bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic biomarkers in patients with localized natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Yamaguchi Motoko , Takata Katsuyoshi , Yoshino Tadashi , Ishizuka Naoki , Oguchi Masahiko , Kobayashi Yukio , Isobe Yasushi , Ishizawa Kenichi , Kubota Nobuko , Itoh Kuniaki , Usui Noriko , Miyazaki Kana , Wasada Izumi , Nakamura Shigeo , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Oshimi Kazuo , Kinoshita Tomohiro , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Tobinai Kensei
Published: September 2014

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy has become one of the standard management approaches for newly diagnosed localized nasal natural killer (NK)/T‐cell lymphoma (NKTCL). Few data are available on the prognostic biomarkers of NKTCL among patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. To evaluate the prognostic significance of immunophenotypic biomarkers for patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) and cell origin were examined in samples from 32 patients who were enrolled in the Japan Clinical Oncology Group 0211 trial and treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. LMP1 and CLA were positive in 66% (19/29) and 29% (9/31) of the cases examined, respectively. The median follow‐up duration was 68 months (range, 61–94). The patients with LMP1‐positive tumors showed a better overall survival (OS) than the patients with LMP1‐negative tumors (hazard ratio, 0.240; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.057–1.013; 80% CI, 0.093–0.615; P = 0.035). All five patients with LMP1‐negative tumors who experienced disease progression died of lymphoma, and both patients with local failure had LMP1‐negative tumors. There was no significant difference in OS according to CLA expression. A total of 27 (84%) cases were of NK‐cell origin, two were of αβ T‐cell origin and three were of γδ T‐cell origin. In contrast to those with tumors of NK‐cell origin, all five patients with NKTCL of T‐cell origin were alive without relapse at the last follow up. Our results indicate that LMP1 expression is a favorable prognostic marker and suggest that a T‐cell origin of the tumor may be a favorable prognostic marker for patients with localized NKTCL treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Duration of day care attendance during infancy predicts asthma at the age of seven: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study
Authors: Cheng G. , Smith A. M. , Levin L. , Epstein T. , Ryan P. H. , LeMasters G. K. , Khurana Hershey G. K. , Reponen T. , Villareal M. , Lockey J. , Bernstein D. I.
Published: September 2014

Background

Studies vary with respect to the reported effects of day care attendance on childhood asthma.

Objectives

To evaluate the independent and combined effects of day care attendance and respiratory infections on the development of asthma at the age of seven in a prospective birth cohort.

Method

At the age of seven, the study sample included 589 children with complete data of 762 enrolled at birth. Day care hours and number of respiratory infections were reported in follow‐up questionnaires through age four. At 7 years of age, asthma was diagnosed in 95 children (16%), based on predefined symptoms criteria confirmed by either asthma FEV1 reversibility after bronchodilator or a positive methacholine test (PC20 ≤ 4 mg/mL). Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationships between asthma at the age of seven, cumulative hours of day care attendance and reported respiratory infections at ages 1–4.

Results

In the univariate analyses, day care attendance at 12 months was associated with an increased risk of asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–3.0]. Both upper and lower respiratory infections at 12 months also increased the likelihood of asthma [OR = 2.4 (1.4–4.1); OR = 2.3 (1.5–3.7), respectively]. In the final multivariate logistic model, cumulative hours of day care attendance and number of lower respiratory infections at 12 months were associated with asthma [OR = 1.2 (1.1–1.5); OR = 1.4 (1.2–1.7), respectively]. However, a threshold of greater than 37.5 hours per week of day care attendance was associated with a lower risk of asthma [OR = 0.6 (0.4–0.9)].

Conclusion

Depending on duration of attendance, day care during infancy can either increase or reduce risk of asthma at the age of seven.
Zebrafish as a systems toxicology model for developmental neurotoxicity testing
Authors: Nishimura Yuhei , Murakami Soichiro , Ashikawa Yoshifumi , Sasagawa Shota , Umemoto Noriko , Shimada Yasuhito , Tanaka Toshio
Published: September 2014

The developing brain is extremely sensitive to many chemicals. Exposure to neurotoxicants during development has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Although rodents have been widely used for developmental neurotoxicity testing, experiments using large numbers of rodents are time‐consuming, expensive, and raise ethical concerns. Using alternative non‐mammalian animal models may relieve some of these pressures by allowing testing of large numbers of subjects while reducing expenses and minimizing the use of mammalian subjects. In this review, we discuss some of the advantages of using zebrafish in developmental neurotoxicity testing, focusing on central nervous system development, neurobehavior, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics in this species. We also describe some important examples of developmental neurotoxicity testing using zebrafish combined with gene expression profiling, neuroimaging, or neurobehavioral assessment. Zebrafish may be a systems toxicology model that has the potential to reveal the pathways of developmental neurotoxicity and to provide a sound basis for human risk assessments.
Long‐Term Bone Stability around 312 Rough‐Surfaced Immediately Placed Implants with 2–12‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Wagenberg Barry , Froum Stuart J.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate bone stability around implants with anodic oxidized surfaces and correlate this with variables compared in a previous study.

