bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapisal Versus Urea Cream as Prophylaxis for Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome: A Randomized Phase III Trial of the AIO Quality of Life Working Group
Authors: Hofheinz Ralf-Dieter , Gencer Deniz , Schulz Holger , Stahl Michael , Hegewisch-Becker Susanna , Loeffler Luisa Mantovani , Kronawitter Ursula , Bolz Georg , Potenberg Jochem , Tauchert Felix , Al-Batran Salah-Eddin , Schneeweiss Andreas
Published: June 2015

Purpose

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a frequently occurring adverse event associated with anticancer drugs. This study compares a newly introduced ointment containing several antioxidants and exhibiting high radical protection factor, which has been available on the German market since 2011, with urea cream for prevention of HFS in patients treated with capecitabine.

Patients and Methods

Patients with GI tumors or breast cancer treated with capecitabine were included in this randomized phase III study. The primary end point was prevention of HFS of any grade within 6 weeks of treatment as indicated by a standardized patient diary. The study had 80% power to show a 20% reduction of the incidence of HFS with the new ointment. Secondary end points included time to development of HFS greater than grade 1, evaluation of capecitabine dose intensity, and quality of life analyses.

Results

A total of 152 patients were evaluable. In total, 47 of 152 patients experienced HFS (30.9%), 39.5% with the new ointment and 22.4% in the urea arm (stratified odds ratio, 2.37; P = .02). Time to HFS greater than grade 1 was comparable, but time to any-grade HFS was significantly longer in the urea group (P = .03). Capecitabine dose intensity, time under study, and percentage of days with correct administration of study medication were identical, as were adverse events except for HFS. Skin-related quality of life was significantly worse in the group treated with the new ointment at the end of study treatment.

Conclusion

This trial demonstrated that 10% urea cream was superior to the new ointment at preventing HFS over the first 6 weeks of treatment with capecitabine.
Addressing Pricing Power in Integrated Delivery: The Limits of Antitrust
Authors: Berenson Robert
Published: June 2015

Prices are the major driver of why the United States spends so much more on health care than other countries do. The pricing power that hospitals have garnered recently has resulted from consolidated delivery systems and concentrated markets, leading to enhanced negotiating leverage. But consolidation may be the wrong frame for viewing the problem of high and highly variable prices; many “must-have” hospitals achieve their pricing power from sources other than consolidation, for example, reputation. Further, the frame of consolidation leads to unrealistic expectations for what antitrust's role in addressing pricing power should be, especially because in the wake of two periods of merger “manias” and “frenzies” many markets already lack effective competition. It is particularly challenging for antitrust to address extant monopolies lawfully attained. New payment and delivery models being pioneered in Medicare, especially those built around accountable care organizations (ACOs), offer an opportunity to reduce pricing power, but only if they are implemented with a clear eye on the impact on prices in commercial insurance markets. This article proposes approaches that public and private payers should consider to complement the role of antitrust to assure that ACOs will actually help control costs in commercial markets as well as in Medicare and Medicaid.
Antitrust and Provider Collaborations: Where We've Been and What Should Be Done Now
Authors: Leibenluft Robert F.
Published: June 2015

Antitrust enforcement has a crucial role to play in consolidated health care markets as providers undertake mergers, acquisitions, and other types of collaborations to integrate care and achieve greater size and scale. But antitrust enforcers and policy makers need to refine their approach in two fundamental ways. First, in addition to focusing on whether particular transactions or conduct will increase prices above competitive levels, a more pressing concern should be on assuring that health care markets are conducive to fundamental changes in how care is reimbursed and delivered — that is, the impact on payment and health care delivery innovation. Second, it is important to recognize the practical limits that apply to antitrust enforcement, both in terms of existing law and precedent and the constrained resources available to government enforcers. Government resources can be leveraged substantially through greater collaboration among federal and state antitrust enforcers, government payers, health care regulators, and economists and other policy makers. This can result in not only better-targeted antitrust enforcement actions but also payment and regulatory initiatives that can produce better-functioning and more competitive health care markets.
An interview with Austin Smith
Authors: Vicente Catarina
Published: June 2015

Austin Smith is a stem cell and developmental biologist, who has dedicated his career to the study of pluripotency, stem cell renewal and differentiation. He is currently the Director of the Wellcome Trust MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge, UK. We met him there to discuss his research and interests, as well as his role as an editor for Development.
An Empirical Model of the Medical Match
Authors: Agarwal Nikhil
Published: June 2015

This paper develops a framework for estimating preferences in a many-to-one matching market using only observed matches. I use pairwise stability and a vertical preference restriction on one side to identify preferences on both sides of the market. Counterfactual simulations are used to analyze the antitrust allegation that the centralized medical residency match is responsible for salary depression. Due to residents' willingness to pay for desirable programs and capacity constraints, salaries in any competitive equilibrium would remain, on average, at least $23,000 below the marginal product of labor. Therefore, the match is not the likely cause of low salaries. (JEL C78, I11, J31, J44, K21, L44)
Comment on “Risk Preferences Are Not Time Preferences”: Separating Risk and Time Preference
Authors: Miao Bin , Zhong Songfa
Published: June 2015

