bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of early vs. late autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma
Authors: Pandya Chintan , Hashmi Shahrukh , Khera Nandita , Gertz Morie A. , Dispenzieri Angela , Hogan William , Siddiqui Mustaqeem , Noyes Katia , Kumar Shaji K.
Published: July 2014

Background

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the current standard of care for most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who are transplant eligible, yet the timing ofASCTis disputed due to a similar overall (OS) and progression‐free survival with an earlyASCT(eASCT) or a delayedASCT(dASCT) approach.

Objective

We developed a decision analytic model to perform cost‐effectiveness analysis of the two commonly used treatment strategies forMM.

Methods

Data on disease progression and treatment effectiveness came from 2001 to 2008 cohort treated at the Mayo Clinic and from published studies. Cost analysis was performed from a third‐party payer perspective.

Results

The Consumer Price Index adjusted 2012 costs ofeASCTanddASCTwere $249 236 and $262 610, respectively.eASCTcohort had a benefit of 1.96 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), 0.23 QALYs more thandASCT, implying thateASCTis preferred (dominant) overdASCT. The most critical variables in one‐way sensitivity analysis were treatment‐related mortality and OS associated witheASCTstrategy.

Conclusions

We conclude thateASCTcould potentially be a relatively cost‐effective treatment option for appropriate patients with MM, and these results would help patients, providers, and payers in decision making for timing of ASCT.
Dorsal muscle group area and surgical outcomes in liver transplantation
Authors: Lee Christopher S. , Cron David C. , Terjimanian Michael N. , Canvasser Leah D. , Mazurek Alyssa A. , Vonfoerster Ellen , Tishberg Lindsay M. , Underwood Patrick W. , Chang Eric T. , Wang Stewart C. , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Englesbe Michael J.
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Better measures of liver transplant risk stratification are needed. Our previous work noted a strong relationship between psoas muscle area and survival following liver transplantation. The dorsal muscle group is easier to measure, but it is unclear if they are also correlated with surgical outcomes.

Methods

Our study population included liver transplant recipients with a preoperative CT scan. Cross‐sectional areas of the dorsal muscle group at the T12 vertebral level were measured. The primary outcomes for this study were one‐ and five‐yr mortality and one‐yr complications. The relationship between dorsal muscle group area and post‐transplantation outcome was assessed using univariate and multivariate techniques.

Results

Dorsal muscle group area measurements were strongly associated with psoas area (r = 0.72; p < 0.001). Postoperative outcome was observed from 325 patients. Multivariate logistic regression revealed dorsal muscle group area to be a significant predictor of one‐yr mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53, p = 0.001), five‐yr mortality (OR = 0.53, p < 0.001), and one‐yr complications (OR = 0.67, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Larger dorsal muscle group muscle size is associated with improved post‐transplantation outcomes. The muscle is easier to measure and may represent a clinically relevant postoperative risk factor.
The N400 and the fourth grade shift
Authors: Coch Donna
Published: July 2014

While behavioral and educational data characterize a fourth grade shift in reading development, neuroscience evidence is relatively lacking. We used the N400 component of the event‐related potential waveform to investigate the development of single word processing across the upper elementary years, in comparison to adult readers. We presented third graders, fourth graders, fifth graders, and college students with a well‐controlled list of real words, pseudowords, letter strings, false font strings, and animal name targets. Words and pseudowords elicited similar N400s across groups. False font strings elicited N400s similar to words and letter strings in the three groups of children, but not in college students. The pattern of findings suggests relatively adult‐like semantic and phonological processing by third grade, but a long developmental time course, beyond fifth grade, for orthographic processing in this context. Thus, the amplitude of the N400 elicited by various word‐like stimuli does not reflect some sort of shift or discontinuity in word processing around the fourth grade. However, the results do suggest different developmental time courses for the processes that contribute to automatic single word reading and the integrative N400.
Introduced northern pike consumption of salmonids in Southcentral Alaska
Authors: Sepulveda Adam J. , Rutz David S. , Dupuis Aaron W. , Shields Patrick A. , Dunker Kristine J.
Published: July 2014

The impacts of introduced northern pike (Esox lucius) on salmonid populations have attracted much attention because salmonids are popular subsistence, sport and commercial fish. Concern over the predatory effects of introduced pike on salmonids is especially high in Southcentral Alaska, where pike were illegally introduced to the Susitna River basin in the 1950s. We used pike abundance, growth, and diet estimates and bioenergetics models to characterise the realised and potential consumptive impacts that introduced pike (age 2 and older) have on salmonids in Alexander Creek, a tributary to the Susitna River. We found that juvenile salmonids were the dominant prey item in pike diets and that pike could consume up to 1.10 metric tons (realised consumption) and 1.66 metric tons (potential consumption) of juvenile salmonids in a summer. Age 3–4 pike had the highest per capita consumption of juvenile salmonids, and age 2 and age 3–4 pike had the highest overall consumption of juvenile salmonid biomass. Using historical data on Chinook salmon and pike potential consumption of juvenile salmonids, we found that pike consumption of juvenile salmonids may lead to collapsed salmon stocks in Alexander Creek. Taken together, our results indicate that pike consume a substantial biomass of juvenile salmonids in Alexander Creek and that coexistence of pike and salmon is unlikely without management actions to reduce or eliminate introduced pike.
Changes in students' perceptions of their dental education environment
Authors: Kang I. , Foster Page L. A. , Anderson V. R. , Thomson W. M. , Broadbent J. M.
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To examine the ‘Expected’ and ‘Actual’ educational environment experienced by a cohort of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students at the University of Otago's Faculty of Dentistry using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM).