Materials and Methods

A total of 312 implants with anodic oxidized surfaces were separated from a pool of 1,187 implants placed immediately following tooth extraction. Radiographs made at the time of implant placement were compared to radiographs taken at 2–12 years' follow‐up. An independent radiologist used the known distance (mm) between peaks of adjacent threads to calculate actual bone loss measurements. Measurements were evaluated by thread of bone fill on both the mesial and distal of each implant. If <50% of the thread had bone fill, the entire thread was assumed devoid of bone. All 312 implants were measured and a Mann–Whitney rank‐sum test performed to test the significance of differences in mean bone loss relative to the factors studied.

Results

The overall mean bone loss of the 312 implants was 0.4 mm (± 0. 80 mm) over a 2–12‐year follow‐up period with a mean duration of 7.4 years. Bone measurements in 95.5% of the implants were performed 6 years or more post‐placement. Bone loss of <1.5 mm was found in 92% of implants. No statistically significant differences were seen in mean bone loss by gender, smokers versus non‐smokers, tooth position (except for molars), or immediately loaded or immediate tooth replacement versus two‐stage implants. Parameters that demonstrated statistically significant differences were splinted versus non‐splinted implants, molars in maxilla versus mandible, regular (3.75–4.0 mm diameter) versus wide (5.0–6.0 mm diameter) platforms, and anodic oxidized surfaces versus other implant surfaces studied.

Conclusions

The mesial–distal bone loss of anodic oxidized surface (TiUnite) implants over a 2–12‐year period (mean 7.4 years) was significantly less compared with machined implants placed with the same immediate implant placement protocol (0.4 mm vs 0.6 mm). Although several variables showed statistically significant differences in bone loss, the clinical significance could be questioned, as the maximum mean bone loss was 0.3 mm or less when comparing the various factors. The procedures used to place the implant and the strict maintenance protocol appear to be important aspects of the overall long‐term success reported in this study in terms of measuring marginal bone loss around immediately placed implants.
To Sleep or Not to Sleep: A Repeated Daily Challenge for African American Children
Authors: Spruyt Karen , Alaribe Calista U. , Nwabara Odochi U.
Published: September 2014

Aims

Sleep is important for children, because of the impact on their development and well‐being. Previous survey research suggested that poor sleep occurs more frequently in minorities. However, objective data characterizing their sleep patterns are lacking.

Methods

Children enrolled in a 1‐year cross‐sectional sequence designed study centered on a 14‐day objective sleep recording, which was repeated three times. Children lived on the South Side of Chicago and were self‐defined as being African Americans.

Results

Findings reflect data of 24 children with a mean age of 5.4 ± 1.7 years of which 54.2% were girls. They slept at night 6.51 h and during the day changeably 1.42 h, likely being noon naps during the week and afternoon naps on Saturday and Sunday. Variability in quality of sleep, and also nighttime sleep duration, especially on Friday and Saturday, was characteristic. The highest variability was noted in sleep onset and offset latency, and in the quality of napping. The interrelation of daytime and nighttime sleep changes was suggestive of “catch‐up” daytime sleep.

Conclusion

At nighttime children habitually obtained few hours of sleep with diurnal sleep fluctuations likely being “a need” and “a chance.” Interventions might emphasize on creating optimal opportunities to sleep.
Causes and Consequences of Gray Matter Heterotopia
Authors: Watrin Françoise , Manent Jean‐Bernard , Cardoso Carlos , Represa Alfonso
Published: September 2014

The objective of this article is to review the pathophysiological bases of gray matter heterotopia and to appreciate their involvement in brain cortical development and functional consequences, namely epilepsy. The development of the cerebral cortex results from complex sequential processes including cell proliferation, cell migration, cortical organization, and formation of neuronal networks. Disruption of these steps yields different types of cortical malformations including gray matter heterotopia, characterized by the ectopic position of neurons along the ventricular walls or in the deep white matter. Cortical malformations are major causes of epilepsy, being responsible for up to 40% of drug‐resistant epilepsy, and the cognitive level of affected patients varies from normal to severely impaired. This review reports data from human patients and animal models highlighting the genetic causes for these disorders affecting not only neuronal migration but also the proliferation of cortical progenitors. Therefore, gray matter heterotopias should not be considered as solely due to an abnormal neuronal migration and classifying them as such may be too restrictive. The review will also summarize literature data indicating that besides ectopic neurons, neighbor cortical areas also play a consistent role in epileptogenesis, supporting the notion that plastic changes secondary to the initial malformation are instrumental in the pathophysiology of epilepsy in affected patients.
Double‐balloon endoscopy is safe and effective for the diagnosis and treatment of small‐bowel disorders: Prospective multicenter study carried out by expert and non‐expert endoscopists in Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Hironori , Yano Tomonori , Ohmiya Naoki , Tanaka Shu , Tanaka Shinji , Endo Yutaka , Matsuda Tomoki , Matsui Toshiyuki , Iida Mitsuo , Sugano Kentaro
Published: September 2014

Background and Aim

Double‐balloon endoscopy (DBE) has enabled direct, detailed examination of the entire small bowel with interventional capabilities. Although its usefulness is recognized, efficacy and safety have not been extensively evaluated by prospective multicenter studies. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DBE carried out by expert and non‐expert endoscopists, a prospective, multicenter study was conducted in five university hospitals and a general hospital in Japan.

