bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young vs old – landscape vs portrait: a comparative study of touch gesture performance
Authors: Wulf Linda , Garschall Markus , Klein Michael , Tscheligi Manfred
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain deeper insights into performance differences of younger and older users when performing touch gestures, as well as the influence of tablet device orientation (portrait vs landscape).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors performed a comparative study involving 20 younger (25-45 years) and 20 older participants (65-85 years). Each participant executed six gestures with each device orientation. Age was set as a between-subject factor. The dependent variables were task completion time and error rates (missed target rate and finger lift rate). To measure various performance characteristics, the authors implemented an application for the iPad that logged completion time and error rates of the participants when performing six gestural tasks – tap, drag, pinch, pinch-pan, rotate left and rotate right – for both device orientations.

Findings

– The results show a significant effect of age on completion time and error rates. Means reveal faster completion times and lower error rates for younger users than for older users. In addition, a significant effect of device orientation on error rates could be stated. Means show higher error rates for portrait orientation than for landscape orientation. Qualitative results reveal a clear preference for landscape orientation in both age groups and a lower acceptance of rotation gestures among older participants.

Originality/value

– In this study the authors were able to show the importance of device orientation as an influencing factor on touch interaction performance, indicating that age is not the exclusive influencing factor.
The iPad as a mobile assistive technology device
Authors: Chmiliar Linda , Anton Carrie
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the viewpoint of the authors on the use of the iPad as an assistive technology tool for post-secondary students with disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Although this paper is not classified as a research article, the viewpoints discussed by the authors are related to a pilot study and continuing case study research they are conducting.

Findings

– The authors indicate that they have been surprised at the positive results they have observed in the iPad implementation, particularly with students moving to the iPad to continue their studies at the completion of the research.

Practical implications

– This paper discusses the opportunities and limitations afforded by the use of the iPad with post-secondary students as well as suggestions for implementation.

Social implications

– After decades of experience in the field of assistive technology, the authors are becoming convinced that the iPad offers significant opportunities for learning for students with disabilities. One of the exciting parts of being involved in these iPad studies has been to observe: the transformation of student study skills, the increased student self-discovery around how they learn, and the increase in student confidence in technology use. Perhaps rather than labeling the iPad as a mobile device or an assistive technology tool, the authors need to look at different terminology to define it. The ownership of this device by post-secondary students is growing every year, and it is a device that does not set students with disabilities apart from their peers. It is a device that can effectively support student learning through built in accessibility features and the use of commonly available and used apps. Perhaps using the term “equalizing technology” to describe the iPad might be more appropriate.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses the opportunities and limitations afforded by the use of the iPad with post-secondary students as well as suggestions for implementation. This is a rapidly developing area in universities and colleges around the world.
Real wages and monetary policy: a DSGE approach
Authors: Perry Bryan , Phillips Kerk , Spencer David E.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Studies of the cyclical behavior of real wages have identified monetary shocks and examined the response of real wages and output or employment. A finding that real wages are procyclical in response to a positive monetary policy shock is taken as evidence that prices are stickier than wages. The purpose of this paper is to show that factors other than wage and price stickiness affect the response of real wages to a monetary policy shock.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors simulate two prominent dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models under a variety of parameter values and examine the cyclicality of the real wage.

Findings

– The authors offer robust evidence that the real wage response to monetary policy is affected in important ways by properties of the economy other than stickiness of wages and prices, such as the importance of intermediate goods in the production process and the size of key elasticities. Consequently, the authors cannot appropriately infer the relative stickiness of wages and prices from examining only the response of real wages to a monetary policy shock.

Originality/value

– The authors show in this study that examining the response of real wages is not enough to sort out the relative stickiness of prices and wages.
Income inequality and the composition of public debt
Authors: Salti Nisreen
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the redistributive effect of domestic public debt: lenders to the government lie on the higher end of the income distribution, but the burden of debt financing falls on the entire tax base, to the extent that taxes are used to service debt. Because domestic debt is typically held by domestic lenders, this involves a redistribution of resources.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses cross-country panel data on debt composition, and run regressions of income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, using various specifications, controlling for a variety of macroeconomic, fiscal and political variables.

Findings

– The author finds that the composition of public debt is consistently a significant determinant of income inequality: the domestic share of public debt is regressive and significant across all specifications, even controlling for total and external debt servicing, political conflict, corruption and a variety of government spending variables.

