bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a simple and rapid diagnosis method for swine edema disease to specifically detect Stx2e protein by immunochromatographic test
Authors: Arimitsu Hideyuki , Sasaki Keiko , Tsuji Takao
Published: March 2016

Edema disease in piglets is caused by Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e)‐producing Escherichia coli. However, there is currently no available Stx2e‐specific immunochromatographic test strip to differentiate Stx2e from other types of Shiga toxin 2. In the present study, to develop an Stx2e‐specific immunochromatographic test strip, we isolated nine different monoclonal antibody‐producing hybridoma clones from Stx2e toxoid‐immunized mice and confirmed that six antibodies were A subunit‐specific whereas three antibodies were B subunit‐specific. Only one A subunit‐specific monoclonal antibody (45B2) was cross‐reactive with prototype Stx2 (Stx2a) at the same sensitivity, but the remaining eight monoclonal antibodies were not. In immunochromatographic tests using the highly sensitive antibodies, test strips using some combinations of gold colloid‐conjugated monoclonal antibody with the B subunit‐specific monoclonal antibody on the membrane detected Stx2e, but not other types of Shiga toxin 2. These test strips had the ability to detect Stx2e in the culture supernatant of clinically isolated Stx2e gene‐positive strains, but not in those of Stx2e gene‐negative strains. These results indicate that our test strip is practical for the specific detection of Stx2e to diagnose swine edema disease.
Evidence of the phenotypic expression of a lethal recessive allele under inbreeding in a wild population of conservation concern
Authors: Trask Amanda E. , Bignal Eric M. , McCracken Davy I. , Monaghan Pat , Piertney Stuart B. , Reid Jane M.
Published: March 2016

Deleterious recessive alleles that are masked in outbred populations are predicted to be expressed in small, inbred populations, reducing both individual fitness and population viability. However, there are few definitive examples of phenotypic expression of lethal recessive alleles under inbreeding conditions in wild populations. Studies that demonstrate the action of such alleles, and infer their distribution and dynamics, are required to understand their potential impact on population viability and inform management responses.

The Scottish population of red‐billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), which currently totals <60 breeding pairs and is of major conservation concern, has recently been affected by lethal blindness in nestlings. We used family data to show that the pattern of occurrence of blindness within and across affected families that produced blind nestlings was exactly 0·25, matching that expected given a single‐locus autosomal lethal recessive allele. Furthermore, the observed distribution of blind nestlings within affected families did not differ from that expected given Mendelian inheritance of such an allele.

Relatedness estimates showed that individuals from affected families were not more closely related to each other than they were to individuals from unaffected families that did not produce blind nestlings. Blind individuals tended to be less heterozygous than non‐blind individuals, as expected if blindness was caused by the expression of a recessive allele under inbreeding. However, there was no difference in the variance in heterozygosity estimates, suggesting that some blind individuals were relatively outbred. These results suggest carriers of the blindness allele may be widely distributed across contemporary families rather than restricted to a single family lineage, implying that the allele has persisted across multiple generations.

Blindness occurred at low frequency (affecting 1·6% of observed nestlings since 1981). However, affected families had larger initial brood sizes than unaffected families. Such high fecundity of carriers of a lethal recessive allele might reflect overdominance, potentially reducing purging and increasing allele persistence probability.

We thereby demonstrate the phenotypic expression of a lethal recessive allele in a wild population of conservation concern, and provide a general framework for inferring allele distribution and persistence and informing management responses.
Lay Defender of Catholicism: Dr. Edward Swarbreck Hall in Tasmania 1833–1881
Authors: Petrow Stefan
Published: March 2016

Tensions between Protestants and Catholics persisted throughout nineteenth‐century Australia. Historians have tended to examine the part played by the clergy, pressure groups or newspapers in sectarian disputes in the main colonies of New South Wales and Victoria. This article contributes to an understanding of anti‐Catholicism in the Australian colonies by focusing on the actions and writings of one Catholic layman, Dr Edward Swarbreck Hall, in mid nineteenth‐century Tasmania. To minimise religious hostility, Hall was tolerant towards Protestants, loyal to the British Crown, and worked co‐operatively with other creeds in helping the poor. This approach made Catholicism more acceptable to Protestant society until the late 1860s. Thereafter religious divisions became more pronounced with the appointment of Irish Bishop Daniel Murphy, who adopted the authoritarian policies of the papacy and asserted the rights of Catholics. Feeling threatened by Catholic assertion and antagonised by Catholic doctrinal beliefs, Evangelical Protestants expressed anti‐Catholic sentiments at public meetings and in newspapers. In showing how Hall defended Catholics when aspersions were cast on their clergymen, their character, or their religious practices, this article concludes that Catholics were not passive victims, but Hall's fierce polemical style worked against his desire for religious peace.
Emergency department ‘undercrowding’ is associated with decreased waiting times
Authors: Aldridge Emogene S , Rogers Ian R , Bailey Paul M , Rogers Jeremy R
Published: March 2016

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a sudden and sustained decrease in patient presentations on waiting times and other measures of workload and flow following the opening of a large, greenfields ED adjacent to our own.

