bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Huebert Robert C. , Shah Vijay H.
Published: August 2014

Alcoholic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Alcohol is implicated in more than 50% of liver-related deaths in the United States, and complications of alcoholism contribute to a quarter of a million deaths annually. Also, alcoholic liver disease is a major health care cost expenditure, accounting for nearly $3 billion annually. The clinical spectrum of alcoholic liver disease includes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Fatty liver develops in response to short periods (days) of alcohol abuse. It is generally asymptomatic and reversible with abstinence. More advanced liver injury usually requires prolonged alcohol abuse over a period of years. Of note, the majority of people who abuse alcohol for extended periods do not develop more advanced lesions of alcoholic liver disease. However, alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic cirrhosis (or both) develops in about 20% of these people.
Breast‐Feeding Improves Gut Maturation Compared With Formula Feeding in Preterm Babies
Authors: Reisinger Kostan W. , de Vaan Loes , Kramer Boris W. , Wolfs Tim G.A.M. , van Heurn L.W. Ernest , Derikx Joep P.M.
Published: August 2014

Objective:

The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is higher in formula‐fed babies than in breast‐fed babies, which may be caused by breast‐feeding–induced gut maturation. The effect of breast‐feeding on gut maturation has been widely studied in animal models. This study aimed to assess the effects of breast‐feeding on intestinal maturation in prematurely born babies by evaluating postnatal changes in urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I‐FABP) levels, a specific enterocyte marker.

Methods:

Gut maturation in 40 premature babies (<37 weeks of gestation) without gastrointestinal morbidity was studied, of whom 21 were exclusively breast‐fed and 19 were formula‐fed infants. Urinary I‐FABP levels as the measure of gut maturation were measured at 5, 12, 19, and 26 days after birth.

Results:

In breast‐fed infants, there was a significant increase in median urinary I‐FABP levels between 5 and 12 days after birth (104 [78–340] pg/mL to 408 [173–1028] pg/mL, P = 0.002), whereas I‐FABP concentration in formula‐fed infants increased between 12 and 19 days after birth (105 [44–557] pg/mL, 723 [103–1670] pg/mL, P = 0.004). Breast‐fed babies had significantly higher median urinary I‐FABP levels at postnatal day 12 (P = 0.01).

Conclusions:

The time course of the postnatal increase in urinary I‐FABP levels reflecting gut maturation was significantly delayed in formula‐fed babies, suggesting a delayed physiological response in formula‐fed compared with breast‐fed infants.
Effect of acidic electrolyzed water on the quality improvement of boiled-dried anchovy
Authors: Lee Soo-Jung , Sung Nak-Ju , Kang Shin-Kwon
Published: August 2014

The quality improvement of the boiled-dried anchovy treated with acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) was investigated. The L value was higher in the anchovy treated with AEW than in the control. Moreover, its ΔE value was 5.08 higher than that of the control. The lipophilic browning degree was also higher than the hydrophilic degree. The degrees of calcium absorption of the control and anchovy treated with AEW were 10.77% and 12.61%, respectively. During their storage in the different conditions (five weeks in 20°C, ten weeks in 4°C, and five months in –20°C), the lipophilic browning degree of the anchovy treated with AEW was significantly lower than that of the control at the 20°C storage. The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content gradually increased as the storage period increased. During the 20°C storage, the content of the anchovy treated with AEW was lower than that of the control. The lipid peroxide contents increased with the storage periods, regardless of the temperature, but the content of the anchovy treated with AEW was lower than that of the control. These results indicate that AEW treatment can improve the color quality of boiled-dried anchovy and reduce its VBN and lipid peroxide contents.
TRANSLOCASE OF THE INNER MEMBRANE9 and 10 Are Essential for Maintaining Mitochondrial Function during Early Embryo Cell and Endosperm Free Nucleus Divisions in Arabidopsis
Authors: Deng Yingtian , Zou Wenxuan , Li Gang , Zhao Jie
Published: August 2014

In the life cycle of flowering plants, the sporophytic generation takes up most of the time and plays a dominant role in influencing plant growth and development. The embryo cell and endosperm free nucleus divisions establish the critical initiation phase of early sporophyte development, which forms mature seeds through a series of cell growth and differentiation events. Here, we report on the biological functions of two Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mitochondrial proteins, TRANSLOCASE OF THE INNER MEMBRANE9 (TIM9) and TIM10. We found that dysfunction of either AtTIM9 or AtTIM10 led to an early sporophyte-lethal phenotype; the embryo and endosperm both arrest division when the embryo proper developed to 16 to 32 cells. The abortion of tim9-1 and tim10 embryos at the 16/32-cell stage was caused by the loss of cell viability and the cessation of division in the embryo proper region, and this inactivation was due to the collapse of the mitochondrial structure and activity. Our characterization of tim9-1 and tim10 showed that mitochondrial membrane permeability increased and that cytochrome c was released from mitochondria into the cytoplasm in the 16/32-cell embryo proper, indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction occurred in the early sporophytic cells, and thus caused the initiation of a necrosis-like programmed cell death, which was further proved by the evidence of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation tests. Consequently, we verified that AtTIM9 and AtTIM10 are nonredundantly essential for maintaining the mitochondrial function of early embryo proper cells and endosperm-free nuclei; these proteins play critically important roles during sporophyte initiation and development in Arabidopsis.
Private Investment Purchase and Nursing Home Financial Health
Authors: Cadigan Rebecca Orfaly , Stevenson David G. , Caudry Daryl J. , Grabowski David C.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To explore the impact of nursing home acquisition by private investment firms on nursing home costs, revenue, and overall financial health.