Research limitations/implications

– The data span 18 years (1990-2007) which means that long-run effects are hard to track. While the author has a good mix in the sample of observations from low-, middle- and high-income countries, the author is constrained in the choice of countries by the availability of data on inequality and on the composition of public debt.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to examine the composition of public debt in terms of domestic and external debt, and any bearing it may have on income inequality. The finding is also new for both the public debt and income inequality literatures: cross-country panel data are consistent with the belief that domestic debt redistributes resources from the entire tax base to wealthy holders of government debt in a way that external debt does not.
Even education has its limits: closing the wage gap
Authors: Epstein Gil S. , Gafni Dalit , Siniver Erez
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Economic outcomes are compared for university graduates in Israel belonging to four different ethnic groups. A unique data set is used that includes all individuals who graduated with a first degree from universities and colleges in Israel between the years 1995 and 2008 and which tracks them for up to ten years from the year they graduated. The main finding is that education and experience appear to have a strong effect on earnings in the long run and that an ethnic group can improve its position relative to certain groups while there is no effect relative to other groups. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors consider three of the main factors determining the success of assimilation: size of the ethnic group; cultural differences between groups and skin color; and examine how these factors affect economic outcomes. The authors use a unique data set that includes all individuals who graduated with a first degree from universities and colleges in Israel between the years 1995 and 2008.

Findings

– The results obtained in this study show that on average native Jews attain the best economic outcomes, followed by FSU immigrants, Israeli Arabs and finally Ethiopian immigrants. Education and experience appear to have a strong effect on earnings in the long run. An ethnic group can improve its position relative to other groups as they accumulate work experience.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that the Ethiopian immigrants where taken into account.
Empirical appraisal of fiscal stability: the case of Ghana
Authors: Akosah Nana Kwame
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to appraise the stability of Ghana’s fiscal policy by assessing government’s reaction in the past to rising public debt over the last three decades.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using quarterly data spanning 1990Q1-2013Q2, the study evaluated the mean reverting properties of Ghana’s public debt and also estimate the fiscal policy reaction function. The complementary estimation techniques include Pesaranet al.(2001) bound testing cointegration test, differencing method and also Granger two-step cointegration methods.

Findings

– Using quarterly data from 1990Q1 to 2013Q2, the study found the fiscal policy to be unstable in the 1990s, necessitating the adoption of Heavily Indebted Poor Countries’ initiative in 2001. The fiscal situation however relatively stabilizes afterwards following the external debt relief in 2001. Nevertheless, the study reveals that the recent fiscal policy (since 2006) seems to be confronted with tremendous fiscal pressures, exacerbated by fiscal excesses during election cycles as well as excessive domestic and external borrowings. In addition, the economic growth-debt link was found to be weak, though debt appears to adversely affect economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

– The study does not thoroughly explore the possibility of non-linear relationship between public debt and primary balance. Also, the result could be different using different data frequencies.

Practical implications

– The state of government finance has implications on the monetary policy and economic growth prospects of an economy. As an inflation targeting central bank since 2002, a successful monetary policy implementation that reins in inflation requires fiscal policy that curtails fiscal volatilities originating from imprudent behaviour of government. Therefore, the looming fiscal pressures in recent times would impair the effective implementation of the inflation targeting framework by the central bank, and also retard economic growth as the bulk of these expenditures are usually recurrent in the case of Ghana.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to employ complementary econometric techniques to empirically evaluate fiscal sustainability in Ghana.
Monetary policy surprises and jumps in interest rates: evidence from Brazil
Authors: Meurer Roberto , Santos André A.P. , Turatti Douglas E.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider a monetary-jump model to measure the contribution of jumps to the total volatility of interest rates in the Brazilian interbank market and to assess the extent to which the central bank’s unanticipated monetary policy decisions are driving these jumps.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a sample of swap rates contracts with different maturities to estimate a mixture GARCH-jump model that disentangles two components of interest rate volatility: a GARCH-type specification that models conditional heteroskedasticity to account for the volatility during “normal” times and a Poisson process that models the occurrence of abrupt changes in interest rates.

Findings

– The contribution of jumps to the total volatility is substantial, and monetary policy decisions partly explain the occurrence of those jumps. In particular, the authors find that the likelihood of a jump occurring during a meeting day of the Brazilian central bank’s monetary policy committee (COPOM) is higher in comparison to that of a non-meeting day.

Research limitations/implications

– The occurrence of jumps in the term structure of interest rates raises the question of the transmission mechanism of the monetary policy through the asset price channel as well as the relation between jumps and economic fundamentals.

Practical implications

– Communication between the central bank and the market will affect expectations and asset values. If the central bank’s decisions generate fewer jumps, then the variance of the interest rate-linked asset values will also be reduced.

