bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retaining or replacing molars with furcation involvement: a cost‐effectiveness comparison of different strategies
Authors: Schwendicke Falk , Graetz Christian , Stolpe Michael , Dörfer Christof Edmund
Published: September 2014

Aim

The comparative cost‐effectiveness of retaining or replacing molars with furcation involvement (FI) remains unclear. We assessed the cost‐effectiveness of retaining FI molars via periodontal treatments versus replacing them via implant‐supported crowns (ISCs).

Methods

Using tooth‐level Markov models, we followed a molar with FI degree I or II/III in a 50‐year‐old patient over his lifetime. Tooth‐retaining periodontal treatments (scaling and root planing, flap debridement, root resection, guided‐tissue regeneration, tunnelling) were compared with tooth replacement using ISCs. We analysed costs, time until first re‐treatment and total time of tooth or implant retention. The model adopted a private payer perspective within German health care. Transition probabilities were calculated based on current evidence. Monte‐Carlo microsimulations were performed, and robustness of the model and effects of heterogeneity assessed using sensitivity analyses.

Results

Despite requiring re‐treatment later than other strategies, ISCs were the most costly therapy. Compared with most periodontal treatments, ISCs were retained for shorter time than natural teeth regardless of the degree of FI, the patients' age or risk profile (smoker/non‐smoker).

Conclusions

Based on available data and within its limitations, our study indicates that retaining FI molars via periodontal treatments might be more cost‐effective than replacing them via ISCs. Changes in the underlying evidence or the setting might alter these results.
Quality of logistic regression reporting in studies of tooth survival after periodontal treatment
Authors: Faggion Clovis Mariano , Chambrone Leandro , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: September 2014

Aim

To evaluate the quality of reporting of logistic regression models used to assess risk factors for tooth loss in patients who have received periodontal treatment.

Materials/methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, BIOSIS Citation Index, CINAHL, Web of Science, and LILACS electronic databases were searched up to 01 March 2014 to identify interventional longitudinal studies assessing risk factors for tooth loss after periodontal treatment. The reference lists of included studies were searched manually. No language restriction was applied to the search. Quality of reporting of logistic regression models was assessed using analytical and documentation criteria with a 15‐item checklist. Criteria were judged as met (adequately reported) or not met (not reported). All searches, selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently and in duplicate.

Results

Of 621 records initially retrieved, 24 articles were included in the analysis. Less than 30% of all 360 datapoints were met. “Coding of independent variables” was reported most frequently [n = 22 (83%) articles]. Criteria such as “internal and external validation of the model” were not met in any study assessed.

Conclusion

The reporting of logistic regression models in studies assessing risk factors for tooth loss in patients who have received periodontal treatment is not optimal.
Effects of hatchery rearing on Florida largemouth bass Micropterus floridanus resource allocation and performance under semi‐natural conditions
Authors: Garlock T. M. , Monk C. T. , Lorenzen K. , Matthews M. D. , St Mary C. M.
Published: September 2014

This study examined the growth, activity, metabolism and post‐release survival of three groups of Florida largemouth bass Micropterus floridanus: wild‐caught fish, hatchery fish reared according to standard practice (hatchery standard) and hatchery fish reared under reduced and unpredictable food provisioning (hatchery manipulated). Hatchery‐standard fish differed from wild‐caught fish in all measured variables, including survival in semi‐natural ponds. Hatchery‐standard and hatchery‐manipulated fish showed higher activity levels, faster growth and lower standard metabolic rates than wild‐caught fish in the hatchery. Fish reared under the manipulated feeding regime showed increased metabolic rates and increased post‐release growth, similar to wild‐caught fish. Their activity levels and post‐release survival, however, remained similar to those of hatchery‐standard fish. Activity was negatively correlated with post‐release survival and failure of the feed manipulation to reduce activity may have contributed to its failure to improve post‐release survival. Activity and post‐release survival may be influenced by characteristics of the rearing environment other than the feeding regime, such as stock density or water flow rates.
Predictors of protein‐energy wasting in haemodialysis patients: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ruperto M. , Sánchez‐Muniz F. J. , Barril G.
Published: September 2014

Background

Protein‐energy wasting (PEW) is a highly prevalent condition in haemodialysis patients (HD). The potential usefulness of nutritional‐inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of PEW in chronic kidney disease has not been established completely. We hypothesised that a combination of serum albumin, percentage of mid‐arm muscle circumference and standard body weight comprises a better discriminator than either single marker of nutritional status in HD patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed in 80 HD patients. Patients were categorised in two groups: well‐nourished and PEW. Logistic regression analysis was applied to corroborate the reliability of the three markers of PEW with all the nutritional‐inflammatory markers analysed.

Results

PEW was identified in 52.5% of HD patients. Compared with the well‐nourished patients, PEW patients had lower body mass index, serum pre‐albumin and body cell mass (all P < 0.001) and higher C‐reactive protein (s‐CRP) (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analyses showed that the combination of the three criteria were significantly related with s‐CRP >1 mg dL−1, phase angle <4°, and serum pre‐albumin <30 mg dL−1 (all P < 0.05). Other indicators, such as lymphocytes <20% and Charlson comorbidity index, were significantly involved (both P < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) of 0.86 (P < 0.001) was found.