Method

A descriptive study involving all patients presenting to a private urban district hospital ED for two 60 day periods, immediately before and after the opening of the tertiary hospital ED. Changes in median waiting time, case‐mix distribution, method of arrival, total admissions and total waiting time were compared pre‐opening and post‐opening. Non‐normally distributed variables were analysed using Mann–Whitney U‐tests. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 analyses.

Results

Patient presentations decreased by 28% with a parallel decline in median waiting time of 15 min (from 26 to 11 min) (P < 0.001). Total waiting time was approximately 29 h less per day in the post‐opening period. Patient urgency by triage category did not change significantly (P = 0.316), whereas the proportion of presentations by ambulance decreased 15.9% (P = 0.048) and admission rate increased from 29.1% to 32.6% (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Patient presentation numbers are strongly associated with and likely impact on median waiting time. Understanding that controlling demand can lead to significant benefits in patient processing, flow and overall patient perceived level of care and satisfaction is relevant to any discussion on ED overcrowding and the deleterious effects of access block.
Could biodiversity loss have increased Australia's bushfire threat?
Authors: Hayward M. W. , Ward‐Fear G. , L'Hotellier F. , Herman K. , Kabat A. P. , Gibbons J. P.
Published: March 2016

Ecosystem engineers directly or indirectly affect the availability of resources through changing the physical state of biotic and/or abiotic materials. Fossorial ecosystem engineers have been hypothesized as affecting fire behaviour through altering litter accumulation and breakdown, however, little evidence of this has been shown to date. Fire is one of the major ecological processes affecting biodiversity globally. Australia has seen the extinction of 29 of 315 terrestrial mammal species in the last 200 years and several of these species were ecosystem engineers whose fossorial actions may increase the rate of leaf litter breakdown. Thus, their extinction may have altered the rate of litter accumulation and therefore fire ignition potential and rate of spread. We tested whether a reduction in leaf litter was associated with sites where mammalian ecosystem engineers had been reintroduced using a pair‐wise, cross‐fence comparison at sites spanning the Australian continent. At Scotia (New South Wales), Karakamia (Western Australia) and Yookamurra (South Australia) sanctuaries, leaf litter mass (−24%) and percentage cover of leaf litter (−3%) were significantly lower where reintroduced ecosystem engineers occurred compared to where they were absent, and fire behaviour modelling illustrated this has substantial impacts on flame height and rate of spread. This result has major implications for fire behaviour and management globally wherever ecosystem engineers are now absent as the reduced leaf litter volumes where they occur will lead to decreased flame height and rate of fire spread. This illustrates the need to restore the full suite of biodiversity globally.
Evaluating the Contributions of Individual Variables to a Quadratic Form
Authors: Garthwaite Paul H. , Koch Inge
Published: March 2016

Quadratic forms capture multivariate information in a single number, making them useful, for example, in hypothesis testing. When a quadratic form is large and hence interesting, it might be informative to partition the quadratic form into contributions of individual variables. In this paper it is argued that meaningful partitions can be formed, though the precise partition that is determined will depend on the criterion used to select it. An intuitively reasonable criterion is proposed and the partition to which it leads is determined. The partition is based on a transformation that maximises the sum of the correlations between individual variables and the variables to which they transform under a constraint. Properties of the partition, including optimality properties, are examined. The contributions of individual variables to a quadratic form are less clear‐cut when variables are collinear, and forming new variables through rotation can lead to greater transparency. The transformation is adapted so that it has an invariance property under such rotation, whereby the assessed contributions are unchanged for variables that the rotation does not affect directly. Application of the partition to Hotelling's one‐ and two‐sample test statistics, Mahalanobis distance and discriminant analysis is described and illustrated through examples. It is shown that bootstrap confidence intervals for the contributions of individual variables to a partition are readily obtained.
Immersive terrain: the US Navy, Sealab and Cold War undersea geopolitics
Authors: Squire Rachael
Published: March 2016

Like territory, terrain is a term that has been tied to its etymological roots on terra. This paper seeks to release terrain as both concept and practice from the terrestrial through an analysis of the Cold War‐era case study, Sealab II. This little‐studied project, led by the US Navy, sought to establish the feasibility of sustaining life under the sea and in doing so, provides a rich site of analysis through which to explore the notion of terrain that exists in volume, rather than simply on the earth's crust. Within this immersive voluminous framework, the function of the body is also re‐examined as both a site that experiences terrain, but also one that became a terrain of sorts during the Sealab experiments. The paper concludes by suggesting that understandings of terrain within geographical scholarship would be enriched were they to push off from the earth's surfaces and argues that there is a need to re‐think terrain's relational aspects, re‐root it from terra and re‐orientate it towards the body.
Cobalt allergy: suitable test concentration, and concomitant reactivity to nickel and chromium
Authors: Lidén Carola , Andersson Niklas , Julander Anneli , Matura Mihály
Published: March 2016

Background

Cobalt allergy is frequent, but knowledge about exposure is limited. The patch test concentration and relevance of positive reactions are sometimes questioned.

