bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coadministration of Anastrozole Sustains Therapeutic Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Men Undergoing Testosterone Pellet Insertion
Authors: Mechlin Clay W. , Frankel Jason , McCullough Andrew
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies for hypogonadism involve testosterone (T) replacement. Testosterone pellets (TP) require a minor office procedure every 3 to 4 months. The need for repeated insertions increases the likelihood of a complication. Anastrozole (AZ) is an aromatase inhibitor that has been used off-label for the treatment of male hypogonadism. AZ increases T levels by lowering serum estradiol (E2) levels and increasing gonadotropin (GTP) levels.

Aim

We hypothesized that the concomitant use of AZ with TP insertions would sustain therapeutic T levels and increase the interval between TP insertions.

Methods

Men treated with TP for hypogonadism at an academic center were offered AZ (1 mg/day) at the time of TP reinsertion as a way of potentially decreasing the frequency of TP insertions. Total T (TT), free T (FT), sex hormone binding globulin, E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone FSH levels were obtained prior to T replacement and at 6 and 15 weeks from TP insertion. Men were re-implanted at 16 weeks if their TT levels were less than 350 ng/dL and their symptoms recurred. We retrospectively reviewed our records of men who underwent TP, TP, and AZ from 2011 to 2012. Demographics, TT, FT, LH, FSH, and E2 levels were recorded. Data were analyzed with anova and a Tukey's test.

Main Outcome Measure

TT level at 6, 15, or >15 weeks from TP insertion.

Results

Thirty-eight men with 65 insertions were analyzed. The TP AZ group had significantly higher TT and FT levels than the TP group at >120 days (P < 0.05). The TP group had significantly higher E2 levels at all time points (P < 0.01). GTP levels remained stable in the TP AZ group. Average time to reinsertion in TP AZ was 198 days vs. 128 days in the TP group.

Conclusion

Men on TP AZ maintain therapeutic T levels longer than men on TP alone and have significantly less GTP suppression.
Psychotherapy Improved the Sleep Quality in a Patient Who Was a Victim of Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Report
Authors: Coelho Glaury A. , Rodrigues Elisa , Andersen Monica L. , Tufik Sergio , Hachul Helena
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) often experience symptoms such as recurrent nightmares, which affect their adult life.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychotherapy on the quality of life and sleep in a female patient with a previous history of CSA.

Methods

The patient was climacteric (menopausal transition) and treated in an outpatient clinic. She underwent 40 sessions of psychotherapy and was evaluated before and after the sessions using questionnaires and polysomnography (PSG).

Main Outcome Measures

Measurements were taken using the following: Kupperman Index (KI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, and PSG. Reports of dream content were also evaluated during the study.

Results

After psychotherapeutic intervention, the frequency of nightmares and their attendant suffering decreased. Additionally, the context of the nightmares changed, and a decrease was noted in the KI, BAI, and BDI parameters. The PSG indicated an increase in rapid eye movement sleep.

Conclusion

Psychotherapeutic intervention combined with zolpidem and fluoxetine treatment contributed to a resignification of the dreams of a patient with a history of CSA. The treatment also improved the quality of her dreams and her quality of life.
Treatment of LUTS Secondary to BPH While Preserving Sexual Function: Randomized Controlled Study of Prostatic Urethral Lift
Authors: McVary Kevin T. , Gange Steven N. , Shore Neal D. , Bolton Damien M. , Cowan Barrett E. , Thomas Brown B. , Te Alexis E. , Chin Peter T. , Rukstalis Daniel B. , Roehrborn Claus G.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

We analyzed data obtained from a randomized controlled blinded study of the prostatic urethral lift (PUL) to evaluate the sexual side effects of this novel treatment.

Aims

We sought to determine whether PUL, when conducted in a randomized study, significantly improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urinary flow rate while preserving sexual function.

Methods

Men ≥50 years with prostates 30–80 cc, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >12, and peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≤12 ml/s were randomized 2:1 between PUL and sham. Sexual activity was not an inclusion criterion. In PUL, permanent transprostatic implants are placed to retract encroaching lateral lobes and open the prostatic fossa. Sham entailed rigid cystoscopy with sounds to mimic PUL and a blinding screen.

Main Outcome Measures

Blinded groups were compared at 3 months and active arm then followed to 12 months for LUTS with IPSS and for sexual function with sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD). Subjects were censored from primary sexual function analysis if they had baseline SHIM < 5 at enrollment. Secondary stratified analysis by erectile dysfunction (ED) severity was conducted.

Results

There was no evidence of degradation in erectile or ejaculatory function after PUL. SHIM and MSHQ-EjD scores were not different from control at 3 months but were modestly improved and statistically different from baseline at 1 year. Ejaculatory bother score was most improved with a 40% improvement over baseline. Twelve-month SHIM was significantly improved from baseline for men entering the study with severe ED, P = 0.016. IPSS and Qmax were significantly superior to both control at 3 months and baseline at 1 year. There was no instance of de novo sustained anejaculation or ED over the course of the study.

