bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐report poor oral health and chronic diseases: the Hong Kong FAMILY project
Authors: Lee Paul H. , McGrath Colman P. J. , Kong Angie Y. C. , Lam Tai Hing
Published: January 2013

Objective

To assess the association between self‐reported oral health (SROH) and general health, this study examined the cross‐sectional associations between SROH and nine chronic health conditions, namely cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, nervous system disease, eye/nose/throat disease, stomach/intestinal disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Hong Kong.

Methods

This study included 41 641 participants recruited in the FAMILY Project cohort study during March 2009–March 2011. SROH was measured on a 5‐point Likert scale. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of dichotomized SROH (0: very good/good/average, 1: bad/very bad) on nine chronic health conditions, adjusted for age, sex, education, personal income, smoking and drinking habits, Body mass index (BMI), and blood pressures.

Results

All the nine chronic health conditions investigated were associated with SROH. SROH showed the strongest cross‐sectional association with nervous system disease (odds ratio = 3.30, P < 0.001), while the odds ratio with other significant chronic health conditions ranged from 1.13 (high cholesterol, P = 0.033)–1.73 (stomach/intestinal disease, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Poor SROH is associated with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, nervous system disease, eye/nose/throat disease, stomach/intestinal disease, and musculoskeletal disease.
Rac1 modulates the vitreous‐induced plasticity of mesenchymal movement in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Huang Xiong‐gao , Chen You‐zhen , Zhang Zhao‐tian , Wei Yan‐tao , Ma Hai‐zhi , Zhang Ting , Zhang Shao‐chong
Published: January 2013

Background

The vitreous has been shown to induce epithelial‐mesenchymal transdifferentiation because it induces fibroblast‐like morphology, enhanced migration and invasion in retinal pigment epithelial cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Rac1 is the principal mediator of cell migration. In the current study, the relationship between Rac1 and cell migration, and invasion in vitreous‐transformed retinal pigment epithelial cells was investigated using NSC23766, a specific inhibitor of Rac guanosine‐5′‐triphosphatase activity, and the involvement of a Rac1 guanosine‐5′‐triphosphatase‐dependent pathway was detected.

Design

One‐way design with multiple levels and repeated measurement design.

Participants and Samples

The vitreous humor was collected from 20 healthy donor eyes and the retinal pigment epithelial cells were obtained from 9 healthy donor eyes.

Methods

Human low‐passage retinal pigment epithelial cells were treated with normal medium or 25% vitreous medium. Rac1 activity was measured using a pull‐down assay. The cytotoxicity of NSC23766 was measured using the trypan blue dye exclusion test. Cell migration was measured using a wound healing assay. Cell invasion was determined using a transwell invasion assay. Protein expression of Rac1 and phosphorylation of LIM kinase 1 and cofilin were detected by Western blot analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

Cell migration, invasion, Rac1 activity and phosphorylation of LIM kinase 1 and cofilin.

Results

Rac1guanosine‐5′‐triphosphatase was activated in vitreous‐transformed retinal pigment epithelial cells. A Rac inhibitor suppressed vitreous‐induced migration and invasion in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Cofilin phosphorylation was activated by vitreous treatment but blocked by NSC23766.

Conclusions

Rac1 mediates vitreous‐transformed retinal pigment epithelial cells' plasticity of mesenchymal movement via Rac1 guanosine‐5′‐triphosphatase‐dependent pathways that modulate LIM kinase 1 and cofilin activity. Rac inhibition may be considered a novel treatment for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
High prevalence of refractive errors in a rural population: ‘Nooravaran Salamat’ Mobile Eye Clinic experience
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Rezvan Farhad , Ostadimoghaddam Hadi , Abdollahi Majid , Hashemi Maryam , Khabazkhoob Mehdi
Published: January 2013

Background

The prevalence of myopia and hyperopia and determinants were determined in a rural population of Iran.

Design

Population‐based cross‐sectional study.

Participants

Using random cluster sampling, 13 of the 83 villages of Khaf County in the north east of Iran were selected. Data from 2001 people over the age of 15 years were analysed.

Methods

Visual acuity measurement, non‐cycloplegic refraction and eye examinations were done at the Mobile Eye Clinic.

Main Outcome Measures

The prevalence of myopia and hyperopia based on spherical equivalent worse than −0.5 dioptre and +0.5 dioptre, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and anisometropia in the total study sample was 28% (95% confidence interval: 25.9–30.2), 19.2% (95% confidence interval: 17.3–21.1), and 11.5% (95% confidence interval: 10.0–13.1), respectively. In the over 40 population, the prevalence of myopia and hyperopia was 32.5% (95% confidence interval: 28.9–36.1) and 27.9% (95% confidence interval: 24.5–31.3), respectively. In the multiple regression model for this group, myopia strongly correlated with cataract (odds ratio = 1.98 and 95% confidence interval: 1.33–2.93), and hyperopia only correlated with age (P < 0.001). The prevalence of high myopia and high hyperopia was 1.5% and 4.6%. In the multiple regression model, anisometropia significantly correlated with age (odds ratio = 1.04) and cataract (odds ratio = 5.2) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of myopia and anisometropia was higher than that in previous studies in urban population of Iran, especially in the elderly. Cataract was the only variable that correlated with myopia and anisometropia.
Perceived difficulty of various steps of manual small incision cataract surgery among trainees in rural China
Authors: Huang Wenyong , Ye Ronghua , Huang Shengsong , Wang Decai , Wang Lanhua , Liu Bin , Friedman David S , He Mingguang , Liu Yizhi , Congdon Nathan G
Published: January 2013

Background

The perceived difficulty of steps of manual small incision cataract surgery among trainees in rural China was assessed.