Originality/value

– The paper employs a new approach to assess monetary policy surprises to a set of Brazilian interest rate data and relates the occurrence of jumps to the macroeconomic environment.
How speechreading contributes to reading in a transparent ortography: the case of Spanish deaf people
Authors: Rodríguez‐Ortiz Isabel R. , Saldaña David , Moreno‐Perez Francisco J.
Published: September 2015

The aim of the study is to describe the performance of deaf and hearing people while speechreading Spanish, a language with transparent orthography, and to relate this skill to reading efficiency. Three groups of 27 participants each were recruited: a group of deaf participants, a chronological age‐matched hearing group and a reading age‐matched hearing group. All three were tested on vocabulary, phonological awareness, reading speed, speechreading and, only in the group of deaf people, speech intelligibility. The results indicate that deaf people are better speechreaders than younger hearing people, but they are no better than their age‐matched peers, and that speechreading is related to reading only in deaf people.
Gene–gene interaction of ATG5, ATG7, BLK and BANK1 in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Dang Jie , Li Jiangxia , Xin Qian , Shan Shan , Bian Xianli , Yuan Qianqian , Liu Na , Ma Xiaochun , Li Yan , Liu Qiji
Published: September 2015

Aim

Autophagy‐related gene 5 (ATG5), ATG7, B‐lymphoid tyrosine kinase (BLK) and B‐cell scaffold protein with ankyrin repeats 1 (BANK1) are involved in B‐cell signaling; several genome‐wide association studies detected these genes as candidates involved in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to replicate the association of these genes with SLE in Chinese Han and to search for possible gene–gene interactions.

Methods

TaqMan single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was used to detect rs548234, rs665791 in ATG5, rs11706903 in ATG7, rs2736340 in BLK and rs10516487 in BANK1 in 382 SLE patients and 660 healthy controls. The epistasis effect was analyzed by logistic regression, multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) and linear regression analysis.

Results

SLE was associated with frequency of rs548234 (P = 0.010; odds ratio [OR] = 1.298), rs2736340 (P = 2.47 × 10−5; OR = 1.574) and rs10516487 (P = 0.002; OR = 0.642). Although no epistasis effects were found among three autophagy‐related gene loci or with rs2736340 and rs10516487, BLK and BANK1 had the closest interaction effect on logistic regression analysis (P = 0.013; OR = 1.205), MDR (P < 0.0001), and linear regression analysis (P = 0.0017; R2 = 0.1806). The risk genotype TT of rs2736340 was associated with decreased messenger RNA level of BLK; BLK transcript level was lower in SLE patients than healthy controls.

Conclusion

We confirmed the association of rs548234, rs2736340 and rs10516487 with SLE in Chinese Han and reinforced our hypothesis of their epistasis effect in regulating B‐cell signaling in SLE.
In situ associations between marine photosynthetic picoeukaryotes and potential parasites – a role for fungi?
Authors: Lepère Cécile , Ostrowski Martin , Hartmann Manuela , Zubkov Mikhail V. , Scanlan David J.
Published: September 2015

Photosynthetic picoeukaryotes (PPEs) are important components of the marine picophytoplankton community playing a critical role in CO2 fixation but also as bacterivores, particularly in the oligotrophic gyres. Despite an increased interest in these organisms and an improved understanding of the genetic diversity of this group, we still know little of the environmental factors controlling the abundance of these organisms. Here, we investigated the quantitative importance of eukaryotic parasites in the free‐living fraction as well as in associations with PPEs along a transect in the South Atlantic. Using tyramide signal amplification‐fluorescence in situ hybridization (TSA‐FISH), we provide quantitative evidence of the occurrence of free‐living fungi in open ocean marine systems, while the Perkinsozoa and Syndiniales parasites were not abundant in these waters. Using flow cytometric cell sorting of different PPE populations followed by a dual‐labelled TSA‐FISH approach, we also demonstrate fungal associations, potentially parasitic, occurring with both pico‐Prymnesiophyceae and pico‐Chrysophyceae. These data highlight the necessity for further work investigating the specific role of marine fungi as parasites of phytoplankton to improve understanding of carbon flow in marine ecosystems.
Habitat‐associated skew of clone abundance in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa population
Authors: Wiehlmann Lutz , Cramer Nina , Tümmler Burkhard
Published: September 2015

The population structure of the cosmopolitan Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated by genotyping 2921 isolates from 1448 independent habitats with a custom‐made 58 binary marker microarray. Of 323 identified clone types, 109 clones made up 82% of the population. The 20 most frequent clones had an absolute share of 44% indicating that the P. aeruginosa population is dominated by few epidemic clonal complexes. The frequency distribution of common clones was different between inanimate habitats and human niches. The three most abundant clones in the environment were rare among isolates from human infection. Conversely, disease‐associated isolates either belonged to ubiquitous clones such as C and PA14 or to clones that were uncommon in the environment. The P. aeruginosa population consists of major clones that are just as versatile in their habitat and geographic origin as the whole species and of minor clones with preference for a peculiar niche.
Alcohol Use Initiation is Associated with Changes in Personality Trait Trajectories from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Authors: Blonigen Daniel M. , Durbin C. Emily , Hicks Brian M. , Johnson Wendy , McGue Matt , Iacono William G.
Published: September 2015

Background

Recent work has demonstrated the codevelopment of personality traits and alcohol use characteristics from early adolescence to young adulthood. Few studies, however, have tested whether alcohol use initiation impacts trajectories of personality over this time period. We examined the effect of alcohol use initiation on personality development from early adolescence to young adulthood.