Andreoni and Sprenger (2012a,b) observe that utility functions are distinct for risk and time preferences, and show that their findings are consistent with a preference for certainty. We revisit this question in an enriched experimental setting in which subjects make intertemporal decisions under different risk conditions. The observed choice behavior supports a separation between risk attitude and intertemporal substitution rather than a preference for certainty. We further show that several models, including Epstein and Zin (1989); Chew and Epstein (1990); and Halevy (2008) exhibit such a separation and can account for the overall experimental findings. (JEL C91, D81, D91)
Case Report: Stevens-Johnson syndrome following a single double dosing of nevirapine-containing regimen once in an HIV-infected woman on long-term antiretroviral therapy.
Authors: Kakande Betty , Isaacs Thuraya , Muloiwa Rudzani , Dlamini Sipho , Lehloenya Rannakoe
Published: June 2015

A 31-year old HIV-infected African woman on nevirapine, tenofovir and lamivudine for more than 4 years presented with an 8-day history of symptoms and signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. She was on no other medication. Her viral load was undetectable and she had maintained a CD4 count of between 356 and 387cells/mm3 in the preceding 2½ years. She missed her antiretrovirals 10 days before the onset of her symptoms and subsequently doubled her daily dose the following day. She had been on no other medication in the preceding 8 weeks.

Her ARVs were stopped and she fully re-epithelialized with the exception of the lips, over the following 10 days. She was started on a daily single tablet of Odimune® (a fixed drug combination antiretroviral containing tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz).

Nevirapine is the most common offender in cases of antiretroviral-associated SJS in published literature. Lamivudine is very rarely implicated while there are no similar reports with tenofovir.  We concluded that nevirapine was by far the most likely offender in this case. Nevirapine toxicity is associated with high CD4 counts, undetectable viral load and high drug plasma level. We postulate that the sudden increase of the plasma levels of nevirapine in a patient with a high CD4 count and undetectable viral load created a perfect storm for the development of SJS in our patient, who had been on the NVP-containing regimen for many years.

Clinicians should be aware that severe adverse drug reactions are dynamic and can occur even when the drug has been in use for a long time.
Prospects of Self-Regulation and Refinement of Russian Auditing
Authors: Попова  , Popova O. , Арабян  , Arabyan Knarik
Published: June 2015

The article reviews the peculiarities of auditing self-regulation progress and conducts an analysis on how the

changes in self-regulation system affect further development of the sphere.
New Fields for Web-Analysis: Social Network and Blogs
Authors: Егорян  , Egoryan L.
Published: June 2015

The article studies new analytical solutions associated with the Internet evolving from placing all content at one

spot and its use mainly in static formats to the contemporary multimedia model of content placed where it’s needed and

presented in the way to stimulate interaction with a user.
Narrowing of the Gap Between World of Finance and Real Economy: Hedge Funds and Instruments
Authors: Смирнов  , Smirnov F.
Published: June 2015

In the article author describes a modern tendency of international finance, when the virtual finance is shrinking

in favor of project financing. Hedge funds must play a crucial role in this process.
The Role of Reinsurance in Enterprise’s Financial Stability
Authors: Хоменков  , Khomenkov G.
Published: June 2015

The article focuses on theory and practice of insuring financial stability of insurance companies, the role of

reinsurance in this process, as well as peculiarities of the Russian market of agricultural risks reinsurance.
On ballooning instability in current sheets
Authors: Леонович Анатолий , Leonovich Anatoliy , Козлов Даниил , Kozlov Daniil
Published: June 2015

The problem of instability of azimuthally small-scale Alfven and slow magnetosonic (SMS) waves in the geotail is solved. The solutions describe unstable oscillations in the presence of a current sheet and correspond to the region of stretched closed field lines of the magnetotail. The spectra of eigen-frequencies of several basic harmonics of standing Alfven and SMS waves are found in the local and WKB approximation, which are compared. It is shown that the oscillation properties obtained in these approximations differ radically. In the local approximation, the Alfven waves are stable in the entire range of magnetic shells. SMS waves go into the aperiodic instability regime (the regime of the ‘ballooning’ instability), on magnetic shells crossing the current sheet. In the WKB approximation, both the Alfven and SMS oscillations go into an unstable regime with a non-zero real part of their eigen-frequency, on magnetic shells crossing the current sheet. The structure of azimuthally small-scale Alfven waves across magnetic shells is determined.
Control of Patient Flow in Emergency Departments, or Multiclass Queues with Deadlines and Feedback
Authors: Huang Junfei , Carmeli Boaz , Mandelbaum Avishai
Published: June 2015

