bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Has the Financial Crisis Permanently Changed the Practice of Monetary Policy? Has It Changed the Theory of Monetary Policy?
Authors: Friedman Benjamin M
Published: March 2015

Large‐scale asset purchases—and sales too—are likely to become part of the standard toolkit of monetary policymaking. Central banks' purchases since the financial crisis have lowered long‐term interest rates relative to short‐term rates, and lowered interest rates on more‐risky compared to less‐risky obligations. Moreover, their introduction fills a conceptual vacuum that has long stood at the heart of monetary policy analysis and implementation. In contrast to the traditional focus on central banks' liabilities, the effectiveness of this policy tool turns on the role of the asset side of central banks' balance sheet. The implications for monetary theory are profound.
Serenity: Violence, Inequality, and Recovery on the Edge of Mexico City
Authors: Garcia Angela
Published: March 2015

Over the last decade, there has been a sharp increase in drug addiction in Mexico, especially among the urban poor. During the same period, unregulated residential treatment centers for addiction, known asanexos, have proliferated throughout the country. These centers are utilized and run by marginalized populations and are widely known to engage in physical violence. Based on long‐term ethnographic research in Mexico City, this article describes whyanexosemerged, how they work, and what their prevalence and practices reveal about the nature of recovery in a context where poverty, drugs, and violence are existential realities. Drawing attention to the dynamic relationship between violence and recovery, pain, and healing, it complicates categories of violence and care that are presumed to have exclusive meaning, illuminating the divergent meanings of, and opportunities for, recovery, and how these are socially configured and sustained.
Philosophic history and common culture in Gellner's theory of nationalism
Authors: Meadwell Hudson
Published: March 2015

Ernest Gellner's work on nationalism is situated in a larger social metaphysic and philosophical anthropology. This paper investigates some of these overarching intellectual commitments and their implications for his arguments about nationalism. Two main issues are examined. Does the method of ‘philosophic history’ provide any philosophical or methodological support for his treatment of nationalism? What are the implications of the common culture of industrial civilization for his arguments about nationalism? Addressing these issues together contributes to the continuing evaluation of Gellner's work, particularly to recent discussion of his arguments about necessity and nationalism.
Enacting nationalism through youthful mobilities? Youth, mobile phones and digital capitalism in aLao‐Vietnamese borderland
Authors: Huijsmans Roy , Lan Trần Thị Hà
Published: March 2015

Mobile phone use has become a defining feature of what it means to be young, and the relatively remoteLao‐Vietnamese borderland area that is the focus of this study is no exception. Drawing onBenedictAnderson'sImagined Communities, this article investigates the interplay between the everyday styles of being young, the forces of digital capitalism and the enactment of nationalism. We do this with a focus on ethnic minority youth's appropriation of the mobile services offered byViettel, the most popular mobile services provider in the study area and owned by theVietnameseMinistry ofDefence. We suggest that the everyday performances of being young, revolving around the mobile phone, are affected by the forces of digital capitalism. We further suggest that the cultural context ofViettel's digital capitalism is embedded in a fabric ofVietnamese nationalism, leading ethnic minority youth, consciously and unconsciously, to enact nationalism through their everyday styles of being young.
Nocardiosis presenting as a lung mass in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Hakim Harris , Rao Nitesh N , Faull Randall J , Coates Patrick T
Published: March 2015

Nocardiosis is a potentially life‐threatening disease in renal transplant recipients. It is an uncommon infection with high lethality if left untreated. We report a case of a 67 year‐old kidney transplant recipient who developed pulmonary nocardiosis and presented with pleural effusion along with an underlying lung mass, which was successfully treated with trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole in conjunction with a reduction in immunosuppressive therapy. Five months later, graft function remains stable with complete regression of radiological abnormalities and absence of symptoms. Nocardiosis should be suspected in the presence of pulmonary symptoms in a transplant patient with unusual radiological presentation.
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibody precipitating acute vascular rejection in kidney transplantation
Authors: Jobert Anjelo , Rao Nitesh , Deayton Sue , Bennett Greg D , Brealey John , Nolan James , Carroll Robert P , Dragun Duska , Coates Patrick T
Published: March 2015

Atypical non HLA antibodies are increasingly recognised as causes of immunological injury in allotransplantation. In this report we describe a non HLA sensitized male renal allograft recipient who developed acute vascular rejection on a “for cause” biopsy (Banff v2, g2, ptc 3) at day 4 post first renal allograft in the presence of elevated angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1R‐Ab level 14.1). The acute rejection was treated with pulse corticosteroid therapy, anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG × 6), plasma exchange (1.5 plasma volume replacement x6) and oral candesartan. Serum creatinine improved and follow up biopsy confirmed resolution of rejection following treatment. AT1R‐Ab should be considered when rejection is diagnosed in the absence of HLA antibodies.
Galactose therapy reduces proteinuria in patients with recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation
Authors: Robson Kate , Hill Prudence , Langsford David , Dwyer Karen , Goodman David , Langham Robyn
Published: March 2015

Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is an important cause of end‐stage kidney disease with a high rate of recurrent disease after kidney transplantation. Current therapy achieves remission in only half of patients. Recent interest has focused on the potential role of galactose in binding and inactivating the putative circulating permeability factor, supported by in vitro and clinical case report studies. Orally active and without major adverse effects, galactose has a favourable treatment profile compared with current immunosuppressive treatment options. We describe our experience using galactose therapy in two patients with recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after renal transplantation. Galactose was associated with symptomatic improvement and stabilization of graft function in one case; the other case was complicated by concurrent malignancy. In both cases, we observed a marked reduction in proteinuria with galactose treatment.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Heliotropium (Boraginaceae s.l.) in south Yemen
Authors: Naggar Salah El , El‐Hadidy Azza , Olwey Asmaa
Published: March 2015

The flora and fauna of Arabia, particularly southern Yemen, has recently attracted the interest of many authors. In this study, the genus Heliotropium L. (Boraginaceae) is taxonomically revised in southern Yemen. Ten species are recognized. Nomenclature, typification, representative specimens and a diagnostic key to all species are provided, along with their distribution in southern Yemen. The taxonomically most valuable characters in the genus are those of flowers (calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium) and nutlets, and those characters are thoroughly investigated and discussed. Both light and scanning microscopy are used in the investigation. Papillate anther apices (brush‐like) were recognized in some species. Connate anthers and deep or shallow ventral circular depressions on the nutlets were found to be useful in distinguishing members of H. sect. Orthostachys (viz. H. strigosum, H. rariflorum and H. ovalifolium), while winged nutlets were found only in H. pterocarpum. The length and hairiness of the style and stigma also proved to be taxonomically useful.
The effects of morphine and methylnaltrexone on gastrointestinal pain in healthy male participants
Authors: Brokjær A. , Olesen A. E. , Christrup L. L. , Dahan A. , Drewes A. M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Opioid antagonists are increasingly used to abolish the gastrointestinal side effects of opioids. However, they can potentially interfere with local analgesia exerted via opioid receptors in the gut. Thus, in the current study we aimed to explore the effect of rectal morphine before and after blocking opioid receptors outside the central nervous system with methylnaltrexone (MNTX).

Methods

In this randomized, placebo controlled, cross‐over study 15 healthy male participants received the following drugs at three separate sessions: (i) placebo, (ii) 30 mg morphine administered per rectum, or (iii) 12 mg MNTX given subcutaneously before 30 mg rectal morphine. At baseline and after drug administration peripheral and central effects of the drugs were assessed by experimental pain to the skin, muscle, rectum and pupillometry.

Key Results

Compared to placebo there was no local effect of morphine on mechanical rectal distension. In contrast, an increase in tolerated volume was seen following MNTX/morphine administration (p < 0.001), starting 7 min after dosing. Both morphine and MNTX/morphine had a central effect manifested as an increase in mechanical muscle pressure thresholds (both p < 0.001) and a decrease in pupil diameter (both p < 0.001). These effects occurred 30 min after dosing.

Conclusions & Inferences

No peripheral analgesic effect of morphine was found. Methodological shortcomings may have contributed to the lack of peripheral analgesia and thus, a peripheral morphine effect on rectal pain cannot be excluded. On the other hand, the combination of MNTX and morphine exerted a local effect on rectal distensions and seems to improve analgesia.
Estradiol modulates visceral hyperalgesia by increasing thoracolumbar spinal GluN2B subunit activity in female rats
Authors: Ji Y. , Bai G. , Cao D.‐Y. , Traub R. J.
Published: March 2015

Background

We previously reported estrogen modulates spinal N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor processing of colorectal pain through changes in spinal GluN1 subunit phosphorylation/expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether spinal GluN2B containing NMDA receptors are involved in estrogen modulation of visceral pain processing.

Methods

Behavioral, molecular, and immunocytochemical techniques were used to determine spinal GluN2B expression/phosphorylation and function 48 h following subcutaneous injection of estradiol (E2) or vehicle (safflower oil, Saff oil) in ovariectomized rats in the absence or presence of colonic inflammation induced by mustard oil.

Key Results

E2 increased the magnitude of the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention compared to Saff oil in non‐inflamed rats. Intrathecal injection of the GluN2B subunit antagonist, Ro 25‐6981, had no effect on the VMR in non‐inflamed E2 or Saff oil rats. Colonic inflammation induced visceral hyperalgesia in E2, but not Saff oil rats. Visceral hyperalgesia in E2 rats was blocked by intrathecal GluN2B subunit selective antagonists. In inflamed rats, E2 increased GluN2B protein and gene expression in the thoracolumbar (TL), but not lumbosacral (LS), dorsal spinal cord. Immunocytochemical labeling showed a significant increase in GluN2B subunit in the superficial dorsal horn of E2 rats compared to Saff oil rats.