Objectives

To assess the suitability of cobalt 1% versus 0.5% for patch testing, and to analyse the co‐occurrence of allergy to cobalt, chromium, and nickel.

Materials and methods

Consecutive dermatitis patients (n = 656) were patch tested with cobalt chloride 0.5% and 1%, potassium dichromate 0.5%, and nickel sulfate 5%, all in petrolatum. Reactions were assessed on day (D)3, and on D6 or D7, and the reactivity and development of reactions were analysed.

Results

Allergy to any metal was shown in 31% of patients, allergy to cobalt in 14%, allergy to chromium in 7%, and allergy to nickel in 20%. A significant proportion (37%) of cobalt allergy cases were missed by cobalt 0.5% versus 1%, whereas the reactivity profiles were similar. Cobalt allergy was solitary, without concomitant allergy to chromium or nickel, in 50% of patients.

Conclusions

Cobalt chloride 1% pet. is more suitable for patch testing than 0.5%. Solitary cobalt allergy is as frequent as concomitant allergy to cobalt and nickel or chromium. Sources of skin exposure to metals need to be identified for prevention of contact allergy. This is, owing to large knowledge gaps, particularly demanding for cobalt.
Divergence before the host shift? Prezygotic reproductive isolation among three varieties of a specialist fly on a single host plant
Authors: HIPPEE ALAINE C. , ELNES MAREN E. , ARMENTA JAROD S. , CONDON MARTY A. , FORBES ANDREW A.
Published: March 2016

1. Although divergence via host‐plant shifting is a common theme in the speciation of some phytophagous insects, it is not clear whether host shifts are typically initiators of speciation or if they instead contribute to divergence events already in progress. While host shifts appear to be generally associated with speciation events for flies in the genus Strauzia, three sympatric varieties of the sunflower fly [Strauzia longipennis (Wiedemann)] co‐occur on the same host plant in the Midwestern United States and may have evolved reproductive barriers without a host shift.

2. The strength of two prezygotic reproductive barriers was compared among the three S. longipennis varieties: one barrier that is often associated with divergent ecological selection (allochronic isolation), and another that is more likely to be independent of ecological selection (pre‐copulatory sexual isolation). The presence and relative strength of each barrier between fly varieties were evaluated using microsatellites, no choice mating experiments, studies of allochronic isolation, and field collection data.

3. Evidence for both allochronic isolation and pre‐copulatory sexual isolation was detected between the three varieties of S. longipennis. The measure of isolation calculated for each barrier between the three varieties was lower than measures calculated between different species of Strauzia found on different hosts, suggesting that subsequent host shifts may increase the degree of reproductive isolation. For Strauzia and other specialist insects, some reproductive isolation may evolve prior to, and indeed may facilitate, host shifts.
Prostaglandin E2 inhibits collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts and prevents hypertrophic scar formation in vivo
Authors: Zhao Jingling , Shu Bin , Chen Lei , Tang Jinming , Zhang Lijun , Xie Julin , Liu Xusheng , Xu Yingbin , Qi Shaohai
Published: March 2016

Hypertrophic scarring is a common dermal fibroproliferative disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an important inflammatory product synthesized via the arachidonic acid cascade, has been shown to act as a fibroblast modulator and to possess antifibroblastic activity. However, the mechanism underlying the antifibrotic effect of PGE2 remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effects of PGE2 on TGF‐β1‐treated dermal fibroblasts in terms of collagen production and to determine the regulatory pathways involved, as well as understand the antiscarring function of PGE2 in vivo. We found that PGE2 inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced collagen synthesis by regulating the balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP). It did so by upregulating cAMP through the E prostanoid (EP)2 receptor. We determined that inhibition of the TGF‐β1/Smad pathway by PGE2 is associated with its ability to inhibit collagen synthesis. An in vivo study further confirmed that PGE2 inhibits hypertrophic scar formation by decreasing collagen production. Our results demonstrate that the novel anti‐scarring function of PGE2 is achieved by balancing MMPs/TIMP expression and decreasing collagen production.
GeS2–Ga2S3–LiCl Glass System: Electrical Conductivity and Structural Considerations
Authors: Cozic Solenn , Bréhault Antoine , Le Coq David , Usuki Takeshi
Published: March 2016

Chalcogenide samples were synthesized by melting‐quenching method in the GeS2–Ga2S3–LiCl system to determine its vitreous domain. Different series were investigated by varying either the GeS2/Ga2S3 ratio or the molar content of LiCl. The study allows to establish that a maximum of 20 mol% of LiCl can be added in the glass composition. The glass transition and onset crystallization temperatures (Tg and Tx) and density have been determined and the thermal stability is discussed following the ΔT (Tx–Tg) parameter. The electrical conductivity of glasses increases with the LiCl content and reaches a maximum of 1.2 μS/cm at room temperature. Finally, correlations between the conductivity and the structure analyzed by Raman spectroscopy were highlighted.
Irregular Immigration, Labour Market and Enforcement at the US‐Mexico Border. Evidence from a Time‐Series Analysis (1963–2014)
Authors: Costantino Fabrizio
Published: March 2016