We consider the control of patient flow through physicians in emergency departments (EDs). The physicians must choose between catering to patients right after triage, who are yet to be checked, and those who are in process (IP) and are occasionally returning to be checked. Physician capacity is thus modeled as a queueing system with multiclass customers, where some of the classes face deadline constraints on their time-till-first-service, whereas the other classes feedback through service while incurring congestion costs. We consider two types of such costs: first, costs that are incurred at queue-dependent rates and second, costs that are functions of IP sojourn time. The former is our base model, which paves the way for the latter (perhaps more ED realistic). In both cases, we propose and analyze scheduling policies that, asymptotically in conventional heavy traffic, minimize congestion costs while adhering to all deadline constraints. Our policies have two parts: the first chooses between triage and IP patients; assuming triage patients are chosen, the physicians serve the one who is closest to violating the deadline; alternatively, IP patients are served according to a Gcμ rule, in which μ is simply modified to account for feedbacks. For our proposed policies, we establish asymptotic optimality, and develop some congestion laws (snapshot principles) that support forecasting of waiting and sojourn times. Simulation then shows that these policies outperform some commonly used ones. It also validates our laws and demonstrates that some ED features, the complexity of which reaches beyond our model (e.g., time-varying arrival rates, leave without being seen (LWBS) or leave against medical advice (LAMA)), do not lead to significant performance degradation.
Garden or Desert: The Contradictions of Policy and Practice in School Music Education
Authors: Hennessy Sarah
Published: June 2015

Using my knowledge and experience in England and my involvement in European project work, I reflect upon the relationship between general education policy towards schools, the music curriculum, and music teacher training; and discuss what I see as a retreat from the principle of ‘music for all’ and from the central importance of creativity in music education. Whilst governments claim to embrace arts and cultural education; and make statements about the importance of creativity, the reality for teachers and students is inconsistent. The preoccupation with advocacy can distract us from the more important work to be done in developing the quality of research and practice in the field.
Impingement-free range of movement, acetabular component cover and early clinical results comparing ‘femur-first’ navigation and ‘conventional’ minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Renkawitz T. , Weber M. , Springorum H-R. , Sendtner E. , Woerner M. , Ulm K. , Weber T. , Grifka J.
Published: June 2015

We report the kinematic and early clinical results of a patient- and observer-blinded randomised controlled trial in which CT scans were used to compare potential impingement-free range of movement (ROM) and acetabular component cover between patients treated with either the navigated ‘femur-first’ total hip arthroplasty (THA) method (n = 66; male/female 29/37, mean age 62.5 years; 50 to 74) or conventional THA (n = 69; male/female 35/34, mean age 62.9 years; 50 to 75). The Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, the Harris hip score, the Euro-Qol-5D and the Mancuso THA patient expectations score were assessed at six weeks, six months and one year after surgery. A total of 48 of the patients (84%) in the navigated ‘femur-first’ group and 43 (65%) in the conventional group reached all the desirable potential ROM boundaries without prosthetic impingement for activities of daily living (ADL) in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation (p = 0.016). Acetabular component cover and surface contact with the host bone were > 87% in both groups. There was a significant difference between the navigated and the conventional groups’ Harris hip scores six weeks after surgery (p = 0.010). There were no significant differences with respect to any clinical outcome at six months and one year of follow-up. The navigated ‘femur-first’ technique improves the potential ROM for ADL without prosthetic impingement, although there was no observed clinical difference between the two treatment groups.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:890–8.
A new classification of peri-articular heterotopic ossification of the hip associated with neurological injury
Authors: Arduini M. , Mancini F. , Farsetti P. , Piperno A. , Ippolito E.
Published: June 2015

In this paper we propose a new classification of neurogenic peri-articular heterotopic ossification (HO) of the hip based on three-dimensional (3D) CT, with the aim of improving pre-operative planning for its excision.

A total of 55 patients (73 hips) with clinically significant HO after either traumatic brain or spinal cord injury were assessed by 3D-CT scanning, and the results compared with the intra-operative findings.

At operation, the gross pathological anatomy of the HO as identified by 3D-CT imaging was confirmed as affecting the peri-articular hip muscles to a greater or lesser extent. We identified seven patterns of involvement: four basic (anterior, medial, posterior and lateral) and three mixed (anteromedial, posterolateral and circumferential). Excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement, with kappa values > 0.8, confirmed the reproducibility of the classification system.

We describe the different surgical approaches used to excise the HO which were guided by the 3D-CT findings. Resection was always successful.

3D-CT imaging, complemented in some cases by angiography, allows the surgeon to define the 3D anatomy of the HO accurately and to plan its surgical excision with precision.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:899–904.
RhBMP-7 for the treatment of nonunion of fractures of long bones
Authors: Papanagiotou M. , Dailiana Z. H. , Karachalios T. , Varitimidis S. , Vlychou M. , Hantes M. , Malizos K. N.
Published: June 2015

We report the outcome of 84 nonunions involving long bones which were treated with rhBMP-7, in 84 patients (60 men: 24 women) with a mean age 46 years (18 to 81) between 2003 and 2011. The patients had undergone a mean of three previous operations (one to 11) for nonunion which had been present for a mean of 17 months (4 months to 20 years). The nonunions involved the lower limb in 71 patients and the remainder involved the upper limb. A total of 30 nonunions were septic. Treatment was considered successful when the nonunion healed without additional procedures. The relationship between successful union and the time to union was investigated and various factors including age and gender, the nature of the nonunion (location, size, type, chronicity, previous procedures, infection, the condition of the soft tissues) and type of index procedure (revision of fixation, type of graft, amount of rhBMP-7) were analysed. The improvement of the patients’ quality of life was estimated using the Short Form (SF) 12 score.