Conclusions

The combined utilisation of serum albumin, percentage of mid‐arm muscle circumference and standard body weight as PEW markers appears to be useful for nutritional‐inflammatory status assessment and adds predictive value to the traditional indicators. Larger studies are needed to achieve the reliability of these predictor combinations and their cut‐off values in HD patients and other populations.
COB231 targets amyloid plaques in post‐mortem human brain tissue and in an Alzheimer mouse model
Authors: Garin Dominique , Virgone‐Carlotta Angélique , Gözel Bülent , Oukhatar Fatima , Perret Pascale , Marti‐Battle Danièle , Touret Monique , Millet Philippe , Dubois‐Dauphin Michel , Meyronet David , Streichenberger Nathalie , Laferla Frank M. , Demeunynck Martine , Chierici Sabine , Sallanon Marcelle Moulin , Ghezzi Catherine
Published: September 2014

Previous works have shown the interest of naturally fluorescent proflavine derivatives to label Abeta deposits in vitro. This study aimed to further characterize the properties of the proflavine 3‐acetylamino‐6‐[3‐(propargylamino)propanoyl]aminoacridine (COB231) derivative as a probe. This compound was therefore evaluated on human post‐mortem and mice brain slices and in vivo in 18‐month‐old triple transgenic mice APPswe, PS1M146V and tauP301L (3xTgAD) mice presenting the main characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). COB231 labelled amyloid plaques on brain slices of AD patients, and 3xTgAD mice at 10 and 0.1 μM respectively. However, no labelling of the neurofibrillary tangle‐rich areas was observed either at high concentration or in the brain of fronto‐temporal dementia patients. The specificity of this mapping was attested in mice using Thioflavin S and IMPY as positive controls of amyloid deposits. After intravenous injection of COB231 in old 3xTgAD mice, fluorescent amyloid plaques were detected in the cortex and hippocampus, demonstrating COB231 blood–brain barrier permeability. We also controlled the cellular localization of COB231 on primary neuronal cultures and showed that COB231 accumulates into the cytoplasm and not into the nucleus. Finally, using a viability assay, we only detected a slight cytotoxic effect of COB231 (< 10%) for the highest concentration (100 μM).

image

Previous work has shown that naturally fluorescent proflavine derivatives label Abeta plaques. Our aim was to further characterize the properties of one of them: 3‐acetylamino‐6‐[3‐(propargylamino) propanoyl]aminoacridine (COB231). We demonstrated the Abeta deposit binding properties of COB231 in vitro on Alzheimer (AD) patient brain slices (see image showing COB231 labelling of Abeta deposits), and in vivo in an AD mice model. These results are particularly attractive with regard to the flexible chemistry of COB231 that allows further radiolabelling for in vivo imaging or combination with a therapeutic agent targeting Abeta aggregates.
Patient and family perspectives on peritoneal dialysis at home: findings from an ethnographic study
Authors: Baillie Jessica , Lankshear Annette
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectives

To discuss findings from an ethnographic study, considering the experiences of patients and families, using peritoneal dialysis at home in the United Kingdom.

Background

Peritoneal dialysis is a daily, life‐preserving treatment for end‐stage renal disease, undertaken in the patient's home. With ever‐growing numbers of patients requiring treatment for this condition, the increased use of peritoneal dialysis is being promoted. While it is known that quality of life is reduced when using dialysis, few studies have sought to explore experiences of peritoneal dialysis specifically. No previous studies were identified that adopted an ethnographic approach.

Design

A qualitative design was employed, utilising ethnographic methodology.

Methods

Ethical and governance approvals were gained in November 2010 and data were generated in 2011. Patients (n = 16) and their relatives (n = 9) were interviewed and observed using peritoneal dialysis in their homes. Thematic analysis was undertaken using Wolcott's (1994) three stage process: Description, Analysis and Interpretation.

Results

This article describes four themes: initiating peritoneal dialysis; the constraints of peritoneal dialysis due to medicalisation of the home environment and the imposition of rigid timetables; the uncertainty of managing crises and inevitable deterioration; and seeking freedom through creativity and hope of a kidney transplant.

Conclusions

This study highlights the culture of patients and their families living with peritoneal dialysis. Despite the challenges posed by the treatment, participants were grateful they were able to self‐manage at home. Furthermore, ethnographic methods offer an appropriate and meaningful way of considering how patients live with home technologies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Participants reported confusion about kidney transplantation and also how to identify peritonitis, and ongoing education from nurses and other healthcare professionals is thus vital. Opportunities for sharing experiences of peritoneal dialysis were valued by participants and further peer‐support services should thus be considered.
Effects of an aerobic exercise programme on fatigue for patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Yang Tsui‐Yun , Chen Mei‐Ling , Li Chia‐Chun
Published: September 2014

Aims

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an aerobic exercise programme on fatigue for Taiwanese breast cancer women under radiotherapy (RT).

Background

Cancer‐related fatigue has been widely reported by patients undergoing radiotherapy as strongly and profoundly interfering with their quality of life. Evidence has shown that exercise can be beneficial to patients with breast cancer.