Conclusions

The PUL improves LUTS and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory function.
Gender‐specific anthropometric markers of adiposity, metabolic syndrome and visceral adiposity index (VAI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Mazzuca Emilia , Battaglia Salvatore , Marrone Oreste , Marotta Anna M. , Castrogiovanni Alessandra , Esquinas Cristina , Barcelò Antonia , Barbé Ferran , Bonsignore Maria R.
Published: October 2013

Obstructive sleep apnea often coexists with visceral adiposity and metabolic syndrome. In this study, we analysed gender‐related differences in anthropometrics according to sleep apnea severity and metabolic abnormalities. In addition, the visceral adiposity index, a recently introduced marker of cardiometabolic risk, was analysed. Consecutive subjects with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (n = 528, 423 males, mean age ± standard deviation: 51.3 ± 12.8 years, body mass index: 31.0 ± 6.2 kg m−2) were studied by full polysomnography (apnea–hypopnea index 43.4 ± 27.6 h−1). Variables of general and visceral adiposity were measured (body mass index, neck, waist and hip circumferences, waist‐to‐hip ratio). The visceral adiposity index was calculated, and metabolic syndrome was assessed (NCEP‐ATP III criteria). The sample included controls (apnea–hypopnea index <10 h−1, n = 55), and patients with mild–moderate (apnea–hypopnea index 10–30 h−1, n = 144) and severe sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index >30 h−1, n = 329). When anthropometric variables were entered in stepwise multiple regression, body mass index, waist circumference and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome were associated with the apnea–hypopnea index in men (adjusted R2 = 0.308); by contrast, only hip circumference and height‐normalized neck circumference were associated with sleep apnea severity in women (adjusted R2 = 0.339). These results changed little in patients without metabolic syndrome; conversely, waist circumference was the only correlate of apnea–hypopnea index in men and women with metabolic syndrome. The visceral adiposity index increased with insulin resistance, but did not predict sleep apnea severity. These data suggest gender‐related interactions between obstructive sleep apnea, obesity and metabolic abnormalities. The visceral adiposity index was a good marker of metabolic syndrome, but not of obstructive sleep apnea.
The number needed to treat to prevent mortality and cirrhosis‐related complications among patients with cirrhosis and HCV genotype 1 infection
Authors: van der Meer A. J. , Veldt B. J. , Feld J. J. , Wedemeyer H. , Dufour J.‐F. , Lammert F. , Duarte‐Rojo A. , Manns M. P. , Zeuzem S. , Hofmann W. P. , de Knegt R. J. , Hansen B. E. , Janssen H. L. A.
Published: October 2013

Cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain at risk for complications following sustained virological response (SVR). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate treatment efficacy with the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent clinical endpoints. Mortality and cirrhosis‐related morbidity were assessed in an international multicentre cohort of consecutively treated patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and cirrhosis. The NNT to prevent death or clinical disease progression (any cirrhosis‐related event or death) in one patient was determined with the adjusted (event‐free) survival among patients without SVR and adjusted hazard ratio of SVR. Overall, 248 patients were followed for a median of 8.3 (IQR 6.2–11.1) years. Fifty‐nine (24%) patients attained SVR. Among patients without SVR, the adjusted 5‐year survival and event‐free survival were 94.4% and 80.0%, respectively. SVR was associated with reduced all‐cause mortality (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.48, P = 0.002) and clinical disease progression (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.07–0.36, P < 0.001). The NNT to prevent one death in 5 years declined from 1052 (95% CI 937–1755) at 2% SVR (interferon monotherapy) to 61 (95% CI 54–101) at 35% SVR (peginterferon and ribavirin). At 50% SVR, which might be expected with triple therapy, the estimated NNT was 43 (95% CI 38–71). The NNT to prevent clinical disease progression in one patient in 5 years was 302 (95% CI 271–407), 18 (95% CI 16–24) and 13 (95% CI 11–17) at 2%, 35% and 50% SVR, respectively. In conclusion, the NNT to prevent clinical endpoints among cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 1 has declined enormously with the improvement of antiviral therapy.
Therapeutic Plasma Concentrations of Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid and Tranexamic Acid in Horses
Authors: Fletcher D.J. , Brainard B.M. , Epstein K. , Radcliffe R. , Divers T.
Published: October 2013

Background

Antifibrinolytic drugs such as epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TEA) are used to treat various bleeding disorders in horses. Although horses are hypofibrinolytic compared to humans, dosing schemes have been derived from pharmacokinetic studies targeting plasma concentrations in humans.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized therapeutic plasma concentrations of antifibrinolytic drugs in horses would be significantly lower than in humans. Our objective was to use thromboleastography (TEG) and an in vitro model of hyperfibrinolysis to predict therapeutic concentrations ofEACAandTEAin horses and humans.

Animals

Citrated plasma collected from 24 random source clinically healthy research horses. Commercial pooled human citrated plasma with normal coagulation parameters was purchased.

Methods

Minimum tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) concentration to induce complete fibrinolysis within 10 minutes was determined using serial dilutions oftPAin equine plasma. Results used to create an in vitro hyperfibrinolysis model with equine and human citrated plasma, and the minimum concentrations of EACA and TEA required to completely inhibit fibrinolysis for 30 minutes (estimated therapeutic concentrations) determined using serial dilutions of the drugs.