Conclusions & Inferences

These data support the hypothesis that estrogen increases spinal processing of colonic inflammation‐induced visceral hyperalgesia by increasing NMDA receptor activity. Specifically, an increase in the activity of GluN2B containing NMDA receptors in the TL spinal cord by estrogen underlies visceral hypersensitivity in the presence of colonic inflammation.
Quantitative assessment of small bowel motility in patients with Crohn's disease using dynamic MRI
Authors: Hahnemann M. L. , Nensa F. , Kinner S. , Köhler J. , Gerken G. , Umutlu L. , Lauenstein T. C.
Published: March 2015

Background

Assessment of motility alterations by functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contributes to improved evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the study was to quantify motility in inflammatory bowel segments and to compare motility alterations with MR‐based parameters for activity of inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients with CD underwent bowel MRI which included a dynamic sequence for automatic generation of parametric maps facilitating quantification of bowel motility. Mean motility score (MMS) of small bowel segments with signs of inflammation was measured and compared with MMS of the whole gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). MRI‐based score of inflammatory activity and lesion length were correlated with the MMS ratio of inflammatory small bowel lesion and whole GI tract.

Key Results

Inflammatory bowel segments showed a mean value of MMSs of 1080, whereas the whole GI tract showed a mean value of MMSs of 2839 (p < 0.0001). Decrease in motility ranged between 20 and 87% in inflammatory bowel segments compared to the MMS of the whole GI tract. The MMS ratio of an inflammatory small bowel segment and whole GI tract showed negative correlation with MR activity score (r = −0.5921, p = 0.0003) and length of the lesion (r = −0.3495, p = 0.0462).

Conclusions & Inferences

Quantitative assessment of motility alterations by means of motility scoring in small bowel segments affected by CD provides additional information on inflammatory activity.
Staying alive: rethinking deterritorialization in a post‐feminist era
Authors: Lundberg Anna
Published: March 2015

In recent years, the concept ‘post‐feminism’ and its links to neoliberal economic structures and to the extreme reinforcement of individualization as raison d'etre of Western civilization have been discussed at length by numerous distinguished scholars in feminist cultural studies and feminist philosophy. This article takes its point of departure in this discussion. Drawing on Wendy Brown, Elizabeth Grosz, Angela McRobbie, Wendy Larner, and others, the text is examining the discourse of post‐feminism and neoliberalism, and its effects on overarching political scenarios, as well as on everyday life: What happens to feminist politics when the collective, both as figuration and as virtual political platform, is deemed to be something situated in the discursive outskirts? By drawing on examples form the contemporary cultural imaginaries, from popular culture, economic structures, and public debate, and by pointing out the links between the micro‐perspective of our everyday living and overarching political structures, this article aims at bringing to the fore and critically discuss these issues, and the ways in which they intersect with contemporary Western feminism. The article ends with a discussion of possible points of exit or paths to follow in order to find alternatives.
Diagnostic accuracy of patch test in children with food allergy
Authors: Caglayan Sozmen Sule , Povesi Dascola Carlotta , Gioia Edoardo , Mastrorilli Carla , Rizzuti Laura , Caffarelli Carlo
Published: March 2015

Background

The gold standard test for confirming whether a child has clinical hypersensitivity reactions to foods is the oral food challenge. Therefore, there is increasing interest in simpler diagnostic markers of food allergy, especially in children, to avoid oral food challenge. The goal of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of atopy patch test in comparison with oral food challenge.

Methods

We investigated 243 children (mean age, 51 months) referred for evaluation of suspected egg or cow's milk allergy. Skin prick test and atopy patch test were carried out, and after a 2 weeks elimination diet, oral food challenge was performed.

Results

Two hundred and forty‐three children underwent OFC to the suspected food. We found clinically relevant food allergies in 40 (65%) children to egg and in 22 (35%) to cow's milk. The sensitivity of skin prick test for both milk and egg was 92%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 35%, and negative predictive value of 93%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of atopy patch test for both milk and egg were 21%, 73%, 20%, and 74%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that there is insufficient evidence for the routine use of atopy patch test for the evaluation of egg and cow's milk allergy. OFC remains gold standard for the diagnosis of egg and milk allergy even in the presence of high costs in terms of both time and risks during application.
Nurse‐driven pediatric analgesia and sedation protocol reduces withdrawal symptoms in critically ill medical pediatric patients
Authors: Neunhoeffer Felix , Kumpf Matthias , Renk Hanna , Hanelt Malte , Berneck Nicole , Bosk Axel , Gerbig Ines , Heimberg Ellen , Hofbeck Michael
Published: March 2015

Background

While several analgesia and sedation guidelines and protocols have been developed and implemented for adults, there is still little evidence of clinical use of analgesia and sedation protocols and the impact on withdrawal symptoms in critically ill children.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nurse‐driven goal‐directed analgesia and sedation protocol for mechanically ventilated pediatric patients (pASP) on duration of mechanical ventilation, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay, total doses of opioids and benzodiazepines, and occurrence of withdrawal symptoms.