Methods

Participants were male (nmen = 2,350) and female (nwomen = 2,618) twins and adoptees from 3 community‐based longitudinal studies conducted at the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research. Data on personality traits of Positive Emotionality (PEM; Well‐being), Negative Emotionality (NEM; Stress Reaction, Alienation, and Aggression), and Constraint (CON; Control and Harm Avoidance)—assessed via the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)—and age of first drink were collected for up to 4 waves spanning ages 10 to 32.

Results

Alcohol use initiation was associated with significant decreases in levels of Well‐being and CON traits, most notably Control; and significant increases in levels of all NEM traits, particularly Aggression. In general, the effects of alcohol use initiation on personality traits were moderated by gender and enhanced among those with earlier age of first drink.

Conclusions

From early adolescence to young adulthood, alcohol use initiation predicts deviations from normative patterns of personality maturation. Such findings offer a potential mechanism underlying the codevelopment of personality traits and alcohol use characteristics during this formative period of development.
A study of stromal riboflavin absorption in ex vivo porcine corneas using new and existing delivery protocols for corneal cross‐linking
Authors: Hayes Sally , Morgan Siân R. , O'Brart David P. , O'Brart Naomi , Meek Keith M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To indirectly measure stromal riboflavin penetration using commercially available riboflavin solutions and new and existing epithelium‐off, trans‐epithelial and iontophoresis‐assisted delivery protocols.

Methods

Forty porcine eyes were divided into eight groups. Group 1: Ricrolin applied to the de‐epithelialised cornea for 30 min; Group 2: epithelium‐intact, no treatment; Groups 3–5: epithelium‐intact, 30‐min application of Ricrolin TE, Mediocross TE or ParaCel/Vibex, respectively. Group 6: epithelium‐intact, Ricrolin+ iontophoresis‐assisted delivery for 5 min; Group 7: epithelium‐intact, Ricrolin+ iontophoresis‐assisted delivery for 5 min with a 20‐min riboflavin soak; and Group 8: epithelium‐intact, Ricrolin+ iontophoresis‐assisted delivery for 5 min, 15‐min soak and another 5 min of iontophoresis. After a saline wash, light transmission spectra were obtained from each cornea, before and after epithelial removal.

Results

Corneas in groups 1 and 8 showed a distinct riboflavin absorption peak between 400 and 520 nm. The optical density of the corneas in groups 3–7 did not differ significantly from that of the untreated corneas (group 2).

Conclusions

A modification to the standard iontophoresis trans‐epithelial technique resulted in successful penetration of riboflavin into the stroma and appears to offer the most promise for epithelium‐on cross‐linking.
Comparison of emission estimates for non‐CO2 greenhouse gases from livestock and poultry in Korea from 1990 to 2010
Authors: Paik Chunhyun , Chung Yongjoo , Kim Hugon , Kim Young Jin
Published: September 2015

It has often been claimed that non‐carbon dioxide greenhouse gases (NCGGs), such as methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated greenhouse gases, are significant contributors to climate change. Here we nvestigate emission estimates of methane and nitrous oxide from livestock and poultry production, which is recognized as a major source of those NCGGs, in Korea over the period of 1990 through 2010. Based on the data on livestock and poultry populations, emission estimates of methane and nitrous oxide are first derived based on the Tier 1 approach. Then, the Tier 2 approach is adopted to obtain emission estimates of methane and nitrous oxide from cattle, which are known to be the largest sources of these NCGGs and account for about 70% of emissions from livestock and poultry in Korea. The result indicates that the Tier 2 estimates of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management are significantly different from the Tier 1 estimates over the analysis period.
Effect of the type of silage on milk yield, intake and rumen metabolism of dairy cows grazing swards with low herbage mass
Authors: Ruiz‐Albarrán Miguel , Balocchi Oscar A. , Noro Mirela , Wittwer Fernando , Pulido Rubén G.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of herbage allowance (HA) and type of silage supplemented (TS) on milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI) and metabolism of dairy cows in early lactation. Thirty‐six Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows were allocated to four treatments derived from an arrangement of two HA (LHA = 17 or HHA = 25 kg of DM/cow/day) and two TS (grass (GS) or maize (MS)). Herbage allowance had no effect on DMI or milk yield. Rumen pH and NH3‐N concentration were not affected by HA. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen (microbial protein (MP)) was affected by HA with 21.5 and 23.9 g microbial nitrogen per kg ruminal digestible organic matter for LHA and HHA, respectively (P < 0.05). Supplementation with MS showed higher values of milk yield by 2.4 kg/cow/day (P < 0.001), milk protein content by 0.10 % (P < 0.023) and herbage DMI by 2.2 kg/cow/day, and showed lower values for milk urea compared to GS (P < 0.001). The former results suggest that TS had a greater effect on milk yield, total feed intake and energy intake than increase in herbage allowance; however, increase in HA had greater effects on MP than TS.
Influence of rice whole‐crop silage diet on growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics and muscle‐related gene expression in Japanese Black steers
Authors: Shibata Masahiro , Hikino Yasuko , Imanari Mai , Matsumoto Kazunori , Yamamoto Naoyuki
Published: September 2015

