bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiproduct slot allocation heuristic to minimize storage space
Authors: Battista Claudia , Fumi Andrea , Laura Luigi , M. Schiraldi Massimiliano
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Since developing efficient product-location strategies represents a critical issue in operations management, due to its impact on warehouses performance in terms of both service level and operation costs, this paper aims to focus on possible improvements in the allocation of SKUs, numerically evaluating how these can lead to a reduction of both overall required warehouse space and material handling times.

Design/methodology/approach

– The undertaken approach focused on translating the warehouse management problem into a vertex colouring problem, modelling it as a multi-criteria problem and solving it through a properly modified algorithm.

Findings

– The heuristic validation on a real industrial case demonstrated its high optimization potential, and its benchmarking simulations showed performances significantly close to the best conceivable case. Indeed, though using a dedicated storage policy, the gained optimization value turned to be definitively close to the lower bound calculated through a randomized storage policy, which, differently from the proposed solution, must be inevitably supported by a warehouse management system software.

Originality/value

– This work presents an original multiproduct slot allocation heuristic developed by taking cue from vertex colouring problems and its pragmatic evaluation on a real industrial case; a benchmark with the randomized storage policy is also presented in order to underline the heuristic effectiveness and to point out possible future research opportunities.
Moderating effects of online shopping experience on customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions
Authors: O. Pappas Ilias , G. Pateli Adamantia , N. Giannakos Michail , Chrissikopoulos Vassilios
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Satisfaction and experience are essential ingredients for successful customer retention. This study aims to verify the moderating effect of experience on two types of relationships: the relationship of certain antecedents with satisfaction, and the relationship of satisfaction with intention to repurchase.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper applies structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-group analysis to examine the moderating role of experience in a conceptual model estimating the intention to repurchase. Responses from 393 people were used to examine the differences between high- and low-experienced users of online shopping.

Findings

– The research shows that experience has moderating effects on the relationships between performance expectancy and satisfaction and satisfaction and intention to repurchase. This study empirically demonstrates that prior customer experience strengthens the relationship between performance expectancy and satisfaction, while it weakens the relationship of satisfaction with intention to repurchase.

Practical implications

– Practitioners should differentiate the way they treat their customers based on their level of experience. Specifically, the empirical research demonstrates that the expected performance of the online shopping experience (performance expectancy) affects satisfaction only on high-experienced customers. Instead, the effort needed to use online shopping (effort expectancy) and the user's belief in own abilities to use online shopping (self-efficacy) influence satisfaction only on low-experienced customers. The effect of trust and satisfaction is significant on online shopping behaviour on both high- and low-experienced customers.

Originality/value

– This paper investigates how different levels of experience affect customers' satisfaction and online shopping behaviour. It is proved that experience moderates the effect of performance expectancy on satisfaction and the effect of satisfaction on intention to repurchase. It also demonstrates that certain effects (effort expectancy and performance expectancy) are valid for only one of the two examined groups, while only one effect (trust) is valid for both (high- and low-experienced).
Mechanical and wear characteristic of Y-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites
Authors: Hu Tianchang , Zhang Yongsheng , Hu Litian
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical and wear properties of Y-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the Y-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites with different crystal-sizes are designed and fabricated by hot pressing. Their mechanical and anti-wear properties are investigated, and the wear mechanism is studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscope and so on.

Findings

– The experimental results indicate that the wear of Y-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites can be divided into two regimes: mild wear regime and normal wear regime. In mild wear regimes, the relationship between wear resistance (ɛ) and hardness (H) of the material can be described as: ɛ−1∝H−1. The corresponding relationship among wear resistance, hardness and toughness (KIC) of the material in normal wear regime can be described as: ɛ−1∝H−1K

IC
−4.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the mechanical and anti-wear properties of Y-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites are systematically investigated. The relation between mechanical properties and wear resistance is revealed.
Base rates and Bayes’ Theorem for decision support
Authors: Charles Allen Jared , M. Goodwill Alasdair , Watters Kyle , Beauregard Eric
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss and demonstrate “best practices” for creating quantitative behavioural investigative advice (i.e. statements to assist police with psychological and behavioural aspects of investigations) where complex statistical modelling is not available.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a sample of 361 serial stranger sexual offenses and a cross-validation approach, the paper demonstrates prediction of offender characteristics using base rates and using Bayes’ Theorem. The paper predicts four dichotomous offender characteristic variables, first using simple base rates, then using Bayes’ Theorem with 16 categorical crime scene variable predictors.

Findings

– Both methods consistently predict better than chance. By incorporating more information, analyses based on Bayes’ Theorem (74.6 per cent accurate) predict with 11.1 per cent more accuracy overall than analyses based on base rates (63.5 per cent accurate), and provide improved advising estimates in line with best practices.