Methods

Cohort members were asked to complete five DREEM surveys over the four‐year BDS programme. Student expectations at the beginning of their first year were assessed using a modified version of the DREEM questionnaire, while following (standard) DREEM questionnaires at the end of each professional year addressed students' ‘Actual’ perception of the educational environment.

Results

Sixty‐six students (99%) completed at least one questionnaire. Overall, the BDS students' perceptions of their educational environment tended to be positive and students identified both perceived strengths and weaknesses in the BDS programme. However, more negative than positive shifts were reported between the ‘Expected’ and ‘Actual’ individual DREEM individual items, suggesting that BDS students initially expected more from their educational environment than they actually experienced. Individual DREEM outcomes undergoing negative and positive shifts differed over the years and varied in number. These may be explained, in part, by changes in the curriculum focus from year to year.

Conclusion

The students' changing DREEM responses over time revealed anticipated and perceived strengths and weaknesses of the BDS curriculum, as well as shifts in students' perceptions in response to curricular changes. However, our findings highlight the potential usefulness for dental education of a measure for use that takes the unique aspects of the dental education environment into account.
Activation‐induced cytidine deaminase regulates activity‐dependent BDNF expression in post‐mitotic cortical neurons
Authors: Ratnu Vikram S. , Wei Wei , Bredy Timothy W.
Published: July 2014

Activity‐dependent gene expression depends, in part, on transcriptional regulation that is coordinated by rapid changes in the chromatin landscape as well as the covalent modification of DNA. Here we demonstrate that the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a gene that is critically involved in neural plasticity and subject to epigenetic regulation, is regulated by the RNA/DNA editing enzyme, activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID). Similar to previous reports, we observed an activity‐dependent induction of BDNF exon IV mRNA expression, which correlated with a reduction in DNA methylation within the BDNF P4 promoter. Lentiviral‐mediated knockdown of AID disrupted these effects and inhibited BDNF exon IV mRNA expression, an effect that was associated with decreased cAMP response element‐binding protein occupancy within the BDNF P4 promoter. Thus, together with other epigenetic mechanisms, AID plays a key role in regulating activity‐dependent BDNF expression in post‐mitotic cortical neurons.
The intrinsically disordered structural platform of the plant defence hub protein RPM1‐interacting protein 4 provides insights into its mode of action in the host‐pathogen interface and evolution of the nitrate‐induced domain protein family
Authors: Sun Xiaolin , Greenwood David R. , Templeton Matthew D. , Libich David S. , McGhie Tony K. , Xue Bin , Yoon Minsoo , Cui Wei , Kirk Christopher A. , Jones William T. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Rikkerink Erik H. A.
Published: July 2014

Arabidopsis thaliana (At) RPM1‐interacting protein 4 (RIN4), targeted by many defence‐suppressing bacterial type III effectors and monitored by several resistance proteins, regulates plant immune responses to pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and type III effectors. Little is known about the overall protein structure of AtRIN4, especially in its unbound form, and the relevance of structure to its diverse biological functions. AtRIN4 contains two nitrate‐induced (NOI) domains and is a member of the NOI family. Using experimental and bioinformatic approaches, we demonstrate that the unbound AtRIN4 is intrinsically disordered under physiological conditions. The intrinsically disordered polypeptide chain of AtRIN4 is interspersed with molecular recognition features (MoRFs) and anchor‐identified long‐binding regions, potentially allowing it to undergo disorder‐to‐order transitions upon binding to partner(s). A poly‐l‐proline II structure, often responsible for protein recognition, is also identified in AtRIN4. By performing bioinformatics analyses on RIN4 homologues from different plant species and the NOI proteins from Arabidopsis, we infer the conservation of intrinsic disorder, MoRFs and long‐binding regions of AtRIN4 in other plant species and the NOI family. Intrinsic disorder and MoRFs could provide RIN4 proteins with the binding promiscuity and plasticity required to act as hubs in a pivotal position within plant defence signalling cascades.
The Declining Role of NASDAQ Market Makers
Authors: Egginton Jared
Published: July 2014

We compare the liquidity providing behavior of NASDAQ market makers in 2010 to their behavior in 2004. We examine how frequently market makers are at the inside quote, what market and stock specific factors influence market makers’ behavior, and the relation between market maker participation and intraday bid‐ask spread patterns. We observe a decrease in the percent of the trading day dealers’ quote at the inside, a decline in the number of market makers, and a decrease in the influence market makers have on intraday spread patterns. The results suggest that the role of NASDAQ market makers declines over time.
Order Flows and Stock Returns: Compensation for Market Makers with Inventory Concerns
Authors: Kang Moonsoo , Lee Bong‐Soo
Published: July 2014