Methods

A total of 120 patients who underwent 179 procedures were enrolled in the study. Experts carried out 129 procedures and non‐experts carried out 50 procedures. Primary and secondary end points were evaluation of safety, the rate of achievement of procedural objectives, namely, identification of a new lesion, detailed examination to establish a therapeutic strategy, or exclusion of significant lesions by total enteroscopy, and rate of successful examination of the entire small bowel and evaluation of safety.

Results

Overall rate of achievement of procedural objectives was 82.5% (99/120). Overall success rate for examination of the entire small bowel was 70.8% (34/48). Incidence of adverse events was 1.1% (a mucosal injury and an episode of pyrexia in two of 179 examinations). No severe adverse events were encountered. There were no significant differences in any of the outcome measures comparing expert and non‐expert operators.

Conclusions

DBE is effective and safe for patients with suspected small bowel diseases, and can be safely carried out even by a non‐expert under the supervision of an expert, following a simple training program.
Language dominance assessment in a bilingual population: Validity of fMRI in the second language
Authors: Centeno Maria , Koepp Matthias J. , Vollmar Christian , Stretton Jason , Sidhu Meneka , Michallef Caroline , Symms Mark R. , Thompson Pamela J. , Duncan John S.
Published: September 2014

Objective

Assessment of language dominance using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a standard tool to estimate the risk of language function decline after epilepsy surgery. Although there has been considerable research in the characterization of language networks in bilingual individuals; little is known about the clinical usefulness of language mapping in a secondary language in patients with epilepsy, and how language lateralization assessed by fMRI may differ by the use of native or a secondary language paradigms. In this study we investigate language representation in a population of nonnative English speakers to assess differences in fMRI language lateralization between the first (native) and second language (English).

Methods

Sixteen nonnative English‐speaking patients with focal drug‐resistant epilepsy underwent language fMRI in their first (native) language (L1) and in English (L2). Differences between language maps using L1 and L2 paradigms were examined at the single subject level by comparing within‐subject lateralization indexes obtained for each language. Differences at the group level were examined for each of the tasks and languages.

Results

Group maps for the second language (English) showed overlapping areas of activation with the native language, but with larger clusters, and more bilaterally distributed than for the first language. However, at the individual level, lateralization indexes were concordant between the two languages, except for one patient with bilateral hippocampal sclerosis who was left dominant in English and showed bilateral dominance for verb generation and right dominance for verbal fluency in his native tongue.

Significance

Language lateralization can generally be reliably derived from fMRI tasks in a second language provided that the subject can follow the task. Subjects with greater likelihood of atypical language representation should be evaluated more carefully, using more than one language paradigm.
Engineering microorganisms based on molecular evolutionary analysis: a succinate production case study
Authors: Ma Xianghui , Zhang Xinbo , Wang Baiyun , Mao Yufeng , Wang Zhiwen , Chen Tao , Zhao Xueming
Published: September 2014

Evolution has resulted in thousands of species possessing similar metabolic enzymes with identical functions that are, however, regulated by different mechanisms. It is thus difficult to select optimal gene to engineer novel or manipulated metabolic pathways. Here, we tested the ability of molecular evolutionary analysis to identify appropriate genes from various species. We calculated the fraction of synonymous substitution and the effective number of codons (ENC) for nine genes stemming from glycolysis. Our research indicated that an enzyme gene with a stronger selective constraint in synonymous sites would mainly regulate corresponding reaction flux through altering the concentration of the protein, whereas those with a more relaxed selective constraint would primarily affect corresponding reaction flux by changing kinetic properties of the enzyme. Further, molecular evolutionary analysis was investigated for three types of genes involved in succinate precursor supply by catalysis of pyruvate. In this model, overexpression of Corynebacterium glutamicum pyc should result in greater conversion of pyruvate. Succinate yields in two Escherichia coli strains that overexpressed each of the three types of genes supported the molecular evolutionary analysis. This approach may thus provide an alternative strategy for selecting genes from different species for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Cell elasticity is an important indicator of the metastatic phenotype of melanoma cells
Authors: Sarna Michal , Zadlo Andrzej , Hermanowicz Pawel , Madeja Zbigniew , Burda Kvetoslava , Sarna Tadeusz
Published: September 2014