Originality/value

– The study demonstrates how useful predictions of offender characteristics can be acquired from crime information without large (i.e. >500 cases) data sets or “trained” statistical models. Advising statements are constructed for discussion, and results are discussed in terms of the pragmatic usefulness of the methods for police investigations.
Race, poverty, and the traffic ticket cycle
Authors: C. Regoeczi Wendy , Kent Stephanie
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Through systematic observation of police decision-making behavior, the aim of this paper is to investigate what factors differentiate between citizens who receive a warning vs a ticket from police and whether the influence of those factors varies by race. The paper also explores the context of those decisions for both blacks and whites to further the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of any observed differences in the likelihood of receiving a ticket vs a warning.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected during police ridealongs conducted in a sample of cities within Cuyahoga County, Ohio. A total of 140 ridealongs were completed, yielding a total of 312 vehicle or citizen stops.

Findings

– The paper finds that black citizens are more likely to receive a ticket than white citizens. However, the paper also finds important differences in the situational context of traffic stops for blacks and whites and uncover evidence of a cycle of traffic tickets and license suspensions among some black drivers.

Research limitations/implications

– The study demonstrates the importance of examining the underlying situational context in analyses of decision making in traffic stops. The main limitation of the analyses is that the data were limited to one county in the state of Ohio.

Practical implications

– The data suggests that one of the causes of the racial disparities in tickets vs warnings involves a cycle of tickets and license suspensions that occurs among some black drivers. These drivers appear to become caught up in a cycle where a compilation of prior tickets from traffic infractions, driving without insurance, or defaulting on child support payments leads to high numbers of points and subsequent license suspensions. The paper discusses some practical implications for addressing this pattern, including specific programs that could be adopted by municipalities that seek to break the cycle of repeated violation of driver's license laws.

Originality/value

– Beyond identifying the impact of citizen race on the likelihood of receiving a warning vs a ticket during a traffic stop, this study contributes to the existing literature by exploring the situational context of these decisions, and identifying the ways in which variations in situational contexts help explain racial differences in outcomes in traffic stops. The identification of a traffic ticket cycle among some black drivers appears to be an original finding.
Sensors stand out as an important key to improving manufacturing quality and productivity at the latest IMTS show
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Review of the IMTS show in Chicago with emphasis on the new sensor innovations and applications on display. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth interviews with exhibitors of sensors and sensor integrators at the show.

Findings

– Sensors continue to match an ever-increasing number of manufacturing tasks to improve quality and productivity at every step in the manufacturing and inspection process.

Practical implications

– Customers may be surprised at the sensor innovations and new applications to which sensors are being applied in the manufacturing environment.

Originality/value

– A review of some of the latest sensor innovations and applications that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the Chicago IMTS show.
Deficits in narrative abilities in child British Sign Language users with specific language impairment
Authors: Herman Ros , Rowley Katherine , Mason Kathryn , Morgan Gary
Published: March 2014

This study details the first ever investigation of narrative skills in a group of 17 deaf signing children who have been diagnosed with disorders in their British Sign Language development compared with a control group of 17 deaf child signers matched for age, gender, education, quantity, and quality of language exposure and non‐verbal intelligence. Children were asked to generate a narrative based on events in a language free video. Narratives were analysed for global structure, information content and local level grammatical devices, especially verb morphology. The language‐impaired group produced shorter, less structured and grammatically simpler narratives than controls, with verb morphology particularly impaired. Despite major differences in how sign and spoken languages are articulated, narrative is shown to be a reliable marker of language impairment across the modality boundaries.
The materiality of mathematics: Presenting mathematics at the blackboard
Authors: Greiffenhagen Christian
Published: March 2014

Sociology has been accused of neglecting the importance of material things in human life and the material aspects of social practices. Efforts to correct this have recently been made, with a growing concern to demonstrate the materiality of social organization, not least through attention to objects and the body. As a result, there have been a plethora of studies reporting the social construction and effects of a variety of material objects as well as studies that have explored the material dimensions of a diversity of practices. In different ways these studies have questioned the Cartesian dualism of a strict separation of ‘mind’ and ‘body’. However, it could be argued that the idea of the mind as immaterial has not been entirely banished and lingers when it comes to discussing abstract thinking and reasoning. The aim of this article is to extend the material turn to abstract thought, using mathematics as a paradigmatic example.