Results

Estimated therapeutic concentrations ofEACAandTEAwere significantly lower in horses (5.82; 95% CI 3.77–7.86 μg/mL and 0.512; 95% CI 0.277–0.748 μg/mL) than in humans (113.2; 95% CI 95.8–130.6 μg/mL and 11.4; 95% CI 8.62–14.1 μg/mL).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Current dosing schemes forEACAandTEAin horses may be as much as 20×  higher than necessary, potentially increasing cost of treatment and risk of adverse effects.
Evaluation of 4 Point‐of‐Care Units for the Determination of Blood l‐Lactate Concentration in Cattle
Authors: Karapinar T. , Kaynar O. , Hayirli A. , Kom M.
Published: October 2013

Background

Despite being used commonly in bovine medicine, information on reliability of point‐of‐care (POC) lactate meters is limited.

Objective

To determine the validity of 4 commercially available POC lactate meters in cattle.

Animals

Cattle with various diseases (n = 120).

Methods

Blood samples collected from the jugular vein were processed immediately on POC lactate meters. Plasma l‐lactate concentration was measured by the enzymatic‐colorimetric method (ELISA). Data were subjected to Friedman's test for comparison, Passing‐Bablok regression and Bland‐Altman plot analyses for reliability, and receiver operating characteristics analysis for sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp).

Results

The POC lactate meters were highly correlated with ELISA (r = 0.98–0.99) despite disagreements among units. When regressed on ELISA, blood l‐lactate concentrations generated from Accutrend Plus and Lactate Pro were linear up to 16.6 and 15.7 mmol/L, respectively, whereas those generated from i‐STAT and Lactate Scout were linear up to 19.5 and 19.7 mmol/L, respectively. All POC lactate meters had a Se of 100% with Sp of 95.7–98.6% at a plasma l‐lactate cut‐off concentration of 4 mmol/L. i‐STAT had the best accuracy (99.0%) and precision (99.8%), the best linear fit (y = −0.13 + 1.04X) yielding the lowest bias (−6.6%) as well as the highest Se (100%) and Sp (98.6%).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Despite high correlation with the reference method, dilution is needed for Accutrend Plus/Lactate Pro and i‐STAT/Lactate Scout if concentrations >15 and 20 mmol/L, respectively. i‐STAT provided the most accurate and precise results.
Clinical and Clinicopathological Factors Associated with Survival in 44 Horses with Equine Neorickettsiosis (Potomac Horse Fever)
Authors: Bertin F.R. , Reising A. , Slovis N.M. , Constable P.D. , Taylor S.D.
Published: October 2013

Background

The epidemiology of equine neorickettsiosis (EN) has been extensively studied but limited clinical and clinicopathological data are available concerning naturally infected horses.

Hypothesis

Factors predictive of survival will be identified in horses diagnosed withEN.

Animals

Convenience sample of 44 horses withENadmitted to 2 referral institutions.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed. A diagnosis ofENwas based on the presence of positive blood or fecalPCR.

Results

The most common clinical signs included diarrhea (66%), fever (50%), anorexia (45%), depression (39%), colic (39%), and lameness (18%). The median duration of hospitalization was 6 days and 73% of horses survived to discharge. Laminitis was present in 36% of horses, 88% of which were affected in all 4 feet. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations, as well asRBCcount, blood hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, band neutrophils, serumASTactivity, serumCKactivity, and anion gap, were significantly (P < .05) higher in nonsurvivors. Serum chloride and sodium, concentrations as well as duration of hospitalization were significantly lower in nonsurvivors. The results of forward stepwise logistic regression indicated that blood hemoglobin concentration on admission and antimicrobial treatment with oxytetracycline were independent factors associated with survival.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Severity of colitis as reflected by electrolyte loss, hemoconcentration, and prerenal azotemia were predictors of survival in horses diagnosed withEN. Treatment with oxytetracycline was associated with increased survival.
Returns to Foreign Language Skills of Immigrants in Spain
Authors: Isphording Ingo E.
Published: October 2013

This study examines the returns to foreign language skills of immigrants in the Spanish labor market. Measurement error and endogeneity issues are addressed by deriving a set of novel instruments for foreign language proficiency through a measure of linguistic dissimilarity. Using cross‐sectional data from the 2007 National Immigrant Survey of Spain (NISS), returns to language skills are estimated separately for English, German, and French proficiency. Foreign language proficiency produces high returns, which appear to be mediated through the channel of occupational choice. The results are discussed against the background of a severe foreign language skills shortage in the Spanish economy. Immigrants may deal as a supplier of foreign language proficiency in the short run.
Transition Probabilities and Different Levels of Prominence in Segmentation
Authors: Ordin Mikhail , Nespor Marina
Published: October 2013