We investigate whether market makers with inventory concerns are compensated with subsequent monthly returns in the cross‐section. We find a significant negative relation between order flows and monthly returns, “the order flow effect,” suggesting that market makers lower prices for stocks with sell order flows and demand a reward in the form of higher expected returns. Further, the order flow effect is stronger for high‐volatility or high‐volume stocks for which market makers have serious inventory concerns. Funding liquidity of market makers also affects the order flow effect. Finally, our finding is independent of existing regularities and robust to the decimalization.
The Flash Crash: Trading Aggressiveness, Liquidity Supply, and the Impact of Intermarket Sweep Orders
Authors: McInish Tom , Upson James , Wood Robert A.
Published: July 2014

During the Flash Crash on May 6, 2010, a short period of high stock market volatility, some stock prices declined to $0.01, while others increased to $100,000. Examining Intermarket Sweep Orders (ISOs) before, on, and after May 6, we find that ISO use is substantially higher on May 6. For those stocks whose prices fell the most, over 65% of the sell volume comes from ISOs. During the price recovery period for these stocks, about 53% of the buy volume comes from ISOs. We believe that the unusual behavior of ISOs contributed to the sudden drop and recovery of the market.
Patient data meta‐analysis of Post‐Authorization Safety Surveillance (PASS) studies of haemophilia A patients treated with rAHF‐PFM
Authors: Iorio A. , Marcucci M. , Cheng J. , Oldenburg J. , Schoenig‐Diesing C. , Matovinovic E. , Romanov V. , Thabane L.
Published: July 2014

A Post‐Authorization Safety Study (PASS) global program was designed to assess safety and effectiveness of rAHF‐PFM (ADVATE) use in haemophilia patients in routine clinical settings. The main aim of this project was to estimate the rate of inhibitors and other adverse events across ADVATE‐PASS studies by meta‐analysing individual patient data (IPD). Eligible Studies: PASS studies conducted in different countries, between 2003 and 2013, for which IPD were provided. Eligible patients: haemophilia A patients with baseline FVIII:C < 5%, with a known number of prior exposure days (EDs). Primary outcome: de novo inhibitors in severe, previously treated patients (PTPs) with > 150 EDs. Secondary outcomes: de novo inhibitors according to prior exposure and disease severity; other adverse events; annualized bleeding rate (ABR). Analysis: random‐effects logistic regression. Five of seven registered ADVATE‐PASS (Australia, Europe, Japan, Italy and USA) and 1188 patients were included (median follow‐up 384 days). Among severe PTPs with > 150 EDs, 1/669 developed de novo inhibitors (1.5 per 1000; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2, 10.6 per 1000). Among all patients included in the PASS studies, 21 developed any type of inhibitors (2.0%, 95% CI: 0.8%, 4.7%). Less than 1% of patients presented with other serious adverse events possibly related to ADVATE. The overall median ABR was 3.83 bleeds/year (first, third quartiles: 0.60, 12.90); 1.66 (0, 4.78) in the 557 patients continuously on prophylaxis ≥ twice/week. Meta‐analysing PASS data from different countries confirmed the overall favourable safety and effectiveness profile of ADVATE in routine clinical settings.
Immunohistochemical application of a highly sensitive and specific murine monoclonal antibody recognising the extracellular domain of the human hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET)
Authors: Gruver Aaron M , Liu Ling , Vaillancourt Peter , Yan Sau‐Chi B , Cook Joel D , Roseberry Baker Jessica A , Felke Erin M , Lacy Megan E , Marchal Christophe C , Szpurka Hadrian , Holzer Timothy R. , Rhoads Emily K , Zeng Wei , Wortinger Mark A , Lu Jirong , Chow Chi‐kin , Denning Irene J , Beuerlein Gregory , Davies Julian , Hanson Jeff C , Credille Kelly M , Wijayawardana Sameera R , Schade Andrew E
Published: July 2014

Aims

Development of novel targeted therapies directed against hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or its receptor (MET) necessitates the availability of quality diagnostics to facilitate their safe and effective use. Limitations of some commercially available anti‐MET antibodies have prompted development of the highly sensitive and specific clone A2H2‐3. Here we report its analytical properties when applied by an automated immunohistochemistry method.

Methods and results

Excellent antibody specificity was demonstrated by immunoblot, ELISA, and IHC evaluation of characterised cell lines including NIH3T3 overexpressing the related kinase MST1R (RON). Sensitivity was confirmed by measurements of MET in cell lines or characterised tissues. IHC correlated well with FISH and quantitative RT‐PCR assessments of MET (P < 0.001). Good total agreement (89%) was observed with the anti‐MET antibody clone SP44 using whole‐tissue sections, but poor positive agreement (21–47%) was seen in tissue microarray cores. Multiple lots displayed appropriate reproducibility (R2 > 0.9). Prevalence of MET positivity by IHC was higher in non‐squamous cell NSCLC, MET or EGFR amplified cases, and in tumours harbouring abnormalities in EGFR exon 19 or 21.