This paper explores how writing mathematics (on paper, blackboards, or even in the air) is indispensable for doing and thinking mathematics. The paper is based on video recordings of lectures in formal logic and investigates how mathematics is presented at the blackboard. The paper discusses the iconic character of blackboards in mathematics and describes in detail a number of inscription practices of presenting mathematics at the blackboard (such as the use of lines and boxes, the designation of particular regions for specific mathematical purposes, as well as creating an ‘architecture’ visualizing the overall structure of the proof). The paper argues that doing mathematics really is ‘thinking with eyes and hands’ (Latour 1986). Thinking in mathematics is inextricably interwoven with writing mathematics.
Preparation and Characterization of Carvacrol Loaded Polyhydroxybutyrate Nanoparticles by Nanoprecipitation and Dialysis Methods
Authors: Shakeri Fatemeh , Shakeri Shahryar , Hojjatoleslami Mohammad
Published: March 2014

In this investigation, preparation of carvacrol loaded polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) nanoparticles was performed by nanoprecipitation and dialysis methods. PHB particles were obtained by nanoprecipitation method without and with low concentration of Tween 80 or pluronic as surfactant. Nano‐ and micro‐sized particles were formed with trimodal distribution and large aggregates. Size and distribution of nanoparticles were decreased when concentration of Tween 80 was increased to 1% (v/v) in water as polar phase. PHB nanoparticles had narrow size (157 nm) with monomodal distribution. Nanoparticles, which were prepared by dialysis method had 140 nm in diameter with monomodal distribution. Carvacrol was used as a lipophilic drug and entrapped in optimized nanoparticles formulation by nanoprecipitation and dialysis methods. Entrapment efficacy was 21% and 11%, respectively. Morphology of PHB nanoparticles was spherical. The results of kinetic release study showed that carvacrol was released for at least 3 days. Release kinetic parameters showed a simple Fickian diffusion behavior for both formulations. Carvacrol loaded PHB nanoparticles had good dispersion into the agar medium and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. This study describes the 1st work on loading of carvacrol into the PHB nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation and dialysis methods.
Content Validation of the Nursing Diagnosis Acute Pain in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Authors: Zeleníková Renáta , Žiaková Katarína , Čáp Juraj , Jarošová Darja
Published: March 2014

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to validate the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis acute pain in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Methods

This is a descriptive study. The validation process involved was based on Fehring's diagnostic content validity model.

Findings

Four defining characteristics were classified as major by Slovak nurses and eight defining characteristics were classified as major by Czech nurses.

Conclusion

Validation of the nursing diagnosis acute pain in the Czech and Slovak sociocultural context has shown that nurses prioritize characteristics that are behavioral in nature as well as patients' verbal reports of pain.

Practice Implications

Verbal reports of pain and behavioral indicators are important for arriving at the nursing diagnosis acute pain.
Aggravation of Alzheimer's disease due to the COX‐2‐mediated reciprocal regulation of IL‐1β and Aβ between glial and neuron cells
Authors: Wang Pu , Guan Pei‐Pei , Wang Tao , Yu Xin , Guo Jian‐Jun , Wang Zhan‐You
Published: March 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and displays the characteristics of chronic neurodegenerative disorders; amyloid plaques (AP) that contain amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) accumulate in AD, which is also characterized by tau phosphorylation. Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that long‐term treatment with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) markedly reduces the risk of AD by inhibiting the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2). Although the levels of COX‐2 and its metabolic product prostaglandin (PG)E2 are elevated in the brain of AD patients, the mechanisms for the development of AD remain unknown. Using human‐ or mouse‐derived glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cell lines as model systems, we delineated the signaling pathways by which COX‐2 mediates the reciprocal regulation of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and Aβ between glial and neuron cells. In glioblastoma cells, COX‐2 regulates the synthesis of IL‐1β in a PGE2‐dependent manner. Moreover, COX‐2‐derived PGE2 signals the activation of the PI3‐K/AKT and PKA/CREB pathways via cyclic AMP; these pathways transactivate the NF‐κB p65 subunit via phosphorylation at Ser 536 and Ser 276, leading to IL‐1β synthesis. The secretion of IL‐1β from glioblastoma cells in turn stimulates the expression of COX‐2 in human or mouse neuroblastoma cells. Similar regulatory mechanisms were found for the COX‐2 regulation of BACE‐1 expression in neuroblastoma cells. More importantly, Aβ deposition mediated the inflammatory response of glial cells via inducing the expression of COX‐2 in glioblastoma cells. These findings not only provide new insights into the mechanisms of COX‐2‐induced AD but also initially define the therapeutic targets of AD.
Effect of MicroEEG on Clinical Management and Outcomes of Emergency Department Patients With Altered Mental Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zehtabchi Shahriar , Abdel Baki Samah G. , Omurtag Ahmet , Sinert Richard , Chari Geetha , Roodsari Gholamreza S. , Weedon Jeremy , Fenton André A. , Grant Arthur C.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Altered mental status (AMS) is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). A previous study revealed 78% electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities, including nonconvulsive seizure (NCS; 5%), in ED patients with AMS. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of EEG on clinical management and outcomes of ED patients with AMS.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial at two urban teaching hospitals. Adult patients (≥18 years old) with AMS were included. Excluded patients had immediately correctable AMS (e.g., hypoglycemia) or were admitted before enrollment. Patients were randomized to routine care (control) or routine care plus EEG (intervention). Research assistants used a scalp electrode set with a miniature, wireless EEG device (microEEG) to record standard 30‐minute EEGs at presentation, and results were reported to the ED attending physician by an off‐site epileptologist within 30 minutes. Primary outcomes included changes in ED management (differential diagnosis, diagnostic work‐up, and treatment plan from enrollment to disposition) as determined by surveying the treating physicians. Secondary outcomes were length of ED and hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, and in‐hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 149 patients were enrolled (76 control and 73 intervention). Patients in the two groups were comparable at baseline. EEG in the intervention group revealed abnormal findings in 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 85% to 97%), including NCS in 5% (95% CI = 2% to 13%). Using microEEG was associated with change in diagnostic work‐up in 49% (95% CI = 38% to 60%) of cases and therapeutic plan in 42% (95% CI = 31% to 53%) of cases immediately after the release of EEG results. Changes in probabilities of differential diagnoses and the secondary outcomes were not statistically significant between the groups.