Data Sources

Merged data from the Medicare Cost Reports and the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting system for the period 1998–2010.

Study Design

Regression specification incorporating facility and time fixed effects.

Principal Findings

We found little impact on the financial health of nursing homes following purchase by private investment companies. However, our findings did suggest that private investment firms acquired nursing home chains in good financial health, possibly to derive profit from the company's real estate holdings.

Conclusions

Private investment acquired facilities are an important feature of today's nursing home sector. Although we did not observe a negative impact on the financial health of nursing homes, this development raises important issues about ownership oversight and transparency for the entire nursing home sector.
Extending the suite of bioclim variables: a proposed registry system and case study using principal components analysis
Authors: Kriticos Darren J. , Jarošik Vojtĕch , Ota Noboru
Published: August 2014

The so‐called BIOCLIM variables have played a central role in the advancement of ecologicalmodellingmethods for correlative species distribution modelling.

We propose to establish a register of the BIOCLIMvariables, allowing for the extension of the suite of described, readily available covariate data tosupport bioclimatic modelling. The registry will provide a simple means for researchers to add usefuldata sets in a transparent, documented manner.

As a case study, we introduce and describe the set offivemost significant principal components of the first 35 BIOCLIM variables (Bio01 to Bio35) and proposethey be assigned as Bio36 to Bio40.Together, these five PCA variables capture more than 90%of thevariability in the full suite of 35 BIOCLIM variables.

The PCA variables may provide a means to explore the climaticlimits of poorly known species, with a reduced risk of overfitting the models. The BIOCLIM variable registry should facilitate the expansion of the suite of variables commonly used in species distribution modelling.
Predictive models of glucose control: roles for glucose‐sensing neurones
Authors: Kosse C. , Gonzalez A. , Burdakov D.
Published: August 2014

The brain can be viewed as a sophisticated control module for stabilizing blood glucose. A review of classical behavioural evidence indicates that central circuits add predictive (feedforward/anticipatory) control to the reactive (feedback/compensatory) control by peripheral organs. The brain/cephalic control is constructed and engaged, via associative learning, by sensory cues predicting energy intake or expenditure (e.g. sight, smell, taste, sound). This allows rapidly measurable sensory information (rather than slowly generated internal feedback signals, e.g. digested nutrients) to control food selection, glucose supply for fight‐or‐flight responses or preparedness for digestion/absorption. Predictive control is therefore useful for preventing large glucose fluctuations. We review emerging roles in predictive control of two classes of widely projecting hypothalamic neurones, orexin/hypocretin (ORX) and melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) cells. Evidence is cited that ORX neurones (i) are activated by sensory cues (e.g. taste, sound), (ii) drive hepatic production, and muscle uptake, of glucose, via sympathetic nerves, (iii) stimulate wakefulness and exploration via global brain projections and (iv) are glucose‐inhibited. MCH neurones are (i) glucose‐excited, (ii) innervate learning and reward centres to promote synaptic plasticity, learning and memory and (iii) are critical for learning associations useful for predictive control (e.g. using taste to predict nutrient value of food). This evidence is unified into a model for predictive glucose control. During associative learning, inputs from some glucose‐excited neurones may promote connections between the ‘fast’ senses and reward circuits, constructing neural shortcuts for efficient action selection. In turn, glucose‐inhibited neurones may engage locomotion/exploration and coordinate the required fuel supply. Feedback inhibition of the latter neurones by glucose would ensure that glucose fluxes they stimulate (from liver, into muscle) are balanced. Estimating nutrient challenges from indirect sensory cues may become more difficult when the cues become complex and variable (e.g. like human foods today). Consequent errors of predictive glucose control may contribute to obesity and diabetes.
If one goes up the other must come down: Examining ipsative relationships between math and English self‐concept trajectories across high school
Authors: Parker Philip D. , Marsh Herbert W. , Morin Alexandre J. S. , Seaton Marjorie , Van Zanden Brooke
Published: August 2014

Background

The Internal‐External frame of reference (IE) model suggests that as self‐concept in one domain goes up (e.g., English) self‐concept in other domains (e.g., mathematics) should go down (ipsative self‐concept hypothesis).

Aims

To our knowledge this assumption has not been tested. Testing this effect also provides a context for illustrating different approaches to the study of growth with longitudinal data.

Sample

We use cohort sequential data from 2,781 of Year 7 to Year 11 Australian high school students followed across a total of 10 time waves 6 months apart.

Method

Three different approaches to testing the ipsative self‐concept hypothesis were used: Autoregressive cross‐lagged models, latent growth curve models, and autoregressive latent trajectory models (ALT); using achievement as a time varying covariate.