Conclusions

The anti‐MET antibody clone A2H2‐3 displays excellent specificity and sensitivity. These properties make it suitable for clinical trial investigations and development as a potential companion diagnostic.
Protein Secondary Structure Changes of Watermelon Juice Treated with High Hydrostatic Pressure by FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Qing , Wang Ru‐Fu , Zhang Bo‐Bo , Zhao Xiao‐Yan , Wang Dan , Zhang Chao
Published: July 2014

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is rich in nutrients, such as lycopene, ascorbic acid and amino acids. It also has effect on thirst quenching, diuretic action and lowering the blood pressure. Traditional thermal sterilization will destroy the active ingredient of watermelon juice and lead to an odd smell, which seriously affects the sensory juice quality and the acceptability of consumers. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), a nonthermal processing technology, can realize food sterilization process at room temperature or lower temperature. This study aims to study the HHP effect on protein secondary structure of watermelon juice. Crude protein of the treatment group was extracted after the HPP device treatment. Different degree, time, temperature and interval frequency of HHP were imposed on the watermelon juice protein, followed by characterization of the protein secondary structure of watermelon juice by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The absorption of protein in watermelon juice decreased with the pressure of higher degree, longer time, higher temperature and more interval frequency. The α‐helix content became lower after treatment; and β‐sheet level was decreased while random coil increased after 400 MPa treatments for 20, 40 and 60 min compared with control. The trends of β‐turn values changed variously in different treatment groups. HHP treatment can change the secondary structures of proteins and affect the content of α‐helix with higher degree of HHP, longer time, higher temperature and more interval frequency.

Practical Applications

This study pays attention on the proper sterilization for watermelon juice products. HHP treatment on watermelon juice at a condition of 400 MPa, 30C for twice interval of 10 min may be the best choice. Under this condition, HHP treatment performs better inactivation effects on endogenous enzymes and lead to relatively less adverse effects on flavor of products.
Nonenzymatic Browning Criteria to Sea Buckthorn Juice during Thermal Processing
Authors: Xu Honggao , Hao Qinfeng , Yuan Fang , Gao Yanxiang
Published: July 2014

Nonenzymatic browning reaction is responsible for color and quality changes of fruit juices during thermal processing, and reasonable criteria are crucially important for establishing good manufacturing practice. The nonenzymatic browning criteria of thermally treated sea buckthorn juice from 90 to 120C, i.e., the absorbance at 420 nm (A420nm) and color difference (ΔE*), were investigated. The values of L*, a*, b* and the content of ascorbic acid of sea buckthorn juice during thermal treatment could be fitted to first‐order kinetics, while the formation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) followed a zero‐order kinetics. The changes of ΔE* and A420nm could be estimated by integrated models. The thermal processing parameters for sea buckthorn juice were optimized using kinetic models with low level of 5‐HMF and high content of ascorbic acid, and it was found that the thermal processing should be performed at 110C for 0.585 min. Estimation of the activation energy showed that A420nm could be a reasonable indicator for evaluating the nonenzymatic browning of thermally processed sea buckthorn juice from 90 to 110C and ΔE* could be a valuable index at 120C.

Practical Applications

For fruit juice (puree) processing, optimal parameters are critically important to manufacture products with high quality. During thermal processing, vitamin C degradation, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural accumulation and nonenzymatic browning occur simultaneously. The high quality includes the high vitamin content, the favorable appearance, the smallest color difference between raw material and final product, etc. This article discussed color changes of sea buckthorn juice, a superfruit juice specialized in high vitamin C content and low pH value, during thermal sterilization. Absorbance at 420 nm (A420nm) and color differences (ΔE*), two indicators in controlling nonenzymatic browning during juice processing, were evaluated with kinetic models and used to optimize the thermal processing. Furthermore, the activation energy calculation of A420nm and ΔE* revealed the reasonable criteria on juice quality controlling. All the quality control criteria in this paper showed a guideline of quality control in practical juice manufacturing.
New Cause of Spoilage in San Daniele Dry Cured Ham
Authors: Comi Giuseppe , Manzano Marisa , Brichese Romina , Iacumin Lucilla
Published: July 2014

The aim of this work was to investigate the microorganisms and their metabolites that caused the off‐flavour and off‐odor in a lot of San Daniele dry cured ham. The defect was observed using the “needle probing” technique, and the products affected by this defect have been classified in the lowest quality category and have been removed from the San Daniele dry cured ham Protected Denomination of Origin system. A group of molds including Penicillium chrysogenum, P. viridicatum, P. auriantiogriseum, P. nalgiovense and Aspergillus candidus grew on the aitchbone and produced volatile nitrogen and acetic acid, resulting in the ammoniac and vinegar odor of the hams. This is the first description of this type of defect at the level of the aitchbone.

