauma care and biomaterials have undoubtedly improved outcomes in high energy and other complex fractures. However, controversy still exists. In this article some of these developments will be discussed, based on a literature review of current topics and key papers which have shaped the management of the facial trauma over the last 10–20 years.
Advagraf® and Myfortic® in combination are associated with fewer gastrointestinal symptoms in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Dabare D , Macanovic J , Graetz K , Gibbs P
Published: July 2015

Affiliated to the Association of Surgeons in Training and the British Transplantation Society, the Carrel Club is the transplant trainee surgical society. The Carrel Club held a joint meeting with the Chapter of Transplant Surgeons, a subsidiary organisation of the British Transplantation Society, at the Manchester Hilton Hotel on 31 January and 1 February 2013. As part of the meeting, ten abstracts were presented. A selection is printed below. The winner of the Best Presentation award was Mr Mownah.
Acute management of a unilateral incarcerated spigelian hernia in a patient with bilateral spigelian hernias
Authors: Vannahme M , Monkhouse SJW
Published: July 2015

Spigelian hernias were first described by Joseph Klinkosch in the 18th century, and have since posed a diagnostic and surgical problem owing to their non-specific presentation and rarity. While the management of unilateral hernias is fairly well described in today’s literature, bilateral Spigelian hernias are very rare. We describe the emergency management of a patient with bilateral Spigelian hernias, diagnosed on computed tomography.
Minimally invasive endoscopic therapy for the management of Boerhaave’s syndrome
Authors: Darrien JH , Kasem H
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Boerhaave’s syndrome represents the most lethal of all gastrointestinal perforations. In 2009 a treatment algorithm was published based on current level 4 evidence indicating that all septic patients should be treated surgically, early presentations without sepsis endoscopically and delayed presentations without sepsis conservatively. No provision was made for septic patients unfit for surgical intervention. Using a case series, we demonstrate how minimally invasive endoscopic therapies can be used successfully to manage such a cohort.

Methods

Between September 2008 and January 2010, five patients presented to Wishaw General Hospital with Boerhaave’s syndrome, all with an associated septic profile and none fit for surgery. They were managed using minimally invasive endoscopic therapies including endoscopic placement of oesophageal stents, elimination of mediastinal/pleural contamination using video assisted thorascopic lavage, management of subsequent collections using sinus tract endoscopy and minilaparotomy with transhiatal endoscopic drainage, and closure of oesophagocutaneous fistulas using the Surgisis® (Cook Surgical, Bloomington, IN, US) anal fistula plug sited endoscopically with a rendezvous technique.

Results

Oesophageal re-epithelialisation and resolution of sepsis was achieved in all five cases on days 50, 50, 51, 59 and 103. Four patients are alive today. The fifth died on day 109 in hospital as a consequence of co-morbidity. Two patients required oesophageal dilatation for benign oesophageal strictures.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive endoscopic therapy can be used successfully to achieve oesophageal re-epithelialisation and resolution of sepsis in patients unfit for surgical intervention. It offers a feasible treatment for patients not accounted for in today’s literature and expands on currently described endoscopic therapies.
A novel surgical method of managing a high output pharyngostome
Authors: Stew B , Dafydd C , Berry S , Howard D
Published: July 2015

Pharyngocutaneous fistulas following large oncological surgical resection of the upper aerodigestive tract are common and typically heal over a number of weeks. A pharyngostome is a surgically created non-healing opening into the pharynx, which is far less common and often difficult to manage.
Prosecuting surgeons for manslaughter
Authors: Wheeler Robert
Published: July 2015

There has been both interest and concern relating to the recent immediate imprisonment of a surgeon for manslaughter. Fair-minded commentators have questioned whether the threshold for conviction of surgeons for manslaughter is being lowered in England and Wales. Are there safeguards in the criminal justice system that make this anxiety ill founded?
Leaving our mark – are suture marks acceptable?
Authors: Prowse Phoebe , Shokrollahi Kayvan
Published: July 2015

‘Cross hatching’, ‘railroad tracks’ or ‘fishbone scars’ (suture marks) can be an unfortunate consequence seen after suture placement, but are they an occasional inevitability or can they and should they be totally avoidable? Wound healing and scarring has long been a focus of both academic and clinical interest and we are now in an era where public awareness and expectations of scar cosmesis has become greater and greater.
from Westminster
Authors: Leahy Patrick
Published: July 2015