Conclusions

An EEG can be obtained in the ED with minimal resources and can affect clinical management of AMS patients.
Critical Appraisal of Emergency Medicine Education Research: The Best Publications of 2012
Authors: Lin Michelle , Fisher Jonathan , Coates Wendy C. , Farrell Susan E. , Shayne Philip , Maggio Lauren , Kuhn Gloria
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The objective was to critically appraise and highlight medical education research published in 2012 that was methodologically superior and whose outcomes were pertinent to teaching and education in emergency medicine (EM).

Methods

A search of the English language literature in 2012 querying Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), PsychInfo, PubMed, and Scopus identified EM studies using hypothesis‐testing or observational investigations of educational interventions. Two reviewers independently screened all of the publications and removed articles using established exclusion criteria. This year, publications limited to a single‐site survey design that measured satisfaction or self‐assessment on unvalidated instruments were not formally reviewed. Six reviewers then independently ranked all remaining publications using one of two scoring systems depending on whether the study methodology was primarily qualitative or quantitative. Each scoring system had nine criteria, including four related to methodology, that were chosen a priori, to standardize evaluation by reviewers. The quantitative study scoring system was used previously to appraise medical education published annually in 2008 through 2011, while a separate, new qualitative study scoring system was derived and implemented consisting of parallel metrics.

Results

Forty‐eight medical education research papers met the a priori criteria for inclusion, and 33 (30 quantitative and three qualitative studies) were reviewed. Seven quantitative and two qualitative studies met the criteria for inclusion as exemplary and are summarized in this article.

Conclusions

This critical appraisal series aims to promote superior education research by reviewing and highlighting nine of the 48 major education research studies with relevance to EM published in 2012. Current trends and common methodologic pitfalls in the 2012 papers are noted.
Does forest restoration in fragmented landscapes provide habitat for a wide‐ranging carnivore?
Authors: McGregor R. A. , Stokes V. L. , Craig M. D.
Published: March 2014

The loss of suitable macro‐ and microhabitats can negatively affect an animal's ability to persist in an area, ultimately leading to range contractions. The western quoll Dasyurus geoffroii is a wide‐ranging Australian carnivore that has suffered a catastrophic range contraction since European settlement, partly due to landscape fragmentation. Bauxite mining in the jarrah forest of south‐western Australia, where western quoll currently persist, disturbs and fragments large areas, potentially reducing habitat available to quolls. We examined macro‐ and microhabitat use by western quolls in fragmented landscapes containing remnants of unmined jarrah forest and bauxite mine restoration to determine the impacts of this fragmentation on its ecology. Specifically, we aimed to identify the microhabitats required by western quoll for denning and movement and if post‐mining restored forests provided these microhabitats. Quolls used restoration of varying ages for denning. They were adaptable in den substrates used, selecting subterranean burrows associated with surface rocks in restoration where preferred substrates used in unmined forest (hollow logs and stumps) were less available. Logs were also an important microhabitat used by quolls to traverse through unmined forest and we recommend more logs are restored post‐mining. Our results suggest that post‐mining restoration provides a permeable matrix for western quolls, and individuals quickly re‐colonize restored areas and use available habitat, particularly for denning. Important microhabitats such as logs, stumps and large hollow‐bearing trees are relatively sparse in restored forest. Our study does not explicitly consider the potential effects of this on quoll survival and demography so further studies of breeding success and long‐term survival across multiple generations of quoll are recommended. We concluded that forest restoration can be an important strategy in managing fragmented landscapes for wide‐ranging species by providing pathways for movement, habitat for re‐colonization and improved landscape connectivity for these species.
Agency Costs and Equity Mispricing
Authors: Pantzalis Christos , Park Jung Chul
Published: March 2014