Patients and Methods

This is a before and after protocol implementation study in a 14‐bed medical–surgical–cardiac pediatric intensive care unit at a university children's hospital. A total of 337 medical pediatric patients requiring mechanical ventilation with PICU length of stay for at least 24 h were included. Prior to implementation of the protocol, analgesia and sedation was managed by the attending physician's order. Afterwards, postimplementation, nurses managed analgesia and sedation following a pASP, including COMFORT ‘behavioral’ Scale, Nurse Interpretation Sedation Scale, and Sophia Observation Withdrawal Symptoms Scale.

Results

One hundred and sixty‐five patients were included in the 15‐month period before and 172 patients were included in the 15‐month period after implementation of the pASP. Median duration of mechanical ventilation was 2.02 (0.96–25.0) days in the group preceding protocol implementation and 1.71 (0.96–66.0) days afterwards (P = 0.23). Median PICU length of stay was 5.8 (1–37.75) days in the preimplementation and 5.0 (1–120) days in the postimplementation group (P = 0.14). Total doses of opioids and benzodiazepines were 3.9 mg·kg−1·day−1 (0.1–70) vs 3.1 mg·kg−1·day−1 (0.05–56); P = 0.38 and 5.9 mg·kg−1·day−1 (0–82.0) vs 4.2 mg·kg−1·day−1 (0–66); P = 0.009 after implementation. Incidence of withdrawal was significantly lower over the postimplementation period (12.8% vs 23.6%; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Implementation of a nurse‐driven pASP reduced the total dose of benzodiazepines and the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms significantly.
Without Reason?
Authors: Schnieder Benjamin , Steinberg Alex
Published: March 2015

The argument for modal collapse is partly responsible for the widespread rejection of the so‐called Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) in recent times. This paper discusses the PSR against the background of the recent debate about grounding and develops principled reasons for rejecting the argument from modal collapse.
The Effect of TELs on State Revenue Volatility: Evidence From the American States
Authors: Staley Tucker
Published: March 2015

Stable revenue flows in the American states are paramount for state policymakers in order to effectively and efficiently provide goods and services to their constituents. However, there has been very little empirical work which examines what political factors are correlated with volatility in state revenue streams. This work examines one wide‐spread fiscal limit, tax and expenditure limitations, which a majority of states began adopting after the tax revolt of 1978. Using panel data and time‐series cross‐sectional analysis, this work finds that states with more stringently binding tax and expenditure limitations—in addition to other political, demographic, economic, and geographic factors—are associated with greater levels of state revenue volatility. Looking at 48 states over 37 years (1969–2005), this relationship is both statistically and substantively significant.
Punctuated Equilibrium Theory: An Empirical Investigation of Its Relevance for Global Health Expenditure
Authors: Martin Marie H. , Streams Meg
Published: March 2015

We use Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) to examine the distribution of annual change in national government spending on global health through bilateral agencies by 17 OECD nations for 1990–2009. Consistent with our expectations and the PET literature, we find that the distribution of annual log percent change in commitments and disbursements for global health is leptokurtic rather than close to the normal distribution anticipated under incrementalism. Our findings illustrate the value of PET's focus on distributions rather than on time trends in levels alone when examining government allocation behavior, while adding to the literature on global health finance. This study also highlights the impact of choice of log percent change or percent change in examining budgetary change distributions. Better understanding of allocation patterns in this arena can inform those interested in global health policy and its vital outcomes.
An Analysis of the Purposes of Cost Accounting in Large U.S. Cities
Authors: Mohr Zachary T.
Published: March 2015

Research on U.S. government cost accounting has received little attention in recent years. This article analyzes four of the main reasons why large cities use cost accounting: performance management, grant overhead recovery, rate setting, and cost management to reduce fiscal stress. Using a cross section of 81 cities with populations over 100,000 people, it finds that cost allocation plans are correlated with lower fund balances and are positively correlated with enterprise expenditures. These correlations suggest that the use of cost accounting is related to fiscal stress and rate setting. Research limitations and policy implications are addressed.
Detection of Single‐feature Polymorphisms (SFPs) between two tomato varieties and their application in defining the introgressions of resistance loci
Authors: Milc Justyna , Infantino Alessandro , Aragona Maria , Pecchioni Nicola
Published: March 2015

The objectives of the study were to (i) demonstrate that the hybridization data from microarrays can yield information on sequence variation between two inbred lines, an introgression line ‘Mogeor’ and its genetic background ‘Moneymaker’; (ii) characterize, by means of the identified SFPs, the introgressed genomic segments of ‘Mogeor’, carrying resistance genes; and (iii) deliver a set of genetically anchored SFPs potentially useful for breeding. In this work, the GeSNP software was used to identify SFPs in tomato using Affymetrix data from a previous experiment. Sequencing of 12 putative polymorphism‐containing amplicons yielded a SFP probe set validation rate of 90%. In total, 92 Gene Models putatively harbouring SFPs were identified, distributed as following: 61 Gene Models on chromosome 9, and one to eight on the remaining tomato chromosomes apart from chromosomes 7, 8 and 12. Newly discovered SFPs from microarray data can thus provide not only useful information for definition of introgressed genomic regions, but also identification of candidate genes and new markers for MAS.
Breeding depression of red flesh apple progeny containing both functional MdMYB10 and MYB110a_JP genes
Authors: Hamada Yuka , Sato Hideto , Otagaki Shungo , Okada Kazuma , Abe Kazuyuki , Matsumoto Shogo
Published: March 2015