The relationship between melanin pigmentation and metastatic phenotype of melanoma cells is an intricate issue, which needs to be unambiguously determined to fully understand the process of metastasis of malignant melanoma. Despite significant research efforts undertaken to solve this problem, the outcomes are far from being satisfying. Importantly, none of the proposed explanations takes into consideration biophysical aspects of the phenomenon such as cell elasticity. Recently, we have demonstrated that melanin granules dramatically modify elastic properties of pigmented melanoma cells. This prompted us to examine the mechanical effects of melanosomes on the transmigration abilities of melanoma cells. Here, we show for the first time that melanin granules inhibit transmigration abilities of melanoma cells in a number of granules dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of melanosomes is mechanical in nature. Results obtained in this study demonstrate that cell elasticity may play a key role in the efficiency of melanoma cells spread in vivo. Our findings may also contribute to better understanding of the process of metastasis of malignant melanoma.
Compound K inhibits MMP‐1 expression through suppression of c‐Src‐dependent ERK activation in TNF‐α‐stimulated dermal fibroblast
Authors: Lee Chang Seok , Bae Il‐Hong , Han Jiwon , Choi Gye‐young , Hwang Kyung‐Hwan , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Yeom Myeong‐Hun , Park Young‐Ho , Park Miyoung
Published: September 2014

Compound K (CK) is one of the major metabolites of ginsenosides exhibiting a variety of pharmacological properties such as anti‐ageing, anti‐oxidation and anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the protective efficacy of CK in abnormal skin conditions with inflammatory responses was not examined. Here, we investigated the effects of CK on matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) and type I procollagen production in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐stimulated human skin fibroblasts HS68 cells and human skin equivalents. We found that CK suppressed MMP‐1 secretion and increased the level of reduced type I procollagen secretion, caused by the inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation, but not p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation in TNF‐α‐stimulated HS68 cells. Then, we focused on the involvement of the c‐Src and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as upstream signalling molecules for ERK activation by TNF‐α in HS68 cells. CK suppressed the phosphorylation of c‐Src/EGFR by TNF‐α, which led to the inactivation of downstream signalling molecules including AKT and MEK. In addition, CK suppressed AP‐1 (c‐jun and c‐fos) phosphorylation as downstream transcription factors of active ERK for MMP‐1 expression in TNFα‐stimulated HS68 cells. These results showed novel mechanisms by which CK inhibits TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐1 expression through the inactivation of c‐Src/EGFR‐dependent ERK/AP‐1 signalling pathway, resulting in the inhibition of collagen degradation in human fibroblast cells. Therefore, CK may be a promising protective agent for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as skin ageing and atopic dermatitis.
Payments for ecosystem services in developing world fisheries
Authors: Bladon Annabelle J , Short Katherine M , Mohammed Essam Yassin , Milner‐Gulland E J
Published: September 2014

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) is a powerful economic tool that gives positive conditional incentives for the provision of additional ecosystem services over the status quo, which has been used widely in terrestrial conservation. Interest in the concept of marine PES has recently emerged, but the fluid, transboundary and often common pool nature of marine ecosystems presents challenges for PES design and implementation. Here, we consider the potential role of PES in addressing current gaps in fisheries management. Used in combination with conventional regulatory approaches, PES may increase private sector engagement and generate more sustainable financing for fisheries management whilst spreading accountability throughout the supply chain. The approach is most likely to be feasible and effective in commercially valuable fisheries with: (i) demand for one or more ecosystem service and a threat to supply; (ii) suitable baseline data available and potential management actions underpinned by robust science; (iii) clarity and security of property rights; (iv) capacity for hybrid multi‐level governance; (v) capacity for rigorous monitoring, control and surveillance; and (vi) potential for financial sustainability of the scheme. An examination of four contrasting fisheries – Namibian hake, Mozambican shallow‐water shrimp, Western and Central Pacific skipjack tuna and Bangladesh hilsa – demonstrates that a developing world fishery will rarely fulfil each of these preconditions a priori, but that the potential for successful application of PES still exists. In practice, PES design will depend on the institutional context and require creative and innovative approaches to the maintenance of conditionality and additionality.
Factors Associated with Caregiver Burden Among Parents of Individuals with ASD: Differences Across Intellectual Functioning
Authors: Vogan Vanessa , Lake Johanna K. , Weiss Jonathan A. , Robinson Suzanne , Tint Ami , Lunsky Yona
Published: September 2014

Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) persist into adolescence and adulthood, when access to health services and supports become difficult. Consequently, most adolescents and adults with ASD remain reliant on their families for support, often resulting in caregiver burden among parents. This study aims to investigate factors associated with burden in parents of adolescents and young adults with ASD, and to understand how these factors differ across varying levels of intellectual functioning. Of the 297 parents sampled, ASD severity, externalizing behaviors, medical comorbidity, and parent age predicted burden in parents of adolescents and young adults with ASD and an intellectual disability (ID), whereas an inability to pay for services predicted burden in parents of individuals with ASD and no ID. Factors associated with caregiver burden differed among individuals with and without ID and were not limited to symptom severity or mental health problems, but also extended to system factors.
The Impact of Premarital Cycling on Early Marriage
Authors: Vennum Amber , Johnson Matthew D.
Published: September 2014