Results

Cross‐lagged and growth curve models provided little evidence of ipsative relationships between English and math self‐concept. However, ALT models suggested that a rise above trend in one self‐concept domain resulted in a decline from trend in self‐concept in another domain.

Conclusion

Implications for self‐concept theory, interventions, and statistical methods for the study of growth are discussed.
THE INCOME REDISTRIBUTION EFFECT OF CHINA'S PERSONAL INCOME TAX: WHAT THE MICRO‐DATA SAY
Authors: Ma Guangrong , Xu Jianwei , Li Shi
Published: August 2014

This article uses continuous micro‐level data to investigate the income redistribution effect of the personal income tax (PIT) in China beginning in 1997. We find that the average tax rate plays a larger role in determining the income redistribution effect of PIT than tax progressivity does. Although tax progressivity decreased as a result of rising personal incomes and a constant PIT policy prior to 2005, the income redistribution effect of the PIT improved as a result of the higher average tax rate. The tax reform beginning in 2006 increased tax progressivity while decreasing the average tax rate, thereby weakening the income redistribution effect of the PIT. Further analysis indicates that the middle‐income group was the only net loser before 2005, but it benefited from the PIT policy reform. A cross‐country comparison shows that China has a lower PIT burden and higher progressivity than developed countries; in fact, China's levels of progressivity and tax burden are similar to those of Latin American countries. (JEL H24, D31, H31)
Responsiveness to methacholine, but not leukotriene D4, correlates with fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthma
Authors: Guan Wei‐jie , Shi Xu , Jiang Cai‐yu , Xie Yan‐qing , Zhu Zheng , Gao Yi , Zheng Jin‐ping
Published: August 2014

Background and Aims

Correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and responsiveness to inhaled leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and methacholine (MCh) might be different. This study aims to determine the correlation between FeNO and airway responsiveness to LTD4 and MCh, and to compare the airway responsiveness to inhaled LTD4 and MCh and FeNO in non‐smokers, patients without rhinitis and non‐smokers without rhinitis.

Methods

In this cross‐over study, asthmatic patients and healthy subjects underwent LTD4 and MCh inhalation challenge at a 2‐ to 14‐day interval. The FeNO was measured by using NIOX MINO, a portable instrument, at the initial visit, before spirometry and inhalation challenge tests. Subgroup analyses were performed in asthmatic patients based on the categorisation of never‐smoker group, non‐rhinitis group and never‐smoker without rhinitis group.

Results

Of 62 asthmatic patients enrolled, 43 did not have self‐reported rhinitis (asthmatic patients without rhinitis), 56 were never‐smokers (asthmatic non‐smokers), giving rise to 37 non‐smokers who did not have rhinitis (asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis). Twenty‐one healthy subjects were enrolled. Overall, Log10FeNO correlated with Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4 or Log10(LTD4/MCh potency ratio). Reduced FeNO was associated with significantly higher Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4, except for non‐smokers. Compared with all asthmatic patients, asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis were characterised by markedly reduced levels of Log10PD20FEV1‐MCh but not Log10PD20FEV1‐LTD4. The difference in all parameters did not reach statistical significance among asthmatic patients without rhinitis, asthmatic non‐smokers and asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis.

Conclusion

FeNO correlates with airway responsiveness to inhaled MCh but not LTD4, in asthmatic patients, particularly in asthmatic non‐smokers without rhinitis.
Characteristics of benign solitary pulmonary nodules confirmed by diagnostic video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Choi Sun Mi , Heo Eun Young , Lee Jinwoo , Park Young Sik , Lee Chang‐Hoon , Park Chang Min , Kang Chang Hyun , Yim Jae‐Joon , Kim Young Tae , Yoo Chul‐Gyu , Han Sung Koo , Kim Young Whan
Published: August 2014

Background and Aims

The solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common clinical problem usually detected incidentally during screening tests for lung cancer. Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is performed for diagnosing SPNs when there are technical difficulties with transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy or bronchoscopic biopsy, inconclusive biopsy results, or when there is a high suspicion of malignancy. This study aimed to identify factors that can reduce unnecessary VATS for the diagnosis of SPNs.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients with SPNs (n = 107) who had undergone diagnostic VATS at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2008. Clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated to compare benign and malignant SPNs.

Results

Benign SPNs were diagnosed in 31 patients (29.0%). The most common reason for patients to undergo a diagnostic VATS was a history of malignancy. The most common histological findings in patients with benign SPNs were non‐specific inflammatory lesions (29.0%) and tuberculosis (16.1%). The presence of respiratory symptoms was significantly associated with benign diseases [P = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) 0.189, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.060–0.590], and part‐solid nodules were significantly related to malignancy (P = 0.026, OR 6.34, 95% CI 1.248–32.169).