We investigate a link between agency costs and equity mispricing. We employ comprehensive, multi‐dimensional measures of agency costs and mispricing, and find that mispricing is significantly and positively related to agency costs. We also explore the effect of equity‐based compensation on the impact of agency costs on mispricing. Our investigation extends previous studies that do not separately account for the options and restricted stock grants components of equity‐based compensation. We show that stock options, originally intended to resolve conflicts of interest, exaggerate the problem and this phenomenon is pronounced especially when firms are overvalued. Overall, our results imply that compensation packages that are not structured optimally could lead to greater mispricing.
Gender, race and diet affect platelet function tests in normal subjects, contributing to a high rate of abnormal results
Authors: Miller Connie H. , Rice Anne S. , Garrett Katherine , Stein Sidney F.
Published: March 2014

To assess sources of variability in platelet function tests in normal subjects, 64 healthy young adults were tested on 2–6 occasions at 2 week intervals using four methods: platelet aggregation (AGG) in platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in the Bio/Data PAP‐4 Aggregometer (BD) and Chrono‐Log Lumi‐Aggregometer (CL); and AGG in whole blood (WB) in the CL and Multiplate Platelet Function Analyser (MP), with ATP release (REL) in CL‐PRP and CL‐WB. Food and medication exposures were recorded prospectively for 2 weeks prior to each blood draw. At least one AGG abnormality was seen in 21% of 81 drug‐free specimens with CL‐PRP, 15% with CL‐WB, 13% with BD‐PRP and 6% with MP‐WB, increasing with inclusion of REL to 28% for CL‐PRP and 30% for CL‐WB. Epinephrine AGG and REL were significantly reduced in males (P < 0·0001). Ristocetin AGG and collagen and thrombin REL were significantly reduced in Blacks (P < 0·0001). One‐third of specimens drawn following flavonoid‐rich food exposures had aberrant results, compared to 8·5% of specimens without such exposures (P = 0·0035). PRP tests had less intra‐individual variation than WB tests. Gender, race, diet and test system affected results of platelet function testing in healthy subjects, suggesting caution when interpreting the results of platelet function testing in patients.
Significance tests to determine the direction of effects in linear regression models
Authors: Wiedermann Wolfgang , Hagmann Michael , von Eye Alexander
Published: March 2014

Previous studies have discussed asymmetric interpretations of the Pearson correlation coefficient and have shown that higher moments can be used to decide on the direction of dependence in the bivariate linear regression setting. The current study extends this approach by illustrating that the third moment of regression residuals may also be used to derive conclusions concerning the direction of effects. Assuming non‐normally distributed variables, it is shown that the distribution of residuals of the correctly specified regression model (e.g., Y is regressed on X) is more symmetric than the distribution of residuals of the competing model (i.e., X is regressed on Y). Based on this result, 4 one‐sample tests are discussed which can be used to decide which variable is more likely to be the response and which one is more likely to be the explanatory variable. A fifth significance test is proposed based on the differences of skewness estimates, which leads to a more direct test of a hypothesis that is compatible with direction of dependence. A Monte Carlo simulation study was performed to examine the behaviour of the procedures under various degrees of associations, sample sizes, and distributional properties of the underlying population. An empirical example is given which illustrates the application of the tests in practice.
GIS analysis of cirques on Vestfirðir, northwest Iceland: implications for palaeoclimate
Authors: Principato Sarah M. , Lee Jessica F.
Published: March 2014

This study presents the first regional analysis of cirques on Vestfirðir, NW Iceland, using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The length, width, elevation of cirque‐floor, latitude and the distance to the modern coastline (both ocean and fjord coastlines) of cirques were quantified using ArcGIS. The topographical analysis revealed a total of 100 cirques on western and northern Vestfirðir. Several additional cirques are present, but they had poorly defined toewalls, making the cirque‐floor difficult to identify. Mean cirque length is 515 m and mean cirque width is 752 m. The modal orientation of the aspect of cirques is northeast, with a strong secondary mode to the northwest. Cirques at low elevations are more abundant close to the ocean, whereas cirques further from the ocean are present at high elevations. Three techniques were used to reconstruct past equilibrium‐line altitudes (ELAs) of cirque glaciers: the cirque‐floor method, the altitude‐ratio method and the accumulation‐area ratio method. The largest range of past ELAs is generated from the cirque‐floor method with values from 40 up to 730 m. Mean past ELA values range from ∼395 to 423 m depending on the method used to reconstruct former ELAs. A strong positive relationship is observed between past ELA values and distance to the ocean demonstrating the importance of access to a moisture source for glacier survival. This relationship is stronger than the relationship between former ELAs and latitude. Based on the small size of cirque glaciers, it is likely that even minor fluctuations in the Irminger Current and the East Greenland Current influence cirque glaciation on Vestfirðir.
Hair curvature: a natural dialectic and review
Authors: Nissimov Joseph N. , Das Chaudhuri Asit Baran
Published: March 2014