A total of 68 nonunions (80.9%) healed with no need for further procedures at a mean of 5.4 months (3 to 10) post-operatively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the factors affecting union suggested that only infection significantly affected the rate of union (p = 0.004).Time to union was only affected by the number of previous failed procedures (p = 0.006). An improvement of 79% and 32.2% in SF-12 physical and mental score, respectively, was noted within the first post-operative year.

Rh-BMP-7 combined with bone grafts, enabled healing of the nonunion and improved quality of life in about 80% of patients. Aseptic nonunions were much more likely to unite than septic ones. The number of previous failed operations significantly delayed the time to union.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:997–1003.
An alternative to a randomised control design for assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Fong D. Y. T. , Cheung K. M. C. , Wong Y. W. , Cheung W. Y. , Fu I. C. Y. , Kuong E. E. , Mak K. C. , To M. , Samartzis D. , Luk K. D. K.
Published: June 2015

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have suffered from small sample sizes, low compliance and lack of willingness to participate. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive cohort study for evaluating both the efficacy and the effectiveness of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Patients with curves at greater risk of progression were invited to join a randomised controlled trial. Those who declined were given the option to remain in the study and to choose whether they wished to be braced or observed. Of 87 eligible patients (5 boys and 63 girls) identified over one year, 68 (78%) with mean age of 12.5 years (10 to 15) consented to participate, with a mean follow-up of 168 weeks (0 to 290). Of these, 19 (28%) accepted randomisation. Of those who declined randomisation, 18 (37%) chose a brace. Patients who were more satisfied with their image were more likely to choose bracing (Odds Ratio 4.1; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 15.0; p = 0.035). This comprehensive cohort study design facilitates the assessment of both efficacy and effectiveness of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is not feasible in a conventional randomised controlled trial.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:973–81
Frozen shoulder after simple arthroscopic shoulder procedures
Authors: Evans J. P. , Guyver P. M. , Smith C. D.
Published: June 2015

Frozen shoulder is a recognised complication following simple arthroscopic shoulder procedures, but its exact incidence has not been reported. Our aim was to analyse a single-surgeon series of patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD; group 1) or ASD in combination with arthroscopic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) excision (group 2), to establish the incidence of frozen shoulder post-operatively. Our secondary aim was to identify associated risk factors and to compare this cohort with a group of patients with primary frozen shoulder.

We undertook a retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive procedures performed between August 2011 and November 2013. Group 1 included 96 procedures and group 2 104 procedures. Frozen shoulder was diagnosed post-operatively using the British Elbow and Shoulder Society criteria. A comparative group from the same institution involved 136 patients undergoing arthroscopic capsular release for primary idiopathic frozen shoulder.

The incidence of frozen shoulder was 5.21% in group 1 and 5.71% in group 2. Age between 46 and 60 years (p = 0.002) and a previous idiopathic contralateral frozen shoulder (p < 0.001) were statistically significant risk factors for the development of secondary frozen shoulder. Comparison of baseline characteristics against the comparator groups showed no statistically significant differences for age, gender, diabetes and previous contralateral frozen shoulder.

These results suggest that the risk of frozen shoulder following simple arthroscopic procedures is just over 5%, with no increased risk if the ACJ is also excised. Patients aged between 46 and 60 years and a previous history of frozen shoulder increase the relative risk of secondary frozen shoulder by 7.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 28.3)and 18.5 (95% CI 7.4 to 46.3) respectively.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:963–6.
Hip fracture surgery
Authors: Fernandez M. A. , Griffin X. L. , Costa M. L.
Published: June 2015

Hip fracture is a common injury associated with high mortality, long-term disability and huge socio-economic burden. Yet there has been relatively little research into best treatment, and evidence that has been generated has often been criticised for its poor quality. Here, we discuss the advances made towards overcoming these criticisms and the future directions for hip fracture research: how co-ordinating existing national infrastructures and use of now established clinical research networks will likely go some way towards overcoming the practical and financial challenges of conducting large trials. We highlight the importance of large collaborative pragmatic trials to inform decision/policy makers and the progress made towards reaching a consensus on a core outcome set to facilitate data pooling for evidence synthesis and meta-analysis.