Conclusion

Approximately 30% of SPNs resected by VATS were benign. Although we did not identify a definite factor for predicting benign disease or malignancy, the presence of respiratory symptoms was related to benign disease, and part‐solid nodules were associated with malignancy.
Frequency and clinical significance of respiratory isolates of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AL‐Harbi Abdullah , AL‐Jahdali Hamdan , AL‐Johani Sameera , Baharoon Salim , Bin Salih Salih , Khan Mohammad
Published: August 2014

Background and Aims

The prevalence of pulmonary non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and clinical significance of NTM isolated from respiratory specimens at King Abdul‐Aziz Medical City‐Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The medical records of all patients who had at least one respiratory specimen that was positive for growth of NTM between 2006 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical significance of the isolates was determined using the diagnostic criteria for NTM disease published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

Result

A total of 380 respiratory specimens with positive culture for NTM from 142 patients were identified. Forty patients (28%) had definite pulmonary NTM disease with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 54 ± 16 years, 58% were male and 50% had had underlying chronic lung disease. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (n = 19, 48%) and Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 10, 25%) were the most commonly encountered NTM. The clinical manifestations of NTM lung disease are non‐specific, with symptoms indistinguishable from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The most common radiological features of NTM lung disease were nodular bronchiectasis (45%) and fibrocavitary lesions (40%).

Conclusions

Twenty‐eight percent of the patients with NTM isolates met the ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM lung disease. MAC and M. abscessus were the most encountered NTM isolated species that caused NTM lung disease in our population, which is a rate similar to many previous studies.
Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2‐expressing primary afferents stimulates synaptic transmission in the deep dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord and elicits mechanical hyperalgesia
Authors: Petitjean Hugues , Hugel Sylvain , Barthas Florent , Bohren Yohann , Barrot Michel , Yalcin Ipek , Schlichter Rémy
Published: August 2014

Probenecid, an agonist of transient receptor vanilloid (TRPV) type 2, was used to evaluate the effects of TRPV2 activation on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn (DH) of the rat spinal cord and on nociceptive reflexes induced by thermal heat and mechanical stimuli. The effects of probenecid were compared with those of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist. Calcium imaging experiments on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and DH cultures indicated that functional TRPV2 and TRPV1 were expressed by essentially non‐overlapping subpopulations of DRG neurons, but were absent from DH neurons and DH and DRG glial cells. Pretreatment of DRG cultures with small interfering RNAs against TRPV2 suppressed the responses to probenecid. Patch‐clamp recordings from spinal cord slices showed that probenecid and capsaicin increased the frequencies of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in a subset of laminae III–V neurons. In contrast to capsaicin, probenecid failed to stimulate synaptic transmission in lamina II. Intrathecal or intraplantar injections of probenecid induced mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia without affecting nociceptive heat responses. Capsaicin induced both mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Activation of TRPV1 or TRPV2 in distinct sets of primary afferents increased the sEPSC frequencies in a largely common population of DH neurons in laminae III–V, and might underlie the development of mechanical hypersensitivity following probenecid or capsaicin treatment. However, only TRPV1‐expressing afferents facilitated excitatory and/or inhibitory transmission in a subpopulation of lamina II neurons, and this phenomenon might be correlated with the induction of thermal heat hyperalgesia.
Patient‐reported cognitive functioning and daily functioning in chronic dialysis patients
Authors: Song Mi‐Kyung , Ward Sandra E. , Bair Eric , Weiner Lia J. , Bridgman Jessica C. , Hladik Gerald A. , Gilet Constance A.
Published: August 2014

Subjective cognitive impairment negatively affects daily functioning, health‐related quality of life, and health care consumption, and is predictive of future cognitive decline in many patient populations. However, no subjective measures of multidimensional cognitive functioning have been evaluated for dialysis patients. Our purposes were to examine (1) the association between patient‐reported (subjective) cognitive functioning and objective cognitive functioning and (2) the relationships between subjective and objective cognitive functioning and everyday functioning of dialysis patients. We used baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal observational study of trajectories in dialysis patients' multidimensional quality of life. One hundred thirty‐five patients completed a telephone‐based neuropsychological battery (BriefTest ofAdultCognition byTelephone, a measure of objective cognitive functioning), a measure of subjective cognitive functioning (Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory), and measures of everyday functioning (Activities ofDailyLiving [ADL] andInstrumentalActivities ofDailyLiving [IADL] scales). After controlling for age and education, there was a modest correlation (r = 0.33,P > 0.001) between subjective and objective cognitive functioning. Multivariate logistic regression models showed subjective, but not objective, cognitive functioning was a significant predictor of bothADLsandIADLs. The findings suggest the potential clinical value of subjective measures of cognitive functioning, not to replace objective measures or diagnostic tests, but rather to optimize the meaningfulness of clinical assessment and management.
Predictive Validity of Severity Grading for Cerebral Steno-Occlusive Arteriopathy in Recurrent Childhood Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sultan Sally M. , Beslow Lauren A. , Vossough Arastoo , Elkind Mitchell S. V. , Kasner Scott E. , Mirsky David M. , Licht Daniel J. , Ichord Rebecca N.
Published: August 2014

Background

Cerebral arteriopathy is a risk factor for incident and recurrent childhood AIS. There are no standardized criteria to quantify arteriopathy severity.