Design

Cohort study.

Participants

Fifty‐two trainees at the end of a manual small incision cataract surgery training programme.

Methods

Participants rated the difficulty of 14 surgical steps using a 5‐point scale, 1 (very easy) to 5 (very difficult). Demographic and professional information was recorded for trainees.

Main Outcome Measure

Mean ratings for surgical steps.

Results

Questionnaires were completed by 49 trainees (94.2%, median age 38 years, 8 [16.3%] women). Twenty six (53.1%) had performed ≤50 independent cataract surgeries prior to training. Trainees rated cortical aspiration (mean score ± standard deviation = 3.10 ± 1.14) the most difficult step, followed by wound construction (2.76 ± 1.08), nuclear prolapse into the anterior chamber (2.74 ± 1.23) and lens delivery (2.51 ± 1.08). Draping the surgical field (1.06 ± 0.242), anaesthetic block administration (1.14 ± 0.354) and thermal coagulation (1.18 ± 0.441) were rated easiest. In regression models, the score for cortical aspiration was significantly inversely associated with performing >50 independent manual small incision cataract surgery surgeries during training (P = 0.01), but not with age, gender, years of experience in an eye department or total number of cataract surgeries performed prior to training.

Conclusions

Cortical aspiration, wound construction and nuclear prolapse pose the greatest challenge for trainees learning manual small incision cataract surgery, and should receive emphasis during training. Number of cases performed is the strongest predictor of perceived difficulty of key steps.
Radiographic features of Kirner's deformity
Authors: Satake Hiroshi , Ogino Toshihiko , Eto Jun , Maruyama Masahiro , Watanabe Tadayoshi , Takagi Michiaki
Published: January 2013

We conducted a study of Kirner's deformity to investigate its radiologic features and consider its possible causes. Sixty‐seven patients with Kirner's deformity, 41 in our series and 26 retrieved in a survey of the literature were investigated. We divided Kirner's deformity into three types according to the site of curvature: the epiphyseal line, diaphysis, and distal tip. Among our series, 12 hands were affected in males and 26 in females. The gender of the patients for the other three hands was unknown. Twelve cases occurred on the right side, five on the left side, and 24 on both sides. Radiographic data for 34 hands were available. The palmar surface of the distal phalanx was at a mean angle of 27.4 degrees to the long axis of the middle phalanx. Epiphyseal line curvature was seen in four hands (mean patient age, 11 years), diaphysis curvature in 10 (mean age, 12.4 years), and distal tip curvature in 20 (mean age, 26.5 years). Dorsal subluxation of the distal phalanx was noticed in six hands (18%). Radiographic data for 26 hands reported previously were analyzable. The differences between epiphyseal line or diaphysis curvature and distal tip curvature in terms of age were significant in both the present study and the literature.
Simulation of Morphology Changes in Drying Leaves
Authors: Jeong SoHyeon , Park Si‐Hyung , Kim Chang‐Hun
Published: January 2013

We introduce a biologically motivated simulation technique for the realistic shape deformation of drying leaves. In contrast to skeleton‐based leaf deformation, our approach simulates the whole leaf surface to capture the fine details of desiccated leaves. We represent a leaf as a triangulated double‐layer structure that consists of a Delaunay triangulation discretized along the vein structure and its corresponding Voronoi diagram. This structure can generate not only sharp creases along leaf veins, but also the complicated curling and crumpling on the leaf surface. The loss of water is the major factor that controls the inhomogeneous shrinkage of drying leaves. The proposed osmotic water flow successfully models the gradual changes of dehydrated regions advancing towards the veins. We demonstrate the robustness of our method by comparing a sequence of simulated morphology changes with photographs of real leaves.
Rotational thromboelastometry and standard coagulation tests for live liver donors
Authors: Mohammed Maged , Fayed Nirmeen , Hassanen Ashraf , Ahmed Fatma , Mourad Wessam , El Sheikh Maha , Abofetouh Fawzia , Yassen Khaled , Khalil Magdy , Marwan Ibrahim , Tanaka Koichio
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To study coagulation of live liver donors with standard coagulation tests (SCT) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and investigate their relationship.

Methods

A descriptive prospective study involving 50 right hepatotomy donors with epidural catheters. ROTEM (EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM represent extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of coagulation and fibrinogen activity, respectively) was measured perioperatively and on days 1, 3, 5, 10, and 30. SCTs include prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) of PT, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPPT), fibrinogen, and platelets.