These advances and future directions are a priority in order to establish the high-quality evidence base required for this important group of patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:875–9.
Traditional dye yielding plants of Tripura, Northeast India
Authors: SUTRADHAR BISWAJIT , DEB DIPANKAR , MAJUMDAR KOUSHIK , DATTA B K
Published: June 2015

Sutradhar B, Deb D, Majumdar K, Datta BK. 2015. Traditional dye yielding plants of Tripura, Northeast India. Biodiversitas 16: 121-127. This present paper deals with the survey of traditional dye yielding plants, their ethnobotanical usage and cultural practices by the different ethnic communities of Tripura. Field investigation was carried out in different villages and adjacent forest pockets in South and West district of the State. The ethnobotanical information was collected based on semi-structured questioner, personal interviews and group discussion among the major ethnic communities of Tripura. The study reports a checklist of 39 species of dye yielding plants belonging to 35 genera and 26 families documented along with their vernacular name, habit, parts use. The active coloring agents were also listed for each plant based on earlier reports. Natural dye yielding plants have immense significance in the socio-economic and socio-cultural life of indigenous ethnic people and if we promote these products in a managed way then efforts towards preservation of traditional knowledge and local biodiversity will be more fruitfully achieved.

Keywords: Dye yielding plants, indigenous knowledge, natural products, Tripura
Genetic diversity of Rana (Pelophylax) ridibunda and Bufo (Pseudepidalea) viridis in different populations
Authors: MOSLEHI TAYEBEH , MAHDIEH MAJID , SHAYESTEHFAR ALIREZA , TALEBI SEYED MEHDI
Published: June 2015

Moslehi T, Mahdieh M, Shayestehfar A, Talebi SM. 2015. Genetic diversity of Rana (Pelophylax) ridibunda and Bufo (Pseudepidalea) viridis in different populations. Biodiversitas 16: 128-131. In present study, genetic diversity of two genus of Anura order was investigated in Iran. For this reasons, four populations of Rana (Pelophylax) ridibunda (R1-R4) and three populations of Bufo (Pseudepidalea) viridis (B1-B3) were selected from different regions of Arak province. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker was used for molecular investigation. Nine random primers were used that only four of them were suitable and revealing different bands pattern for further analysis. A total of 69 scorable bands (loci) were found. The obtained data were analyzed using MVSP software for clustering. The studied populations were separated from each other in the UPGMA tree as well as PCA and PCOplots. In the mentioned diagrams the populations of B. (Pseudepidalea) viridis were closely together, while the populations of other species were placed far from each other. The results of this study showed that high genetic variations were present among R. ridibunda populations, but this condition was in contrast to B. viridis populations, where these populations were near each other.

Key words: Bufo, genetic variations, population, Rana, RAPD.
Felids of Sebangau: Camera trapping to estimate activity patterns and population abundance in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: ADUL ADUL , RIPOLL BERNAT , LIMIN SUWIDO H , CHEYNE SUSAN M
Published: June 2015

Adul, Ripoll B, Limin SH, Cheyne SM. 2015. Felids of Sebangau: Camera trapping to estimate activity patterns and population abundance in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 16: 151-155. We present data from a seven year camera trappingproject in the Natural Laboratory of Peat-Swamp Forest in the Sebangau Catchment, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (2008-2015). Theproject has identified four of the five felids on Borneo: Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi; macan dahan), flat-headed cat(Prionailurus planiceps; kucing tandang), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata; kucing batu) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis;kucing kuwuk). All of these species are protected by Indonesian Law (PP. 7/1999) and are listed on the IUCN Red List. The four specieshave clearly defined activity budgets, especially the smaller cats, to allow niche partitioning. We have identified this forest block as animportant area for numbers of all four species in the global context of cat populations. The bay cat (Pardofelis badia (kucing merah) has not been found in tropical peat-swamp forest at time of writing.
A philosophical and practical approach to an inclusive community chorus
Authors: Carpenter Sue
Published: June 2015

This holistic study explores the inclusive community chorus ‘Singing Songbirds’ in Millbrook, Dutchess County, New York. The chorus is part of the Institute for Music and Health’s (IMH) programming. This article investigates the important philosophical approach and its practical application. Underpinning all the work of the IMH is the Diamond Method. This method is based on the work of John Diamond, MD, which includes the Outreach Principle. The choir’s weekly rehearsals, the repertoire and a performance are discussed. The specific accommodations and support for each member, non-disabled and those with disabilities, are also described. Questions posed include the following: in what way is this choir different from other community choruses? Are the various accommodations for members successful? What are the attitudes of the non-disabled choir members to the members with disabilities? The author was a participant/observer during the development of the chorus over four seasons of the choir’s history.
Comunicación Empresarial en las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PYMES): Percepción, Conocimiento y Actitud
Authors: Marín Dueñas Pedro Pablo
Published: June 2015

La actividad actual de las empresas se enmarca en un ambiente competitivo en el que para poder sobrevivir y crecer en el entorno empresarial, es necesario fomentar e impulsar su Comunicación. Y por su importancia para las economías nacionales, las pequeñas y medianas empresas no se pueden permitir olvidar estas actividades, claves en el desarrollo empresarial. Este trabajo presenta los principales resultados de una investigación que analiza la importancia que las PYMES conceden a la comunicación en sus estrategias empresariales. A partir de una metodología de investigación cuantitativa basada en la técnica del cuestionario, se podrá comprobar como las PYMES son conscientes de la importancia que el desarrollo de estrategias comunicativas puede tener para su crecimiento.
Transparencia y comunicación: las seis preguntas de Kipling
Authors: Baraibar-Diez Elisa , Odriozola María D.
Published: June 2015