The present study investigated the influence of a diet largely comprising rice whole‐crop silage (rWCS) on growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and expression of genes involved in muscle growth of Japanese Black steers. Steers were randomly separated into rWCS‐fed (rWCS ad libitum and restricted feeding of concentrate) and concentrate‐fed groups. Total digestible nutrient intake and daily gain (DG) decreased in rWCS‐fed steers in comparison with concentrate‐fed steers, whereas dressed carcass weight and final body weight did not significantly differ between the groups. Decreases in drip loss in the muscle of rWCS‐fed steers may be caused by α‐tocopherol and β‐carotene in muscle. Feeding large amounts of rWCS to steers may maintain quantitative productivity of beef steers equally to a concentrate‐based diet, and improve the qualitative productivity. Results of gene expression suggest that activation of skeletal muscle growth in rWCS‐fed steers may occur at the late fattening period owing to a decrease in myostatin and increase in myosin heavy chain gene expression. Preadipocyte factor‐1 and myostatin genes may be strongly involved in the control of lipid accumulation. This rearing system would allow beef production to switch to rWCS‐based diets from concentrate‐based diets.
Effect of water‐soluble carbohydrate content in orchardgrass pasture on grazing time and rumen fermentation in dairy cows
Authors: Ueda Koichiro , Mitani Tomohiro , Kondo Seiji
Published: September 2015

Two experiments were conducted to clarify the effect of water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content in orchardgrass pasture on the diurnal distribution of grazing time. Six ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating dairy cows were grazed on either of two pastures with different orchardgrass cultivars containing low WSC (LWSC; cultivar: ‘Hokkai 28’) or high WSC (HWSC; cultivar: ‘Harunemidori’). The cows were grazed in morning and evening sessions in experiment 1, whereas the cows were grazed throughout the day in experiment 2. In experiment 1, grazing time of the cows on HWSC was longer than that of the cows on LWSC (P < 0.01). This difference was larger in the morning session than in the evening session (pasture × grazing session: P < 0.05). Effects on herbage intake were similar to those on grazing time. In experiment 2, daily total grazing time was longer for the cows on HWSC than for those on LWSC (P < 0.05). The cows on HWSC spent a longer time grazing than those on LWSC in the morning between 03.00 and 09.00 hours (P < 0.01). The results indicated that prolonged grazing time in the period between dawn and early morning could increase daily herbage intake in cows grazed on pastures of orchardgrass cultivars with high‐WSC content.
Topical applications of vitamin D on implant surface for bone‐to‐implant contact enhance: a pilot study in dogs part II
Authors: Salomó‐Coll Oscar , Maté‐Sánchez de Val José E. , Ramírez‐Fernandez María P. , Hernández‐Alfaro Federico , Gargallo‐Albiol Jordi , Calvo‐Guirado José L.
Published: September 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical application of vitamin D over implant surface, placed immediately to the extraction, throughout histological and histomorphometric analysis of peri‐implant tissue.

Material and methods

Six American foxhound dogs were used in the study. Mandibular premolar distal roots were extracted. Twenty‐four immediate conical C1 implants (MIS, Barlev, Israel) were randomly assigned to the distal site on each site of the mandible in three groups: (Group CI) 12 titanium implants alone; (Test Group DI) 12 titanium implants supplemented with vitamin D. Prior to implanting, test implants (DI) were submerged in vitamin D 10% solution. No treatment was applied at control implants (CI). After 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed. Block sections were obtained and processed for mineralized ground sectioning. Bone‐to‐implant contact (Total BIC and BIC%), new bone formation (NBF), interthread bone (ITB), and histological linear measurements (HLM) were analyzed.

Results

At 12 weeks, all implants were clinically stable and histologically osseointegrated. BIC evaluation showed Total BIC mean and SD values for DI (48.96 ± 2.14), CI (44.56 ± 1.75) (P < 0.05), BIC% DI (43.59 ± 0.98), and CI (42.67 ± 9.26) (P > 0.05). For interthread bone formation, values were as follows: DI (15.21 ± 3.87), CI (14.79 ± 1.45) (P > 0.05), no statistically differences. Regarding peri‐implant new bone formation, no statistically differences could be found between the two groups DI (31.87 ± 1.23), CI (27.18 ± 2.38) (P > 0.05). For linear measurements, test group (DI) showed statistically significant less buccal crestal bone loss (CBL) DI (0.37 ± 0.12)*, CI (1.26 ± 0.8) (P < 0.05), and vitamin D implants showed less lingual junctional epithelium DI (1.58 ± 0.43)*, CI (2.18 ± 0.48) (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the buccal mucosa.