Design

A quasi‐experimental design was used.

Methods

Patients with early‐stage breast cancer scheduled for radiotherapy were invited to participate. The first 28 women who agreed to participate were assigned to the intervention group with a six‐week mild‐ to moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise training programme during their radiotherapy. The next 30 women were assigned to the routine care control group without special exercise intervention. Fatigue was measured at pre‐radiotherapy and weekly after starting radiotherapy for six weeks using the Taiwanese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory.

Results

The mean age of these 47 women was 50·3 years (standard deviation = 9·5). The baseline fatigue severity for the intervention group and control group were 3·04 and 2·95 respectively; and the baseline fatigue interference for the intervention group and the control group were 3·48 and 3·55 respectively. The student t‐test showed no group differences in baseline fatigue severity, fatigue interference, or haemoglobin levels. Multivariate analyses showed a significant group‐by‐time‐interaction effect for fatigue severity and interference (p ≦ 0·001); the fatigue severity and interference decreased significantly over time for women in the intervention group but increased over time for women in the control group.

Conclusions

The mild‐ to moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise programme reduces the fatigue of Taiwanese women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. The issues of cancer‐related fatigue should also be discussed as they relate to other treatment modalities.

Relevance to clinical practice

Aerobic exercise intervention should be offered as an option for women with breast cancer to alleviate cancer‐related fatigue when undergoing radiotherapy.
The experiences of diabetics on self‐monitoring of blood glucose: a qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Chen Chen‐Mei , Chang Yeh Mei
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectives

To interpret, describe and analyse the results of various qualitative studies and comprehensively elucidate the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients, and to make recommendations based on these findings for clinical practices.

Background

Patients exhibited both positive and negative perceptions towards the self‐monitoring of blood glucose. Numerous recent qualitative studies have explored the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients; however, no integrated results have been provided.

Design

Qualitative metasynthesis.

Methods

A systematic literature search of English and Chinese databases was undertaken, covering the period between January 2004 and April 2014. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Airiti library and PsycInfo. Seven studies were assessed in the final analysis; the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument was used to evaluate these studies.

Results

The self‐monitoring experiences of patients with diabetes were divided into five themes: perceived disease severity, effects on daily life, lifestyle adjustments after becoming aware of blood glucose levels, determining the meaning of self‐monitoring, and the differences between diabetic patients who use and do not use insulin. Individual differences in blood glucose self‐monitoring vary widely among diabetic patients.

Conclusions

These differences result from personal cognition and feelings concerning blood glucose monitoring. Insights into and discussions regarding the self‐monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients enable health care professionals to understand the factors that influence the intentions of patients to perform self‐monitoring of blood glucose and facilitate establishing customised self‐monitoring of blood glucose treatment plans.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health care professionals must adopt flexible and individualised criteria to determine patient cognitive misconceptions, understand negative emotional reactions and provide individualised assistance.
Association of interleukin 12A gene polymorphisms with oral lichen planus in Chinese population
Authors: Jiang Chenyan , Yao Hui , Cui Bin , Zhou Yongmei , Wang Yufeng , Tang Guoyao
Published: September 2014

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common autoimmune disorder with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its etiology. Interleukin (IL) 12 is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, which favors the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells, and forms a link between innate resistance and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to investigate the association between OLP susceptibility and clinical type in Chinese Han population with single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL‐12A gene.

Methods

Five SNPs of the IL‐12A gene at positions rs2243115, rs2243123, rs583911, rs568408, and rs2243143 were performed in 292 patients with OLP and 686 healthy controls from East China. The five SNPs were genotyped by TaqMan PCR method. The genotype and allelic frequencies were calculated and analyzed.

Results

There was a significant difference in rs568408 genotype distributions between patients and controls (P = 0.043). Additionally, there were highly significant increases in rs568408 genotype distributions and allele A frequencies in the erosive OLP group as compared to the control group (P = 0.011, OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.133 –2.732).

Conclusions

Our study indicated that the rs568408 variation in IL‐12A gene could influence disease susceptibility, and was associated with the severity of OLP in our East Chinese cohort.
MATURITY AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELLING IN THE OFFSHORE ZAMBEZI DELTA DEPRESSION AND ANGOCHE BASIN, NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE
Authors: Mahanjane E.S. , Franke D. , Lutz R. , Winsemann J. , Ehrhardt A. , Berglar K. , Reichert C.
Published: September 2014

Petroleum systems analysis and maturity modelling is used to predict the timing and locations of hydrocarbon generation in the underexplored offshore Zambezi Delta depression and Angoche basin, northern Mozambique. Model inputs include available geological, geochemical and geophysical data. Based on recent plate‐tectonic reconstructions and regional correlations, the presence of Valanginian and Middle and/or Late Jurassic marine source rock is proposed in the study area.