Postcode lottery: who should decide?
Is periodontal disease a risk factor for the development of MRONJ?
Authors: Watts Danny
Published: July 2015

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare but serious complication for patients undertaking treatment with antiresorptive or antiangiogenic agents. MRONJ is defined as an area of exposed necrotic bone in the maxilla or mandible persisting for more than eight weeks where there has been no history of radiotherapy or obvious metastatic disease to the jaws.1,2 The risk of developing MRONJ is greatest in patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonates, and the relatively low risk for those receiving bisphosphonates orally may be attributable to the route and frequency of bisphosphonate administration.3 Despite an increasing prevalence, the pathophysiology of MRONJ remains contentious.2
How does the Profession Manage the Consequences of a Dentist Who Dies by Suicide?
Authors: Spinnbarkeit
Published: July 2015

Suicide kills dentists. At dental school, I remember a laconic pathologist saying that dentists top the league of professional suicides. It seemed an obtuse statistic all those years ago but, as I type, the only deaths among those with whom I graduated are friends who died at their own hands.
Can Sales Uncertainty Increase Firm Profits?
Authors: Syam Niladri , Hess James D. , Yang Ying
Published: July 2015

The authors add to the sales management literature in three ways. First, they demonstrate that a firm can benefit from higher sales uncertainty. This is contrary to the finding from the standard principal–agent models that more sales uncertainty hurts the firm when agents are risk-averse. Second, the authors find that the risk-averse agent's total pay can increase when there is high sales uncertainty, and this too is contrary to the standard principal–agent model. Third, they provide intuition for this surprising result by showing that it holds when the slope of the sales response function is random but not when the intercept is random. When the responsiveness (slope) of sales to a decision variable (of the firm or the agent) is random, information about randomness becomes decision-relevant and the firm can exploit learned information. In this study's model, the agent and firm can receive noisy signals of random demand. When the customers’ response to effort (or price) is random, the decision about effort (price) responds optimally to information in a way that benefits the firm. When uncertainty is high, there is more potential information for the firm to exploit profitably, owing to the convexity of the sales with respect to the uncertainty parameter. This is enough to dominate the negative impact of uncertainty owing to agents’ risk aversion. When randomness affects only baseline sales (intercept), received signals are not decision-relevant. In that case, higher uncertainty has only a negative impact, just as in standard principal–agent models.
Evaluation of content of essential oil in selected Salvia L. Species / Hodnocení obsahu silice ve vybraných druzích rodu Salvia L.
Authors: Neugebauerová J. , Raab S. , Kaffková K.
Published: July 2015

Salvia L. is multipurpose aromatic plant, used in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and above all, in ornamental gardening. The aim of this study is evaluation of essential oil content of ornamental Salvia L. species cultivated in experimental field of Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice during two periods 2002-2004 and 2009- 2012. Variability of essential oil yield of 42 different taxa was monitored for 9 years. Essential oil content was determined via steam distillation, expressed as ml/kg. The lowest content for the entire period showed sample S. przewalskii, in year 2010 (content 0.02 ml/kg) and the highest content for the entire period showed sample S. officinalis ‘Extracta’, in year 2004 (22.90 ml/kg). The results of evaluation of essential oil content in Salvia L. are consistent with data in the literature comparing the case of subspecies and varieties of Salvia officinalis L. The average content of essential oil ranges from 6.51 to 19.20 ml/kg.
History of the Balkan Stomatological Society (BaSS)
Authors: Todorović Ljubomir
Published: July 2015

Some of the main activities of the Balkan Stomatological Society (BaSS) over a rich 19-year history are presented. These activities have been aimed at improving oral health care provided by the dentists throughout the Balkans, and to establish ties of friendship and collaboration between researchers and clinicians in this region, creating a foundation for mutual understanding and peace. To accomplish these goals, the BaSS annually organizes congresses and publishes a scientific journal, beside many other activities, such as public oral health promotion, bringing into accordance study programmes and curricula, supporting student exchange programmes, etc.
DMFT index among institutionalized elderly
Authors: Petrovski Mihajlo , Ivanovski K. , Minovska A.
Published: July 2015