In apple, two MYB transcription factors MdMYB10 (R6:MdMYB10) and MdMYB110a have been shown to be responsible for the type 1 and type 2 red flesh traits, respectively. While type 1 red‐fleshed apples are characterized by a red coloration not only in fruit flesh but also in vegetative tissues such as leaves and flowers, red pigmentation in type 2 red‐fleshed apples is limited at the fruit flesh. We have searched cultivars containing both functional MdMYB10 and MdMYB110a and then tried to breed new cultivars containing both functional genes by cross‐pollination of ‘Geneva’ (type 1) and ‘Pink Pearl’ (type 2). The cultivar having both genes should exhibit superior characteristics, such as a stable red flesh trait throughout fruit maturity, as type 1 reduces its colouring until maturity, whereas type 2 increases until maturity. We could not identify red‐fleshed cultivars having both genes; moreover, only one plant of 80 F1 progeny having both genes died in its juvenile stage. From the results, it was suggested that some sort of breeding depression must have occurred. We analysed the expression patterns of the genes within two F1 plants having either MdMYB10 or MdMYB110a gene and found that the expression pattern of MdMYB110a was different from that observed in ‘JPP35’ (‘Jonathan’ × ‘Pink Pearl’). The MdMYB110a gene in the No. 2804 F1 plant derived from ‘Pink Pearl’ × ‘Geneva’ was expressed in the flesh from the beginning of the red coloration through maturity, and seemed to cause upregulation, not only the latter half, but also the first half of the gene in the anthocyanin pathway.
Clinical characteristics of rotavirus gastroenteritis with urinary crystals
Authors: Shirasu Akihiko , Ashida Akira , Matsumura Hideki , Nakakura Hyogo , Tamai Hiroshi
Published: March 2015

Background

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is severe and often results in dehydration and pre‐renal azotemia. In addition, some patients with acute obstructive uropathy due to ammonium acid urate stones, developing approximately 6–7 days after the onset of rotavirus gastroenteritis, have been reported, mainly in Japan. The pathophysiological mechanism responsible for stone formation has not been clarified. In the present study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of these patients, and analyzed the pathophysiology underlying the formation of urinary stones.

Methods

A total of 164 patients were enrolled. All had acute gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection and were treated at Osaka Medical College Hospital and affiliated hospitals between January 2009 and May 2011. All were younger than 15 years of age, and their laboratory data, including urinalysis, were available.

Results

Among the enrolled patients, 30 (20 boys and 10 girls aged 0.2–10 years; median, 1.5 years; interquartile range, 1–3 years) had crystals in their urine. Most of the patients were admitted approximately 2 days after onset of gastroenteritis and had hyperuricemia and aciduria. The crystals consisted mainly of uric acid, and rarely of ammonium acid urate.

Conclusion

In order for ammonium acid urate stones to form in patients with acute obstructive uropathy associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis, prolonged continuous acidosis with hyperuricemia, might be necessary. Therefore, normalization of metabolic acidosis is important in order to prevent the onset of obstructive uropathy associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Factors affecting perioperative mortality in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Saygi Murat , Ergul Yakup , Tola Hasan Tahsin , Ozyilmaz Isa , Ozturk Erkut , Onan Ismihan Selen , Haydin Sertac , Erek Ersin , Yeniterzi Mehmet , Guzeltas Alper , Odemis Ender , Bakir Ihsan
Published: March 2015

Background

We evaluated the preoperative, operative and postoperative risk factors affecting early mortality in patients who underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐two TOF patients who underwent reparative surgery between January 2010 and November 2013 were enrolled in the study.

Results

Mean patient age and weight was 2.3 ± 2.5 years and 11.3 ± 6.4 kg, respectively. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 101 patients (83%),and coronary anomalies were found in 11 patients. Mean McGoon index, pulmonary annulus z‐score, main pulmonary artery z‐score, left pulmonary artery z‐score and right pulmonary artery z‐score were 2.0 ± 0.4, –1.85 ± 1.54, –2.84 ± 2.06, 1.17 ± 1.73, and 0.74 ± 1.57, respectively. Total reparative surgery with a transannular patch was performed in 97 patients (79.6%); the rest underwent valve‐sparing surgery. Median duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, intensive care and hospital stay were 19 h, 3 days and 9 days, respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was required in 10 patients in the postoperative early period. Arrhythmias occurring in the early postoperative period were junctional ectopic tachycardia (n = 13), complete atrioventricular block(n = 10; permanent epicardial pacemaker implanted in four) and ventricular tachycardia (n = 4). Nine patients died in the early postoperative period (7.3%). Parameters found to be associated with increased mortality were low preoperative oxygen saturation; high right ventricular/aortic pressure ratio immediately after surgery; presence of coronary anomaly; requirement of postoperative ECMO; and pacemaker (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, P = 0.01, P = 0.0001, P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Poor preoperative oxygenation, presence of coronary anomaly, complete AV block in the early postoperative period, high RV pressure and requirement of ECMO appear to be the most significant factors that affect early mortality in the surgical treatment of TOF. Appropriate preoperative assessment, correct surgical strategies and attentive intensive care monitoring are required in order to reduce mortality.
Effect of late‐onset fetal growth restriction on organization of behavioral state in infants
Authors: Aldrete‐Cortez Vania , Schnaas Lourdes , Poblano Adrián , Carrillo‐Mora Paul , Olivas‐Peña Efraín , Bello‐Muñoz Juan Carlos , Guzmán‐Huerta Mario , Mansilla‐Olivares Armando
Published: March 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze whether late‐onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) alters regulatory capability in infants, and whether this can be detected using both the neonatal behavior assessment scale (NBAS) and brainstem auditory‐evoked potentials (BAEP).