A large body of empirical research demonstrates that people exploit a wide variety of cues for the segmentation of continuous speech in artificial languages, including rhythmic properties, phrase boundary cues, and statistical regularities. However, less is known regarding how the different cues interact. In this study we addressed the question of the relative importance of lexical stress, phrasal prominence, and transitional probabilities (TP) between adjacent syllables for the segmentation of an artificial language. We explored how duration increase, pitch rise, and the combination of duration and pitch on the antepenultimate, the penultimate, and the final syllable of a three‐syllabic word affect segmentation by native speakers of Italian. Our results indicate that, if the most frequent location of stress in the participants’ native language and a lengthened syllable in the artificial language do not coincide, segmentation is disrupted. If there is no conflict between the location of stress in the native language of the participant and the lengthened syllable in the artificial language, segmentation is neither impeded nor facilitated. Pitch marked the edges of the TP‐defined words in a continuous speech stream. When TPs and pitch cues are in conflict, segmentation fails; if pitch rise coincides with the edges of TP words, segmentation succeeds, but is not facilitated. Phrasal prominence comprising both pitch and duration facilitates segmentation when aligned with the word edges. Our findings show that language‐specific peculiarities of how nuclear pitch accents are realized in the native language of the listener might interact with statistical cues in the segmentation of an unfamiliar language.
An Event‐Related Potential (ERP) Investigation of Filler‐Gap Processing in Native and Second Language Speakers
Authors: Dallas Andrea , DeDe Gayle , Nicol Janet
Published: October 2013

The current study employed a neuro‐imaging technique, Event‐Related Potentials (ERP), to investigate real‐time processing of sentences containing filler‐gap dependencies by late‐learning speakers of English as a second language (L2) with a Chinese native language background. An individual differences approach was also taken to examine the role of proficiency and working memory. Materials included a plausibility manipulation to look at whether a plausibility effect, the N400 effect, was found at the point of resolution, the verb, in filler‐gap dependencies. The results suggest that, although the L2 speakers as a group are not sensitive to plausibility variations, correlational analysis indicates that more proficient L2 speakers, like the first‐language (L1) speakers, are sensitive to plausibility variations while processing filler‐gap sentences. Working memory was not found to be associated with more native‐like processing of these constructions.
Genetic variation in interleukin 28B and correlation with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Saudi Arabian patients
Authors: Al‐Qahtani Ahmed A. , Al‐Anazi Mashael R. , Abdo Ayman A. , Sanai Faisal M. , Al‐Hamoudi Waleed K. , Alswat Khalid A. , Al‐Ashgar Hamad I. , Khalaf Nisreen Z. , Viswan Nisha A. , Al Ahdal Mohammed N.
Published: October 2013

Background & Aims

Several genome‐wide association studies have shown that genetic variations in the chromosomal region containing interleukin‐28B (IL28B) gene are associated with response to treatment in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study was conducted to examine the role of genetic variations in IL28B on disease progression in Saudi Arabian patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods

The study included 1128 subjects divided into four categories; 304 clearance subjects, 518 inactive carriers, 212 active carriers and 94 cirrhosis/HCC.

Results

Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs12979860 (OR = 1.307; 95% CI 1.046–1.634, χ2 = 5.57 and P = 0.0183), rs12980275 (OR = 0.642; CI 0.517–0.798, χ2 = 16.17 and P = 0.0001) and rs8105790 (OR = 0.746; CI 0.592–0.941, χ2 = 6.12 and P = 0.0133), were found to be strongly associated with HBV clearance. The frequency of the G allele of rs12980275 and the C allele of rs8105790 were found to be more in clearance group than in patients and could contribute to protection against the disease. On the other hand, only rs12979860 showed significant difference in distribution when inactive group was compared to other groups (OR = 1.285; CI 1.030–1.603, χ2 = 4.95, P = 0.0261). No significant association was evident for any of the variants when active carriers were compared to cirrhosis/HCC patients. Haplotype analysis showed that a combination of A‐T‐T‐G of rs12980275, rs8105790, rs8099917, and rs7248668, respectively, was associated with clearance of the virus (frequency = 67.5% and P = 0.015).

Conclusion

genetic variations in IL28B gene region may influence the clearance of HBV infection.
The Complexities of Land Reparations
Authors: Alexander Gregory S.
Published: October 2013

The question whether unjust dispossessions of land perpetrated on whole peoples in the past should be corrected by restitution in kind, that is, granting reparations in the form of returning land to the dispossessed former owners or their present‐day successors, is substantially more complex than the questions posed by other forms of reparations. I argue that the complexities involved in all the situations where claims for land reparations are made to correct historic injustices give us good reasons to be hesitant about granting such claims. At the same time, we should not dismiss such claims out of hand. Reparations that take a form other than restitution of dispossessed land may be both necessary and sufficient to establish a public marker of acknowledgment.
Correlation of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, and the Voiding Diary and Urodynamic Parameters in Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome
Authors: SONG Miho , CHUN Ji‐Youn , YOO Dae Sun , HAN Ji‐Yeon , CHOO Myung‐Soo
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To investigate correlations between the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), the voiding diary, and urodynamic parameters in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).

Methods

A data analysis was performed on 164 women who presented with OAB between January 2006 and December 2011. All patients completed a 3‐day voiding diary, OABSS (frequency [Q‐F], nocturia [Q‐N], urgency [Q‐U], urgency incontinence [Q‐UI]), and a urodynamic study. The relationships of the OABSS, voiding diary variables, and urodynamic parameters, such as detrusor overactivity (DO) and maximal cystometric capacity (MCC), were analyzed. We used univariate and multivariate regression analysis to compare the bladder diary and OABSS. Detrusor overactivity and other variables were compared using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The 24‐h frequency, voided volume, and presence of urgency in the voiding diary were 9.8 ± 3.2 events/day, 176.6 ± 5.8 mL, and 70.7%. The 24‐h frequency and the voided volume recorded were significantly associated with Q‐F (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and Q‐N (P = 0.008, P = 0.005). The presence of urgency recorded was associated with Q‐U in multivariate analysis (P = 0.012). The predictive factors related to DO was Q‐U in multivariate analysis. The MCC was found to correlate with the voided volume, urgency episode, Q‐F.