This article provides evidence on irregular immigration to the US from Mexico in the years 1963–2014. It aims to answer to two questions. The first is: how much is irregular immigration responsive to changes in the US labour market? Compared with legal immigration, irregular immigration seems to be more sensitive to short‐run economic cycles as it is not directly regulated by the policies of the destination country. Second, what effect does border enforcement have on irregular immigration? One of the proposals of the recent bill is the construction of a double layer fence on the Southern border. We do not know, however, to what extent a further increase in border security will prevent irregular immigration and at which economic cost. The contribution of this article is dual: first, it provides empirical evidence on irregular immigration to the US Second, it provides evidence about the effect of US border policies on irregular immigration.
Developing an environmental‐education programme using Black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis in Zambia as a case study
Authors: Offord‐Woolley S. , Bamford P. , Desforges R.
Published: March 2016

Environmental education is often recognized as a valuable conservation tool; however, programme managers can face many barriers that reduce the potential for success when implementing an environmental‐education programme. Case studies of environmental‐education programmes, from which other projects can learn lessons and use as an evidence base, can aid the development and implementation of future programmes and help managers overcome these barriers. This paper summarizes the development of ‘Lolesha Luangwa’, a Conservation Education Programme based in North Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and outlines the lessons learned from this case study.
Imminent Entry and the Transition to Multimarket Rivalry in a Laboratory Setting
Authors: Mason Charles F. , Phillips Owen R.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we study the behavior of rivals when there is a known probability of imminent entry. Experimental markets are used to collect data on pre‐ and postentry production when there is an announced time of possible entry; some markets experience entry and other do not. In all preentry markets competition is more intense. Postentry behavior in all markets is more competitive compared to a baseline that had no threat. There is evidence that postentry multimarket contact raises outputs in those markets that did not experience entry, behavior we generally refer to as a conduit effect.
Treatment outcomes and validation of the stopping rule for response to peginterferon in chronic hepatitis B: A Thai nationwide cohort study
Authors: Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai , Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana , Piratvisuth Teerha , Thongsawat Satawat , Sanpajit Theeranun , Chonprasertsuk Soonthorn , Jeamsripong Woramon , Sripariwuth Ekawee , Komolmit Piyawat , Patcharatrakul Tanisa , Boonsirichan Rattana , Bunchorntavakul Chalermrat , Tuntipanichteerakul Supoj , Tanwandee Tawesak ,   for the Thai Association for the Study of the Liver on Chronic Hepatitis B
Published: March 2016

Background and Aims

Peginterferon has demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, its efficacy in real‐life settings remains unclear. We investigated the efficacy of peginterferon for CHB and validated the performance of previously identified response predictors in clinical practice.

Methods

We analyzed prospectively collected data from a Thai nationwide cohort of CHB patients treated with peginterferon alfa‐2a (180 µg/week, 48 weeks).

Results

Among a total of 233 patients, mostly with genotype B or C, sustained response was observed in 23% of 135 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients (HBeAg seroconversion with hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA < 2000 IU/mL) and 42% of 98 HBeAg‐negative patients (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL with aminotransferase normalization) at 24 weeks after treatment. Age, sex, presence of cirrhosis, genotype, and pretreatment levels of aminotransferase, HBV DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were not identified as significant predictors of sustained response. In HBeAg‐positive patients, HBsAg > 20 000 IU/mL at week 12 provided a good stopping rule, with a negative predictive value of 96%. In HBeAg‐negative patients, the performance of 12‐week stopping rules of no decline in HBsAg with a < 2log10 decline in HBV DNA and a < 10% log10 decline in HBsAg showed modest negative predictive values of 80% and 66%, respectively, for achieving sustained response.

Conclusion

Outcomes in CHB patients treated with peginterferon in a clinical setting are similar to those demonstrated in clinical trials. Application of the early stopping rule based on HBsAg quantification may allow individualization of therapy, particularly in HBeAg‐positive patients.
Exhaled gases online measurements for esophageal cancer patients and healthy people by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry
Authors: Zou Xue , Zhou Wenzhao , Lu Yan , Shen Chengyin , Hu Zongtao , Wang Hongzhi , Jiang Haihe , Chu Yannan
Published: March 2016

Background

Esophageal cancer is a prevalent malignancy. There is a considerable demand for developing a fast and noninvasive method to screen out the suspect esophageal cancer patients who may undergo further clinical diagnosis.

Methods

The exhaled breathes from 29 esophageal cancer patients and 57 healthy people were directly measured using our home‐made proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR‐MS). Mann‐Whitney U test and stepwise discriminant analysis were applied to identify the ions in the breath mass spectral data which can distinguish cancer cohort from healthy group. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was also performed.