Aims

To evaluate a method of scoring severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and its association with recurrence.

Methods

In a single-center prospectively enrolled cohort of 49 children with first AIS and arteriopathy, a composite cerebrovascular stenosis score (CVSS) was measured by two independent raters as the sum of stenosis scores in each of 18 intracranial large and medium arteries, where 0 = none; 1 = low-grade, 1–50%; 2 = high-grade, >50–99%; 3 = occlusion, 100%. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to determine the association of CVSS with recurrence. The analysis was stratified by presence or absence of moyamoya arteriopathy (syndrome or disease).

Results

At a median follow-up period of 2·5 years (range: 0·8–9), 18/49 children (37%) experienced a recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 0·2 (range: 0·02–2·8) years. Interrater agreement was good, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·63–0·87, P < 0·001). Higher CVSS was associated with higher recurrence rate [hazard ratio (HR) per point 1·09, 95% CI 1·04–1·16, P = 0·001]. Among those with moyamoya arteriopathy, CVSS was associated with recurrence (HR per point of CVSS 1·11, 95% CI 1·03–1·19, P = 0·004), but there was no association in those without moyamoya arteriopathy (HR per point of CVSS 0·91, 95% CI 0·75–1·09, P = 0·32).

Conclusions

The CVSS is a reliable measure of severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood stroke. This preliminary study suggests that higher CVSS is associated with stroke recurrence in children with moyamoya arteriopathy.
Modified CBT for Treatment of OCD in a 7‐Year‐Old Boy With ASD—A Case Report
Authors: Elliott Sarah Jacqueline , Fitzsimons Lin
Published: August 2014

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended for OCD but may need modification in children and adolescents with ASD because of cognitive differences, but guidance for therapists planning CBT for OCD in young people with ASD is sparse. This report discusses syndromes of OCD and ASD and their overlapping clinical features and etiologies, difficulties in applying CBT in the ASD population, and relevant literature. We present a case report on CBT treatment of a 7‐year‐old boy with ASD and OCD and modifications to CBT that were helpful.
Achieving universal health coverage‐the case of Zhuhai city
Authors: Sun Jing , Zhang Xiao Tian , Zhang Zou , Hogerzeil Hans V.
Published: August 2014

Objective

Universal health coverage cannot be achieved without evidence from research, which requires national and international support. We hope that our careful documentation of one of China's local experience in designing and implementing the basic health insurance coverage, and our analysis of how it helped to achieve universal health coverage, will inform other systems in China as well as other relevant countries on their way to universal coverage.

Methods

The paper first presents the development of Zhuhai's basic health insurance system chronologically; then comprehensively describes the background and the key components of the common disease outpatient benefit package; followed by a comparison with the common practices of outpatient benefit package of other areas of China and four neighboring countries. It also summarizes the strengths and weakness of the package, and lists the remaining research questions for future studies.

Results

The common disease outpatient benefit package of Zhuhai has helped to improve the universal health coverage of Zhuhai in the following aspects: securing all citizens’ access to the common disease outpatient services under the basic health insurance coverage; containing the rapid growth of health expenditures; enhancing provider awareness of expenditure and encouraging cost‐effective interventions through appropriate financial incentives; and shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and preventing the development of common diseases into serious conditions with high cost specialist services. The common disease outpatient benefit package greatly improved and strengthened the basic health insurance system through secured equal access to affordable outpatient care for common conditions.

Conclusion

Limited health resources are used more efficiently by pooling the risks and by implementing capitated provider payment, which enhances the cost awareness by health care providers, to improves efficiency and creates positive incentives for health professionals for using the most cost‐effective health interventions.
Predictors of Men's Sexual Response to Erotic Film Stimuli: The Role of Affect and Self-Reported Thoughts
Authors: Oliveira Cátia , Laja Pedro , Carvalho Joana , Quinta Gomes Ana , Vilarinho Sandra , Janssen Erick , Nobre Pedro J.
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Both emotions and cognitions seem to play a role in determining sexual arousal. However, no studies to date have tested the effects of self-reported thoughts on subjective sexual arousal and genital response using psychophysiological methods.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of self-reported thoughts and affect during exposure to erotic material in predicting subjective and genital responses in sexually healthy men.

Methods

Twenty-seven men were presented with two explicit films, and genital responses, subjective sexual arousal, self-reported thoughts, and positive and negative affect were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures

Men's genital responses, subjective sexual arousal, affective responses, and self-reported thoughts during exposure to sexual stimulus were measured.

Results

Regression analyses revealed that genital responses were predicted by self-reported thoughts (explaining 20% of the variance) but not by affect during exposure to erotic films. On the other hand, subjective sexual arousal was significantly predicted by both positive and negative affect (explaining 18% of the variance) and self-reported thoughts (explaining 37% of the variance). Follow-up analyses using the single predictors showed that “sexual arousal thoughts” were the only significant predictor of subjective response (β = 0.64; P < 0.01) and that “distracting/disengaging thoughts” were the best predictor of genital response (β = −0.51; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that both affect and sexual arousal thoughts play an important role in men's subjective sexual response, whereas genital response seems to be better predicted by distracting thoughts.
HLA‐DP genes polymorphisms associate with hepatitis B surface antigen kinetics and seroclearance during nucleot(s)ide analogue therapy
Authors: Hosaka Tetsuya , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kobayashi Masahiro , Fukushima Taito , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) recently indicated that polymorphisms in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DP genes were associated with risk of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and clearance of HBV, but the effect of HLA‐DP gene polymorphisms on the effect of antiviral therapy was unknown. We here investigated whether such polymorphisms were associated with decreases in HBsAg levels and seroclearance in patients who received long‐term lamivudine (LAM) treatment.