Conclusions

The OABSS correlate well with the voiding diary and urodynamic parameters and could be a useful tool to diagnose OAB when there is an absence of voiding diary and to later monitor OAB symptoms and treatment interventions.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Nocturia in an Outpatient Clinic
Authors: MIYAZATO Minoru , TANA Takeshi , HIGA Akira , OSHIRO Takuma , NAMITOME Ryo , NEZU Uru , UEDA Shinichiro , SAITO Seiichi
Published: October 2013

Objectives

We evaluated the prevalence of and risk factors in patients with nocturia at a general medical clinic in Naha, Japan.

Methods

We enrolled patients who had been regularly followed‐up at a general medical clinic in Naha. Patients were asked to complete a self‐reported questionnaire regarding medical history and the frequency of nocturnal voids in the last month with anonymity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to evaluate the risk factors for clinically significant nocturia.

Results

In total, 357 patients (men, 192; women, 165; mean age, 60 years) were eligible for analysis. The prevalence rate of clinically significant nocturia in patients was 33.8%. Univariate, as well as multivariate, analysis revealed that age, gender, and hypertension were significant risk factors for nocturia.

Conclusion

Clinically significant nocturia is common among patients seen at a general medical clinic. Age and gender are the most definitive risk factors for nocturia. Hypertension may also be related to nocturia. Thus, it is important to evaluate not only urological problems but other medical problems in patients with nocturia.
OPTIMAL EXECUTION HORIZON
Authors: Easley David , de Prado Marcos Lopez , O'Hara Maureen
Published: October 2013

Execution traders know that market impact greatly depends on whether their orders lean with or against the market. We introduce the OEH model, which incorporates this fact when determining the optimal trading horizon for an order, an input required by many sophisticated execution strategies. This model exploits the trader's private information about her trade's side and size, and how it will shift the prevailing order flow. From a theoretical perspective, OEH explains why market participants may rationally “dump” their orders in an increasingly illiquid market. We argue that trade side and order imbalance are key variables needed for modeling market impact functions, and their dismissal may be the reason behind the apparent disagreement in the literature regarding the functional form of the market impact function. We show that in terms of its information ratio OEH performs better than participation rate schemes and VWAP strategies. Our backtests suggest that OEH contributes substantial “execution alpha” for a wide variety of futures contracts. An implementation of OEH is provided in Python language.
The formation of Mg,Fe‐silicates by reactions between amorphous magnesiosilica smoke particles and metallic iron nanograins with implications for comet silicate origins
Authors: Rietmeijer Frans J. M. , Nuth Joseph A. , Pun Aurora
Published: October 2013

This thermal annealing experiment at 1000 K for up to 167 h used a physical mixture of vapor phase‐condensed magnesiosilica grains and metallic iron nanograins to test the hypothesis that a mixture of magnesiosilica grains and an Fe‐source would lead to the formation of ferromagnesiosilica grains. This exploratory study found that coagulation and thermal annealing of amorphous magnesiosilica and metallic grains yielded ferromagnesiosilica grains with the Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios in interplanetary dust particles. Furthermore, decomposition of brucite present in the condensed magnesiosilica grains was the source for water and the cause of different iron oxidation states, and the formation of amorphous Fe3+‐ferrosilica, amorphous Fe3+‐Mg, Fe‐silicates, and magnesioferrite during thermal annealing. Fayalite and ferrosilite that formed from silica/FeO melts reacted with forsterite and enstatite to form Mg, Fe‐silicates. The presence of iron in different oxidation states in extraterrestrial materials almost certainly requires active asteroid‐like parent bodies. If so, the possible presence of trivalent Fe compounds in comet P/Halley suggests that Halley‐type comets are a mixture of preserved presolar and processed solar nebula dust. The results from this thermal annealing experiment further suggest that the Fe‐silicates detected in the impact‐induced ejecta from comet 9P/Temple 1 might be of secondary origin and related to the impact experiment or to processing in a regolith.
Calibration of cosmogenic noble gas production in ordinary chondrites based on 36Cl‐36Ar ages. Part 1: Refined produced rates for cosmogenic 21Ne and 38Ar
Authors: Dalcher N. , Caffee M. W. , Nishiizumi K. , Welten K. C. , Vogel N. , Wieler R. , Leya I.
Published: October 2013