Results

PT and INR reflect hypocoagulability reaching maximum on day one (16.9 ± 2.5 s, 1.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.05 compared with baseline). ROTEM was in normal ranges till day 30 with no hypercoagulability. Fibrinogen showed no correlation with maximum clot firmness (MCF) of FIBTEM (r = 0.35, p > 0.05). CFT of EXTEM was not in significant correlation with PT and INR (r = 0.16, 0.19, p > 0.05), respectively. Significant correlation between platelets and both MCF (EXTEM; r = 0.59, p = 0.004) and MCF (INTEM; r = 0.48, p = 0.027).

Conclusion

ROTEM disagreed with SCTs and did not show the temporary hypocoagulability suggested by SCTs. Both ROTEM and SCTs showed no signs of hypercoagulability. Future studies involving ROTEM could help develop new guidelines for coagulation monitoring.
Diversity in the fertilization envelopes of echinoderms
Authors: Oulhen Nathalie , Reich Adrian , Wong Julian L. , Ramos Isabela , Wessel Gary M.
Published: January 2013

Cell surface changes in an egg at fertilization are essential to begin development and for protecting the zygote. Most fertilized eggs construct a barrier around themselves by modifying their original extracellular matrix. This construction usually results from calcium‐induced exocytosis of cortical granules, the contents of which in sea urchins function to form the fertilization envelope (FE), an extracellular matrix of cortical granule contents built upon a vitelline layer scaffold. Here, we examined the molecular mechanism of this process in sea stars, a close relative of the sea urchins, and analyze the evolutionary changes that likely occurred in the functionality of this structure between these two organisms. We find that the FE of sea stars is more permeable than in sea urchins, allowing diffusion of molecules in excess of 2 megadaltons. Through a proteomic and transcriptomic approach, we find that most, but not all, of the proteins present in the sea urchin envelope are present in sea stars, including SFE9, proteoliaisin, and rendezvin. The mRNAs encoding these FE proteins accumulated most densely in early oocytes, and then beginning with vitellogenesis, these mRNAs decreased in abundance to levels nearly undetectable in eggs. Antibodies to the SFE9 protein of sea stars showed that the cortical granules in sea star also accumulated most significantly in early oocytes, but different from sea urchins, they translocated to the cortex of the oocytes well before meiotic initiation. These results suggest that the preparation for cell surface changes in sea urchins has been shifted to later in oogenesis, and perhaps reflects the meiotic differences among the species—sea star oocytes are stored in prophase of meiosis and fertilized during the meiotic divisions, as in most animals, whereas sea urchins are one of the few taxons in which eggs have completed meiosis prior to fertilization.
The origins of multicellular organisms
Authors: Niklas Karl J. , Newman Stuart A.
Published: January 2013

Multicellularity has evolved in several eukaryotic lineages leading to plants, fungi, and animals. Theoretically, in each case, this involved (1) cell‐to‐cell adhesion with an alignment‐of‐fitness among cells, (2) cell‐to‐cell communication, cooperation, and specialization with an export‐of‐fitness to a multicellular organism, and (3) in some cases, a transition from “simple” to “complex” multicellularity. When mapped onto a matrix of morphologies based on developmental and physical rules for plants, these three phases help to identify a “unicellular ⇒ colonial ⇒ filamentous (unbranched ⇒ branched) ⇒ pseudoparenchymatous ⇒ parenchymatous” morphological transformation series that is consistent with trends observed within each of the three major plant clades. In contrast, a more direct “unicellular ⇒ colonial or siphonous ⇒ parenchymatous” series is observed in fungal and animal lineages. In these contexts, we discuss the roles played by the cooptation, expansion, and subsequent diversification of ancestral genomic toolkits and patterning modules during the evolution of multicellularity. We conclude that the extent to which multicellularity is achieved using the same toolkits and modules (and thus the extent to which multicellularity is homologous among different organisms) differs among clades and even among some closely related lineages.
Identification of Phytophthora species baited and isolated from forest soil and streams in northwestern Yunnan province, China
Authors: Huai W.‐x. , Tian G. , Hansen E. M. , Zhao W.‐x. , Goheen E. M. , Grünwald N. J. , Cheng C.
Published: January 2013

Phytophthora species were surveyed by collecting soil samples and placing bait leaves in selected streams during June–October in the years 2005, 2006 and 2010 at three sites in oak forests in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of NW Yunnan province, China. Seventy‐three isolates of Phytophthora spp. were recovered from 135 baited leaf samples and 81 soil samples. Eight Phytophthora species were identified by observation of morphological features and ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 rDNA sequence analysis. The eight taxa included two well‐known species P. gonapodyides and P. cryptogea, two recently described species P. gregata and P. plurivora, two named but as yet undescribed taxa, P. taxon PgChlamydo and P. taxon Salixsoil, and two previously unrecognized species, Phytophthora sp.1 and P. sp.2. The most numerous species, P. taxon PgChlamydo, and the second most abundant species, P. taxon Salixsoil, were recovered at all three sites. Phytophthora cryptogea was detected only once at site Nixi. Phytophthora gregata and P. sp.2 were isolated from a stream only at site Bitahai, while the other three species were each found at two sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to three ITS clades, one species including six isolates in clade 2, six species including 66 isolates in clade 6 and one species in clade 8. There was a relatively rich species and genetic diversity of Phytophthora detected in the investigated regions where the forest biotic and abiotic factors affecting the growth and evolution of Phytophthora populations were diverse.
Application of a novel method for soil aggregate stability measurement by laser granulometry with sonication
Authors: Rawlins B. G. , Wragg J. , Lark R. M.
Published: January 2013