Results

Seven kinds of ions in the breath mass spectrum, viz., m/z 136, m/z 34, m/z 63, m/z 27, m/z 95, m/z 107 and m/z 45, have been found to distinguish between the esophageal cancer patients and healthy people with a sensitivity of 86.2% and a specificity of 89.5%, respectively. Compared with that from the healthy people, the breath mass spectra from esophageal cancer patients show that the mediant intensities of five kinds of ions were decrease and the rest two kinds of ions were increase. ROC analysis gave the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.943.

Conclusions

This pilot study shows that the ionic characteristics of exhaled VOCs detected by PTR‐MS may be used to differentiate between the esophageal cancer patients and the healthy people. Although the breath tests for more patients are needed to confirm such results, the present work indicates that the PTR‐MS may be a promising method in the esophageal cancer screening.
Long‐Run Consumption Risk and Asset Allocation under Recursive Utility and Rational Inattention
Authors: LUO YULEI , YOUNG ERIC R.
Published: March 2016

We study the portfolio decision of a household with limited information‐processing capacity (rational inattention [RI]) in a setting with recursive utility. We find that RI combined with a preference for early resolution of uncertainty could lead to a significant drop in the share of portfolios held in risky assets, even when the departure from the standard expected utility setting with full‐information rational expectations is small. In addition, we show that the equilibrium equity premium increases with the degree of inattention because inattentive investors with recursive utility face greater long‐run risk and thus require higher compensation in equilibrium.
Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species in the Netherlands and the Occurrence of Atypical Myopathy in Horses
Authors: Westermann C.M. , van Leeuwen R. , van Raamsdonk L.W.D. , Mol H.G.J.
Published: March 2016

Background

Atypical myopathy (AM) in horses is caused by the plant toxin hypoglycin A, which in Europe typically is found in the sycamore maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus). Owners are concerned about whether their horses are in danger if they graze near maple trees.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To measure hypoglycin A in the most common maple tree species in the Netherlands, and to determine whether concentration of toxin is a predictor of AM in horses.

Methods

A total of 278 samples of maple tree leaves, sprouts, and seeds were classified by species. Mean concentrations of hypoglycin A were compared for the type of sample, the season and the occurrence of AM in the pasture (non‐AM versus AM). Statistical analysis was performed using generalized a linear model (SPPS22).

Results

Almost all Acer pseudoplatanus samples contained hypoglycin A, with concentrations differing significantly among sources (P < .001). Concentrations were significantly higher in seeds from the AM group than in seeds from the non‐AM group (856 ± 677 and 456 ± 358 mg/kg, respectively; P = .039). In sprouts and leaves this was not the case. Acer platanoides and Acer campestre samples did not contain detectable concentrations of hypoglycin A.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Acer platanoides and campestre seem to be safe around paddocks and pastures, whereas almost all Acer pseudoplatanus samples contained hypoglycin A. In all AM cases, Acer pseudoplatanus was found. Despite significantly higher concentration of hypoglycin A in seeds of pastures where AM has occurred, individual prediction of AM cannot be made by measuring these concentrations because of the high standard deviation.
Rewarded visual items capture attention only in heterogeneous contexts
Authors: Feldmann‐Wüstefeld Tobias , Brandhofer Ruben , Schubö Anna
Published: March 2016

Reward is known to affect visual search performance. Rewarding targets can increase search performance, whereas rewarding distractors can decrease search performance. We used subcomponents of the N2pc in the event‐related EEG, the NT (target negativity) and ND/PD (distractor negativity/positivity), in a visual search task to disentangle target and distractor processing related to reward. The visual search task comprised homogeneous and heterogeneous contexts in which a target and a colored distractor were embedded. After each correct trial, participants were given a monetary reward that depended on the color of the distractor. We found longer response times for displays with high‐reward distractors compared to displays with low‐reward distractors, indicating reward‐induced interference, however, only for heterogeneous contexts. The NT component, indicative of attention deployment to the target, showed that target selection was impaired by high‐reward distractors, regardless of the context homogeneity. Processing of distractors was not affected by reward in homogeneous contexts. In heterogeneous contexts, however, high‐reward distractors were more likely to capture attention (ND) and required more effort to be suppressed (PD) than low‐reward distractors. In sum the results showed that, despite the fact that target selection is impaired by high‐reward distractors in both homogeneous and heterogeneous background contexts, high‐reward distractors capture attention only in scenarios that foster attentional capture.
Factors associated with radiologic progression of non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis during long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Park Jisoo , Kim Sejoong , Lee Yeon Joo , Park Jong Sun , Cho Young‐Jae , Yoon Ho Il , Lee Kyoung‐won , Lee Choon‐Taek , Lee Jae Ho
Published: March 2016

Background and objective

Non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is a chronic airway inflammatory disease, exhibiting a diverse array of clinical courses. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that predict radiologic progression of non‐CF bronchiectasis during a long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

We reviewed the electronic medical records that included pulmonary function test data from non‐CF bronchiectasis patients, who were older than 18 years of age with a follow‐up of computerized tomography for more than 5 years. The original Bhalla score was used to determine the radiologic severity of non‐CF bronchiectasis.