We measured the concentrations and isotopic compositions of He, Ne, and Ar in bulk samples and metal separates of 14 ordinary chondrite falls with long exposure ages and high metamorphic grades. In addition, we measured concentrations of the cosmogenic radionuclides 10Be, 26Al, and 36Cl in metal separates and in the nonmagnetic fractions of the selected meteorites. Using cosmogenic 36Cl and 36Ar measured in the metal separates, we determined 36Cl‐36Ar cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) ages, which are shielding‐independent and therefore particularly reliable. Using the cosmogenic noble gases and radionuclides, we are able to decipher the CRE history for the studied objects. Based on the correlation 3He/21Ne versus 22Ne/21Ne, we demonstrate that, among the meteorites studied, only one suffered significant diffusive losses (about 35%). The data confirm that the linear correlation 3He/21Ne versus 22Ne/21Ne breaks down at high shielding. Using 36Cl‐36Ar exposure ages and measured noble gas concentrations, we determine 21Ne and 38Ar production rates as a function of 22Ne/21Ne. The new data agree with recent model calculations for the relationship between 21Ne and 38Ar production rates and the 22Ne/21Ne ratio, which does not always provide unique shielding information. Based on the model calculations, we determine a new correlation line for 21Ne and 38Ar production rates as a function of the shielding indicator 22Ne/21Ne for H, L, and LL chondrites with preatmospheric radii less than about 65 cm. We also calculated the 10Be/21Ne and 26Al/21Ne production rate ratios for the investigated samples, which show good agreement with recent model calculations.
Experimental simulation of oxygen isotopic exchange in olivine and implication for the formation of metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites
Authors: Ivanova Marina A. , Lorenz Cyril A. , Franchi Ian A. , Bychkov Andrei Y. , Post Jeffrey E.
Published: October 2013

We have conducted hydration–dehydration experiments on terrestrial olivine to investigate the behavior of oxygen isotopic fractionation to test the hypothesis that multiple cycles of aqueous and thermal processing on a parent asteroid comprise a genetic relationship between CM2s and metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites (MCCs). Two experiments were undertaken. In the first experiment, serpentine was obtained by hydrating terrestrial olivine (Fo90.9) in the laboratory. During this experiment, olivine was reacted with isotopically heavy water (δ18O 21.5‰) at T = 300 °C,  = 300 bar, for 100 days. The oxygen isotopic composition of the experimental serpentine was enriched in 18O (by 10 ‰ in δ18O) due to exchange of oxygen isotopes between olivine and the 18O‐rich water. Dehydrated serpentine was then produced during laboratory heating experiment in vacuum, at T = 930 °C, for 1 h. The oxygen isotopic composition of the dehydrated serpentine was enriched in 18O by a further 7 ‰. The net result of the hydration–dehydration process was an enrichment of 18O in the final material by approximately 17‰. The new experimental results suggest that the oxygen isotopic compositions of MCCs of the Belgica‐like group, including Dhofar 225 and Dhofar 725, could be derived from those of typical CM2 chondrites via several cycles of hydration–dehydration caused by aqueous alteration and subsequent thermal metamorphism within their parent asteroids.
Alteration mineralogy of Home Plate and Columbia Hills—Formation conditions in context to impact, volcanism, and fluvial activity
Authors: Filiberto Justin , Schwenzer Susanne P.
Published: October 2013

The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit investigated the igneous and alteration mineralogy and chemistry of Home Plate and its surrounding deposits. Here, we focus on using thermochemical modeling to understand the secondary alteration mineralogy at the Home Plate outcrop and surrounding Columbia Hills region in Gusev crater. At high temperatures (300 °C), magnetite occurs at very high W/R ratios, but the alteration assemblage is dominated by chlorite and serpentine over most of the W/R range. Quartz, epidote, and typical high‐T phases such as feldspar, pyroxene, and garnet occur at low W/R. At epithermal temperatures (150 °C), hematite occurs at very high W/R. A range of phyllosilicates, including kaolinite, nontronite, chlorite, and serpentine are precipitated at specific W/R. Amphibole, with garnet, feldspar, and pyroxene occur at low W/R. If the CO2 content of the system is high, the assemblage is dominated by carbonate with increasing amounts of an SiO2‐phase, kaolinite, carpholite, and chlorite with lower W/R. At temperatures of hydrous weathering (13 °C), the oxide phase is goethite, silicates are chlorite, nontronite, and talc, plus an SiO2‐phase. In the presence of CO2, the mineral assemblage at high W/R remains the same, and only at low W/R, i.e., with increasing salinity, carbonate precipitates. The geochemical gradients observed at Home Plate are attributed to short‐lived, initially high (300 °C) temperature, but fast cooling events, which are in agreement with our models and our interpretation of a multistage alteration scenario of Home Plate and Gusev in general. Alteration at various temperatures and during different geological processes within Gusev crater has two effects, both of which increase the habitability of the local environment: precipitation of hydrous sheet silicates, and formation of a brine, which might contain elements essential for life in diluted, easily accessible form.
Frontline Activists: Mexicana Care Workers, Subjectivity, and the Defense of the Elderly
Authors: de la Luz Ibarra María
Published: October 2013

In this article, I focus on Mexican immigrant women who, as care workers in various care settings in the wealthy city of Santa Barbara, California, attempt to defend aging Americans patients from devaluation and harm. To understand why vulnerable women defend more privileged citizens of the nation, I address Mexicana subjectivity. I argue that neoliberal policies have created multiple vulnerabilities for Mexican women and it is in formal care contexts where these vulnerabilities intertwine with that of their patients. Workers’ feelings of shame, complicity, and empathy help explain a defense of the Other. A significant form of defense is informal sector family‐based care. This article is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2009 and 2011.
Have They Done what They Should? Moral Reasoning in the Context of Translating Older Persons’ Everyday Problems into Eligible Needs for Home Modification Services
Authors: Johansson Karin
Published: October 2013