La transparencia se ha convertido en objeto de deseo para gestores y empresas, convirtiéndola en una de las claves para la comunicación organizacional. Sin embargo, suele entenderse como una mera forma de divulgación, considerando únicamente la comunicación unidireccional al receptor. Las deficiencias identificadas en las definiciones de transparencia nos llevan a plantearla de nuevo basándonos en la consistencia entre los elementos de la comunicación: mensaje, mensaje, canal y receptor, así como en los seis honestos servidores de Kipling: qué, por qué, cuándo, cómo, dónde y quién (6W). Se propone un modelo tridimensional de transparencia junto con un sendero de 7 pasos que constituyen una herramienta sencilla y útil para las empresas, que han de reflexionar y valorar la idoneidad de cada elemento para implementar una estrategia de comunicación transparente.
Implicaciones de la asesoría de prensa para la definición del posicionamiento de marca
Authors: Arriscado Paula , Sobreira Rosa María , Martinez Solana Yolanda
Published: June 2015

El presente trabajo pretende reflejar de qué forma la asesoría de prensa puede contribuir en el proceso de construcción de la identidad de las marcas y cuál es el rol que a través de las relaciones informativas desempeñan los profesionales del periodismo y los consumidores, en términos de definición del posicionamiento. Para ello se estudia, de un modo exploratorio, si las noticias publicadas a partir de la información facilitada por los gestores de comunicación de una marca del sector del automóvil para uno de sus productos, están en consonancia o en disonancia con el posicionamiento definido por la propia marca Los resultados parecen poner de manifiesto que, de un modo general, existe coincidencia y que los medios de comunicación de masas pueden contribuir en la activación de los atributos/ o beneficios del producto. Sin embargo, se verificó, también, que la narrativa periodística puede activar otros atributos de la identidad de marca, más allá de los pretendidos por los gestores de comunicación.
El paradigma de los nombres corporativos. Un estudio sobre criterios denominativos en empresas familiares alicantinas
Authors: Pinillos Laffón Alberto
Published: June 2015

Este artículo trata de llevar a cabo una revisión de los criterios denominativos más frecuentemente utilizados por las pymes familiares alicantinas para la creación de su marca corporativa. La investigación lleva a cabo un análisis de aspectos lingüísticos enfocados desde la ortodoxia del branding y las técnicas de naming. Asimismo, se revisa la construcción morfológica de 50 denominaciones de marca correspondientes a las 50 primeras empresas de AEFA en función de su importancia económica. Tomando como referencia los niveles de facturación de mayor a menor, se contrasta su validez o adecuación testando la muestra referida con las opiniones de un colectivo formado por 20 expertos en branding y naming, que han vertido sus opiniones en una amplia encuesta cerrada y semiestructurada y cuyos resultados se especifican con más detalle en mi tesis doctoral.
Comunicación interna hospitalaria: una aproximación desde la creatividad
Authors: Medina Aguerrebere Pablo , Del Río Pérez Jorge
Published: June 2015

La gestión profesional de la comunicación institucional se ha convertido en una iniciativa estratégica para aquellos hospitales que desean crear una marca sólida. Para ello, la definición de la arquitectura de marca (identidad, valores, misión, visión, cultura e imagen) y su difusión entre los stakeholders internos resulta fundamental. El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar sobre el impacto que tiene la creatividad publicitaria en las acciones de comunicación interna que realiza un hospital para crear marca. Para ello, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica sobre la comunicación institucional hospitalaria, la comunicación interna y la creatividad publicitaria. El artículo concluye que la creatividad contribuye positivamente a dinamizar la comunicación interna del hospital y a crear una marca hospitalaria sólida.
Modelo de simetría interactiva en Comunicación organizacional
Authors: Túñez López Miguel
Published: June 2015

La democratización de la posibilidad de ser emisor de mensajes con potenciales públicos de masas como receptores y la universalización de la conexión personal a través de terminales móviles han cambiado la forma de relacionarnos y de comunicarnos.  Hemos pasado de interactuar de uno a uno, o de uno a varios o, como mucho, en pequeños grupos, a relacionarnos todos con todos. Han variado, también, los flujos del mensaje, evolucionando de un modo unidireccional (discursivo) a una circulación realmente interactiva y, en simultáneo en varios soportes. De este modo, la narración se construye y se modifica desde varios actores, desde múltiples emisores y a través de más de un canal.
Late Diabetic Complications in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes who Received Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Glazunova Alexandra Michailovna , Arutyunova Margarita Stanislavovna , Tarasov Evgeny Vladimirovich , Shamhalova Minara Shamkhalovna , Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna , Moysyuk Yan Gennad'evich , Pinchuk Aleksey Valer'evich , Dmitriev Ilya Viktorovich , Arzumanov Sergei Viktorovich
Published: June 2015