The stratigraphy of the Mozambique margin was interpreted along reflection seismic lines and tied to four wells in the Zambezi Delta depression. Thermal maturity was calibrated against measured vitrinite reflectance values from these four wells. Four 1‐D models with calibration data were constructed, together with another five without calibration data at pseudo‐well locations, and indicate the maturity of possible source rocks in the Zambezi Delta depressions and Angoche basin. Two 2‐D petroleum systems models, constrained by seismic reflection data, depict the burial history and maturity evolution of the Zambezi Delta basin. With the exception of the deeply‐buried centre of the Zambezi Delta depression where potential Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous source rocks were found to be overmature for both oil and gas, modelling showed that potential source rocks in the remaining parts of the study area are mature for hydrocarbon generation.

In both the Zambezi Delta depression and Angoche basin, indications for natural gas may be explained by early maturation of oil‐prone source rocks and secondary oil cracking, which likely began in the Early Cretaceous. In distal parts of the Angoche basin, however, the proposed source rocks remain in the oil window.
WORLD‐CLASS PALEOGENE OIL‐PRONE SOURCE ROCKS FROM A CORED LACUSTRINE SYN‐RIFT SUCCESSION, BACH LONG VI ISLAND, SONG HONG BASIN, OFFSHORE NORTHERN VIETNAM
Authors: Petersen H.I. , Fyhn M.B.W. , Nielsen L.H. , Tuan H.A. , Quang C.D. , Tuyen N.T. , Thang P.V. , Tham N.T. , Oang N.K. , Abatzis I.
Published: September 2014

Oil‐prone source rocks occurring in lacustrine syn‐rift successions have generated significant amounts of hydrocarbons in many Cenozoic basins in SE Asia. As most exploration wells are located on structural highs, the source rock successions are seldom drilled and their initial composition and generation potential are poorly known. The inverted Bach Long Vi Graben is located at the intersection of the NW–SE trending Song Hong Basin (Yinggehai Basin) and the NE–SW trending Beibuwan Basin in the Gulf of Tonkin, offshore northern Vietnam. The uppermost part of the inverted graben is exhumed and exposed on Bach Long Vi island. In order to investigate the amount and source rock quality of the syn‐rift mudstones, the ENRECA‐3 well was drilled on the island and cored some 500 m of the syn‐rift succession. The well provided excellent cores with a recovery of 99%, dominated by lacustrine mudstones interbedded with various gravity flow deposits. Organic petrography shows that the mudstones are thermally immature and contain sapropelic Type I and mixed Types I and III kerogen. Source rock screening data from more than 300 samples demonstrate that the lacustrine source rocks have an average TOC content of 2.88 wt% and an average Hydrogen Index of 566 mg HC/g TOC. The average Hydrogen Index of the reactive kerogen was determined to be 769 mg HC/g TOC. The Source Potential Index (SPI) is 9 tons HC/m2 and the mudstones will, upon full maturation, generate black oil with a gas‐liquid ratio not exceeding ∼1700 scf/stb. The mudstones are thus highly oil‐prone. In addition, several tens of metres of source rock within the overlying succession are exposed on Bach Long Vi island and in the surrounding seafloor, and the well did not reach the base of the source rock succession. Although the net‐source rock thickness of the ENRECA‐3 well is estimated to be 233 m, the net thickness of the entire source rock succession will be greater. The present study is the first organic geochemical assessment of a thick lacustrine source rock section in the petroliferous NE Song Hong Basin, and the promising results may be applied not only to other parts of the basin but also to other Cenozoic basins with syn‐rift successions containing significant source rock intervals.
GENERATION AND ACCUMULATION OF HYDROCARBONS IN A DEEP “BURIED HILL” STRUCTURE IN THE BAXIAN DEPRESSION, BOHAI BAY BASIN, EASTERN CHINA
Authors: Qiang Jin , Xianzheng Zhao , Fengming Jin , Peng Ma , Quan Wang , Jing Wang
Published: September 2014

Significant volumes of hydrocarbons have been produced from karstified Infracambrian dolomites in a “buried hill” structure at depths of 5860m to 6027m and reservoir temperatures of 190–201°C in well Niudong‐1 in the Baxian depression, Bohai Bay Basin. This is the deepest oil and gas discovery made in eastern China so far and structures at similar depths are targets for exploration elsewhere in the Bohai Bay Basin. However the origin and accumulation of the hydrocarbons at Niudong‐1 is not clear: they may have been generated from highly mature lacustrine source rocks in the Sha‐4 Member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation; or they may have been derived from thermal cracking of previously‐accumulated oil.

This paper investigates the organic geochemistry of the Sha‐4 Member source rocks and the crude oils produced from well Niudong‐1. Analyses of molecular parameters show that the hydrocarbons originated from the pyrolysis of organic matter in Sha‐4 Member source rocks, rather than from cracking of previously accumulated oil. Infracambrian dolomites at the Niudong‐1 location may have been charged with low‐maturity oil around 34 Ma ago, when the Sha‐4 Member source rocks were buried to depths of about 3500m and first entered the oil window. During further rapid burial to more than 5500m starting at about 15Ma, these source rocks became highly mature and generated significant volumes of light oil and gas. Overpressures in the source rock interval forced these hydrocarbons to migrate into unconformably‐underlying Infracambrian dolomite reservoir rocks at the Niudong‐1 structure.