This study explores how moral reasoning is expressed in matching health care with the problems older persons experience in their everyday life. Narrative data were collected from older persons who had applied for home modification services and from professionals involved in these services in Sweden. A theoretical framework, based on theories on the anthropology of morals, was applied to explore how the participants made conclusions about “what should be done.” Moral reasoning was found to be guided by ideologies related to the historical and cultural context of the Swedish welfare state. Different interpretations of how these values should be expressed in specific situations led to different conclusions about what should be done. The study highlights the importance of understanding how values are enacted rather than what values different social agents have in order to understand how health care services can be designed and provided to support older persons’ everyday life.
Validity of a self‐administered diet history questionnaire for estimating vitamin D intakes of Japanese pregnant women
Authors: Shiraishi Mie , Haruna Megumi , Matsuzaki Masayo , Murayama Ryoko , Kitanaka Sachiko , Sasaki Satoshi
Published: October 2013

Maternal vitamin D status is important for fetal development and the prevention of pregnancy complications. Mothers require both sufficient intakes and skin production of this vitamin. We investigated the validity and test–retest reliability of a self‐administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) to establish a method of assessing vitamin D intakes of Japanese pregnant women, using a serum marker. A total of 245 healthy pregnant women in the second trimester, who were not taking vitamin D supplements, were recruited at a university hospital in Tokyo between June 2010 and July 2011. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured as an indicator of vitamin D status. To assess the test–retest reliability of the DHQ, 58 pregnant women completed it twice within a 4–5‐week interval. Significant positive correlations between intakes and serum concentrations of vitamin D were found (r = 0.266 for daily intakes and r = 0.249 for energy‐adjusted intakes). In the winter investigation in which the serum 25(OH)D concentrations were less likely to be affected by sunlight exposure, the correlation coefficients were 0.304 for both daily and energy‐adjusted intakes. After excluding participants with pregnancy‐associated nausea, the coefficients increased. The intraclass correlation coefficient between vitamin D intakes estimated from the two‐time DHQ was 0.638. The DHQ provides an acceptable validity and reliability of the vitamin D intake of Japanese pregnant women. However, the data of women with nausea should be interpreted with caution. We believe that the DHQ is a useful questionnaire to grasp and improve vitamin D intakes during pregnancy.
Complementary feeding practices and child growth outcomes in Haiti: an analysis of data from Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Heidkamp Rebecca A. , Ayoya Mohamed Ag , Teta Ismael Ngnie , Stoltzfus Rebecca J. , Marhone Joseline Pierre
Published: October 2013

The Haitian National Nutrition Policy identifies the promotion of optimal complementary feeding (CF) practices as a priority action to prevent childhood malnutrition. We analysed data from the nationally representative 2005–2006 Haiti Demographic Health Survey using the World Health Organization 2008 infant and young child feeding indicators to describe feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months and thus inform policy and programme planning. Multivariate regression analyses were used to identify the determinants of CF practices and to examine their association with child growth outcomes. Overall, 87.3% of 6–8‐month‐olds received soft, solid or semi‐solid foods in the previous 24 h. Minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were achieved in 29.2%, 45.3% and 17.1% of children aged 6–23 months, respectively. Non‐breastfed children were more likely to achieve MDD than breastfed children of the same age (37.3% vs. 25.8%; P < 0.001). The proportion of children achieving MMF varied significantly by age (P < 0.001). Children with overweight mothers were more likely to achieve MDD, MMF and MAD [odds ratio (OR) 2.08, P = 0.012; OR 1.81, P = 0.02; and OR 2.4, P = 0.01, respectively] than children of normal weight mothers. Odds of achieving MDD and MMF increased with household wealth. Among mothers with secondary or more education, achieving MDD or MAD was significantly associated with lower mean weight‐for‐age z‐score and height‐for‐age z‐score (P‐value <0.05 for infants and young child feeding indicator × maternal education interaction). CF practices were mostly inadequate and contributed to growth faltering among Haitian children 6–23 months old.
Who's for dinner? High‐throughput sequencing reveals bat dietary differentiation in a biodiversity hotspot where prey taxonomy is largely undescribed
Authors: Burgar Joanna M. , Murray Daithi C. , Craig Michael D. , Haile James , Houston Jayne , Stokes Vicki , Bunce Michael
Published: October 2013