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate late diabetic complications in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who received simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK). Materials and Methods. The study included 16 patients with T1DM who received SPK. All patients underwent clinical examination and diagnostic investigation. Results. After SPK, 93.75% of the patients had a functioning pancreas transplant, and 100% had a functioning kidney transplant within 4?48 months [mean 21 months (10 is revealed; 36)). All patients had euglycaemia according to daily monitoring. The mean level of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) before surgery was 9.1% (range 8.7%?11%) and was 5.7% after surgery (5.55%?5.9%; p < 0.0001). The baseline level of insulin was 12.5 ?IU/ml (11.4?15.3 ?IU/ml) and the baseline level of C-peptide was 2.02 ng/ml (1.07?2.77 ng/ml). Normal renal function was observed (glomerular filtration rate 76 ml/min/1.73 m2 (68?90 ml/min/1.73 m2). Other laboratory findings included haemoglobin 127 g/l (120?130 g/l), serum parathyroid hormone 77.5 pg/ml (61?85 pg/ml), serum phosphate 1.2 mmol/l (1.07?1.3 mmol/l) and blood pressure 110(100?120)/70(64?80) mmHg. In 37.5% of the patients, vitrectomy and additional laser panretinal photocoagulation were performed for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Other ophthalmological disorders included newly diagnosed cataract (81.25%), secondary cataract (25%) that required YAG discission in three patients, glaucoma (25%) and macular oedema (12.5%). Ulcers of the lower extremities were observed in 31.25% of the patients, and chronic osteoarthropathy was observed in four. One patient underwent amputation of index and ring fingers and resection of the first and third metatarsal heads to treat osteomyelitis. One patient underwent balloon angioplasty and stenting for advanced atherosclerotic stenosis of blood vessels of the lower extremities. Conclusions. Euglycaemia and recovery of renal function 6?48 months after SPK resulted in a significant decrease in diabetic complications without clinical signs of regression in some patients. However, some patients suffered progression of complications, reflecting their multifactorial causes. These findings highlight the need for timely diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow up to improve the quality of life and prognosis in patients with T1DM receiving SPK.
Clinico-microbiological study of diabetic limb amputations in a tertiary care hospital in North India
Authors: Punia Rajpal Singh , Kundu Reetu , Jassal Vikram , Attri Ashok Kumar , Chander Jagdish
Published: June 2015

The diabetic population faces 80% increased risk of cellulitis, 4-fold increased risk of osteomyelitis and 2-fold risk of both sepsis and death caused by infections.Study objectives. The present study was carried out to assess the clinical aspects and microbiological profile of organisms isolated from 25 patients undergoing diabetic limb amputations.Materials and Methods. In 25 diabetes persons who underwent limb amputation, grading of ulcers was done according to Wagner system. Material was stained with Gram stain. Potassium hydroxide wet mounts were also studied. Culture was done in blood agar, MacConkey agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar tube slants and brain heart infusion broth and examined for growth. The histopathology sections were also studied and special stains were done.Results. Of 25 cases, 16 were males and 9 were females. The age ranged from 30 to 90 years (mean: 58?10.91). Majority of ulcers were grade 3. Osteomyelitis was seen in 13 (52%) cases; acute in 2 (8%), chronic in 3 (12%) and acute exacerbation of chronic osteomyelitis in 8 (32%) cases. On culture Proteus mirabilis was isolated in majority of cases followed by Escherichia coli. In 20 cases more than one bacterium were isolated. Candida was cultured in 8 cases followed by Trichosporon in 2 and Fusarium in one case. On histopathology Candida was seen in 3 cases, while one case showed spores of Trichosporon. 80% cases with osteomyelitis had polymicrobial infection.Conclusions. The isolation of etiologic agent helps in administering appropriate antibiotic regimens, thus reducing the problem of multidrug resistance, morbidity and surgical limb amputations in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.
Die Politik der Peripherie
Authors: Wolters Alexander
Published: June 2015

Die öffentliche Meinung bildet in der Moderne eine Voraussetzung für den politischen Streit. Eine Welt globaler Verflechtungen stellt diese Beziehung jedoch zunehmend vor neue Herausforderungen. Alexander Wolters' Fallstudie über die Republik Kyrgyzstan nach 2005 bietet faszinierende Einblicke in das störanfällige Verhältnis zwischen Politik und Öffentlichkeit jenseits der westlichen Welt: Die zunehmende Simulation politischer Konflikte setzt hier selbstreferentielle Prozesse in Gang, in denen Akteuren auf Dauer die Rationalität für ihr Handeln genommen wird. Dieser Befund erklärt nicht nur Entwicklungen in Zentralasien, sondern er verdeutlicht auch die generellen Strukturdefizite von Politik in Zeiten der Globalisierung.
External auditor's characteristics, corporate governance and audit reporting quality
Authors: Sakka Imen Fakhfakh , Jarboui Anis
Published: June 2015