Although hair forms (straight, curly, wavy, etc.) are present in apparently infinite variations, each fibre can be reduced to a finite sequence of tandem segments of just three types: straight, bent/curly, or twisted. Hair forms can thus be regarded as resulting from genetic pathways that induce, reverse or modulate these basic curvature modes. However, physical interconversions between twists and curls demonstrate that strict one‐to‐one correspondences between them and their genetic causes do not exist. Current hair‐curvature theories do not distinguish between bending and twisting mechanisms. We here introduce a multiple papillary centres (MPC) model which is particularly suitable to explain twisting. The model combines previously known features of hair cross‐sectional morphology with partially/completely separated dermal papillae within single follicles, and requires such papillae to induce differential growth rates of hair cortical material in their immediate neighbourhoods. TheMPCmodel can further help to explain other, poorly understood, aspects of hair growth and morphology. Separate bending and twisting mechanisms would be preferentially affected at the major or minor ellipsoidal sides of fibres, respectively, and together they exhaust the possibilities for influencing hair‐form phenotypes. As such they suggest dialectic for hair‐curvature development. We define a natural‐dialectic (ND) which could take advantage of speculative aspects of dialectic, but would verify its input data and results by experimental methods. We use this as a top‐down approach to first define routes by which hair bending or twisting may be brought about and then review evidence in support of such routes. In particular we consider the wingless (Wnt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways as paradigm pathways for molecular hair bending and twisting mechanisms, respectively. In addition to theWntcanonical pathway, theWnt/Ca2+and planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways, and others, can explain many alternatives and specific variations of hair bending phenotypes. Mechanisms for hair papilla budding or its division by bisection or fission can explainMPCformation. Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal (EMT) and mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial (MET) transitions, acting in collaboration with epithelial‐mesenchymal communications are also considered as mechanisms affecting hair growth and its bending and twisting. These may be treated as sub‐mechanisms of an overall development from neural‐crest stem cell (NCSC) lineages to differentiated hair follicle (HF) cell types, thus providing a unified framework for hair growth and development.
Increased expression of the hypoxia‐related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of human subjects with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Yan Jun , Liu Jia , Greer Judith M. , McCombe Pamela A.
Published: March 2014

Objective

The present study was carried out to determine whether the peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with acute ischemic stroke show changes in expression of genes that are involved in the response to hypoxia.

Methods

RNA expression was examined in peripheral blood cells from subjects at day 1, week 1 and week 3 after acute ischemic stroke, subjects with motor neurone disease and healthy controls. A human quantitative polymerase chain reaction array kit containing 84 different hypoxia pathway‐related genes was used in the primary screening of biological triplicates from each time‐point after stroke.

Results

Of these 84 genes, 15 showed more than twofold upregulation on one or more days after stroke, and one showed more than twofold downregulation. A total of 12 of these 84 genes were selected for further assessment in 37 stroke patients, 22 subjects with motor neurone disease and 19 healthy controls. There was significant upregulation of hypoxia‐related genes after stroke. The upregulated genes were ADM, HIF3A, VEGFA, NPY, BIRC5 and ECE1.

Conclusions

The upregulation of hypoxia‐related genes in peripheral blood cells after acute ischemic stroke could affect the function and contribute to the activation of these cells.
CROSSING THE BORDER AND MIGRATION DURATION
Authors: QUINN MICHAEL A.
Published: March 2014

Policies to deter illegal entry and reduce the number of undocumented immigrants have a complex impact on migration patterns, border crossings, and duration. However, studies generally assume the method of crossing into the United States is exogenous with respect to migration duration. Using data from the Mexican Migration Project, this paper finds that the migrant's decision to hire a coyote (smuggler) to cross the border is endogenous with respect to duration. Instrumental variable estimates provide evidence that migrants who incur the cost of hiring a coyote have longer migration durations as they need to work longer in the United States. The migrants most likely to hire coyotes have less education, little migration experience, and/or come from rural communities. Results suggest that continuing to increase guest worker programs could actually decrease the number of Mexican immigrants in the United States by eliminating the need for coyotes which would reduce migration durations. This would better utilize the immigrant population in the United States by encouraging immigrants to stay while employed and to migrate home when unemployed, with the knowledge they can later return. Reducing coyote use would also reduce income flowing to Mexican cartels which have profited from human smuggling. (JEL O15, J61, J64)
Extra‐cerebral oxygenation influence on near‐infrared‐spectroscopy‐determined frontal lobe oxygenation in healthy volunteers: a comparison between INVOS‐4100 and NIRO‐200NX
Authors: Sørensen Henrik , Rasmussen Peter , Siebenmann Christoph , Zaar Morten , Hvidtfeldt Morten , Ogoh Shigehiko , Sato Kohei , Kohl‐Bareis Matthias , Secher Niels H. , Lundby Carsten
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Frontal lobe oxygenation (ScO2) is assessed by spatially resolved near‐infrared spectroscopy (SR‐NIRS) although it seems influenced by extra‐cerebral oxygenation. We aimed to quantify the impact of extra‐cerebral oxygenation on two SR‐NIRS derived ScO2.