Conclusion

With the limitation of animal studies, topical application of vitamin D on dental implants could reduce crestal bone loss and increase 10% more bone‐to‐implant contact at 12‐week follow‐up period.
Suppressing cAMP response element‐binding protein transcription shortens the duration of status epilepticus and decreases the number of spontaneous seizures in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Xinjian , Dubey Deepti , Bermudez Camilo , Porter Brenda E.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Current epilepsy therapies directed at altering the function of neurotransmitter receptors or ion channels, or release of synaptic vesicles fail to prevent seizures in approximately 30% of patients. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying epilepsy is needed to provide new therapeutic targets. The activity of cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element‐binding protein (CREB), a major transcription factor promoting CRE‐mediated transcription, increases following a prolonged seizure called status epilepticus. It is also increased in the seizure focus of patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy. Herein we explored the effect of acute suppression of CREB activity on status epilepticus and spontaneous seizures in a chronic epilepsy model.

Methods

Pilocarpine chemoconvulsant was used to induce status epilepticus. To suppress CREB activity, a transgenic mouse line expressing an inducible dominant negative mutant of CREB (CREBIR) with a serine to alanine 133 substitution was used. Status epilepticus and spontaneous seizures of transgenic and wild‐type mice were analyzed using video–electroencephalography (EEG) to assess the effect of CREB suppression on seizures.

Results

Our findings indicate that activation of CREBIR shortens the duration of status epilepticus. The frequency of spontaneous seizures decreased in mice with chronic epilepsy during CREBIR induction; however, the duration of the spontaneous seizures was unchanged. Of interest, we found significantly reduced levels of phospho‐CREB Ser133 upon activation of CREBIR, supporting prior work suggesting that binding to the CRE site is important for CREB phosphorylation.

Significance

Our results suggest that CRE transcription supports seizure activity both during status epilepticus and in spontaneous seizures. Thus, blocking of CRE transcription is a novel target for the treatment of epilepsy.
Imperfect detection and the determination of environmental flows for fish: challenges, implications and solutions
Authors: Gwinn Daniel C. , Beesley Leah S. , Close Paul , Gawne Ben , Davies Peter M.
Published: September 2015

Relationships between river flow characteristics and fish community/population dynamics (i.e. flow–ecology relationships) underpin methods to determine and monitor environmental water allocations. Quantifying these relationships can be difficult, and consequently, most environmental flow strategies for fish conservation in Australian rivers are based on general flow–ecology relationships as opposed to statistical predictions.

Of those studies that have investigated relationships between flow and fish, most have not accounted for incomplete and variable detection of fish by the sampling methods, thus making the implicit assumption that sampling efficiency is invariant. This important assumption is rarely met, leading to inconsistent research findings and spurious results, and a reliance on generic flow–ecology principles for defining flow management strategies.

We illustrate how and when detection probability varies when sampling freshwater fish and the consequences to scientific inference about fish–flow relationships. Methods for accounting for imperfect detection of fish are identified and tools to increase the efficiency of experimental designs while reducing sampling cost are discussed. These tools include methods for borrowing information among experimental components and simulation techniques to optimise sampling designs.

We argue that, due to the very nature of sampling designs to quantify flow–ecology relationships (e.g. sampling at different flow magnitudes/regimes), the challenge of imperfect detectability is particularly relevant to environmental flow science. We encourage the broader adoption of methods that account for imperfect detection to improve inference about fish–flow relationships and increase the successful application of environmental flows for managing fish communities.
Comparative study of the essential oils of three Beilschmiedia species and their biological activities
Authors: Salleh Wan Mohd Nuzul Hakimi Wan , Ahmad Farediah , Khong Heng Yen , Mohamed Zulkifli Razauden
Published: September 2015

This study was designed to examine the chemical compositions of the essential oils from three Beilschmiedia species and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antityrosinase, acetylcholinesterase and anti‐inflammatory activities. The essential oils of B. kunstleri, B. maingayi, B. penangiana gave β‐caryophyllene (10.6–12.1%), β‐eudesmol (17.5–24.1%) and δ‐cadinene (17.5–28.7%) as the most abundant components respectively. The bark oil of B. maingayi showed the highest activity in β‐carotene/linoleic acid (125.9%) and phenolic content (288.2 mg GA g−1), while B. penangiana bark oil was found to have strong activity in DPPH (IC50 84.7 μg mL−1) and ABTS (IC50 108.3 μg mL−1). The essential oils of B. penangiana showed the best activity against Candida glabrata with MIC value 31.3 μg mL−1. The bark oil of B. penangiana gave 82.5% tyrosinase inhibiton. The leaf oil of B. maingayi gave the highest inhibition in AChE (66.6%) and lipoxygenase (77.0%) assay. Our findings demonstrate that the essential oils have great potential for applications in pharmaceutical and food industries.
Pharmacist independent prescribing in critical care: results of a national questionnaire to establish the 2014 UK position
Authors: Bourne Richard S , Whiting Paul , Brown Lisa S , Borthwick Mark
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Clinical pharmacist practice is well established in the safe and effective use of medicines in the critically ill patient. In the UK, independent pharmacist prescribers are generally recognised as a valuable and desirable resource. However, currently, there are only anecdotal reports of pharmacist-independent prescribing in critical care. The aim of this questionnaire was to determine the current and proposed future independent prescribing practice of UK clinical pharmacists working in adult critical care.