Methods

The diagnosis of FGR was made on Doppler examination in the third trimester of pregnancy. NBAS and BAEP measurement were performed at 1 month of corrected postnatal age.

Results

The group with late‐onset FGR was integrated with 17 infants and the control group consisted of 14 subjects. The NBAS range of state score, which reflects organization of behavioral state, was low in infants with late‐onset FGR. No differences were found in BAEP between groups. No association between NBAS and BAEP was detected.

Conclusion

Late‐onset FGR has a deleterious effect on NBAS range of state, but possibly does not alter BAEP response. It is proposed that regulatory capabilities in the neonatal period play a primary role in subtle cognitive difficulties in infants with late‐onset FGR in the long term.
Differences between abusive head trauma and physical abuse in Japan
Authors: Tanoue Koji , Matsui Kiyoshi
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Background

We examined differences in characteristics between abusive head trauma (AHT) and physical abuse (PA).

Methods

We examined 45 AHT patients and 119 PA patients during the period 1 April 2000–31 March 2014, at Kanagawa Children's Medical Center (Kanagawa, Japan). We compared patient age, young maternal or parental age, being the first child, child factors (chronic illness, developmental disabilities and preterm birth), parental factors (substance abuse/alcohol abuse and depression or other mental illness), environmental factors (single‐parent home, non‐biologically related man living in the home and family or intimate partner violence). Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of differences between AHT and PA for children <1 year of age.

Results

There were differences in characteristics between AHT and PA in those <1 year old in child factors (OR, 3.47; 95%CI: 1.01–11.9) and environmental factors (OR, 14.2; 95%CI: 1.45–139).

Conclusions

The risk factors for AHT differ from those of PA. We speculate that AHT is not merely physical abuse of young infants; the characteristics of AHT differ significantly from those of PA. These observations are important for understanding and thereby preventing child abuse.
Empowering Leadership and Effective Collaboration in Geographically Dispersed Teams
Authors: Hill N. Sharon , Bartol Kathryn M.
Published: March 2015

Our research integrates theoretical perspectives related to distributed leadership in geographically dispersed teams with empowering leadership theory to build a multilevel model of virtual collaboration and performance in dispersed teams. We test the model with procurement teams in a major multinational corporation. Our results show a significant cross‐level effect of empowering team leadership, such that under conditions of high empowering team leadership, a team member's virtual teamwork situational judgment (VT‐SJ) is positively and significantly associated with his or her virtual collaboration behaviors and also indirectly with his or her individual performance in the team. At the team level, our findings also suggest that the impact of empowering leadership on team members’ aggregate virtual collaboration, and indirectly on team performance, increases at higher levels of team dispersion. These findings shed important light on the role of team leadership in fostering effective collaboration and performance of geographically dispersed virtual teams.
Photo and Chemical Reduction of Copper onto Anatase‐Type TiO2 Nanoparticles with Enhanced Surface Hydroxyl Groups as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts
Authors: Eskandarloo Hamed , Badiei Alireza , Behnajady Mohammad A. , Mohammadi Ziarani Ghodsi
Published: March 2015

In this study, the photocatalytic efficiency of anatase‐type TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized using the sol–gel low‐temperature method, were enhanced by a combined process of copper reduction and surface hydroxyl groups enhancement. UV–light‐assisted photo and NaBH4‐assisted chemical reduction methods were used for deposition of copper onto TiO2. The surface hydroxyl groups of TiO2 were enhanced with the assistance of NaOH modification. The prepared catalysts were immobilized on glass plates and used as the fixed‐bed systems for the removal of phenazopyridine as a model drug contaminant under visible light irradiation. NaOH‐modified Cu/TiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated higher photocatalytic efficiency than that of pure TiO2 due to the extending of the charge carriers lifetime and enhancement of the adsorption capacity of TiO2 toward phenazopyridine. The relationship of structure and performance of prepared nanoparticles has been established by using various techniques, such as XRD, XPS, TEM, EDX, XRF, TGA, DRS and PL. The effects of preparation variables, including copper content, reducing agents rate (NaBH4 concentration and UV light intensity) and NaOH concentration were investigated on the photocatalytic efficiency of NaOH‐modified Cu/TiO2 nanoparticles.
Plasma IgG autoantibody against actin‐related protein 3 in liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection
Authors: Rucksaken R. , Haonon O. , Pinlaor P. , Pairojkul C. , Roytrakul S. , Yongvanit P. , Selmi C. , Pinlaor S.
Published: March 2015