Aggregate stability is an important physical indicator of soil quality, and so methods are required to measure it rapidly and cost‐effectively so that sufficient data can be collected to detect change with adequate statistical power. The standard methods to measure water‐stable aggregates (WSA) in soil involve sieving, but these have limitations that could be overcome if the aggregates were measured with a laser granulometer (LG) instrument. We present a novel method in which a LG is used to make two measurements of the continuous size distribution (<2000 µm) of a sample of aggregates. The first measurement is made on the WSA after these have been added to circulating water (initial air‐dried aggregate size range 1000–2000 µm). The second measurement is made on the disaggregated material (DM) after the circulating aggregates have been disrupted with ultrasound (sonication). We then compute the difference between the mean weight diameters (MWD) of these two size distributions; we refer to this value as the disaggregation reduction (DR; µm). Soils with more stable aggregates, which are resistant to both slaking and mechanical breakdown by the hydrodynamic forces during circulation, have larger values of DR. We applied this method to six and ten sub‐samples, respectively, of soil aggregates (each ca. 0.3 g) from bulk soil material from two contrasting soil types from England, both under conventional tillage (CT). The mean DR values were, respectively, 178 and 30 µm, with coefficients of variation of 12.1 and 19% suggesting the DR value is reproducible for the small mass of soil used. We attribute the larger DR values to the greater abundance of micaceous clay minerals in one of the soils. The DR values computed for each Blackwater Drain (BD) sample after removal of organic matter (with hydrogen peroxide) were comparable to those subject to sonication suggesting that most of the aggregate structure is removed by sonication. We used aggregates (1000–2000 µm) from soil samples collected at 30 locations under CT (median soil organic carbon (SOC) = 1.4%) across two types of parent material in the Blackwater drain sub‐catchments of the Wensum catchment (Norfolk, UK). These soils had no coarse WSA, so we rescaled the size distributions to estimate DR for particle diameters <500 µm. Dithionite‐extractable iron concentration, plus a minor contribution from parent material class, accounted for 64% of the variation in rescaled DR highlighting the importance of crystalline iron oxyhydroxides for aggregate stability in this region where long‐term arable production has reduced top‐soil SOC concentrations. We discuss how this technique could be developed to monitor aggregate stability as a soil physical indicator.
Inhibition of acidification of kaolinite and an Alfisol by aluminum oxides through electrical double‐layer interaction and coating
Authors: Li J. Y. , Xu R. K.
Published: January 2013

Soil chemical properties are affected significantly by surface charge characteristics of the soil. Interaction between oppositely charged particles in variable‐charge soils plays an important role in variation of soil electrochemical properties. In this study, the effects of Al oxides on surface charge and acidity properties of kaolinite and an Alfisol during electrodialysis were investigated. The results indicated that Al oxides, when mixed into kaolinite or the Alfisol, decreased the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and exchangeable acidity and inhibited the decrease in pH. Gibbsite had less effect than γ‐Al2O3 and amorphous Al(OH)3 in reducing the ECEC and acidity of kaolinite and the Alfisol; γ‐Al2O3 and amorphous Al(OH)3 displayed comparable effects. However, this effect is inconsistent with the order of the surface positive charge per unit mass that the Al oxides carried. Their effect on the ECEC of kaolinite and Alfisol varied irreversibly with ionic strength of the bathing solutions. X‐ray diffraction spectra indicated that amorphous Al(OH)3 and γ‐Al2O3 were more effective than gibbsite in decreasing peak intensity of electro‐dialyzed kaolinite when mixed with these Al oxides at the same rate. The results demonstrated that Al oxides could decrease the effective negative charge and inhibit acidification of kaolinite and an Alfisol through diffuse‐double‐layer overlapping between oppositely charged particles and coating of Al oxides on these materials. Both mechanisms intensified with increasing rate of added Al oxides, which can therefore act as anti‐acidification agents in variable‐charge soils.
Comparative developmental and reproductive biology of geographical populations from two cryptic species in Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Takano Shun‐ichiro , Takasu Keiji , Murata Mika , Huong Nguyen Thi , Nakamura Satoshi
Published: January 2013