Significant risks are associated with future exploration of deep “buried hill” structures in the Bohai Bay Basin. Not all the structures were charged with oil, and accumulations were not necessarily preserved during Neogene burial as the reservoirs may have been breached by faulting.
“Volunteers Are Not Paid Because They Are Priceless”: Community Health Worker Capacities and Values in an AIDS Treatment Intervention in Urban Ethiopia
Authors: Maes Kenneth
Published: September 2014

This article analyzes community health workers’ (CHW) capacities for empathic service within an AIDS treatment program in Addis Ababa. I show how CHWs’ capacities to build relationships with stigmatized people, reconcile family disputes, and confront death draw on a constellation of values, desires, and emotions encouraged by CHWs’ families and religious teachings. I then examine the ways in which the capacities of CHWs were valued by the institutions that deployed them. NGO and government officials recognized that empathic care was crucial to both saving and improving the quality of people's lives. These institutional actors also defended a policy of not financially remunerating CHWs, partly by constructing their capacities as so valuable that they become “priceless” and therefore only remunerable with immaterial satisfaction. Positive change within CHW programs requires ethnographic analysis of how CHWs exercise capacities for empathic care as well as consideration of how global health institutions value these capacities.
Isolation by environment
Authors: Wang Ian J. , Bradburd Gideon S.
Published: September 2014

The interactions between organisms and their environments can shape distributions of spatial genetic variation, resulting in patterns of isolation by environment (IBE) in which genetic and environmental distances are positively correlated, independent of geographic distance. IBE represents one of the most important patterns that results from the ways in which landscape heterogeneity influences gene flow and population connectivity, but it has only recently been examined in studies of ecological and landscape genetics. Nevertheless, the study of IBE presents valuable opportunities to investigate how spatial heterogeneity in ecological processes, agents of selection and environmental variables contributes to genetic divergence in nature. New and increasingly sophisticated studies of IBE in natural systems are poised to make significant contributions to our understanding of the role of ecology in genetic divergence and of modes of differentiation both within and between species. Here, we describe the underlying ecological processes that can generate patterns of IBE, examine its implications for a wide variety of disciplines and outline several areas of future research that can answer pressing questions about the ecological basis of genetic diversity.
Differential role of angiogenesis and tumour cell proliferation in brain metastases according to primary tumour type: analysis of 639 cases
Authors: Berghoff Anna S. , Ilhan‐Mutlu Aysegül , Dinhof Carina , Magerle Manuel , Hackl Monika , Widhalm Georg , Hainfellner Johannes A. , Dieckmann Karin , Pichler Josef , Hutterer Markus , Melchardt Thomas , Bartsch Rupert , Zielinski Christoph C. , Birner Peter , Preusser Matthias
Published: September 2014

Aim

We aimed to characterize angiogenesis and proliferation and their correlation with clinical characteristics in a large brain metastasis (BM) series.

Methods

Ki67 proliferation index, microvascular density (MVD) and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1 alpha) index were determined by immunohistochemistry in BM and primary tumour specimens.

Results

Six hundred thirty‐nine BM specimens of 639 patients with lung cancer (344/639; 53.8%), breast cancer (105/639; 16.4%), melanoma (67/639; 10.5%), renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 52/639; 8.1%) or colorectal cancer (CRC; 71/639; 11.1%) were available. Specimens of the corresponding primary tumour were available in 113/639 (17.7%) cases. Median Ki67 index was highest in CRC BM and lowest in RCC BM (P < 0.001). MVD and HIF‐1 alpha index were both highest in RCC BM and lowest in melanoma BM (P < 0.001). Significantly higher Ki67 indices, MVD and HIF‐1 alpha indices in the BM than in matched primary tumours were observed for breast cancer, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and CRC. Correlation of tissue‐based parameters with overall survival in individual tumour types showed a favourable and independent prognostic impact of low Ki67 index [hazard ratio (HR) 1.015; P < 0.001] in NSCLC BM and of low Ki67 index (HR 1.027; P = 0.008) and high angiogenic activity (HR 1.877; P = 0.002) in RCC.

Conclusion

Our data argue for differential pathobiological and clinical relevance of Ki67 index, HIF1‐alpha index and MVD between primary tumour types in BM patients. An independent prognostic impact of tissue‐based characteristics was observed in patients with BM from NSCLC and RCC, supporting the incorporation of these tissue‐based parameters into diagnosis‐specific prognostic scores.
The birth of spacetime atoms as the passage of time
Authors: Dowker Fay
Published: September 2014

In the following discussion I suggest that the reason there is no consensus on whether the passage of time is physical is that our current best theory of spacetime, general relativity, lacks such a concept. This means that the sense‐experience of passage, appealed to by those who claim it is physical, cannot be properly expressed: it is not even a fact. I draw attention to work in the literature on a model of a growing, granular spacetime—arising within a proposed theory of quantum spacetime called causal set theory—that does contain the concept of passage as the coming into being or birth of atoms of spacetime. I present an example from the history of science of a sense‐experience that cannot be understood within one theory but is revealed to be an important fact within a better successor theory.
Water stress in grasslands: dynamic responses of plants and insect herbivores
Authors: Lenhart Paul A. , Eubanks Micky D. , Behmer Spencer T.
Published: September 2014