Effective management and conservation of biodiversity requires understanding of predator–prey relationships to ensure the continued existence of both predator and prey populations. Gathering dietary data from predatory species, such as insectivorous bats, often presents logistical challenges, further exacerbated in biodiversity hot spots because prey items are highly speciose, yet their taxonomy is largely undescribed. We used high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatic analyses to phylogenetically group DNA sequences into molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) to examine predator–prey dynamics of three sympatric insectivorous bat species in the biodiversity hotspot of south‐western Australia. We could only assign between 4% and 20% of MOTUs to known genera or species, depending on the method used, underscoring the importance of examining dietary diversity irrespective of taxonomic knowledge in areas lacking a comprehensive genetic reference database. MOTU analysis confirmed that resource partitioning occurred, with dietary divergence positively related to the ecomorphological divergence of the three bat species. We predicted that bat species' diets would converge during times of high energetic requirements, that is, the maternity season for females and the mating season for males. There was an interactive effect of season on female, but not male, bat species' diets, although small sample sizes may have limited our findings. Contrary to our predictions, females of two ecomorphologically similar species showed dietary convergence during the mating season rather than the maternity season. HTS‐based approaches can help elucidate complex predator–prey relationships in highly speciose regions, which should facilitate the conservation of biodiversity in genetically uncharacterized areas, such as biodiversity hotspots.
Signatures of selection in the Iberian honey bee (Apis mellifera iberiensis) revealed by a genome scan analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Chávez‐Galarza Julio , Henriques Dora , Johnston J. Spencer , Azevedo João C. , Patton John C. , Muñoz Irene , De la Rúa Pilar , Pinto M. Alice
Published: October 2013

Understanding the genetic mechanisms of adaptive population divergence is one of the most fundamental endeavours in evolutionary biology and is becoming increasingly important as it will allow predictions about how organisms will respond to global environmental crisis. This is particularly important for the honey bee, a species of unquestionable ecological and economical importance that has been exposed to increasing human‐mediated selection pressures. Here, we conducted a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based genome scan in honey bees collected across an environmental gradient in Iberia and used four FST‐based outlier tests to identify genomic regions exhibiting signatures of selection. Additionally, we analysed associations between genetic and environmental data for the identification of factors that might be correlated or act as selective pressures. With these approaches, 4.4% (17 of 383) of outlier loci were cross‐validated by four FST‐based methods, and 8.9% (34 of 383) were cross‐validated by at least three methods. Of the 34 outliers, 15 were found to be strongly associated with one or more environmental variables. Further support for selection, provided by functional genomic information, was particularly compelling for SNP outliers mapped to different genes putatively involved in the same function such as vision, xenobiotic detoxification and innate immune response. This study enabled a more rigorous consideration of selection as the underlying cause of diversity patterns in Iberian honey bees, representing an important first step towards the identification of polymorphisms implicated in local adaptation and possibly in response to recent human‐mediated environmental changes.
Revisiting the connectivity puzzle of the common coral Pocillopora damicornis
Authors: Torda G. , Lundgren P. , Willis B. L. , van Oppen M. J. H.
Published: October 2013

Understanding levels of connectivity among scleractinian coral populations over a range of temporal and spatial scales is vital for managing tropical coral reef ecosystems. Here, we use multilocus microsatellite genotypes to assess the spatial genetic structure of two molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs, types α and β) of the widespread coral Pocillopora damicornis on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and infer the extent of connectivity on spatial scales spanning from local habitat types to latitudinal sectors of the GBR. We found high genetic similarities over large spatial scales spanning > 1000 km from the northern to the southern GBR, but also strong genetic differentiation at local scales in both MOTUs. The presence of a considerable number of first‐generation migrants within the populations sampled (12% and 27% for types α and β, respectively) suggests that genetic differentiation over small spatial scales is probably a consequence of stochastic recruitment from different genetic pools into recently opened up spaces on the reef, for example, following major disturbance events. We explain high genetic similarity among populations over hundreds of kilometres by long competency periods of brooded zooxanthellate larvae and multiple larval release events each year, combined with strong longshore currents typical along the GBR. The lack of genetic evidence for predominantly clonal reproduction in adult populations of P. damicornis, which broods predominantly asexually produced larvae, further undermines the paradigm that brooded larvae settle close to parent colonies shortly after the release.
Secondary contact and changes in coastal habitat availability influence the nonequilibrium population structure of a salmonid (Oncorhynchus keta)
Authors: Petrou E. L. , Hauser L. , Waples R. S. , Seeb J. E. , Templin W. D. , Gomez‐Uchida D. , Seeb L. W.
Published: October 2013

Numerous empirical studies have reported lack of migration–drift equilibrium in wild populations. Determining the causes of nonequilibrium population structure is challenging because different evolutionary processes acting at a variety of spatiotemporal scales can produce similar patterns. Studies of contemporary populations in northern latitudes suggest that nonequilibrium population structure is probably caused by recent colonization of the region after the last Pleistocene ice age ended ~13 000 years ago. The chum salmon's (Oncorhynchus keta) range was fragmented by dramatic environmental changes during the Pleistocene. We investigated the population structure of chum salmon on the North Alaska Peninsula (NAP) and, using both empirical data and simulations, evaluated the effects of colonization timing and founder population heterogeneity on patterns of genetic differentiation. We screened 161 single nucleotide polymorphisms and found evidence of nonequilibrium population structure when the slope of the isolation‐by‐distance relationship was examined at incremental spatial scales. In addition, simulations suggested that this pattern closely matched models of recent colonization of the NAP by secondary contact. Our results agree with geological and archaeological data indicating that the NAP was a dynamic landscape that may have been more recently colonized than during the last deglaciation because of dramatic changes in coastal hydrology over the last several thousand years.