Opisthorchiasis secondary to Opisthorchis viverrini infection leads to cholangiocellular carcinoma through chronic inflammation of the bile ducts and possibly inducing autoimmunity. It was hypothesized that plasma autoantibodies directed against self‐proteins are biomarkers for opisthorchiasis. Plasma from patients with opisthorchiasis was tested using proteins derived from immortalized cholangiocyte cell lines, and spots reacting with plasma were excised and subjected to LC‐MS/MS. Seven protein spots were recognized by IgG autoantibodies, and the highest matching scored protein was actin‐related protein 3 (ARP3). The antibody against ARP3 was tested in plasma from 55 O. viverrini‐infected patients, 24 patients with others endemic parasitic infections and 17 healthy controls using Western blot and ELISA. Immunoreactivity against recombinant ARP3 was significantly more prevalent in opisthorchiasis compared to healthy controls at Western blotting and ELISA (P < 0·05). Plasma ARP3 autoantibody titres were also higher in opisthorchiasis compared to healthy individuals (P < 0·01) and other parasitic infections including Strongyloides stercoralis (P < 0·001), echinostome (P < 0·05), hookworms (P < 0·001) and Taenia spp. (P < 0·05). It was further characterized in that the ARP3 autoantibody titre had a sensitivity of 78·18% and specificity of 100% for opisthorchiasis. In conclusion, it may be suggested that plasma anti‐ARP3 might represent a new diagnostic antibody for opisthorchiasis.
Current Australasian practice for diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Where are we now?
Authors: Troy Lauren K. , Chapman Sally A. , Lake Fiona , Wilsher Margaret L. , Honeysett Liarna B. , Macansh Sacha , Corte Tamera J.
Published: March 2015

Background and objective

Recent international consensus statements have refined evidence‐based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study sought to investigate how closely these guidelines are adhered to and to compare current practices with those of a similar cohort 15 years ago.

Methods

A questionnaire on IPF diagnosis and management was distributed to respiratory physicians practising in Australia and New Zealand, in 2012–2013, and results were compared with a similar survey conducted in 1999.

Results

A total of 172 and 144 questionnaires were completed in 1999 and 2012–2013, respectively. The most important investigations in both survey populations were high‐resolution computed tomography scans, spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, chest X‐ray, static lung volumes and autoimmune serology. In 1999, physicians were more likely to perform arterial blood gases, bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy. In the 2012–2013 cohort, 6‐min walk tests and pulse oximetry were more widely utilized. Treatment choices differed considerably between the two survey populations. In 1999, the majority would offer a steroid‐based regimen, whereas most would not use any specific treatment or would refer for trial participation in 2012–2013.

Conclusions

Approach to IPF diagnosis and management is not uniform and has changed over 15 years. Surveyed respiratory physicians were generally practising in accordance with clinical guidelines, although significant variation in practice was identified in both cohorts. This study identifies the need to standardize care of IPF patients across Australia and New Zealand.
Approximations for Estimating Change in Life Expectancy Attributable to Air Pollution in Relation to Multiple Causes of Death Using a Cause Modified Life Table
Authors: Stieb David M. , Judek Stan , Brand Kevin , Burnett Richard T. , Shin Hwashin H.
Published: March 2015

There is considerable debate as to the most appropriate metric for characterizing the mortality impacts of air pollution. Life expectancy has been advocated as an informative measure. Although the life‐table calculus is relatively straightforward, it becomes increasingly cumbersome when repeated over large numbers of geographic areas and for multiple causes of death. Two simplifying assumptions were evaluated: linearity of the relation between excess rate ratio and change in life expectancy, and additivity of cause‐specific life‐table calculations. We employed excess rate ratios linking PM2.5 and mortality from cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer derived from a meta‐analysis of worldwide cohort studies. As a sensitivity analysis, we employed an integrated exposure response function based on the observed risk of PM2.5 over a wide range of concentrations from ambient exposure, indoor exposure, second‐hand smoke, and personal smoking. Impacts were estimated in relation to a change in PM2.5 from 19.5 μg/m3 estimated for Toronto to an estimated natural background concentration of 1.8 μg/m3. Estimated changes in life expectancy varied linearly with excess rate ratios, but at higher values the relationship was more accurately represented as a nonlinear function. Changes in life expectancy attributed to specific causes of death were additive with maximum error of 10%. Results were sensitive to assumptions about the air pollution concentration below which effects on mortality were not quantified. We have demonstrated valid approximations comprising expression of change in life expectancy as a function of excess mortality and summation across multiple causes of death.
Manipulated Masculinities: Agribusiness, Deskilling, and the Rise of the Businessman‐Farmer in the United States
Authors: Bell Shannon Elizabeth , Hullinger Alicia , Brislen Lilian
Published: March 2015