Using a sample of 564 newlywed couples and the enduring dynamics model of marriage, the study examined the impact of premarital cycling (breaking up and renewing) on the entrance into marriage and relationship dynamics over the first 5 years. Consistent with the enduring dynamics model, results demonstrated cyclical couples (compared to noncyclical couples) exhibited worse adjustment on a variety of relationship indicators at the entrance to marriage and were more likely to experience a trial separation over the first 5 years. Dyadic parallel process growth curve analysis further revealed that premarital cycling predicted lower initial relationship satisfaction that was sustained over the first 5 years of marriage. Implications for theory, research, and intervention with premarital couples are discussed. These results provide evidence that courtships characterized by breakups and renewals represent a relational vulnerability with negative implications extending years into the future.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Relationship Education in the U.S. Army: 2‐Year Outcomes
Authors: Stanley Scott M. , Rhoades Galena K. , Loew Benjamin A. , Allen Elizabeth S. , Carter Sarah , Osborne Laura J. , Prentice Donnella , Markman Howard J.
Published: September 2014

This study examined the effectiveness of an evidence‐based, community‐delivered adaptation of couple relationship education (CRE) program (specifically, The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program [PREP]) delivered at two Army installations. The study is a randomized controlled trial with 2 years of follow‐up examining marital quality and stability. Sample composition was 662 married couples with a spouse in the U.S. Army. Analyses yielded no evidence of overall enduring intervention effects on relationship quality, but couples assigned to intervention at the higher risk site were significantly less likely than controls to be divorced at the 2‐year follow‐up (8.1% vs. 14.9%, p < .01). This effect was moderated by ethnic minority status. Specifically, the impact of the intervention on divorce was strongest for minority couples. The findings add to the literature on who may benefit most from CRE.
Effects of prey abundance, distribution, visual contrast and morphology on selection by a pelagic piscivore
Authors: Hansen Adam G. , Beauchamp David A.
Published: September 2014

Most predators eat only a subset of possible prey. However, studies evaluating diet selection rarely measure prey availability in a manner that accounts for temporal–spatial overlap with predators, the sensory mechanisms employed to detect prey, and constraints on prey capture.

We evaluated the diet selection of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) feeding on a diverse planktivore assemblage in Lake Washington to test the hypothesis that the diet selection of piscivores would reflect random (opportunistic) as opposed to non‐random (targeted) feeding, after accounting for predator–prey overlap, visual detection and capture constraints.

Diets of cutthroat trout were sampled in autumn 2005, when the abundance of transparent, age‐0 longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) was low, and 2006, when the abundance of smelt was nearly seven times higher. Diet selection was evaluated separately using depth‐integrated and depth‐specific (accounted for predator–prey overlap) prey abundance. The abundance of different prey was then adjusted for differences in detectability and vulnerability to predation to see whether these factors could explain diet selection.

In 2005, cutthroat trout fed non‐randomly by selecting against the smaller, transparent age‐0 longfin smelt, but for the larger age‐1 longfin smelt. After adjusting prey abundance for visual detection and capture, cutthroat trout fed randomly. In 2006, depth‐integrated and depth‐specific abundance explained the diets of cutthroat trout well, indicating random feeding. Feeding became non‐random after adjusting for visual detection and capture. Cutthroat trout selected strongly for age‐0 longfin smelt, but against similar sized threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and larger age‐1 longfin smelt in 2006. Overlap with juvenile sockeye salmon (O. nerka) was minimal in both years, and sockeye salmon were rare in the diets of cutthroat trout.

The direction of the shift between random and non‐random selection depended on the presence of a weak versus a strong year class of age‐0 longfin smelt. These fish were easy to catch, but hard to see. When their density was low, poor detection could explain their rarity in the diet. When their density was high, poor detection was compensated by higher encounter rates with cutthroat trout, sufficient to elicit a targeted feeding response. The nature of the feeding selectivity of a predator can be highly dependent on fluctuations in the abundance and suitability of key prey.
How Politics Shapes the Growth of Rules
Authors: Jakobsen Mads Leth Felsager , Mortensen Peter B.
Published: September 2014

This article examines the impact of politics on governmental rule production. Traditionally, explanations of rule dynamics have focused on nonpolitical factors such as the self‐evolvement of rules, environmental factors, and decision maker attributes. This article develops a set of hypotheses about when, why, and how political factors shape changes in the stock of rules. Furthermore, we test these hypotheses on a unique, new data set based on all Danish primary legislation and administrative rules from 1989 to 2011 categorized into 20 different policy domains. The analysis shows that the traditional Weberian “rules breed rules” explanations must be supplemented with political explanations that take party ideology and changes in the political agenda into account. Moreover, the effect of political factors is indistinguishable across changes in primary laws and changes in administrative rules, a result that challenges the depiction of the latter rule‐making process as more or less disconnected from the political domain.
Positively charged imidazolium‐based ionic liquid‐protected silver nanoparticles: a promising disinfectant in root canal treatment
Authors: Abbaszadegan A. , Nabavizadeh M. , Gholami A. , Aleyasin Z. S. , Dorostkar S. , Saliminasab M. , Ghasemi Y. , Hemmateenejad B. , Sharghi H.
Published: September 2014

Aim

To synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with different surface charges in order to evaluate their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity in the absence and presence of dentine compared with NaOCl and CHX.