The present study is aimed at investigating the combined effect of internal governance mechanisms along with the external auditor reputation on audit reporting quality. This paper is based on a study simple consisting of 28 Tunisian companies listed on the Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tunisian Stock Exchange (TSE) over the period 2006-2013. In this respect, and for further consolidating evidence to be provided an empirical study applying multivariate regression panel data, has been undertaken. The results reached have revealed well that timely disclosure is on average some 155 days to be released highly exceeding regulatory ceiling limit, and only 21, 43% of companies have received "modified" audit opinion. Thus, our results have shown the persistence of substitution effects between control effectiveness as implemented by the directors' Board or by the ownership structure in a quest for a brighter external audit reputation, for the sake of ensuring prompt and reliable information.
Which Capital, Which Marx? Basic Income between Mainstream Economics, Critical Theory, and the Logic of Capital
Authors: Dahms Harry F.
Published: June 2015

) combines neoclassical economic theory and Keynesianism with an appreciation of how economic patterns and processes are tied to concrete socio-historical circumstances, and exemplifies how economists should compute in their models the socio-cultural costs accompanying economic growth and development. Piketty’s concern with trends in economic inequality, returns from capital, and economic growth, addresses issues is also consistent with Marx’s critique of political economy. While Piketty deems Marx’s theory overly simplistic, Piketty’s contention that modern democratic nation-states should confront the problem of increasing economic inequality exaggerates governments’ ability to regulate the economy today. Basic income is indicative both of the diminished capacity of states to promote social welfare via established policy strategies, and the heightened need to scrutinize the specific logic of capital in the twenty-first century. Recent reinterpretations of Marx affirm the need to resist orthodox, dogmatic and non-critical readings of his analysis of the inner workings of capitalism, and are consonant with the idea of basic income.
Time from symptom onset influences high-sensitivity troponin T diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Guangquan Li , Hualan Huang , Xin Nie , Yong He , Haolan Song , Tongxing Luo , Baoxiu Gao , Hu Nie , Guixing Li
Published: June 2015

The time required for patients with acute chest pain to reach a hospital emergency department varies, possibly lowering the diagnostic performance of a general cut-off value for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off values as calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of hs-cTnT at different times from onset of symptoms to admission, and to evaluate their diagnostic performance.

Our study included 3096 patients with symptoms suggestive of AMI. These patients were classified according to time from onset of symptoms to admission. The diagnostic accuracy was quantified by the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Of the patients, 1082 (49.3%) were diagnosed as having AMI (317 were non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]). The AUC for hs-cTnT to diagnose AMI was 0.881 at <3 h after symptom onset, 0.940 at 3–6 h after symptom onset, 0.966 at 6–12 h after symptom onset, and 0.974 at >12 h after symptom onset. The threshold as determined by ROC of hs-cTnT was 13.5 ng/L to diagnose AMI at ≤3 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 80.1%, 17.8 ng/L at 3–6 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 94.6% and a specificity of 84.3%, 30.0 ng/L at 6–12 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 85.5%, and 58.0 ng/L at >12 h after symptom onset with a sensitivity of 92.7% and a specificity of 93.3%. The same observations were performed for the diagnosis of NSTEMI.

The ROC-determined cut-off value of hs-cTnT for AMI or NSTEMI diagnosis gradually increased with time from onset of symptoms to presentation. Using a higher cut-off value by ROC for hs-cTnT will improve its accuracy in diagnosing AMI or NSTEMI patients in late presenters. The higher value will enable physicians to more quickly rule in patients compared to the 99th percentile cut-off, and can rule out patients safely.
Elevated pressure enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via ERK1/2-inactivation
Authors: Hong Eunyoung , Lee Eunil , Kim Joonhee , Kwon Daeho , Lim Yongchul
Published: June 2015

The high frequency of intrinsic resistance to TNF-related apoptosisinducing ligand (TRAIL) in tumor cell lines has necessitated the development of strategies to sensitize tumors to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We previously showed that elevated pressure applied as a mechanical stressor enhanced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in human lung carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. This study focused on the effect of elevated pressure on the sensitization of TRAIL-resistant cells and the underlying mechanism. We observed elevated pressure-induced sensitization to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in Hep3B cells, accompanied by the activation of several caspases and the mitochondrial signaling pathway. Interestingly, the enhanced apoptosis induced by elevated pressure was correlated with suppression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and CREB without any change to other MAPKs. Phosphorylation of Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) also decreased, leading to inhibition of the mitochondrial pathway. To confirm whether the activation of pERK1/2 plays a key role in the TRAIL-sensitizing effect of elevated pressure, Hep3B cells were pre-treated with the ERK1/2-specific inhibitor PD98059 instead of elevated pressure. Co-treatment with PD98059 and TRAIL augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis and decreased BAD phosphorylation. The inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by elevated pressure and PD98059 also reduced BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (BID), thereby amplifying apoptotic stress at the mitochondrial level. Our results suggest that elevated pressure enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis of Hep3B cells via specific suppression of ERK1/2 activation among MAPKs.