Brontispa longissima is a serious pest of the coconut palm Cocos nucifera, presumed to have originated in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It recently invaded Southeast and East Asia, where outbreaks have been reported. Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals two cryptic species in B. longissima: one is distributed over a wide area including Asia and the Pacific region (the Asian clade) and the other in a limited area in the Pacific region (the Pacific clade). Recent invasions and outbreaks have been reported only from the area where the Asian clade has been found, suggesting that this clade has become a pest in Asia. To infer if the Asian clade has the ability to establish, spread and outbreak in novel habitats more effectively than the Pacific clade, we compared life‐history traits between the two populations of different clades. The net reproduction rate (R0) was 130.0 and 94.0, the mean length of a generation (T) was 57.7 and 54.7 days, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) was 0.084 and 0.083 per day for the population from Ishigaki Island, Japan (ISH) (the Asian clade) and for the population from Papua New Guinea (PNG) (the Pacific clade), respectively. Although the difference in r was little, the simulated population growth showed that the ISH population can be 1.6 times larger than that of the PNG after ten generations. The rapid population growth of the Asian clade would be partly responsible for its establishment, spread and frequent outbreaks in Asia.
Diurnal rhythm and effects of feeding, exercise and recombinant equine growth hormone on serum insulin concentrations in the horse
Authors: Noble G. K. , Sillence M. N.
Published: January 2013

Reasons for performing the study

As growth hormone increases lean body mass, it could be a therapy for obese horses. However, growth hormone use induces hyperinsulinaemia in some species, so further investigation is warranted.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of feeding, exercise and growth hormone therapy on basal insulin concentrations in healthy horses.

Study design

In vivo experimental study.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained every 30 min from 12 geldings over 24 h, to establish basal serum insulin concentrations, before they underwent a 3‐week exercise programme. Horses were allocated into 2 groups and exercised for another 4 weeks. Group A received daily i.m. injections of recombinant equine growth hormone; 5 mg/day for 5 days, then 12.5 mg/day for 16 days. Blood samples were taken daily before feeding. Insulin vs. time area under curve of Groups A and B were compared using a Student's unpaired t test.

Results

Horses demonstrated insulin peaks within 2 h of feeding of 577 ± 108.3 pmol/l at 09.30 h and 342.4 ± 75.7 pmol/l at 17.30 h, despite receiving the same meal. The nadir was between midnight and 07.30 h. Exercise had no effect on basal insulin concentrations prior to equine growth hormone administrations. The equine growth hormone injections increased serum insulin concentrations (P = 0.01) within Group A, from 44.4 ± 15.3 pmol/l initially to 320.9 ± 238.2 pmol/l by Day 12. Exogenous growth hormone caused variable hyperinsulinaemia, which was alleviated once equine growth hormone administration ceased.

Conclusions

Single serum samples taken prior to the morning meal provide basal insulin concentrations. Exercise did not change basal insulin concentrations. However, equine growth hormone injections increased basal insulin concentrations, which were not ameliorated by exercise.

Potential relevance

This therapy is not recommended to address obesity in insulin‐resistant equids.
Spatial assessment of predator–prey relationships in the North Sea: the influence of abiotic habitat properties on the spatial overlap between 0‐group cod and grey gurnard
Authors: Kempf Alexander , Stelzenmüller V. , Akimova A. , Floeter J.
Published: January 2013

The understanding of spatio‐temporal dynamics of marine ecosystems is crucial for ecosystem‐based fisheries management and climate change impact assessments. We quantified temporal changes in the distribution of 0‐group cod (Gadus morhua) and grey gurnard (Eutriglia gurnardus), a primary predator of 0‐group cod, with the help of regression kriging and assessed the temporal dynamics of the related spatial predator–prey overlap of these two species at different spatial scales. We analysed the robustness of relationships among abiotic habitat properties (temperature, salinity and depth) and abundance. Small cod was mainly found in low salinity areas of the Skagerrak but larger year classes were able to expand their distribution area towards the central and northern North Sea. In contrast, grey gurnard was mainly found in waters with salinities above 33 and temperatures above 14°C. This species has expanded its high density areas in the central North Sea northward over the last two decades. Recruitment success of cod was negatively correlated to a Moran's I cross‐correlation index, a proxy for the degree of spatial overlap between both species. Strong cod year classes overlapped less with grey gurnard at the large and medium spatial scale. In general, the relationships between abiotic habitat properties and abundance showed an increased inter‐annual variability, which was likely caused by underlying factors not taken into account in the distribution models. Thus assemblage modeling approaches combining the strength of different model types should be considered in the future to predict potential distribution patterns under climate change scenarios.
The Employment Effect of Industry- Specific, Collectively Bargained Minimum Wages
Authors: Frings Hanna
Published: January 2013

This study estimates the employment effects of industry-specific, collectively bargained minimum wages in Germany for two occupations associated with the construction sector. I propose a truly exogenous control group in contrast to the control group design used in the literature. Further, a difference-in-differences-in-differences estimator is presented as a robustness test for occupation-specific and/or industry-specific, time-varying, unobserved heterogeneity. I do not find a significantly negative employment effect, even though the minimum wage is binding in (East) Germany. Possible explanations include substitution effects, non-compliance and models of monopsonic competition.
Estimation of Salt Water Upconing Using a Steady‐State Solution for Partial Completion of a Pumped Well
Authors: Garabedian Stephen P.
Published: January 2013