Methods

Japanese patients (202) who were hepatitis B e antigen positive at baseline, received LAM as first‐line treatment, and consented to HLA‐DP genotyping (HLA‐DPA1 rs3077 and HLA‐DPB1 rs9277535) were categorized into two cohorts, viz., a cohort who achieved virological response without rescue therapy (cohort 1) and those who did so with rescue therapy (cohort 2).

Results

Serum HBsAg levels declined significantly between year 3 and 9 from baseline among cohort 1 patients possessing ≥2 A‐alleles at rs3077 and rs9277535. The percentages of such patients in cohort 1 patients with decreases in HBsAg ≥0.5 log IU/ml were higher than those with <2 A‐alleles (71.8% [28/39] vs. 38.9% [23/59]; P = 0.004). However, there was no significant difference in cumulative HBsAg seroclearance rates between patients with ≥2 and those with <2 A‐alleles in cohort 1. In cohort 2, HBsAg seroclearance rates were higher in patients with ≥2 A‐alleles than in those with <2 A‐alleles (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

We found an association between HLA‐DP polymorphisms and decreases in HBsAg levels and seroclearance among HBeAg‐positive patients treated with LAM.
Acclimation to hypoxia in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: can biophotolysis be the major trigger for long‐term H2 production?
Authors: Scoma Alberto , Durante Lorenzo , Bertin Lorenzo , Fava Fabio
Published: August 2014

In anaerobiosis, the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is able to produce H2 gas. Electrons mainly derive from mobilization of internal reserves or from water through biophotolysis. However, the exact mechanisms triggering this process are still unclear. Our hypothesis was that, once a proper redox state has been achieved, H2 production is eventually observed.

To avoid nutrient depletion, which would result in enhanced fermentative pathways, we aimed to induce long‐lasting H2 production solely through a photosynthesis : respiration equilibrium. Thus, growing cells were incubated in Tris Acetate Phosphate (TAP) medium under low light and high chlorophyll content.

After a 250‐h acclimation phase, a 350‐h H2 production phase was observed. The light‐to‐H2 conversion efficiency was comparable to that given in some reports operating under sulphur starvation. Electron sources were found to be water, through biophotolysis, and proteins, particularly through photofermentation. Nonetheless, a substantial contribution from acetate could not be ruled out. In addition, photosystem II (PSII) inhibition by 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) showed that it actively contributed to maintaining a redox balance during cell acclimation.

In appropriate conditions, PSII may represent the major source of reducing power to feed the H2 evolution process, by inducing and maintaining an ideal excess of reducing power.
Was Spinoza a Naturalist?
Authors: Douglas Alexander
Published: August 2014

In this article I dispute the claim, made by several contemporary scholars, thatSpinoza was a naturalist. ‘Naturalism’ here refers to two distinct but related positions in contemporary philosophy. The first, ontological naturalism, is the view that everything that exists possesses a certain character (variously defined) permitting it to be defined as natural and prohibiting it from being defined as supernatural. I argue that the only definition of ontological naturalism that could be legitimately applied toSpinoza's philosophy is so unrestrictive as to tell us nothing about the content of his ideas. The second, methodological naturalism, is the view that the natural sciences are the best means of finding out substantial truths about the concrete world. I present some historical research showing thatSpinoza's way of positioning himself with respect to other philosophers in theDutchRepublic casts very serious doubt on the claim that he was a methodological naturalist. This adds further weight to arguments that have already been made against the naturalist reading ofSpinoza.
An autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disease in a dog? The odds are that it is not bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Olivry Thierry
Published: August 2014

This editorial links to: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1998.00067.x
Hydrocarbon Transfer in Disk Drives
Authors: Kasai Paul H. , Raman Vedantham
Published: August 2014

In hard disk drives, oils used in the spindle motor or the actuator assembly are likely to be potential sources of hydrocarbon contaminants. Transfer to, and accumulation of such contaminants on the head would adversely affect its flyability. It was reported earlier that such transfer occurs more readily, the lower the vapor pressure of the contaminant is, and the lower the temperature of the ambiance is. The present study confirmed these findings. It is shown that the transfer is mediated by the disk surface area of high surface energy (openings of the carbon overcoat). Via an airflow transport process, droplets of the contaminant hydrocarbon are formed at such sites, and evolve in size till they are collected by the slider of the head.
Diffusion Equation for Spreading and Replenishment in Submonolayer Lubricant Film
Authors: Ono Kyosuke
Published: August 2014