Practical Application

The growth of molds on the aitchbone can spoil the San Daniele dry cured hams. The molds grew because of the high relative humidity in the ripening room (>80%). The control of the relative humidity (<70%) can eliminate the mold growth and consequently the spoilage.
American Geriatrics Society Feeding Tubes in Advanced Dementia Position Statement
Authors:   American Geriatrics Society Ethics Committee and Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committee
Published: July 2014

When eating difficulties arise, feeding tubes are not recommended for older adults with advanced dementia. Careful hand feeding should be offered because hand feeding has been shown to be as good as tube feeding for the outcomes of death, aspiration pneumonia, functional status, and comfort. Moreover, tube feeding is associated with agitation, greater use of physical and chemical restraints, healthcare use due to tube‐related complications, and development of new pressure ulcers. Efforts to enhance oral feeding by altering the environment and creating patient‐centered approaches to feeding should be part of usual care for older adults with advanced dementia. Tube feeding is a medical therapy that an individual's surrogate decision‐maker can decline or accept in accordance with advance directives, previously stated wishes, or what it is thought the individual would want. It is the responsibility of all members of the healthcare team caring for residents in long‐term care settings to understand any previously expressed wishes of the individuals (through review of advance directives and with surrogate caregivers) regarding tube feeding and to incorporate these wishes into the care plan. Institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other care settings should promote choice, endorse shared and informed decision‐making, and honor preferences regarding tube feeding. They should not impose obligations or exert pressure on individuals or providers to institute tube feeding.
Clinical utility of locally‐delivered collagen‐based biodegradable tetracycline fibers in periodontal therapy: an in vivo study
Authors: Khan Fayiza Yaqoob , Jan Suhail Majid , Mushtaq Mubashir
Published: July 2014

Aim

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of resorbable collagen‐based tetracycline fibers (Periodontal Plus AB fibers) given as an adjunct to scaling and root planing, with the clinical effects of scaling and root planning delivered as a monotherapy, in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Methods

A split‐mouth design was used to conduct this study. Forty patients with periodontal pockets ranging from ≥5 mm to ≤7 mm, with minimum of two sites in two non‐adjacent quadrants, were selected for the study. The treatment sites in each patient were randomly divided into the control and experimental groups. All of the selected sites were treated with scaling and root planning, and then collagen‐based resorbable tetracycline fibers were placed adjunctively in the experimental sites at the same visit. Baseline and follow‐up measurements in both treatment groups included plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth, and relative attachment level.

Results

Although significant clinical benefits were obtained in both treatment groups, the adjunctive antimicrobial use of tetracycline fibers demonstrated better results compared to the control group over the 3‐month observational period.

Conclusions

The delivery of antimicrobial agent tetracycline in a collagen matrix was found to improve the benefits of scaling and root planing by a larger magnitude in patients with moderate‐to‐deep pockets.
Clinical and microbiological effects of systemic azithromycin in adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in treatment of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans associated periodontitis: a randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Martande Santosh S. , Pradeep Avani R. , Singh Sonender P. , Kumari Minal , Naik Savitha B. , Suke Deepak Kumar , Singh Priyanka
Published: July 2014

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate clinical and microbiological effects of systemic azithromycin (AZM) in adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT; or scaling root planing – SRP) in treatment of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans associated periodontitis (AAAP).

Methods and materials

Seventy individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis and subgingival detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans were randomly allocated to two groups. Thirty‐five individuals were allocated to full mouth SRP+AZM (500 mg oral delivery (OD) × 3 days) while 35 individuals were allocated to SRP+Placebo (OD × 3 days) group. The clinical variables evaluated were probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and percent bleeding on probing sites (%BOP), while microbiologic variables included percentage of subjects positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

The AZM group showed statistically significant reduction in mean PD (2.91 ± 0.88 mm) as compared to placebo (1.51 ± 0.98 mm) (P < 0.001), while CAL gain was significant in the AZM group (2.71 ± 1.15 mm) as compared to the placebo group (1.71 ± 1.29 mm) (P < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant reduction in the number of subjects positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans in the AZM group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Azithromycin was found to significantly improve the clinical and microbiological parameters in AAAP individuals.
Hepatic abscesses in five outdoor‐housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Johnson A.L. , Ducore R.M. , Colgin L.M. , Lewis A.D.
Published: July 2014

Hepatic abscesses are uncommon in non‐human primates and usually occur as multifocal microabscesses originating from bacteremia. Necropsy, histopathology, and bacterial cultures were performed on five subadult to adult female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) that died spontaneously. Necropsy findings included cavitating abscesses in the right central liver lobe of all five animals, with intralesional plant material in four animals. This is the first report of cavitating hepatic abscesses with intralesional plant material in non‐human primates.
A Test of Asymmetric Learning in Competitive Insurance With Partial Information Sharing
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2014

This article examines whether an insurer could gain advantageous information on repeat customers over its rivals in the Singapore automobile insurance market, which is featured by partial information sharing among insurers. We find that the insurer does update and accumulate more information regarding its policyholders’ riskiness through repeated observations and thus make higher profits with repeat customers especially those of lower risk. We also show that the higher profit is driven by the fact that low risks tend to stay longer with the insurer, and in the meanwhile, they are charged a premium higher than their actuarial risk level.
Recircumscription of Huperzia serrata complex in China using morphological and climatic data
Authors: SHRESTHA Nawal , ZHANG Xian‐Chun
Published: July 2014

The Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trevis. complex in China includes taxonomically confusing taxa with unclear boundaries. The number of recognized taxa in this group has long been debated and with this, the group has undergone several taxonomic changes. The species circumscription of H. serrata complex in China is inadequate and unresolved and is in need of comprehensive systematic studies. To address these issues, we have attempted to infer diagnostic differences between the putative taxa and circumscribe species boundary of H. serrata complex in China using an integrative multivariate approach. Morphological characters were subjected to multivariate tests (principal component analysis, discriminant analysis, χ2‐test, cluster analysis) followed by univariate analysis of variance and Tukey's post‐hoc test. MaxEnt modeling was used to create distribution models of the species followed by niche equivalency and similarity tests. The morphometric analysis clearly separated the specimens into four distinct clusters representing H. crispata (Ching) Ching, H. nanlingensis Y. H. Yan & N. Shrestha, and two clusters of H. serrata comprising specimens from geographically isolated regions. The recognition of these four distinct taxa was supported by climatic data as well. Based on our analysis of morphological with climatic data and ecological niche modeling we recognized H. crispata, H. nanlingensis, the northern Chinese H. serrata, and the southern Chinese H. serrata as four different species. We identified the northern Chinese H. serrata as true H. serrata and the southern Chinese taxa as H. javanica. Our results, however, did not support the recognition of other infraspecific taxa previously recognized under H. serrata.
Is China More Democratic Than The US?
Authors: ANGANG HU
Published: July 2014

Historically, liberal democracy was born as a means to curb the power of kings and tyrants through mechanisms that would ensure accountability and consent of the governed. A system of checks and balances—two legislative chambers, executive and independent courts—were instituted to ensure power did not become too concentrated.

Today's highly diverse, mass consumer societies, however, have presented another set of challenges. Power is so diffused governance is becoming ineffective. The short‐term mentality of voters and the lobbying of special interests undermine the ability of democracies to focus on the long‐term and the common interest. Because there are more checks than balances, gridlock has supplanted consensus.

In this section, we compare Chinese and Western systems on their ability to deliver good governance. The editors of the Economist magazine put the debate in historical context.
Testing for Exogeneity in Cointegrated Panels
Authors: Trapani Lorenzo
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes a test for the null that, in a cointegrated panel, the long‐run correlation between the regressors and the error term is different from zero. As is well known, in such case the OLS estimator is T‐consistent, whereas it is ‐consistent when there is no endogeneity. Other estimators can be employed, such as the FM‐OLS, that are ‐consistent irrespective of whether exogeneity is present or not. Using the difference between the former and the latter estimator, we construct a test statistic which diverges at a rate under the null of endogeneity, whilst it is bounded under the alternative of exogeneity, and employ a randomization approach to carry out the test. Monte Carlo evidence shows that the test has the correct size and good power.
Predictors and Permanency of Cardiac Conduction Disorders and Necessity of Pacing after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: BOERLAGE‐VAN DIJK KIRSTEN , KOOIMAN KIRSTEN M. , YONG ZE YIE , WIEGERINCK ESTHER M.A. , DAMMAN PETER , BOUMA BERTO J. , TIJSSEN JAN G.P. , PIEK JAN J. , KNOPS REINOUD E. , BAAN JAN
Published: July 2014

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the Medtronic‐CoreValve bioprosthesis (CoreValve Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) is associated with a high incidence of new‐onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) and cardiac conduction disorders (CCDs) requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. Our objective was to investigate the predictors and permanency of CCDs after TAVI and specifically to evaluate the necessity for pacing.

Methods

In this single‐center study, we included patients who underwent TAVI with the Medtronic‐CoreValve bioprosthesis. Electrocardiographic evaluation was performed pre‐ and post‐TAVI and at follow‐up. Pacemaker follow‐up data were obtained and analyzed.

Results

We included 121 patients (age 81 ± 8 years). LBBB developed in 47 patients, for which prosthesis size (26 mm; odds ratio [OR]: 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–12.34, P = 0.01) and prosthesis depth (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.09–1.57, P = 0.004) were independent predictors. In 19%, this new‐onset LBBB was temporary. Requirement for a PPM occurred in 23 patients, for which mitral annular calcification (MAC; OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.05–1.56, P = 0.02) and preexisting right bundle branch block (RBBB; OR: 8.5, 95%CI: 1.61–44.91, P = 0.01) were independent predictors. At follow‐up, 52% of the patients were continuously paced, but 22% of the patients had adequate atrioventricular conduction without the necessity for pacing. In the other 26% of the patients there was intermittent pacing.