A new steady‐state analytical solution to the two‐dimensional radial‐flow equation was developed for drawdown (head) conditions in an aquifer with constant transmissivity, no‐flow conditions at the top and bottom, constant head conditions at a known radial distance, and a partially completed pumping well. The solution was evaluated for accuracy by comparison to numerical simulations using MODFLOW. The solution was then used to estimate the rise of the salt water‐fresh water interface (upconing) that occurs under a pumping well, and to calculate the critical pumping rate at which the interface becomes unstable, allowing salt water to enter the pumping well. The analysis of salt water‐fresh water interface rise assumed no significant effect on upconing by recharge; this assumption was tested and supported using results from a new steady‐state analytical solution developed for recharge under two‐dimensional radial‐flow conditions. The upconing analysis results were evaluated for accuracy by comparison to those from numerical simulations using SEAWAT for salt water‐fresh water interface positions under mild pumping conditions. The results from the equation were also compared with those of a published numerical sharp‐interface model applied to a case on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This comparison indicates that estimating the interface rise and maximum allowable pumping rate using the analytical method will likely be less conservative than the maximum allowable pumping rate and maximum stable interface rise from a numerical sharp‐interface model.
Interleukin‐2 gene polymorphism inTurkish patients withBehçet's disease and its association with ocular involvement
Authors: Yücel A. , Dilek K. , Saba D. , Özçimen A. A. , Yurtkuran M. , Oral H. B.
Published: January 2013

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic immune‐mediated systemic disease, characterized by oral and genital lesions and ocular inflammation. Several cytokine genes may play crucial roles in host susceptibility toBD, because the cytokine production capacity varies among individuals and depends on the cytokine gene polymorphisms. The association of the interleukin (IL)‐2 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility toBDwas investigated in this study.DNAsamples were obtained from a Turkish population of 97 patients withBDand 76 healthy control subjects. Polymorphisms ofIL‐2 gene at position −330 and +166 were determined using the polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers. In the patients withBD, there was a significantly increased frequency ofIL‐2 −330GTgenotype. Interestingly, we demonstrated that the frequencies ofIL‐2 −330GTandIL‐2 + 166GGgenotypes were increased inBDpatients with ocular involvement, whilstIL‐2 −330TTgenotype was significantly decreased. Also, analysis of allele frequency demonstrated that the presence of G allele at position +166 ofIL‐2 seems to be a risk factor for ocular involvement. These results reveal thatIL‐2 −330GTgenotype may be a susceptibility factor forBD, whereasIL‐2 −330TTgenotype seems to display a protective association withBD. Additionally,IL‐2 gene polymorphisms might be associated with ocular involvement inBD.
Efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in vitiligo
Authors: Wong Russell , Lin Andrew N.
Published: January 2013

Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are indicated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, but they have been studied in many off‐label uses. We reviewed the English language literature to define their roles in treatment of vitiligo. Double‐blind studies show that tacrolimus 0.1% ointment combined with excimer laser is superior to placebo, especially for UV resistant areas, such as bony prominences of the extremities. When used alone, tacrolimus 0.1% ointment is almost as effective as clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment. Other studies suggest it can also be effective for facial lesions. Double blind studies show that pimecrolimus 1% cream combined with narrow band UVB is superior to placebo, especially for facial lesions. Additional studies would further clarify the role of topical calcineurin inhibitors in vitiligo.
Clinical‐epidemiological features of contact dermatitis in rural and urban communities in northern Ethiopia: correlation with environmental or occupational exposure
Authors: Morrone Aldo , Bordignon Valentina , Barnabas Gebre Ab , Dassoni Federica , Latini Ottavio , Padovese Valeska , Ensoli Fabrizio , Cristaudo Antonio
Published: January 2013

Background

The widespread diffusion of low‐quality products as well as the local cultural habits could be a relevant cause of allergic diseases in developing countries. In the present observational study, we explored the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis in both rural and urban settings in northern Ethiopia, where skin diseases represent a frequent cause of morbidity. Clinical features and specific reactivities in association with environmental or occupational exposure were investigated.

Patients and methods

We patch tested 480 consecutive patients, visited at the Mekele IDC, exhibiting symptoms of contact dermatitis. A detailed medical history of each patient was collected.

Results

A positive patch‐test response was observed in 50% of subjects; nickel was the most frequent sensitizer (26.2%), followed by p‐tert‐butylphenol formaldehyde resin (10%), fragrance mix (7.1%), potassium dichromate (5.4%), cobalt chloride (4.6%), disperse blue (2.3%), and p‐phenylenediamine (1.7%). Gender‐related differences were analyzed for single allergen. Eczema represented the most common manifestation, affecting the head and neck as primary skin areas. While reactivity to nickel interested almost all the occupational categories, sensitization to other allergens could be ascribed to working habits or environmental exposure.

Conclusions

The results gathered from this study, the first one conducted within the Tigray region in Ethiopia, confirm the need to take appropriate measures to limit the nickel rate in metal objects and may be useful to design allergenic series suitable for patch testing in those geographical settings.
Ecstasy (3, 4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine) use among Japanese rave population
Authors: Shimane Takuya , Hidaka Yasuharu , Wada Kiyoshi , Funada Masahiko
Published: January 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of 3, 4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use and to identify characteristics of MDMA users among rave attendees in Japan. This is the first rave‐population study focusing on MDMA use in Japan.

Methods

The anonymous self‐administrative questionnaire was conducted using laptop computers at four rave parties at three different venues in Tokyo, Japan. Participants were asked about lifetime use of MDMA and other club drug use, characteristics of rave attendance, and their demographics.