Methodology

Ag NPs with positive, negative and neutral surface charges were synthesized and characterized. The first phase of the experiment determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of NPs against planktonic E. faecalis and compared them with that of NaOCl and CHX. The second phase tested the elimination of E. faecalis at different contact times (5, 20 and 60 min and 4 and 24 h), and the role of dentine in their inactivation was assessed. In the third phase, the most effective Ag NP solution was selected for cytocompatibility assessment. An MTT‐based cytotoxicity assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the selected NP solution in different concentrations on L929 fibroblasts compared to that of 2.5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX. Student's t‐test and repeated measures manova approach were used for statistical analyses.

Results

The characterization revealed synthesis of colloidal NPs in the size range of 5–10 nm in diameter. The results indicated that Ag NP with a positive surface charge had the smallest MIC against planktonic E. faecalis, and it was active in very lower concentrations compared to NaOCl, CHX and the other tested AgNPs. Positive‐charged Ag NPs at 5.7 × 10−10 mol L−1 completely prevented the growth of E. faecalis after 5 min of contact time, a finding comparable to 0.025% NaOCl. Dentine powder had variable inhibitory effects on all tested materials after 1 h incubation period, but after 24 h, NaOCl and the positive‐charged Ag NPs were not inhibited by dentine at any concentration used. CHX was the most and the positively charged Ag NP solution was the least toxic solutions to L929 fibroblasts (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Ag NP surface charge was important in bactericidal efficacy against E. faecalis. The positively charged imidazolium‐based ionic liquid‐protected Ag NPs showed promising antibacterial results against E. faecalis and exhibited a high level of cytocompatibility to L929 cells.
High‐Alumina Boron‐Containing Refractory Castables
Authors: Luz Ana Paula , Santos Tiago , Pandolfelli Victor Carlos , Medeiros Jorivaldo
Published: September 2014

This work addresses the optimization of alumina‐based castables designed for petrochemical applications by adding an additive able to speed up the samples' densification at lower temperatures. Hot elastic modulus, thermal shock, hot modulus of rupture, and erosion resistance measurements were carried out to evaluate these castables. The E profiles confirmed the transient feature of the generated liquid phase, as it was crystallized throughout subsequent heating cycles. Thermal fatigue effect was also observed for the compositions with higher boron content. Nevertheless, the boron‐containing castables showed outstanding properties, which could be attained only with using suitable amounts of this engineered additive.
Eliminating Voids at Al2O3–Cu Interface During Direct Bonding
Authors: Lee Shao‐Kuan , Tuan Wei‐Hsing
Published: September 2014

Direct bonding copper technique employs a eutectic liquid from Cu–O system to bond copper to alumina. Many semispherical voids are found at the Al2O3–Cu interface after bonding. Both the amount and the size of voids increase with the increase of oxygen content in copper. The void formation is resulted from the reduction of Cu2O precipitates during bonding. Based on this observation, an approach to prevent the formation of voids is proposed. The approach introduces a sacrificial coating onto Al2O3 substrate before bonding. The coating consumes the oxygen from the reduction, and the amount of voids is then reduced significantly.
Consumers' awareness, acceptance and attitudes towards functional foods in Turkey
Authors: Büyükkaragöz Aylin , Bas Murat , Sağlam Duygu , Cengiz Şaziye Ecem
Published: September 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate consumers' awareness, acceptance and attitudes towards functional foods in Turkey. Eight hundred and eight people participated in this study: aged between 20 and 80 years, 38.5% were male and 61.5% were female. Participants were given a questionnaire and were asked to fill it in by themselves to minimize the influence of the interviewer. Results indicated that socio‐demographic characteristics such as age, education level and income level are important indicators of consumers' awareness and consumption of functional food. The results show that the female respondents were 2.987 times more aware of functional food than the male respondents. Similarly, the likelihood of respondents having awareness of functional food was 1.431 times greater among those who had a higher educational level than among those with a lower educational level. Consumers who used vitamin supplements were 1.228 times more aware of functional food than other consumers. The results show that older respondents were 3.395 times more aware of functional food than younger respondents. Respondents with a history of familial diseases were more likely than others to have consumed margarine with plant sterol, fruit juices fortified with vitamin C, and breakfast cereals fortified with vitamins and minerals. Those with a diet‐related problem were more likely to have consumed cholesterol‐lowering products than those without a problem. As a conclusion, this study has shown that socio‐demographic characteristics such as age, education and income levels, and prices are important indicators that influence consumers' awareness and consumption of functional food. These results suggest that this type of knowledge could affect consumers' interest in functional foods, and therefore educational strategies might be necessary to encourage the consumption of functional foods.
Peptic hydrolysis of bovine beta‐lactoglobulin under microwave treatment reduces its allergenicity in an ex vivo murine allergy model
Authors: El Mecherfi Kamel‐Eddine , Rouaud Olivier , Curet Sébastien , Negaoui Hanane , Chobert Jean‐Marc , Kheroua Omar , Saidi Djamel , Haertlé Thomas
Published: September 2014