In this study we examine how the agribusiness industry works to manipulate conventional farming masculinities in the United States to facilitate agricultural deskilling, a process that has serious implications for the future of sustainable agriculture uptake among American farmers. Through analyzing one year's worth of advertisements in three conventional farming magazines and through conducting participant observation and interviews at the second largest indoor farming show in the United States, we examine the ways in which agribusiness companies, such as chemical, seed, and farm machinery manufacturers, represent farmers and farming masculinities in their advertisements and marketing materials. We observe a shift occurring among certain agribusiness sectors away from representations of a rugged, strong, solitary farmer, who dominates nature through his manual labor, to depictions of a “businessman” farmer, who farms in collaboration with certain qualified partners (i.e., company representatives). We ultimately argue that these new representations of farming masculinity aim to more deeply entrench conventional farmers' dependence on chemical inputs and agribusiness products by promoting a process of deskilling, effectively alienating the farmer from the land.
Complications of a High‐flow Access and Its Management
Authors: Sequeira Adrian , Tan Tze‐Woei
Published: March 2015

A high‐flow access has been defined as one with a flow >1–1.5 l/minute or as one where the access flow is >20% of the cardiac output. Although it may be asymptomatic, it can be associated with cardiopulmonary complications, aneurysms, central vein stenosis and the distal hypoperfusion ischemic syndrome in some patients. The decision for surgical intervention should be made after careful medical optimization especially in patients with high output cardiopulmonary compromise. In this review, we present a summary of current knowledge about the pathophysiology of a high‐flow fistula, followed by a concise, comprehensive synopsis of current medical and surgical therapy.
Investigating secondary‐distinctiveness‐based effects in aging and Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Gounden Yannick , Nicolas Serge
Published: March 2015

The aim of the present study was 2‐fold. First, two experiments were devised to further investigate secondary distinctiveness‐based effects in relation to aging. By using a repeated study‐test procedure, it aimed at restoring the bizarreness effect (Experiment 1) or at amplifying the orthographic distinctiveness (OD) effect in older adults (Experiment 2). Second, by including Alzheimer's disease patients (AD patients) in both experiments, it also aimed at instigating research on secondary distinctiveness‐based effects in relation to Alzheimer disease. The results of Experiment 1 revealed that a repeated study‐test procedure may to some extent facilitate the free recalling of bizarre images in older adults. However, the benefit of such procedure does not seem to be durable in older adults (no bizarreness effect for the last study‐test cycle) and is inefficient in AD patients. Surprisingly, for both older adults and AD patients, results of Experiment 2 revealed a similar OD effect across all study‐test cycles. The findings of both experiments were related to previous work suggesting that the bizarreness effect and the OD effect are mediated by different processing.
Show them the money? The role of pay, managerial need support, and justice in a self‐determination theory model of intrinsic work motivation
Authors: Olafsen Anja H. , Halvari Hallgeir , Forest Jacques , Deci Edward L.
Published: March 2015

The link between money and motivation has been a debated topic for decades, especially in work organizations. However, field studies investigating the amount of pay in relation to employee motivation is lacking and there have been calls for empirical studies addressing compensation systems and motivation in the work domain. The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes associated with the amount of pay, and perceived distributive and procedural justice regarding pay in relation to those for perceived managerial need support. Participants were 166 bank employees who also reported on their basic psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic work motivation. SEM‐analyses tested a self‐determination theory (SDT) model, with satisfaction of the competence and autonomy needs as an intervening variable. The primary findings were that amount of pay and employees' perceived distributive justice regarding their pay were unrelated to employees' need satisfaction and intrinsic work motivation, but procedural justice regarding pay did affect these variables. However, managerial need support was the most important factor for promoting need satisfaction and intrinsic work motivation both directly, indirectly, and as a moderator in the model. Hence, the results of the present organizational field study support earlier laboratory experiments within the SDT framework showing that monetary rewards did not enhance intrinsic motivation. This seems to have profound implications for organizations concerned about motivating their employees.
The transmission of attachment across generations: The state of art and new theoretical perspectives
Authors: Sette Giovanna , Coppola Gabrielle , Cassibba Rosalinda
Published: March 2015

The paper reviews the body of research testing the intergenerational transmission of attachment and the theoretical shift from the linear or mediation model (van IJzendoorn, 1995), according to which parental sensitivity is the main factor responsible for the correspondence between maternal and infant's attachment, to the ecological model of the transmission of attachment (van IJzendoorn & Bakermans‐Kranenburg, 1997). This latter model has prompted researchers, over time, to identify potential mediators, other than caregiver's sensitivity, of the established association between parental representations regarding attachment and infant's attachment, as well as the potential moderators of the transmission process. Each of these two research domains will be carefully explored; lastly new perspectives on the intergenerational transmission of attachment and relevant areas of research needing more investigation are highlighted.