Results

Questionnaires were completed by 300 rave attendees (47.3% female), 68.3% of whom were aged 20–29 years, and 92.3% of whom had completed high school. Among the participants, 8.0% reported MDMA use. Compared with ‘non‐drug controls’ (the participants who had never used any illicit drugs), MDMA users were significantly more likely to be 30–39‐year‐old men. In addition, compared with ‘cannabis users’ (non‐MDMA users who had used cannabis), MDMA users were significantly more likely to use other drugs and reported more adverse health effects due to ‘polydrug use’. Furthermore, MDMA users were significantly more likely to go to raves and preferred smaller venues.

Conclusions

Our results clearly suggest that rave attendees have a higher lifetime prevalence of MDMA use than the Japanese general population (0.2% reported in 2007). MDMA users are deeply involved in rave parties, and MDMA use may have high potential to generate close relationships among rave attendees. Therefore, MDMA users may have more opportunities to access MDMA than cannabis users and non‐drug controls.
Silvio Berlusconi's Personal Parties: From Forza Italia to the Popolo Della Libertà
Authors: McDonnell Duncan
Published: January 2013

Despite the electoral success of Silvio Berlusconi's two political parties, little theoretical and empirical work has been done on Forza Italia (FI) and the Popolo Della Libertà (PDL – People of Freedom). This article aims to fill these gaps. Following a short overview of the history of FI and the PDL, it discusses how scholars have conceived of Forza Italia. Building on the criteria of Joseph LaPalombara and Myron Weiner for the definition of a political party, a first operational definition is then offered of the term most used to classify FI and the PDL: the ‘personal party’. On the basis of this, the article considers whether the PDL is another personal party akin to Forza Italia. This is done, first, by briefly considering the party statute and communications and, second, by examining the views expressed in interviews conducted across Italy with PDL elected representatives and ordinary party members.
Self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, and entrepreneurship among the unemployed
Authors: Laguna Mariola
Published: January 2013

This study focuses on entrepreneurial self‐efficacy, general self‐efficacy, and global self‐esteem and on their role in the entrepreneurial process. Apart from providing evidence of the relationship between these self‐beliefs and entrepreneurial intention, it also demonstrates how they are related to actual business start‐up. Longitudinal data were obtained from 332 unemployed individuals. After 1 year, official confirmations of new firm registrations were collected. Higher levels of all 3 self‐referent beliefs were positively associated with entrepreneurial intention. Multivariate analyses showed that entrepreneurial and general self‐efficacy beliefs were important predictors of this intention. Self‐referent beliefs accounted for an additional 12% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention and for an additional 4% of the variance in actual business start‐up beyond the demographic variables.
Turning stressors into something productive: an empirical study revealing nonlinear influences of role stressors on self‐efficacy
Authors: Lindberg Erik , Wincent Joakim , Örtqvist Daniel
Published: January 2013

This study suggests that stressors can be productive for self‐efficacy and that the influence of stressors on self‐efficacy is nonlinear. Analyses were conducted with ordinary least squares regression on a dataset covering responses from 311 deans in Swedish secondary schools. Results support the hypothesized U‐shape relationship between role conflict and self‐efficacy and the inverted U‐shape relationship between role ambiguity and self‐efficacy. Thus, findings offer evidence for nonlinear effects of stressors on the level of incumbents' self‐efficacy. This research has implications for further research focused on the association between role stressors and self‐efficacy.
Oral health and dental well‐being: testing a self‐determination theory model
Authors: Halvari Anne E. Münster , Halvari Hallgeir , Bjørnebekk Gunnar , Deci Edward L.
Published: January 2013

This study tested a self‐determination theory (SDT) process model of oral health and subjective dental well‐being. The results showed that: (1) patients' perceptions of autonomy‐supportive dental professionals were significantly positively predictive of patients' psychological needs satisfaction in treatment; (2) needs satisfaction was significantly related to perceived dental competence (positive), autonomous motivation (positive), and controlled motivation (negative) for dental care; (3) perceived competence was significantly positively, and controlled motivation was significantly negatively associated with self‐rated oral health and oral‐health‐related quality of life; (4) autonomous motivation for dental treatment was significantly positively associated with valuing continued dental treatment; and (5) the three oral‐health‐related variables were all significantly positively linked to subjective dental well‐being. A structural equation model supported the SDT process model.
Double foot‐in‐the‐door, social representations, and environment: application for energy savings
Authors: Souchet Lionel , Girandola Fabien
Published: January 2013

This study aims to determine the most effective procedure to bring individuals to adopt pro‐environmental behaviors, specifically to make energy savings for several weeks. A link was established between two fields of research traditionally separated in social psychology literature: free will compliance and social representations theories. An experiment was carried out to test the effectiveness of several simple and double foot‐in‐the‐door procedures, activating central or peripheral cognitions of the social representation of energy savings. Basically, the results indicate that the most effective procedure is the double foot‐in‐the‐door, which activates central cognitions. Twice as many participants accepted the target request and three times as many actually performed the expected behavior with this procedure.
The de‐escalation of commitment: predecisional accountability and cognitive processes
Authors: Moser Klaus , Wolff Hans‐Georg , Kraft Alexandra
Published: January 2013