Results

A total of 155 patients (mean age, 59.6 years; male, 45.2%) were included for the final analysis. The mean follow up time was 7.11 ± 1.42 (5–10) years. The baseline Bhalla score was 9.52 ± 3.14 (4–19), and the change of Bhalla score was 0.55 ± 1.14 (−2 to 5). The Bhalla score was increased in 56 patients (36.1%) but not in 99 patients (63.9%). The Bhalla score change was significantly associated with the age at diagnosis (p = 0.037), body mass index (BMI, p = 0.012), chronic infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p = 0.005) or isolation of nontuberculous mycobacterium (p = 0.042) in respiratory specimens. In a multivariate analysis, BMI and isolation of P. aeruginosa were significantly related with the Bhalla score change.

Conclusion

The radiologic progression of non‐CF bronchiectasis was associated with lower BMI and isolation of P. aeruginosa in respiratory specimens.
Global Envelope Tests for Spatial Processes
Authors: Myllymäki Mari , Mrkvička Tomáš , Grabarnik Pavel , Seijo Henri , Hahn Ute
Published: March 2016

Envelope tests are a popular tool in spatial statistics, where they are used in goodness-of-fit testing. These tests graphically compare an empirical function T(r) with its simulated counterparts from the null model. However, the type I error probability α is conventionally controlled for a fixed distance r only, whereas the functions are inspected on an interval of distances I. In this study, we propose two approaches related to Barnard's Monte Carlo test for building global envelope tests on I: ordering the empirical and simulated functions on the basis of their r-wise ranks among each other, and the construction of envelopes for a deviation test. These new tests allow the a priori choice of the global α and they yield p-values. We illustrate these tests by using simulated and real point pattern data.
Head Adjacency and the Danish Dative Alternation
Authors: Kizach Johannes , Vikner Sten
Published: March 2016

The production of the Danish dative alternation is investigated in a corpus study, which shows that animacy, definiteness, pronominality and length all influence word order. The study demonstrates, however, that definiteness and animacy have a weaker influence than pronominality and length. Two subsequent behavioural experiments investigate whether length had an impact on comprehension. A rating experiment showed no significant difference between short‐before‐long and long‐before‐short orders. A speeded acceptability judgment experiment showed a reaction time difference between the same two orders iff the length difference is two words. To account for the absence of such a difference when the length difference is four words, we suggest that the increased predictability of the second DP reduces the cost of having a long argument before a short one.
Use of non‐irradiated blood components in Campath (alemtuzumab)‐treated renal transplant patients
Authors: Hui Y. M. T. , Regan F. , Willecombe M. , Taube D.
Published: March 2016

Background

The prevention of transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease (TA‐GvHD) through the irradiation of components is key as there is no effective treatment. Universal leucodepletion reduces but may not eliminate TA‐GvHD; therefore, irradiation is still recommended. In 2010, Campath (alemtuzumab) was added as an indication for irradiation but was not implemented everywhere.

Objectives

To identify any cases of TA‐GvHD in our Campath‐conditioned renal transplant patients, who were transfused with non‐irradiated components.

Methods

Retrospective study of Campath‐conditioned renal transplant patients transfused with non‐irradiated components. In those transfused up to 9 months following Campath who survived to 1‐year follow‐up, TA‐GvHD was excluded. For patients not followed‐up for a full year, we reviewed medical records for features of TA‐GvHD. For patients transfused after 9 months following Campath, survival of at least 3 months following last transfusion excluded TA‐GvHD.

Results

Six hundred and forty‐seven Campath‐conditioned renal transplant patients were transfused; 616 were transfused within 9 months following Campath; 601 were alive at 1 year, excluding TA‐GvHD. Twelve died and three were not followed‐up for a full year, but a review of medical records excluded TA‐GvHD. The 31 patients transfused 9 months or longer following Campath were all alive 6 months following the last transfusion, excluding TA‐GvHD.

Conclusions

Despite receiving non‐irradiated components, none of the 647 Campath‐conditioned renal transplant patients developed TA‐GvHD. Further reviews to replicate our data could enable change to guidance, at least in UK where components are leucodepleted, as an unnecessary requirement for irradiated components has both clinical delay and cost implications.
Tensile Yield Strength of a Material Preprocessed by Simple Shear
Authors: Chen Cai , Beygelzimer Yan , Toth Laszlo S. , Estrin Yuri , Kulagin Roman
Published: March 2016