Conclusion

There is a high incidence of new‐onset LBBB and PPM implantation following TAVI with a Medtronic‐CoreValve bioprosthesis. Prosthesis depth and size were predictors for new LBBB, while MAC and preexistent RBBB were predictors for PPM implantation. In approximately one fifth of the patients, new‐onset LBBB and the necessity for pacing are only temporary.
Clinical and pathological associations of the activating RAC1 P29S mutation in primary cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Mar Victoria J. , Wong Stephen Q. , Logan Aleksandra , Nguyen Trung , Cebon Jonathan , Kelly John W. , Wolfe Rory , Dobrovic Alexander , McLean Catriona , McArthur Grant A.
Published: July 2014

Activating mutations in the GTPase RAC1 are a recurrent event in cutaneous melanoma. We investigated the clinical and pathological associations of RAC1P29S in a cohort of 814 primary cutaneous melanomas with known BRAF and NRAS mutation status. The RAC1P29S mutation had a prevalence of 3.3% and was associated with increased thickness (OR=1.6 P = 0.001), increased mitotic rate (OR=1.3 P = 0.03), ulceration (OR=2.4 P = 0.04), nodular subtype (OR=3.4 P = 0.004), and nodal disease at diagnosis (OR=3.3 P = 0.006). BRAF mutant tumors were also associated with nodal metastases (OR=1.9 P = 0.004), despite being thinner at diagnosis than BRAF WT (median 1.2 mm versus 1.6 mm, P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis of 51 melanomas revealed that 47% were immunoreactive for RAC1. Melanomas were more likely to show RAC1 immunoreactivity if they were BRAF mutant (OR=5.2 P = 0.01). RAC1 may therefore be important in regulating the early migration of BRAF mutant tumors. RAC1 mutations are infrequent in primary melanomas but may accelerate disease progression.
The trauma of peer victimization: Psychophysiological and emotional characteristics of memory imagery in subjects with social anxiety disorder
Authors: Sansen Lisa M. , Iffland Benjamin , Neuner Frank
Published: July 2014

The study investigated the role of an associative information network as a mechanism underlying the relation of peer victimization and social anxiety disorder (SAD). A sample of N = 80 was divided according to diagnosis (SAD vs. no diagnosis) and amount of peer victimization (low vs. high). Responses to memory of a personally experienced aversive social situation and to imagining a standardized negative social situation were assessed. In terms of skin conductance level, subjects with SAD and peer victimization were more reactive to the memory script than the other three groups while responses to the standardized script did not vary. As to heart rate, there were no differences between the groups. Emotional responses presented with an inconsistent pattern. The results provide a first indication that associative memory structures resulting from aversive social experiences might play a role in the development and maintenance of SAD, but further research is needed.
Role of interventional pulmonology in the management of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions and empyema
Authors: Breen David P. , Daneshvar Cyrus
Published: July 2014

Pleural infection is a major problem that affects 80 000 cases per year in the UK and USA. It is increasing in incidence, and in an ageing population, it presents a complex challenge that requires a combination of medical therapies and may lead to the need for surgery. This article focuses on the role of the interventional pulmonologist in the diagnosis and management of pleural infection. In particular, we examine the role of pleural ultrasound in diagnostics, thoracocentesis and real‐time guided procedures, and the current management strategies, including the controversial role of medical thoracoscopy.
Rapid molecular screening for multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis in a resource‐limited region of China
Authors: Zhang Dan , Liu Beizhong , Wang Yufeng , Pang Yu
Published: July 2014

Objective

To investigate the molecular characteristics of MDR and XDR strains circulating in Chongqing, China.

Methods

The drug target genes conferring for rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), ofloxacin (OFLX) and kanamycin (KAN) resistance were screened by DNA sequencing to determine the mutation frequencies in this area.

Results

Drug susceptibility of 208 MDR isolates revealed that 132 (63.46%) were resistant to streptomycin (SM), 96 (46.15%) to ethambutol (EMB), 51 (24.52%) to ofloxacin (OFLX), and 26 (12.50%) to kanamycin (KAN); six (2.88%) isolates had XDR profiles. In comparison with the drug susceptibility phenotype, the sensitivity of drug resistance by DNA sequencing was 91.83% for RIF, 87.50% for INH, 66.67% for EMB, 74.51% for OFLX and 53.85% for KAN resistance. 12.50% of EMB‐ and 1.27% of OFLX‐susceptible isolates were harboured genetic mutations in embB and gyrA, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the hot‐spot regions localised in rpoB, katG and inhA genes serve as excellent markers for the corresponding drug resistance, while EMB, OFLX or KAN drug‐resistant TB cases may not be identifiable by scanning embB, gyrA, rrs and eis promoter in Chongqing, indicating that further studies on the drug resistance mechanisms of EMB, OFLX and KAN are urgently needed to elucidate the low sensitivity between genomic substitutions and drug‐resistant phenotype.
Up‐regulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 expression and FGF‐WNT/β‐catenin signaling in laser‐induced wound healing
Authors: Zheng Zhenlong , Kang Hye‐Young , Lee Sunha , Kang Shin‐Wook , Goo Boncheol , Cho Sung Bin
Published: July 2014