Escalation of commitment describes the continuation of a course of action in spite of drawbacks and continuing insecurity of goal achievement. To prevent escalation and its associated costs, de‐escalation techniques are valuable. The present study investigates predecisional accountability to an unknown audience as a de‐escalation technique. In addition, the evolution of cognitive processes (reasons for persisting) during escalation is examined. As predicted, predecisional accountability has a de‐escalating effect. In addition, escalation is accompanied by an increase of nonrational reasons for continuing the respective course of action, and decision makers without accountability provide more nonrational reasons for not quitting than those who are held accountable.
Procedure-Based Assessment in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Authors: Tennent Duncan , Pitts David , Foote Julian
Published: January 2013

The United Kingdom Trauma and Orthopaedic curriculum, containing procedure-based assessment (PBA) was the first surgical curriculum to be published in the world. PBA are used as a record of the training experience and, over time, provides a summative record of the trainees progress in developing their competence in learning procedures and performing them to the required standard. The original 14 index procedures did not include the majority of those performed in the upper limb. The Education Committee of the British Shoulder and Elbow Society undertook to produce PBA that were relevant to their trainees. The present review describes the process by which these were developed and implemented with the aim of helping both those who use PBA and those who may be considering developing them in the future.
Shipping Fees or Shipping Free? A Tale of Two Price Partitioning Strategies in Online Retailing
Authors: Gümüş Mehmet , Li Shanling , Oh Wonseok , Ray Saibal
Published: January 2013

In this article, we study the price partitioning decisions of online retailers regarding shipping and handling (S&H) fees. Specifically, we analyze two partitioning formats used by retailers in this context. In the first scenario, retailers present customers with a price that is partitioned into a product price and a separate S&H surcharge (the PS strategy); in the second, customers are offered free shipping through a non‐partitioned format where the product price already includes the shipping cost (the ZS strategy). We first develop a stylized game‐theoretic model that captures the competitive dynamics between (and within) these two formats. Analysis of the model provides insights into how both firm and product level characteristics drive a retailer's strategic choice regarding which partitioning format to adopt and, hence, determines the equilibrium market structure in terms of proportion of ZS and PS retailers. Subsequently, we conduct empirical analyses, based on product and S&H prices data for two different product categories (digital cameras and printers) collected from online retailers, to validate all the results of our theoretical model. We establish that PS retailers charge lower product prices than ZS ones, but the total price (product + S&H) charged is higher for the first group. The S&H charge for PS retailers can be significant—it is, on average, 5.4% (printers) and 3.0% (digital cameras) for our two product categories. Furthermore, retailers which are popular and/or face risky cost environment are more likely to opt for the ZS strategy, while retailers whose portfolio mostly includes large or heavy products with high cost (S&H)‐to‐price ratios usually choose the PS strategy. Lastly, our empirical study also illustrates that the price adjustment behavior of retailers is affected by their shipping‐fee policies—for example, ZS retailers change their product prices almost 1.5 times more frequently than PS ones.
Entrepreneurial Firms and Downstream Alliance Partnerships: Impact of Portfolio Depth and Scope on Technology Innovation and Commercialization Success
Authors: Hora Manpreet , Dutta Dev K.
Published: January 2013

To achieve technology innovation and commercialization (TIC) success under complex, protracted, and uncertain product development cycles, entrepreneurial firms engage in downstream alliance partnerships with mainstream industry players. In this study, we examine two specific characteristics of the entrepreneurial firm's downstream alliance portfolio (depth and scope) and their impact on TIC success. Employing a sample of 728 biotech firms and their partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, we find that while portfolio depth and scope separately have positive impact on success, the relationship between portfolio scope and success is additionally moderated by portfolio depth. Further, insights from post hoc interviews also suggest that though it is challenging for entrepreneurial firms to incorporate both depth and scope in alliance partnerships, those that optimally combine both can achieve higher TIC success.
Non‐dominated Time‐Window Policies in City Distribution
Authors: Akyol Derya Eren. , DeKoster René B. M.
Published: January 2013

Urban freight contributes significantly to pollution, noise disturbance, traffic congestion, and safety problems in city centers. In many cities, local governments have introduced policy measures, in particular time‐access restrictions, to alleviate these problems. However, setting time windows is very challenging due to the conflicting interests and objectives of the stakeholders involved. In this article, we examine whether it is possible to develop time‐window policies that enhance environmental sustainability and distribution efficiencies, while meeting the objectives of the municipalities. We develop a framework for balancing retailer (costs), municipality (satisfaction), and environmental (emissions) objectives, using data envelopment analysis, under different urban time‐window policies. The approach is illustrated by a case study of three Dutch retail organizations, with a large number of stores affected by such time windows. On the basis of an evaluation of 99 different time‐window policies, our results show that harmonizing time windows between neighboring cities leads to the best overall performance. The currently used time‐window policy appears to perform reasonably well, but can be improved on all dimensions. However, harmonizing time‐window policies may be difficult to realize in practice.