Methods

The questionnaire was distributed electronically to UK Clinical Pharmacy Association members (closed August 2014).

Key findings

There were 134 responses to the questionnaire (response rate at least 33%). Over a third of critical care pharmacists were practising independent prescribers in the specialty, and 70% intended to be prescribers within the next 3 years. Pharmacists with ≥5 years critical care experience (P < 0.001) or worked in a team (P = 0.005) were more likely to be practising independent prescribers. Pharmacists reported significant positives to the use of independent prescribing in critical care both in patient care and job satisfaction. Independently, prescribing was routine in: dose adjustment for multi-organ failure, change in route or formulation, correction prescribing errors, therapeutic drug monitoring and chronic medication. The majority of pharmacist prescribers reported they spent ≤5% of their clinical time prescribing and accounted for ≤5% of new prescriptions in critical care patients.

Conclusions

Most critical care pharmacists intend to be practising as independent prescribers within the next 3 years. The extent and scope of critical care pharmacist prescribing appear to be of relatively low volume and within niche prescribing areas.
Establishment of a Method for Describing stx Genes Expression of E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Matrix during Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Maryam , Hosseini Hedayat , Hedayati Mehdi , Mousavi Khanghah Amin , Djalma Chaves Rafael , Azizkhani Maryam
Published: September 2015

Ingredients and complexity of food matrices are inhibitory factors for gene expression studies of bacterial pathogens directly from food matrix. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and fast method for RNA extraction from ground beef matrix as well as stx genes expression of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by relative quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Inoculated ground beef samples were kept 7 days in refrigerated storage (4 ± 1C) and bacterial RNA was extracted according to the described method at 0, 2, 5 and 7 days after storage. Results indicate that refrigerated storage temperature decreased gene expression of stx1A (−3.35 relative changes on day 7) and stx2A (−2.9 relative changes on day 7) in ground beef matrix. In the current study, a method requiring minimal equipment and limited interference for RNA extraction from bacteria associated with a meat matrix was evaluated (developed, invested, etc.). Results of the study suggest that the quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR method could be used as a reliable and sensitive method for gene expression studies.

Practical Applications

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), known as a sensitive and specific method, was extensively used for the detection of genes involved in stress and virulence of bacteria. In this way, real‐time PCR shows a good sensitivity and diversity for detection and gene expression studies of pathogens. This technique frequently has been used for the study of bacterial behavior in broth or food‐like broth models. Complexity of food matrix and presence of proteins, and also other PCR‐inhibiting factors, restricted gene expression studies in food matrix. There has been great interest in the survival and pathogenicity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 because it is a great concern of ground meat industry. Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2) as manifest characteristics of E. coli O157:H7 are known as significant virulence factors in the pathogenicity of bacterium so its behavior and gene expression profile in meat matrix and during cold chain were evaluated.
Carbon dioxide insufflation during colonoscopy can significantly decrease post‐interventional abdominal discomfort in deeply sedated patients: A prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, controlled trial
Authors: Chen Shuo‐Wei , Hui Chung‐Kun , Chang Jia‐Jang , Lee Tsung‐Shih , Chan Siu‐Cheung , Chien Cheng‐Hung , Hu Ching‐Chih , Lin Chih‐Lang , Chen Li‐Wei , Liu Ching‐Jung , Yen Cho‐Li , Hsieh Po‐Jen , Liu Cheng‐Kun , Su Chih‐Sheng , Yu Chia‐Ying , Chien Rong‐Nan
Published: September 2015

Background and Aim:

CO2 has been reported to be absorbed from the bowel more rapidly than air, resulting in a discomfort reduction after colonoscopy. Its role in deeply sedated patients is limited. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy in patients deeply sedated with propofol.

Methods:

A total of 125 continuous patients were randomly assigned to receive either CO2 (n = 63) or air (n = 62) insufflation during propofol‐sedated colonoscopy. Postcolonoscopy abdominal pain, distention, and satisfaction were assessed at 1, 3, and 24 h after the procedure, and the proportions of pain‐free and distention‐free patients were compared. Residual bowel gas in the colon and small bowel was evaluated at 1 h after colonoscopy. End‐tidal CO2 and O2 saturation was measured for safety analysis.