Methods

Multiple regression analysis estimated the influence of extra‐cerebral oxygenation as exemplified by skin oxygenation (SskinO2) on ScO2 in 21 healthy subjects exposed to whole‐body exercise in hypoxia (FiO2 = 12%; n = 10) and normoxia (n = 12), whole‐body heating, hyperventilation (n = 21), administration of norepinephrine with and without petCO2‐correction (n = 15), phenylephrine and head‐up tilt (n = 7). ScO2 was assessed simultaneously by NIRO‐200NX (SniroO2) and INVOS‐4100 (SinvosO2). Arterial (SaO2) and jugular bulb oxygen saturations (SjO2) were obtained.

Results

The regression analysis indicated that SinvosO2 reflects 46% arterial, 14% jugular, 35% skin and 4% oxygenation of tissues not interrogated. SinvosO2 follows a calculated estimate of cerebral capillary oxygenation (r = 0·67; P<0·0001). In contrast, the NIRO‐200NX‐determined ScO2 did not correlate with the estimate of cerebral oxygenation (r = 0·026; P = 0·71).

Conclusion

For all interventions, 35% of the INVOS‐4100 signal reflected extra‐cerebral oxygenation while, on the other hand, NIRO‐200NX did not follow changes in a calculated estimate of cerebral capillary oxygenation. Thus, the NIRO‐200NX and INVOS‐4100 do not provide for unbiased evaluation of the cerebral signal.
Simplified one‐orifice venoplasty for middle hepatic vein reconstruction in adult living donor liver transplantation using right lobe grafts
Authors: Kim Joo Dong , Choi Dong Lak , Han Young Seok
Published: March 2014

Middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction is often essential to avoid hepatic congestion and serious graft dysfunction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this report was to introduce evolution of our MHV reconstruction technique and excellent outcomes of simplified one‐orifice venoplasty. We compared clinical outcomes with two reconstruction techniques through retrospective review of 95 recipients who underwent LDLT using right lobe grafts at our institution from January 2008 to April 2012; group 1 received separate outflow reconstruction and group 2 received new one‐orifice technique. The early patency rates of MHV in group 2 were higher than those in group 1; 98.4% vs. 88.2% on postoperative day 7 (p = 0.054) and 96.7% vs. 82.4% on postoperative day 14, respectively (p = 0.023). Right hepatic vein (RHV) stenosis developed in three cases in group 1, but no RHV stenosis developed because we adopted one‐orifice technique (p = 0.043). The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in group 2 were significantly lower than those in group 1 during the early post‐transplant period. In conclusion, our simplified one‐orifice venoplasty technique could secure venous outflow and improve graft function during right lobe LDLT.
Responsibility to Be Enthusiastic? Public Servants and the Public Face of “Promiscuous Partisanship”
Authors: Grube Dennis
Published: March 2014

Contemporary public service leaders are no longer the anonymous mandarins of Westminster folklore. Whether giving public speeches to outside organizations or communicating directly with the media, senior public servants are emerging from anonymity to become public actors in their own right. This article undertakes a comparative study across four Westminster jurisdictions—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—to examine the formal rules and guidelines that apply to public servants when making public statements in their official capacity. Drawing on the late Peter Aucoin's notion of “promiscuous partisanship,” the article argues that public servants are expected to demonstrate a new level of enthusiasm when explaining or justifying government policy to the public. This has implications for the extent to which nonpartisanship can continue to effectively function within Westminster systems.
Risk of bias reporting in Cochrane systematic reviews
Authors: Hopp Lisa
Published: March 2014