It is important to evaluate the lubrication and replenishment effects of the submonolayer mobile lubricant in hard disk drives because increased recording density can only be achieved through near-contact or surfing recording without head wear. It is known that the minimum friction coefficient can be obtained at a specific bonding ratio [1]. In recent times, the lubricant thickness has been reduced to one monolayer and the thickness of the mobile lubricant layer, to less than 0.3 nm to reduce lubricant pickup on the head surface. Matthes et al. [2] shown that a certain fraction of the layer of currently used mobile lubricants with multiple polar groups is important for reducing head wear. Canchi and Bogy [3] experimentally studied the depletion caused by thermal flying height control (TFC) head contact and reflow speed for various lubricants. Although the diffusion characteristics of perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPE) lubricants layers with a thickness of a few nanometers can be evaluated by a diffusion equation based on continuum mechanics [4], the validity of the conventional equation in the submonolayer lubricant region is not clear. Mate [5] showed that the spreading of a pancake-shaped Z-dol lubricant layer with subnanometer thickness can be quantitatively evaluated by a diffusion equation based on continuum mechanics. Ono [6] showed that the replenishment process of a depleted groove generated by slider touchdown operation can be fairly evaluated by the conventional diffusion equation if the effective ratio of the Hamaker constant to the lubricant viscosity is properly chosen. However, the identified effective viscosity is too high to be estimated from other experimental data [5, 7]. Moreover, the validity of the diffusion equation based on continuum mechanics remains unclear in the submonolayer region.
Asymmetric Arm Design on Delta Robot System
Authors: Wu Tsung-Liang , Yeh Jih-Hsiang , Yang Cheng-Chen
Published: August 2014

The Delta robot system is widely used in high speed (4 cycles/s at 25-200-25 mm) pick-and-place process in production line. Some industrial applications include photo-voltaic (PV), food process, and electronic assembly, and so on. The energy saving and system cost are two critical parameters for designing the next generation of pick-and-place system. To achieve these goals, a light-weight moving structure with sufficient strength to overcome the excited vibration will be one of the solutions. In this paper, an asymmetric arm design is proposed and fabricated to gain the benefit of strength-to-weight. The asymmetric arm is designed by reinforcing a specific direction and is validated the vibration suppression capability both by simulation and experiment. A position controller that is derived from the kinematic model of Delta robot is utilized to manipulate the robot under a forward-backward motion with a polynomial trajectory with 200 mm displacement. The residual vibration, then, was measured after the forward-backward motion to compare the settling performance between symmetric- and asymmetric-arms on the Delta robot system, respectively. The results conclude as following: (1) The asymmetric arms perform slightly worse (0.03 sec more in settling time) than symmetric arm but there is 15% weight reducing comparing to symmetric arm. (2) Both energy saving and system cost reducing would be achieved by utilizing actuators with lower power consumption and fabrication on carbon fiber arms with mass customization.
The Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the ABS Contaminations
Authors: Cui Fuhao , Hu Jinhong , Peng Yue , Li Hui , Shen Shengnan , Huang Jie , Hu Jicai
Published: August 2014

In order to increase the areal recording density of hard disk drive beyond 1 Tb/in2, the flying height has to be reduced to several nanometers. At such a low flying height, particles and lube contaminations, which could lead to a transient vibration and flying height modulation in a hard disk drive, are becoming more and more serious. In this work, it studies the influence of temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern, velocity and shear stress distribution on the air bearing surface (ABS) of slider using a self-developed simulator. It first solves the generalized steady state Reynolds equation with slip boundary conditions. Then it solves the reduced Navier-Stokes (N-S) equation with slip boundary conditions to get the air velocity distribution, i.e., identify the air flow pattern on the ABS. The stagnation lines and areas of air flow are calculated to judge the contamination area. On the other hand, it calculates the air shear stress distribution on the ABS since the air shear stress is the main driving force for the lubricant and particles migration and contaminations. After that, the impact of the temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern is analyzed by applying the Sutherland equation and mixed gas viscosity calculation equation.

The simulation results indicate that the impact of temperature and humidity on the air flow pattern is un-conspicuous. However, the peak velocity of the air flow, which contains no vapor, reduces almost 10%, and the peak air flow shear stress increases less than 1.5%, with the increase of operational temperature from 298.15 K to 343.15 K. In addition, the peak velocity of the air flow increasing almost 4%, and the peak air flow shear stress keeps almost same, with the increase of the operational mole fraction of vapor from 5% to 15%.
Investigation of Slider Vibrations and Vibration Mode Changes in Helium-Air Gas Mixtures
Authors: Tang Zhengqiang , Talke Frank E.
Published: August 2014

A numerical model for the simulation of slider vibrations in helium-air gas mixtures has been developed. The physical properties of the helium-air gas mixture, such as density, mean free path and viscosity, were determined to calculate the dynamic flying characteristics of a slider using the CMRR air bearing simulator. Frequency analysis shows that the helium percentage in the gas mixture can shift the second pitch mode of the slider to a higher frequency.
Single Entry Communities Increase Trip Distance and May Overestimate Neighborhood Walkability
Authors: Coughenour Courtney , Bungum Timothy J.
Published: August 2014

Background:

Neighborhood walkability is being promoted as an important factor in public health efforts to decrease rates of physical inactivity. Single entry communities (SEC), communities with only 1 entrance/exit, may result in an over estimation of walkability. This design makes direct walking routes outside the community nearly impossible and results in increased trip distance. The purpose of this study was to determine if accounting for SECs resulted in a significant difference in street connectivity.