Introduction. Poor oral health among elderly is most common dental problem nowadays, especially among the institutionalized persons. Aim. To detect DMFT index among the institutionalized elderly. Material and Method. Oral examination was made to make adequate evaluation. A total number of 70 subjects were evaluated. DMFT index has been detected only with dental mirror and probe, without using additional instruments and methods. Results. Average value of DMFT index in our survey was 24.84 ± 4.56 (with Confidence interval from 23.77 to 25.89). M-component was dominant - 21.56 ± 7.79 (with Confidence interval from 15.74 to 23.38). D-component indicated by carious teeth and persistent roots had value 2.60 ± 3.54 (with Confidence interval from 1.77 to 3.42). Mean value of teeth with definitive fillings (F-component of DMFT index) was 0.34 ± 1.42 (with Confidence interval from 0.33 to 1.01). Conclusion. DMFT index among the institutionalized elderly had one of the biggest values in the literature. M-component was dominant and indicator of the absence of many teeth. Therefore it is of great importance to prepare adequate protocol for oral health care among the institutionalized elderly.
3-Hydroxycineole bioproduction from 1,8-cineole using Gymnopilus spectabilis 7423 under resting cell conditions
Authors: Vega Beatriz , Reyes Beatriz , Rodriguez Paula , Sierra Wilson , Gonzalez David , Menendez Pilar
Published: July 2015

This report describes the high yield biotransformation of 1,8-cineole by the strain Gymnopilus spectabilis 7423, a common fungus isolated from the Eucalyptus tree. The biotransformation was conducted under resting cell conditions and different parameters were tested in order to achieve up to 90% bioconversion. Only two regioisomers were detected, and they were identified as 3-α-hydroxy-1,8-cineole and 2-α-hydroxy-1,8- cineole obtained in a 82:8 ratio.
Italian FDI and Exports at Sectoral Level: Substitutes or Complements?
Authors: Ferragina Anna Maria , Colacurcio Claudio
Published: July 2015

In this contribution we investigate upon the impact of the stocks of Italian outward FDI (in terms of employees of Italian foreign affiliates in the host markets and of the number of Italian foreign affiliates) on trade (national exports and imports). We employ a sector gravity analysis of Italian trade and FDI with the main partners to estimate a conditional correlation between domestic exports and foreign investment. To such a purpose we carry out a sectoral level analysis by aggregating data at firm level that allows a detailed analysis of the Italian FDI (ICE-Reprint). The sectoral panel we build on the basis of this firm level dataset includes 68 Italian host markets and 16 sectors during the 2001–2003 period. Our results do not confirm a substitution relationship of firm performances in terms of exports with respect to productive takeovers and employment in affiliates abroad.
Synthesis of 3-benzylidene-dihydrofurochromen-2-ones: promising intermediates for biflavonoid synthesis
Authors: Baron Verna , Mead Keith T.
Published: July 2015

A route to 3-benzylidene-dihydrofurochromen-2-ones from 2H-chromenes is described. Lactonization of 2H-chromenes was achieved using a two-step cyclopropanation-rearrangement sequence. Subsequent conversion of these intermediates to the corresponding α-benzylidene lactones was achieved by lithium enolate aldol reaction, followed by base-promoted elimination of the aldolate mesylates. The alkene geometry was found to be base-dependent. While the use of KOBu
t
favored formation of the E isomer, the application of DBU showed a slight preference for the Z isomer. In further studies, these 3-benzylidene-dihydrofurochromen-2-ones were converted to polyaromatic structures possessing all the required functionality for biflavonoid synthesis.
Towards a Semiotics of the "Loving Light”: the Transmodern Turn
Authors: Stănciulescu∗ Traian-Dinorel D.
Published: July 2015

The core of what we call transmodern turn is sustained (after decades of dominance of post-modern epistemology) by the shaping of an ontological model of the “Essentials Unity”, in which Human Being, the World and God should be in a non-conflictual relationship of togetherness, by a resonant / holographic mechanism of light. (Re)cognizing that the world-object and metalanguage have an objective interface, religion, philosophy and modern (social) sciences harmonise their specific assertions through a semiotics of the "loving light” capable of proving that: syntactically, the world is governed by unifying patterns which contain the semantic meanings of an objective human “language of light”; from a pragmatic point of view, biophotonically assumed, the fundamental values of human being / history can be traced in the ontologic (natural - cultural) act of signification which foregrounds the becoming of universal resonance into love
The Silence of the Innocents: Another Perspective on the Milstein Case
Authors: Menashe Doron
Published: July 2015