Global climate change is altering precipitation patterns. The effect of water stress on plant–herbivore interactions is poorly understood even though this is a primary ecological interaction that will be altered by climate change. This is especially true for grasslands where water is often limiting. In this study we manipulated water inputs in open grassland plots (1 m2) during a severe drought and assessed plant and insect herbivore responses. There were two watering treatments: ambient and supplemented. Supplemented plots received water weekly in amounts that mimicked average seasonal rainfall. For plants, we were interested in how water input affected protein and digestible carbohydrate content; previous studies predicted water stress would increase the concentration of these two nutrients. Grasshoppers are the dominant insect herbivores in grasslands and we assessed their responses to water inputs by measuring abundance and diversity. Previous studies suggested grasshoppers would prefer water‐stressed plots. Protein and carbohydrate content in bulk grass and forb samples, plus plant biomass and diversity, were measured monthly (May–August). Immediately prior to harvesting plant tissue, we counted and identified individual grasshoppers in each plot. Grass biomass was reduced with water stress, but macronutrient content and species diversity were unaffected. After three months water‐stressed forbs were less protein biased, and diverse, relative to watered forbs; forb biomass was indistinguishable between treatments. Grasshopper abundance and diversity were lower in water‐stressed plots as the season progressed. However, grasshopper‐feeding biology mattered: densities of mixed‐feeders and grass‐feeders, but not forb‐specialists, decreased over time in water‐stressed plots, but not in water supplemented plots. Our results demonstrate the importance of focusing on plant and insect herbivore functional groups and provide valuable new data that can be incorporated into models to explore the effects of global climate change in greater detail.
Root phenes that reduce the metabolic costs of soil exploration: opportunities for 21st century agriculture
Authors: LYNCH JONATHAN P.
Published: September 2014

Crop genotypes with reduced metabolic costs of soil exploration would have improved water and nutrient acquisition. Three strategies to achieve this goal are (1) production of the optimum number of axial roots; (2) greater biomass allocation to root classes that are less metabolically demanding; and (3) reduction of the respiratory requirement of root tissue. An example of strategy 1 is the case of reduced crown root number in maize, which is associated with greater rooting depth, N capture and yield in low N soil. An example of strategy 2 is the case of increased hypocotyl‐borne rooting in bean, which decreases root cost and increases P capture from low P soil. Examples of strategy 3 are the cases of increased formation of root cortical aerenchyma, decreased cortical cell file number and increased cortical cell size in maize, which decrease specific root respiration, increase rooting depth and increase water capture and yield under water stress. Root cortical aerenchyma also increases N capture and yield under N stress. Root phenes that reduce the metabolic cost of soil exploration are promising, underexploited avenues to the climate‐resilient, resource‐efficient crops that are urgently needed in global agriculture.
Variations in CYP78A13 coding region influence grain size and yield in rice
Authors: XU FAN , FANG JUN , OU SHUJUN , GAO SHAOPEI , ZHANG FENGXIA , DU LIN , XIAO YUNHUA , WANG HONGRU , SUN XIAOHONG , CHU JINFANG , WANG GUODONG , CHU CHENGCAI
Published: September 2014

Grain size is one of the most important determinants of crop yield in cereals. Here, we identified a dominant mutant, big grain2 (bg2‐D) from our enhancer‐trapping population. Genetic analysis and SiteFinding PCR (polymerase chain reaction) revealed that BG2 encodes a cytochrome P450, OsCYP78A13. Sequence search revealed that CYP78A13 has a paralogue Grain Length 3.2 (GL3.2, LOC_Os03g30420) in rice with distinct expression patterns, analysis of transgenic plants harbouring either CYP78A13 or GL3.2 showed that both can promote grain growth. Sequence polymorphism analysis with 1529 rice varieties showed that the nucleotide diversity at CYP78A13 gene body and the 20 kb flanking region in the indica varieties were markedly higher than those in japonica varieties. Further, comparison of the genomic sequence of CYP78A13 in the japonica cultivar Nipponbare and the indica cultivar 9311 showed that there were three InDels in the promoter region and eight SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) in its coding sequence. Detailed examination of the transgenic plants with chimaeric constructs suggested that variation in CYP78A13 coding region is responsible for the variation of grain yield. Taken together, our results suggest that the variations in CYP78A13 in the indica varieties hold potential in rice breeding for application of grain yield improvement.
Cloning and Spatio‐Temporal Expression of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins‐2,‐4 Gene During Ovarian Development in New Zealand White Rabbit
Authors: Xie S‐Y , Wang D , Zhu H , Zhang W , Geng N‐Q , Feng X , Sun C‐X , Li M
Published: September 2014