Modern techniques of severe plastic deformation (SPD) used as a means for grain refinement in metallic materials rely on simple shear as the main deformation mode. Prediction of the mechanical properties of the processed materials under tensile loading is a formidable task as commonly no universal, strain path independent constitutive laws are available. In this paper, we derive an analytical relation that makes it possible to predict the mechanical response to uniaxial tensile loading for a material that has been preprocessed by simple shear and, as a result, has developed a linear strain gradient. A facile recipe for mechanical tests on solid bars required for this prediction to be made is proposed. As a trial, it has been exercised for the case of commercial purity copper rods. The method proposed is recommended for design with metallic materials that underwent preprocessing by simple shear.
A study of the occurrence of supercooling of water
Authors: Tan Kah-Chye , Ho Wenxian , Katz J. I. , Feng Shi-Jiang
Published: March 2016

Supercooling of water can be easily studied with a simple apparatus suitable for the student laboratory. We describe such an apparatus and its capabilities. The parameters influencing supercooling include the initial water temperature, as well as the type and temperature of the chilling medium. We correlate the occurrence of supercooling with the ability of the chilling medium to promptly nucleate ice; if it nucleates promptly, the layer of ice crystals formed on the boundary will initiate freezing of the bulk water without supercooling. If the chilling medium is unable to nucleate ice promptly, ice nucleation is delayed and the water supercools. Students can study and compare supercooling of distilled and natural water. Even quite dirty river water may be supercooled by as much as 5 °C.
Player Load in Elite Netball: Match, Training, and Positional Comparisons
Authors: Young Christopher M. , Gastin Paul B. , Sanders Nick , Mackey Luke , Dwyer Dan B.
Published: March 2016

Context:

The activity profile of competition and training in elite netball has not been comprehensively reported in the literature.

Purpose:

To measure and analyze player load in elite netballers during matches and training sessions. The primary research question was, How does player load vary between playing positions in a match and between matches and training sessions?

Methods:

Various measures of player load were recorded in 12 elite professional netballers with a mean ± SD age of 26 ± 4.9 y and height of 183.2 ± 8.7 cm. Player load was assessed using a published method that uses accelerometry. Load was represented as total load in arbitrary units (au), playing intensity (au/min), and relative time spent in each of 4 playing intensity zones (low, low to moderate, moderate, and high). Data from 15 games and up to 17 training sessions were analyzed for each player.

Results:

Player load in matches for the goal-based positions (goal shooter, goal keeper, and goal defense) tended to be lower than the attacking and wing-based positions (goal attack, wing attack, wing defense, and center). The difference was largely due to the amount of time spent in low-intensity activity. Playing intensity of matches was greater than in training sessions; however, the total time spent in moderate- to high-intensity activities was not practically different.

Conclusions:

Accelerometry is a valuable method of measuring player load in netball, and the present results provide new information about the activity profile of different playing positions.
Movement and Physiological Demands of Australasian National Rugby League Referees
Authors: Brightmore Amy , O’Hara John , Till Kevin , Cobley Steve , Hubka Tate , Emmonds Stacey , Cooke Carlton
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the movement and physiological demands of Australasian National Rugby League (NRL) referees, officiating with a 2-referee (ie, lead and pocket) system, and to compare the demands of the lead and pocket referees.

Methods:

Global positioning system devices (10 Hz) were used to obtain 86 data sets (lead, n = 41; pocket, n = 45) on 19 NRL referees. Total distance, relative distance covered, and heart rate per half and across match play were examined within and between referees using t tests. Distance, time, and number of movement “efforts” were examined in 6 velocity classifications (ie, standing <0.5, walking 0.51–2.0, jogging 2.01–4.0, running 4.01–5.5, high-speed running 5.51–7.0, and sprinting >7.0 m/s) using analysis of variance. Cohen d effect sizes are reported.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the lead and pocket referees for any movement or physiological variable. There was an overall significant (large, very large) effect for distance (% distance) and time (% time) (P < .001) between velocity classifications for both the lead and pocket referees. Both roles covered the largest distance and number of efforts at velocities of 0.51–2.0 m/s and 2.01–4.0 m/s, which were interspersed with efforts >5.51 m/s.

Conclusions:

Findings highlight the intermittent nature of rugby league refereeing but show that there were no differences in the movement and physiological demands of the 2 refereeing roles. Findings are valuable for those responsible for the preparation, training, and conditioning of NRL referees and to ensure that training prepares for and simulates match demands.
Solutions of the Schrödinger equation for pseudo-Coulomb potential plus a new improved ring-shaped potential in the cosmic string space–time
Authors: Ikot Akpan N. , Abbey Tamunoimi M. , Chukwuocha Ephraim O. , Onyeaju Michael C.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we obtain the bound state energy eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenfunctions of the Schrödinger equation for the pseudo-Coulomb potential plus a new improved ring-shaped potential within the framework of cosmic string space–time using the generalized parametric Nikiforov–Uvarov method. Our results are in good agreement with other works in the cosmic string space–time and reduced to those in the Minkowski space–time when α = 1.
Sustaining a Social Enterprise: Palash Eye Hospital
Authors: Chatterjee Debabrata , Krishnan T.N. , Tandon Ankita
Published: March 2016

Palash Eye Hospital was established with the aim of providing free eye care to the poor and affordable treatment to individuals with paying capacity in Calicut district of the State of Kerala in Southern India. Starting as the only specialty eye hospital of its kind in 1999, the hospital had grown over the last 10 years. It was operated on a cross-subsidy model where revenues from paid services were used for providing free treatment and funding expansion plans. The hospital was being managed by Palash Eye Care Trust while its community outreach activities were being handled by Palash Eye Care Society.