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 is secreted by both mesothelial and epithelial cells, and plays important roles in organ development and wound healing via WNT/β‐catenin signaling. The aim of this study was to evaluate FGF9 expression and FGF‐WNT/β‐catenin signaling during wound healing of the skin. We investigated FGF9 expression and FGF‐WNT/β‐catenin signaling after laser ablation of mouse skin and adult human skin, as well as in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) upon stimulation with recombinant human (rh) FGF9 and rh‐transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1. Our results showed that laser ablation of both mouse skin and human skin leads to marked overexpression of FGF9 and FGF9 mRNA. Control NHEKs constitutively expressed FGF9, WNT7b, WNT2, and β‐catenin, but did not show Snail or FGF receptor (FGFR) 2 expression. We also found that FGFR2 was significantly induced in NHEKs by rhFGF9 stimulation, and observed that FGFR2 expression was slightly up‐regulated on particular days during the wound healing process after ablative laser therapy. Both WNT7b and WNT2 showed up‐regulated protein expression during the laser‐induced wound healing process in mouse skin; moreover, we discerned that the stimulatory effect of rhFGF9 and rhTGF‐β1 activates WNT/β‐catenin signaling via WNT7b in cultured NHEKs. Our data indicated that rhFGF9 and/or rhTGF‐β1 up‐regulate FGFR2, WNT7b, and β‐catenin, but not FGF9 and Snail; pretreatment with rh dickkopf‐1 significantly inhibited the up‐regulation of FGFR2, WNT7b, and β‐catenin. Our results suggested that FGF9 and FGF‐WNT/β‐catenin signaling may play important roles in ablative laser‐induced wound healing processes.
Tool/Chip Interfacial Friction Analysis in Atomistic Machining of Polycrystalline Coppers
Authors: Shi Jing , Ji Chunhui , Wang Yachao , Hsueh-Ming Wang Steve
Published: July 2014

Three-dimensional (3D) molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is performed to study the tool/chip interface friction phenomenon in machining of polycrystalline copper at atomistic scale. Three polycrystalline copper structures with the equivalent grain sizes of 12.25, 7.72, and 6.26 nm are constructed for simulation. Also, a monocrystalline copper structure is simulated as the benchmark case. Besides the grain size, the effects of depth of cut, cutting speed, and tool rake angle are also considered. It is found that the friction force and normal force distributions along the tool/chip interface in both polycrystalline and monocrystalline machining exhibit similar patterns. The reduction in grain size overall increases the magnitude of normal force along the tool/chip interface, but the normal forces in all polycrystalline cases are smaller than that in the monocrystalline case. In atomistic machining of polycrystalline coppers, the increase of depth of cut consistently increases the normal force along the entire contact area, but this trend cannot be observed for the friction force. In addition, both higher cutting speed and more negative tool rake angle do not bring significant changes to the distributions of normal and friction forces on the interface, but both factors tend to increase the magnitudes of the two force components.
Numerical Modeling of the Dynamical Interaction Between Slug Flow and Vortex Induced Vibration in Horizontal Submarine Pipelines
Authors: Bossio V. Boris M. , Blanco A. Armando J. , Casanova M. Euro L.
Published: July 2014

Fatigue life of submarines pipelines is known to depend on many factors, e.g., materials, spanning length, vortex induced vibration (VIV), pipe soil-interaction, etc. In the case of VIV, the external flow due to marine currents can generate the well known alternate vortex shedding regime. In this regime, a time-varying pressure distribution over the surface of the pipeline imposes forces upon the pipeline itself, thus producing vibration with a defined frequency. On the other hand, in recent years some authors have shown that slug flow regime may produce a cyclic damage that could reduce in a significant way the fatigue life of submarine pipelines, thus constituting a governing mechanism in their design. In slug flow regime, slugs traveling in the pipe act as moving gravity loads for the pipeline structure, producing a dynamic response, especially important for the free spans. If both frequencies of the before mentioned effects are closer and, in addition, are in the same range of the natural frequency of the pipeline span, resonance effects can be expected to be reinforced and drastic changes in the dynamics of the pipeline could appear. In this work, a first study of the interaction between slug flow induced vibration in horizontal pipelines and cross-flow response due to vortex shedding is presented. The fluid model was based on the classical wake oscillator model. A numerical model based on the finite difference method was implemented for the structure. Two particular extreme cases were modeled to analyze the pipeline dynamics for “small-size” and “large-size” slugs, for a range of marine current velocities. For the case involving small-size slugs, it was observed a near 10% increment in the vibration amplitude (compared to a reference value), while in the case of “large-slugs” the VIV was overweighed by the slug induced vibration (SIV) phenomenon.
Mission Feasibility Assessment for Mobile Robotic Systems Operating in Stochastic Environments
Authors: LeSage Jonathan R. , Longoria Raul G.
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a hierarchical approach for estimating the mission feasibility, i.e., the probability of mission completion (PoMC), for mobile robotic systems operating in stochastic environments. Mobile robotic systems rely on onboard energy sources that are expended due to stochastic interactions with the environment. Resultantly, a bivariate distribution comprised of energy source (e.g., battery) run-time and mission time marginal distributions can be shown to represent a mission process that characterizes the distribution of all possible missions. Existing methodologies make independent stochastic predictions for battery run-time and mission time. The approach presented makes use of the marginal predictions, as prediction pairs, to allow for Bayesian correlation estimation and improved process characterization. To demonstrate both prediction accuracy and mission classification gains, the proposed methodology is validated using a novel experimental testbed that enables repeated battery discharge studies to be conducted as a small robotic ground vehicle traverses stochastic laboratory terrains.