Results:

There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the postcolonoscopy abdominal pain, distention, and subjective satisfaction at 1 h (P < 0.001) and 3 h (P < 0.01) after the procedure. Patients' pain and distention at 1 and 3 h after the procedure were significantly lower in the CO2 group (P < 0.01). Residual bowel gas in the colon and small bowel was significantly less in the CO2 group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in end‐tidal CO2 levels between two groups before, during, and after the procedure.

Conclusions:

Compared with air, CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy reduced postcolonoscopy abdominal discomfort and improved patients' satisfaction. It was safe to use CO2 insufflation in deeply sedated colonoscopy.
Metabolism and Environmental Impacts of Household Consumption: A Review on the Assessment, Methodology, and Drivers
Authors: Di Donato Monica , Lomas Pedro L. , Carpintero Óscar
Published: September 2015

The focus when analyzing the environmental requirements and impacts of the economic system is usually placed on production activities. But all production is associated with final consumption, and recently many studies have also been dedicated to final consumption. This article comprehensively reviews the biophysical assessment of households from the point of view of materials and energy required and emissions and wastes resulting from household consumption patterns. Although the aggregation bias and methodological variability make comparisons difficult, some patterns can be recognized. Results show that for many Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a few developing countries, household metabolism has been mainly assessed from the energetic perspective, stressing household responsibility for emissions of greenhouse effect gases and climate change. Few studies deal with other emissions and wastes. There is a lack of information about material requirements, too. Environmental input‐output (I‐O) analysis and life cycle assessment are the methods usually employed, together with the use of economic, environmental, and expenditure information. Information about direct inputs and outputs is complemented with data on the environmental requirements associated with the consumption of goods and services. Multiregional I‐O techniques have been used to capture upstream requirements in an attempt to avoid errors owing to truncation and domestic technology assumptions. Housing, food, and mobility are the most important consumption categories, but the shares of these categories in the requirements are different according to environmental, socioeconomic, and demographic factors. Finally, challenges for further research are discussed based on the need for new methodological developments, as well as the potential of the metabolic narrative to elaborate information relevant to sustainable consumption policies.
Motivating Personal Contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Authors: Duke Anne C. , Cude Brenda J.
Published: September 2015

Each individual enrolled in a health savings account (HSA) faces myriad conflicting forces when deciding whether to defer the immediate benefit of take‐home pay for the potential future benefit of making HSA contributions. Personal contributions allow enrollees to accumulate funds to cover out‐of‐pocket medical expenses. If an enrollee does not make HSA contributions, he or she might not be able to receive needed medical attention and take full advantage of the various financial and tax planning benefits of HSAs. In this study, the first of its kind, hypothetical experimental surveys were conducted using a nationally representative sample of 505 respondents to determine factors that motivate personal contributions to HSAs. One statistically significant treatment required respondents to view digital recordings of three current HSA enrollees speaking about their personal motivations to make contributions. A second treatment demonstrated no significant influence of an employer match on the hypothetical level of HSA funding selected.
‘Watching an artist at work’: aesthetic leadership in clinical nursing workplaces
Authors: Mannix Judy , Wilkes Lesley , Daly John
Published: September 2015

Aims and objectives

To explore how clinical leaders enact aesthetic leadership in clinical nursing workplaces.

Background

Clinical leadership is heralded as vital for safe and effective nursing. Different leadership styles have been applied to the clinical nursing workplace over recent years. Many of these styles lack an explicit moral dimension, instead focusing on leader qualities and developing leader competence around team building, quality and safety. Aesthetic leadership, with its explicit moral dimension, could enhance clinical leadership effectiveness and improve nursing workplaces. How aesthetic leadership is enacted in clinical nursing settings requires exploration.

Design

A qualitative design, employing conversation‐style interviews with experienced registered nurses and written responses gathered from an online descriptive survey.

Methods

Narrative data were gathered from interviews with 12 registered nurses and written accounts from 31 nurses who responded to an online survey. Together, transcribed interview data and the written accounts were subject to thematic analysis.

Results

Three main themes emerged: Leading by example: ‘be seen in the clinical area’; Leading with composure: ‘a sense of calm in a hideous shift’; and Leading through nursing values: ‘create an environment just by your being’.

Conclusions

Aesthetic leadership was shown to enhance clinical leadership activities in the nursing workplace. The capacity for clinical leaders to be self‐reflective can positively influence the nursing workplace. It was apparent that clinical leader effectiveness can be enhanced with nursing values underpinning leadership activities and by being a visible, composed role model in the clinical workplace.

Relevance to clinical practice

Aesthetic leadership can enhance clinical nursing workplaces with its explicit moral purpose and strong link to nursing values. Clinical leaders who incorporate these attributes with being a visible, composed role model have the capacity to improve the working lives of nurses across a range of clinical settings.