With the entry of new commercial eye hospitals in the region, the hospital was facing competition for skilled resources and was falling behind on efficiency. The growth of the hospital was not accompanied with a corresponding development of structures and processes. The hospital was being run on the basis of informal relationships which could not be depended upon to manage a growing enterprise. Administrative control of the hospital lay in the hands of the Trust and Society members and was not shared with the medical staff. This had resulted in dissatisfaction on the part of doctors who wanted to be involved in the hospital administration in order to professionalize and increase hospital efficiency.

Consequently, a conflict of interests emerged between the Trust and Society members on the one hand and the doctors on the other. Lack of established operating processes, career growth avenues, and reward and recognition systems was also creating discontent among the paramedical staff. At the same time, the failing health of the founder chairman was not allowing him to be actively involved in the hospital activities. Being a member of both the Trust and the Society, he was managing the interests of both groups in the hospital. In view of his decreased role, the problem of developing new interlocking mechanisms between the Trust and the Society was surfacing.
MicroPort Scientific: An Odyssey Starting with Coronary Stents
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xu Leiping , Hang Hongli
Published: March 2016

With the aim of illustrating an innovation model in an emerging market, this case summarizes the successful launch of drug-eluting stents at MicroPort and the development of innovation capabilities and culture within the company. The case also demonstrates a strategic dilemma after one round of effective technology innovation and, more important, the role of understanding the value system related to health care in sustaining innovation.
Mamma Mia! Made in China — Challenges in Developing the Musical Industry
Authors: Tsai Terence , Liu Shubo
Published: March 2016

This case is about how United Asia Live Entertainment Co. Ltd. (United Asia), a real Chinese production and marketing company and a commercial arm of the Ministry of Culture, localized a popular global product, Mamma Mia!, to compete with other international and local firms during the period when the Government was pushing the reform of the cultural industry.

Mamma Mia! is the first-ever Western musical without roots in the Chinese culture, being presented in Chinese (Mandarin) by an entire Chinese cast in China. United Asia staged the translated version with the creative team of the original musical. This case describes how United Asia faced and overcame many obstacles, including talent shortage, uncertain customer expectations and immature industrial clusters while it was preparing for the first show. The production turned out to be a big success. Although United Asia planned to launch more Western musicals in Chinese, the company aspired to go beyond introducing only copyrighted musicals and to create original musicals. This case leads to the reflection and discussion on what the company, as a groundbreaker in China’s new musical industry, should do next and how to sustain its competitive advantages.
GranuLab: Strategies for Growth
Authors: Adham Khairul Akmaliah , Said Mohd Fuaad , Sarkam Saida Farhanah , Sa’adah Muhamad Nur
Published: March 2016

GranuLab Sdn. Bhd. (GranuLab) was in the business of manufacturing patented synthetic bone graft substitute made from limestones and pure chemicals called GranuMaS. The bone graft substitute industry in Malaysia was a growing market with many large multinational players. In December 2010, the company began selling GranuMaS to several Malaysian hospitals. It had also completed the construction of its new production facility in Shah Alam, about 30 km from Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur. With the facility’s pending operation in January 2011, the company had to find ways to leverage its high-volume production capacity. GranuLab’s approval for the CE Mark certification for GranuMaS’ exporting as well as the ISO certification to operate as an OEM contract manufacturing provider were still pending. Therefore, it was unable to export GranuMaS to Europe and other international markets, forcing the company to restrict its sales within Malaysia. Each day, the need to bring in revenue from sales of GranuMaS was mounting for Mr. Romli Ishak, the Managing Director of GranuLab particularly with the manufacturing facility due to begin its operation soon. Mr. Romli and his management team began to ponder on the appropriate strategies to adopt in order to achieve the company’s objective of high profitability. This teaching case is designed to stimulate discussion regarding strategic posturing of a young medical device company with aspirations for high growth.
Byzantine Agreement in Expected Polynomial Time
Authors: King Valerie , Saia Jared
Published: March 2016

We address the problem of Byzantine agreement, to bring processors to agreement on a bit in the presence of a
strong
adversary. This adversary has full information of the state of all processors, the ability to control message scheduling in an asynchronous model, and the ability to control the behavior of a constant fraction of processors that it may choose to corrupt adaptively.

In 1983, Ben-Or proposed an algorithm for solving this problem with expected exponential communication time. In this article, we improve that result to require expected polynomial communication time and computation time. Like Ben-Or’s algorithm, our algorithm uses coinflips from individual processors to repeatedly try to generate a fair global coin. We introduce a method that uses spectral analysis to identify processors that have thwarted this goal by flipping biased coins.