Risk of bias is an inherent quality of primary research and therefore of systematic reviews. This column addresses the Cochrane Collaboration's approach to assessing, risks of bias, the meaning of each, indicators of low, high and uncertain, and ways that risk of bias can be represented in a Cochrane systematic review report. The sources of risk of bias that reviewers evaluate include selection, performance, detection, attrition and reporting bias. Each poses threat to the internal validity of the primary studies and requires the reviewer to judge the level of risk as high, low or unclear. Reviewers need to address how studies of higher risk of bias might impact the pooled effect.
Effects of a dietary modification on 2 h postprandial blood glucose in Thai population at risk of type 2 diabetes: An application of the Stages of Change Model
Authors: Pichayapinyo Panan , Lagampan Sunee , Rueangsiriwat Nichaphat
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a dietary modification intervention programme by applying the Stages of Change Model in 2 h postprandial capillary glucose reduction among Thai population. A randomized control trial was conducted for people at risk of type 2 diabetes for a period of 8 weeks. The intervention programme consisted of evaluating an individual's stage of change after being provided dietary information regarding kind of food and portions, discussion with a role model, and keeping a food diary record. By the end of the intervention programme, most participants in the experimental group were in the action stage (n = 36), whereas those in the control group were in the preparation stage (n = 32). Body mass index, blood pressure, food consumption behaviour and the 2 h postprandial blood glucose (PPG) in the experimental group had improved (P < 0.05). When performing regression analysis, intervention participation and the 2 h PPG at the baseline accounted for approximately 54% of total variance in predicting the 2 h PPG. This study yielded evidence for the benefits of using the Stages of Change Model as a framework in a dietary modification programme among people at risk of type 2 diabetes.
The effect of a home‐based exercise intervention on postnatal depression and fatigue: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mohammadi Fatemeh , Malakooti Jamileh , Babapoor Jalil , Mohammad‐Alizadeh‐Charandabi Sakineh
Published: March 2014

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of home‐based low‐intensity stretching and breathing exercises on the reduction of 1 and 2 month post‐partum depression (primary outcome) and fatigue (secondary outcome) scores. In this randomized controlled trial, 127 women at 26–32 weeks' gestation with Edinburgh score less than 15, who attended 14 selected health centres in Tabriz, Iran, were randomly allocated into one of the following three groups: no intervention group, group receiving training for exercise during pregnancy, and group receiving training for exercise during pregnancy and post‐partum period until 2 months after delivery. Depression and fatigue scores were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Fatigue Identification Form, respectively, at baseline, 1 month and 2 months after delivery. The data were analysed with SPSS‐ver. 13.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) using chi‐square, Fisher's exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Mean rank of the difference scores of depression and fatigue were not significantly different among the groups, both at 1 and 2 months post‐partum (P > 0.05). Therefore, this study did not provide evidence to show that training women to do the home‐based exercises during pregnancy or during pregnancy and post‐partum period have a preventive effect on post‐partum depression and fatigue. However, more studies are needed for making precise judgment.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Left Atrial Appendage for Detecting Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tanaka Koji , Koga Masatoshi , Sato Kazuaki , Suzuki Rieko , Minematsu Kazuo , Toyoda Kazunori
Published: March 2014

Background

Atrial fibrillation impairs left atrial appendage function and the thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage is a major cause of cardioembolic stroke.

Aims

To evaluate the association between the volume of the left atrial appendage measured by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and presence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack.

Methods

Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was performed to measure left atrial appendage end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes to calculate left atrial appendage ejection fraction. Patients with normal sinus rhythm at the time of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography were divided into groups with and without paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Volumetric data were corrected with the body surface area.

Results

Of 146 patients registered, 102 (29 women, 72·2 ± 10·7 years) were normal sinus rhythm at the examination. In 23 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, left atrial appendage end-diastolic volume (4·78 ± 3·00 ml/m2 vs. 3·14 ± 2·04 ml/m2, P = 0·003) and end-systolic volume (3·10 ± 2·47 ml/m2 vs. 1·39 ± 1·56 ml/m2, P < 0·001) were larger and left atrial appendage ejection fraction (37·3 ±19·1% vs. 57·1 ± 17·5%, P < 0·001) was lower than in the other 79 patients without paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The optimal cutoff for left atrial appendage peak flow velocity to predict paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was 39·0 cm/s (sensitivity, 54·6%; specificity, 89·7%; c-statistic, 0·762). The cutoffs for left atrial appendage end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction were 4·52 ml/m2 (sensitivity, 47·8%; specificity, 82·3%; c-statistic, 0·694), 1·26 ml/m2 (sensitivity, 91·3%; specificity, 60·3%; c-statistic, 0·806), and 47·9% (sensitivity, 78·3%; specificity, 74·7%; c-statistic, 0·774), respectively. In multivariate analysis, all these parameters were independently associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after adjusting for sex, age, diabetes mellitus, and previous stroke.

Conclusions

Left atrial appendage volumetric analysis by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is a promising method for detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in acute cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack.
Long‐term outcomes in patients with restrictive filling following ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Hee L. , Brennan X. , Chen J. , Allman C. , Whalley G. A. , French J. K. , Juergens C. P. , Thomas L.
Published: March 2014

This study evaluated the effect of restrictive filling pattern (RFP) on 5‐year outcomes in patients following ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A hundred STEMI patients treated either by rescue or primary percutaneous coronary intervention with an echocardiogram performed within 6 weeks of STEMI comprised the study group. Creatinine kinase (CK) and left ventricular ejection fraction were independent determinants of RFP, and RFP was an independent predictor of cardiac and all‐cause mortality at median follow up of 5 years.