In this study, the in vivo allergenicity of bovine beta‐lactoglobulin (BLG) in peptic whey protein hydrolysates generated during microwave and conventional heating treatments was assessed. The allergenicity of the hydrolysates was explored by studying the reaction of the murine jejunum from previously immunised Balb/c mice to treated BLG in an Ussing chamber. Intestinal anaphylactic reactions after stimulation of the gut‐associated immune system are a good indicator of potential in vivo allergenicity of whey hydrolysates. Fifty‐two per cent of BLG was hydrolysed by pepsin after only 3 min of microwave irradiation at 200 watts (W), yet it remained intact under conventional heating. Far‐ and near‐UV circular dichroism spectra indicated significant changes in BLG secondary and tertiary structures with microwave irradiation at 200 W. Pepsin whey protein hydrolysates obtained with microwave irradiation at 200 W for 3 min did not stimulate secretion of chloride in the Ussing chamber, as shown by the intensity of the short current values recorded (27.86 μA cm−2), compared to the conventional pepsin hydrolysates (68.21 μA cm−2). This demonstrates the low allergenicity of whey protein hydrolysates generated in this manner. These results confirm that microwave treatment combined with peptic hydrolysis could be applied to produce low allergenicity milk peptides.
How Migrant Status Affects Health beyond Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from Austria
Authors: Sardadvar Sascha
Published: September 2014

The debate on health inequalities usually focuses on the interplay between socioeconomic status (SES) and health, where it is widely accepted that the former influences the latter. However, little is known on whether the influence of SES on health is sufficient to explain the observed lower health statuses among various migrant groups in European countries. This paper presents a model that integrates the influences of SES and migrant status on health and tests its implications empirically for Austria. Several ordered logit regressions are performed, whose results show that particular migrant groups are disadvantaged with respect to health. In addition, the overall influence of migrant status on health is considerably stronger for women than for men, while health status of men is influenced by interactions between migrant status and occupational status.
New Directions in Immigration Policy: Canada's Evolving Approach to the Selection of Economic Immigrants
Authors: Ferrer Ana M. , Picot Garnett , Riddell William Craig
Published: September 2014

Canada's immigration system is currently undergoing significant change driven by several goals that include (1) a desire to improve the economic outcomes of entering immigrants; (2) an attempt to better respond to short-term regional labor market shortages often associated with commodity booms, and (3) a desire to shift immigration away from the three largest cities to other regions of the country. These goals reflect the implementation of new immigration programs in the 2000s. The paper discusses the recent changes to Canadian immigration policy, examines preliminary evaluations of the new programs and discusses potential future issues emanating from the changes.
Towards the Development of a Tax System Complexity Index
Authors: Tran‐Nam Binh , Evans Chris
Published: September 2014

Reducing tax system complexity is a common goal amongst policymakers; yet there is no commonly agreed definition of complexity. This paper seeks to fill this gap, by proposing the construction of an index of tax system complexity, conceived as a summary indicator of the overall complexity of a tax system at a particular point in time. If adopted, such an index would not only enable assessment of the changing level of a country's tax system complexity over time, but may also facilitate comparisons of the relative complexity of different countries' tax systems in future.
“City Blood Is No Better than Country Blood”: The Populist Movement and Admissions Policies at Public Universities
Authors: Gelber Scott
Published: September 2014

The gubernatorial election of 1892 unnerved faculty members at Kansas State Agricultural College (KSAC). Voted into office by a “fusion” of Populists and Democrats, Governor Lorenzo Lewelling filled four vacant seats on the college's seven-member governing board, overturning a Republican Party majority for the first time in the college's history. These new regents included radicals such as Edward Secrest, a farmer who pledged to “change the order of things” at KSAC, and Christian Balzac Hoffman, a miller, banker, and politician who had founded an ill-fated socialist colony in Topolobampo, Mexico. Populist interest in KSAC intensified in 1897, when a different fusionist governing board promoted Professor Thomas E. Will to the college presidency. Born on an Illinois farm, Will attended a normal school before proceeding to Harvard University, where he chaffed within “the citadel of a murderous economic system.” When offered the chair of political economy at KSAC, Will had been lecturing, writing for reform periodicals, and serving as secretary of a Christian socialist organization called The Boston Union for Practical Progress. Although he never formally joined a Populist organization, Will shared the movement's commitment to erasing class distinctions in politics and education. Following Will's inauguration, a Populist regent exulted that the masses had finally “scaled the gilded halls of the universities.”
Situations Where It Is Appropriate to Use Frequency Estimation Equipercentile Equating
Authors: Guo Hongwen , Oh Hyeonjoo J. , Eignor Daniel
Published: September 2014