Contents

In the transforming growth factor‐β(TGF‐β) superfamily, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are one of the largest subfamily, among which BMP‐2 and BMP‐4 are the most powerful molecules in biological activities. They have been shown to be involved in follicle development of ovary in mammals. However, whether these factors are involved in folliculogenesis in rabbit is still unknown. This study was performed to determine the relationships between ovarian development and the expression of BMP (BMP‐2,‐4) mRNAs in rabbit. Ovaries were removed from different development stages of rabbits (30‐, 60‐, 120‐, 180‐day age and 6‐day encyesis), and method of RT‐PCR was used for the cloning. The relative transcript levels of BMP‐2,‐4 genes were measured by real‐time quantitative PCR, with GAPDH as an internal control. Known from the results, the BMP‐2,‐4 genes showed similar but also different expression patterns during ovarian development; they both increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the ovary on 60‐day compared with 120‐day and 6‐day encyesis, and the expression of BMP‐2 was always higher than that of BMP‐4. The expression law of BMP‐2,‐4 genes presented in this study may lay the theoretical foundation for the study of BMPs' biological function.
Sources of Psychological Pain and Suicidal Thoughts Among Homeless Adults
Authors: Coohey Carol , Easton Scott D. , Kong Jooyoung , Bockenstedt Julie K. W.
Published: September 2014

Homeless adults experience problems in multiple areas of their lives. It was hypothesized that adults who were troubled by problems in more areas of their lives would be more likely to report suicidal thoughts. The sample included 457 homeless men and women who resided in three emergency shelters. The number of sources of psychological pain, past suicide attempts, and being a man predicted current suicidal thoughts, but being diagnosed with a depressive disorder did not. Shelter workers should ask adults whether they have attempted suicide in the past and how troubled they are by each area of their lives.
Trajectories of Suicide Ideation, Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury, and Suicide Attempts in a Nonclinical Sample of Military Personnel and Veterans
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Bryan AnnaBelle O. , May Alexis M. , Klonsky E. David
Published: September 2014

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a risk factor for suicide attempts, but little is known about NSSI among military personnel and veterans, or about the temporal sequencing of NSSI relative to suicide ideation and attempts. This study evaluates trajectories of suicide ideation, NSSI, and suicide attempts in a sample of 422 military personnel and veterans. Of those with a history of NSSI, 77% also experienced suicide ideation. Suicide ideation emerged before NSSI (67%) more often than the reverse (17%). Of those with a history of suicide attempt, 41% also engaged in NSSI. NSSI emerged prior to the first suicide attempt (91%) more often than the reverse (9%). The length of time from suicide ideation to suicide attempt was longer for those who first engaged in NSSI (median = 3.5 years) compared with those who did not engage in NSSI (median = 0.0 years), Wald χ2(1) = 11.985, p = .002. Age of onset was earlier for participants reporting NSSI only compared with those reporting both NSSI and suicide attempts (16.71 vs. 22.08 years), F(1, 45) = 4.149, p = .048. NSSI may serve as a “stepping stone” from suicide ideation to attempts for 41% of those who attempt suicide.
A new non‐randomized response model: The parallel model
Authors: Tian Guo‐Liang
Published: September 2014

Despite certain advances fornon‐randomized response(NRR) techniques in the past 6 years, the existing non‐randomized crosswise and triangular models have several limitations in practice. In this paper, I propose a new NRR model, called the parallel model with a wider application range. Asymptotical properties of the maximum likelihood estimator (and its modified version) for the proportion of interest are explored. Theoretical comparisons with the crosswise and triangular models show that the parallel model is always more efficient than the two existing NRR models for most of the possible parameter ranges. Bayesian methods for analyzing survey data from the parallel model are developed. A case study on college students' premarital sexual behavior at Wuhan and a case study on plagiarism at the University of Hong Kong are conducted and are used to illustrate the proposed methods. © 2014 The Authors. Statistica Neerlandica © 2014 VVS.
The Gravity of China's African Export Promise
Authors: Johnston Lauren A. , Morgan Stephen L. , Wang Yuesheng
Published: September 2014

Africa's largest trade partner, China, criticised for exchanging resources for manufactures, has promised to increase imports and optimise the structure of trade with Africa. Using a gravity model of China's imports for the years 1995–2009, we explore potential dynamics for this promise, uniquely accounting for market economy recognition and Taiwan recognition. The former is associated with increased imports, while the latter effect is ambiguous and statistically insignificant. Comparison of projected against actual imports across three growth‐path‐aligned economic geography typologies – resource‐rich; landlocked and resource‐poor; coastal and resource‐poor – sets out China's imports trends in an abstract framework of African export potential. We find not only ‘under’ importing across a majority of resource‐poor countries. We also find that current trade policy is the least applicable to these comparatively poor exporters’ trade with China. If the latter are to serve a broader catalytic role in Africa's regional industrial transformation as compared to the role of coastal and resource‐poor countries in regional economic transformation in Asia and Latin America, China–Africa trade and investment policies may need additional thinking.
Mechanical Behavior of Dissimilar Welds for Steam Turbine Rotors With High Application Temperature
Authors: Krojer Stefan , Roos Eberhard , Klenk Andreas , Sheng Shilun , Kern Torsten-Ulf
Published: September 2014