In CrimA 4142/04
Kinetics of Quality Attributes of Potato Particulates during Cooking Process
Authors: Jobe B. , Rattan N.S. , Ramaswamy H.S.
Published: July 2015

Kinetics of thermal texture softening, color change and loss of ascorbic acid in potato (Solanum tuberosum) were investigated at selected temperature range (70–100°C) and heating time range (0–50 min). Cut samples of potatoes were heated in a constant temperature water bath at various temperatures. Heat-treated samples were evaluated for texture, color and ascorbic acid by use of a texture-testing machine, a color meter and spectrophotometer, respectively. The biphasic first-order model, the fractional conversion model and the simple first-order model were used for fitting experimental data of time dependence kinetics, while the simple first-order model and Arrhenius model were used for temperature dependence kinetics. The results indicated that the biphasic first-order model can match well to the texture softening of potato samples, the fractional conversion model can well describe the kinetics of color, and the simple first-order model can be used for the kinetics of ascorbic acid. The kinetic parameters including decimal deduction time (D), reaction rate (k), temperature dependence (z) and activation energy (E
a) were determined by the nonlinear regression method. The correlation matrix between quality attributes including texture properties, color and ascorbic acid loss was developed based on the kinetic models. The results obtained from this study were compared with those previously reported.
Provisioning nest material for Rooks; a potential tool for conservation management
Authors: Horváth Éva , Solt Szabolcs , Kotymán László , Palatitz Péter , Piross Imre Sándor , Fehérvári Péter
Published: July 2015

Active conservation measures often entail supplementing scarce resources, such as food or nesting site to high conservation value species. We hypothesized that adequate nest material in reasonable distance is a scarce resource for Rooks breeding in open grassland habitats of Hungary. Here we show that Rooks willingly utilize large quantities of provided excess nesting material, and that this procedure may alter nest composition, and increase the number of successful pairs. Our results show that while nest height remains constant, twig diameter is significantly larger, the number of twigs used per nest is presumably smaller, and that the ratio of nests with fledglings is higher in a rookery where supplementary twigs were present. Providing twigs and branches in the vicinity of rookeries may serve as an active conservation measure to increase the number of nests in a rookery, and thus the potential number of nesting possibilities for Red-footed Falcons.
Louse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) infestations of the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) and the Red-footed Falcon
Authors: Piross Imre Sándor , Fehérvári Péter , Vas Zoltán , Solt Szabolcs , Horváth Éva , Palatitz Péter , Giosele Cristina , Gustin Marco , Pedrelli Mario , Kumar R. Suresh , Williams Nick P. , Pretorious Rina , Bernitz Zephne , Bernitz Herman , Harnos Andrea
Published: July 2015

Little is known about the louse species harboured by Red-footed and Amur Falcons despite the fact that various life-history traits of these hosts make them good model species to study host-parasite interactions. We collected lice samples from fully grown Amur (n=20) and Red-footed Falcons (n=59), and from nestlings of Red-footed Falcons (n=179) in four countries: Hungary, India, Italy and South Africa. We identified 3 louse species on both host species, namely Degeeriella rufa, Colpocephalum subzerafae and Laembothrion tinnunculi. The latter species has never been found on these hosts. Comparing population parameters of lice between hosts we found significantly higher prevalence levels of D. rufa and C. subzerafae on Amur Falcons. Adult Red-footed Falcons had higher D. rufa prevalence compared to C. subzerafae. For the first time we also show inter-annual shift in prevalence and intensity levels of these species on Red-footed Falcons; in 2012 on adult hosts C. subzerafae had higher intensity levels than D. rufa, however in 2014 D. rufa had significantly higher intensity compared to C. subzerafae. In case of nestlings both louse species had significantly higher preva lence levels than in 2014. The exact causes of such inter-annual shifts are yet to be understood.