Methods:

Twenty geographically different Las Vegas neighborhoods were chosen and the number of true intersections measured in ArcGIS. Neighborhoods were then assessed for the presence of SECs using google maps, ArcGIS land imagery, and field observation. Intersections inside SECs were removed. A paired t test was used to assess the mean difference of intersection density before and after adjustment.

Results:

There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of true intersections after the adjustment (before mean = 57.8; after mean = 45.7). The eta squared statistic indicates a large effect size (0.3).

Conclusions:

Single entry communities result in an over estimation of street connectivity. If SECs are not accounted for, trip distances will be underestimated and public health efforts to promote walking through walkable neighborhoods may prove less effective.
Activity Patterns of Preschool-Aged Children at Risk for Obesity
Authors: Senso Meghan M. , Trost Stewart G. , Crain A. Lauren , Seburg Elisabeth M. , Anderson Julie D. , Sherwood Nancy E.
Published: August 2014

Background:

Although the prevalence of obesity in young children highlights the importance of early interventions to promote physical activity (PA), there are limited data on activity patterns in this age group. The purpose of this study was to describe activity patterns in preschool-aged children and explore differences by weight status.

Methods:

Analyses use baseline data from Healthy Homes/Healthy Kids–Preschool, a pilot obesity prevention trial of preschool-aged children who are overweight or at risk for being overweight. A modified parent-reported version of the previous-day PA recall was used to summarize types of activity. Accelerometry was used to summarize daily and hourly activity patterns.

Results:

“Playing with toys” accounted for the largest proportion of a child’s previous day, followed by “meals and snacks” and “chores.” Accelerometry-measured daily time spent in sedentary behavior, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was 412, 247, and 69 minutes, respectively. Percentage of hourly time spent in MVPA ranged from 3% to 13%, peaking in the late morning and evening hours. There were no statistically significant MVPA differences by weight status.

Conclusion:

This study extends our understanding of activity types, amounts, and patterns in preschool-aged children and warrants further exploration of differences in PA patterns by weight status.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Staphylococcus epidermidis Bacteriophage Isolated from the Anterior Nares of Humans
Authors: Aswani Vijay H. , Tremblay Denise M. , Moineau Sylvain , Shukla Sanjay K.
Published: August 2014

We report here the complete genome sequence of a virulent
Staphylococcus epidermidis
siphophage, phage 6ec, isolated from the anterior nares of a human. This viral genome is 93,794 bp in length, with a 3′ overhang
cos
site of 10 nucleotides, and it codes for 142 putative open reading frames.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis BAB-1, a Biocontrol Agent for Suppression of Tomato Gray Mold
Authors: Guo Qinggang , Li Shezeng , Lu Xiuyun , Zhang Xiaoyun , Wang Peipei , Ma Ping
Published: August 2014

Bacillus subtilis
BAB-1, isolated from cotton rhizosphere soil, is an excellent biocontrol agent for tomato gray mold. The genome of
B. subtilis
strain BAB-1 was fully sequenced and annotated, genes encoding the antifungal active compound were identified, and multiple sets of regulatory systems were found in the genome.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Streptococcus macedonicus Strain 33MO, Isolated from the Curd of Morlacco Cheese in the Veneto Region (Italy)
Authors: Vendramin Veronica , Treu Laura , Bovo Barbara , Campanaro Stefano , Corich Viviana , Giacomini Alessio
Published: August 2014

A genetic characterization of
Streptococcus macedonicus
is important to better understand the characteristics of this lactic acid bacterium, frequently detected in fermented food bacteria communities. This report presents the draft genome sequence description of strain 33MO, the first publicly available genome sequence of an Italian
S. macedonicus
isolate.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus anthracis HYU01, Isolated from Soil Samples in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Kim Se Kye , Chung Won-Hyong , Kim Sang Hoon , Jung Kyoung Hwa , Kim Namshin , Chai Young Gyu
Published: August 2014

Bacillus anthracis
is a Gram-positive endospore-forming bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease anthrax. We report a complete genome sequence of
B. anthracis
strain HYU01, isolated from Changnyung, which belongs to the B branch (B.Br.) 001/002 canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) group.
Draft Genome Sequence of Cronobacter sakazakii Clonal Complex 45 Strain HPB5174, Isolated from a Powdered Infant Formula Facility in Ireland
Authors: Pightling Arthur W. , Pagotto Franco
Published: August 2014

Cronobacter sakazakii
is a food-borne pathogenic bacterium that may cause severe illness in neonates and the elderly. We present the genome sequence of a rare strain (ST40, CC45), commonly found in multiple food processing facilities and in powdered infant formula and only indicted in a single clinical case.