Fossil fired steam power plants of the latest generation require the elevation of steam parameters pressure and temperature to increase efficiency as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In order to achieve these goals for high temperatures, nickel-base alloys could play an important role for steam turbine applications in the future. Due to technological and economical restrictions, their application in turbine rotors shall be restricted to the most heavily stressed regions. Dissimilar welds offer a known solution to combine nickel-base alloys with ferritic/martensitic steels in this case. Thermal mismatch and differences in high temperature performance of the applied base materials make it very difficult to evaluate the lifetime of such dissimilar welds. Depending on temperature and type of loading, different failure mechanisms can be observed. Further, the type of weld material plays a major role for the service behavior of the weld. Therefore, this paper describes standard creep and fatigue tests which were conducted to identify failure mechanisms and failure locations at the weld zone. To simulate the outcome of the creep tests, a modified Graham-Walles approach is used that also accounts for the different creep behavior of the heat affected zones (HAZs) compared to the base material. For the simulation of the fatigue tests, the model type Chaboche–Nouailhas–Ohno–Wang (CNOW) is used. The results contribute to better knowledge in designing dissimilar welds between nickel-base alloys and martensitic steels under high temperature loading.
Underwater Friction Stud Welding Optimal Parameter Estimation: Engineering Robust Design Based Approach
Authors: Chandima Ratnayake R. M. , Ytterhaug H. O. , Bogwald P. , Nilsen S. T. R.
Published: September 2014

Underwater friction stud welding (FRSW) without a shroud around the stud requires controlling welding parameters to achieve optimal joint strength. A hydraulic FRSW unit has been designed and fabricated to perform FRSW without a shroud via a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). An experimental study has been initiated to investigate the optimal FRSW parameter combinations and corresponding values leading to optimal ultimate tensile load capacity (UTLC) values in the welded joint. The engineering robust design (ERD) approach has been deployed to run the experiment. Each weld has been made with a S355 M12 stud on S355 structural steel plate. This paper discusses the experimental approach, results and conclusions reached in the parameter evaluation, estimation, and experimentation.
Investigation on the Effect of a Realistic Flow Field on the Adiabatic Effectiveness of an Effusion-Cooled Combustor
Authors: Andrei Luca , Andreini Antonio , Bianchini Cosimo , Facchini Bruno , Mazzei Lorenzo , Turrini Fabio
Published: September 2014

Effusion cooling represents the state of the art of liner cooling technology for modern combustors. This technique consists of an array of closely spaced discrete film cooling holes and contributes to lower the metal temperature by the combined protective effect of coolant film and heat removal through forced convection inside each hole. Despite many efforts reported in literature to characterize the cooling performance of these devices, detailed analyses of the mixing process between coolant and hot gas are difficult to perform, especially when superposition and density ratio effects as well as the interaction with complex gas side flow field become significant. Furthermore, recent investigations on the acoustic properties of these perforations pointed out the challenge to maintain optimal cooling performance also with orthogonal holes, which showed higher sound absorption. The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of a realistic flow field on the adiabatic effectiveness performance of effusion cooling liners to verify the findings available in literature, which are mostly based on effusion flat plates with aligned cross flow, in case of swirled hot gas flow. The geometry consists of a tubular combustion chamber, equipped with a double swirler injection system and characterized by 22 rows of cooling holes on the liner. The liner cooling system employs slot cooling as well: its interactions with the cold gas injected through the effusion plate are investigated too. Taking advantage of the rotational periodicity of the effusion geometry and assuming axisymmetric conditions at the combustor inlet, steady state RANS calculations have been performed with the commercial code Ansys® CFX simulating a single circumferential pitch. Obtained results show how the effusion perforation angle deeply affects the flow-field around the corner of the combustor, in particular, with a strong reduction of slot effectiveness in case of 90 deg angle value.
Pressure Activated Leaf Seal Technology Readiness Testing
Authors: Bowsher Aaron , Crudgington Peter , Grondahl Clayton M. , Dudley James C. , Kirk Tracey , Pawlak Andrew
Published: September 2014

This paper continues the evaluation of pressure actuated leaf seals (PALSs) technology readiness for shaft and shroud sealing in power generation and aerospace applications. Seal designs tested are prototypical and constructed using processes appropriate for volume production. Results include both static and dynamic seal leakage measurements running against a 5.1 in. (130 mm) diameter smooth surface test rotor and another that simulates sealing against turbine blade shrouds. A further test was undertaken using a two-dimensional (2D) static rig that determined acoustic noise experienced during testing was attributed to leaves vibrating at their natural frequency as a result of interleaf gaps. The dynamic simulated shroud test includes steps, duplicating small discontinuities of adjacent shroud sealing surfaces and slots to inject air radially under the seal leaves as may occur between shrouds on blades with a high degree of reaction. Consistent seal performance over 15 h confirms suitability for turbine blade tip applications. Controlled deflection of PALS leaves with operating differential pressure is effective for startup rub avoidance in service as well as conformal wear-in sizing of leaf tips with the rotor. Tested leaf tip wear-in of approximately 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) against rotor disks without hard-face coating shows potential to eliminate seal misalignment and run-out contributions to operating seal clearance. PALS design features prevent further rubbing contact with the operating rotor after initial wear-in sizing, thereby sustaining a small effective seal clearance and prospects for long seal life. Measurements of rotor surface wear tracks from the wear-in process and endurance runs are included as well as rotor and leaf tip photos. Test results support the technology readiness of the PALS concept as a viable, robust, low leakage dynamic seal for select commercial application.