In operational equating situations, frequency estimation equipercentile equating is considered only when the old and new groups have similar abilities. The frequency estimation assumptions are investigated in this study under various situations from both the levels of theoretical interest and practical use. It shows that frequency estimation equating can be used under circumstances when it is not normally used. To link theoretical results with practice, statistical methods are proposed for checking frequency estimation assumptions based on available data: observed‐score distributions and item difficulty distributions of the forms. In addition to the conventional use of frequency estimation equating when the group abilities are similar, three situations are identified when the group abilities are dissimilar: (a) when the two forms and the observed conditional score distributions are similar the two forms and the observed conditional score distributions are similar (in this situation, the frequency estimation equating assumptions are likely to hold, and frequency estimation equating is appropriate); (b) when forms are similar but the observed conditional score distributions are not (in this situation, frequency estimation equating is not appropriate); and (c) when forms are not similar but the observed conditional score distributions are (frequency estimation equating is not appropriate). Statistical analysis procedures for comparing distributions are provided. Data from a large‐scale test are used to illustrate the use of frequency estimation equating when the group difference in ability is large.
DOES REPUTATION CONTRIBUTE TO INSTITUTIONAL HERDING?
Authors: Popescu Marius , Xu Zhaojin
Published: September 2014

We examine the reputational herding hypothesis and provide evidence that institutional investors' career concerns contribute to herding behavior. Our analysis is based on the intuition that stronger (weaker) career concerns lead to a higher (lower) propensity to herd in down (up) markets. We find that institutional herding is, on average, 40% greater in down markets than in up markets. Moreover, we find that mutual funds and independent advisors follow “same type” institutions 43% more in down markets than in to up markets. Our evidence suggests that institutional herding is driven, at least in part, by institutional managers' reputational concerns.
CULTURAL DISTANCE AND BOND PRICING: EVIDENCE IN THE YANKEE AND RULE 144A BOND MARKETS
Authors: Zhu Hui , Cai Kelly
Published: September 2014

In this article we examine the impact of cultural distance on the pricing of corporate bonds issued in the United States. We find that greater cultural differences between U.S. investors and foreign issuers increase the cost of debt. We also find that the cost of Rule 144a offers is less sensitive to cultural distance and creditor protection effects because of the different market structure and investor bases in the Yankee and Rule144a bond markets. Our results suggest that cultural differences influence bond pricing through an information asymmetry channel.
Defects in GaSe grown by Bridgman method
Authors: KOKH K.A. , ATUCHIN V.V. , GAVRILOVA T.A. , KOZHUKHOV A. , MAXIMOVSKIY E.A. , POKROVSKY L.D. , TSYGANKOVA A.R. , SAPRYKIN A.I.
Published: September 2014

Optical quality GaSe crystals have been grown by vertical Bridgman method. The structural properties and micromorphology of a cleaved GaSe(001) surface have been evaluated by RHEED, SEM and AFM. The cleaved GaSe(001) is atomically flat with as low roughness as ∼0.06 nm excepting local hillock type defects. The hillock‐type formations are round‐shaped with a bottom diameter of ∼200 nm and a height of ∼20–35 nm. The drastic depletion of the hillock material by gallium has been indicated by EDX measurements.
Exploration of the role of specialist nurses in the care of women with gynaecological cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Cook Olivia , McIntyre Meredith , Recoche Katrina
Published: September 2014

Aim and objective

To evaluate the role and interventions used by specialist nurses in caring for women with gynaecological cancer.

Background

Evidence evaluating the efficacy of specialist nurses in the gynaecological‐oncology setting is limited and fragmented.

Design

Systematic review including both randomised controlled trials and nonrandomised studies.

Methods

Nine major databases were accessed from their date of inception to April 2013 with search results limited to publications from 1993–2013. Inclusion criteria were applied to select studies for review. Studies were critically appraised and assessment of the risk of bias performed. Data were extracted and compiled, with a narrative analysis undertaken.

Results

Nine studies (six randomised controlled trials and three nonrandomised studies) testing interventions by specialist nurses in the gynaecological‐oncology setting were included in the systematic review. Results for the randomised controlled trials and nonrandomised studies were reported separately to enable distinction between evidence levels. Risk of bias assessment revealed that the quality of the randomised controlled trials was mixed and highlighted the inherent flaws of nonrandomised study designs. Studies varied greatly in the type of intervention provided and the tools used to measure outcomes, contributing to mixed results. The review demonstrated some positive effects of interventions by specialist nurses for women with gynaecological cancer, although these must viewed in conjunction with the assessment of evidence quality.

Conclusions

This systematic review has contributed to our understanding of the patient‐centred aspects of the specialist nurse role in the gynaecological‐oncology setting and further research is required to evaluate the role overall.

Relevance to clinical practice

The review indicates that interventions that either encompassed all domains of care, involved telephone contact or were executed between diagnosis and the completion of treatment were the most successful.