bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suicidal behaviours during treatment for first‐episode psychosis: towards a comprehensive approach to service‐based prevention
Authors: Fedyszyn Izabela E. , Robinson Jo , Harris Meredith G. , Paxton Susan J. , Francey Shona , Edwards Jane
Published: August 2013

Aim

Suicidal behaviours (suicide attempts and suicides) are common among individuals experiencing, or having recently experienced, a first‐episode psychosis (FEP). Current interventions for suicidal behaviours are crisis driven and focused on hospital admission of patients at imminent risk of ending their lives. This paper aims to describe ideas for universal, selective and indicated strategies that may complement existing practices to suicide risk management in first‐episode patients.

Methods

Key findings from the Suicidal Behaviours in FEP Project were used to develop suggested interventions. The project examined the temporal course of suicide risk, common characteristics of suicidal behaviours and predictors of suicidal behaviours in 699 patients with FEP.

Results

Key findings included: (i) 12% of FEP cohort engaged in suicidal behaviours during treatment (up to 3 years); (ii) first month of treatment conferred the highest suicide risk; (iii) 64% of suicidal behaviours were overdoses, usually on antipsychotics; (iv) 20% of suicidal behaviours occurred on psychiatric units and all involved hanging/strangulation; (v) most suicidal behaviours were impulsive, precipitated by psychosocial stressors and with serious intent; and (vi) proximal non‐suicidal self‐injurious behaviour and proximal negative life events were the strongest predictors.

Conclusion

Comprehensive approach by mental health services to prevention of suicidal behaviours among first‐episode patients could be facilitated by: delineating safe quantities of prescribed medications available to outpatients; regular audits of fixtures on inpatient units; enhancing risk recognition by family members; routinely monitoring suicide risk levels; developing crisis cards with all new FEP patients to facilitate help seeking during distress; and skills training programs targeting distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and problem‐solving.
Unraveling enzyme discrimination during cellulosome assembly independent of cohesin–dockerin affinity
Authors: Borne Romain , Bayer Edward A. , Pagès Sandrine , Perret Stéphanie , Fierobe Henri‐Pierre
Published: August 2013

Bacterial cellulosomes are generally believed to assemble at random, like those produced by Clostridium cellulolyticum. They are composed of one scaffolding protein bearing eight homologous type I cohesins that bind to any of the type I dockerins borne by the 62 cellulosomal subunits, thus generating highly heterogeneous complexes. In the present study, the heterogeneity and random assembly of the cellulosomes were evaluated with a simpler model: a miniscaffoldin containing three C. cellulolyticum cohesins and three cellulases of the same bacterium bearing the cognate dockerin (Cel5A, Cel48F, and Cel9G). Surprisingly, rather than the expected randomized integration of enzymes, the assembly of the minicellulosome generated only three distinct types of complex out of the 10 possible combinations, thus indicating preferential integration of enzymes upon binding to the scaffoldin. A hybrid scaffoldin that displays one cohesin from C. cellulolyticum and one from C. thermocellum, thus allowing sequential integration of enzymes, was exploited to further characterize this phenomenon. The initial binding of a given enzyme to the C. thermocellum cohesin was found to influence the type of enzyme that subsequently bound to the C. cellulolyticum cohesin. The preferential integration appears to be related to the length of the inter‐cohesin linker. The data indicate that the binding of a cellulosomal enzyme to a cohesin has a direct influence on the dockerin‐bearing proteins that will subsequently interact with adjacent cohesins. Thus, despite the general lack of specificity of the cohesin–dockerin interaction within a given species and type, bacterial cellulosomes are not necessarily assembled at random.
Threat to the point: improving the value of comparative extinction risk analysis for conservation action
Authors: Murray Kris A. , Verde Arregoitia Luis D. , Davidson Ana , Di Marco Moreno , Di Fonzo Martina M. I.
Published: August 2013

Comparative extinction risk analysis is a common approach for assessing the relative plight of biodiversity and making conservation recommendations. However, the usefulness of such analyses for conservation practice has been questioned. One reason for underperformance may be that threats arising from global environmental changes (e.g., habitat loss, invasive species, climate change) are often overlooked, despite being widely regarded as proximal drivers of species’ endangerment. We explore this problem by (i) reviewing the use of threats in this field and (ii) quantitatively investigating the effects of threat exclusion on the interpretation and potential application of extinction risk model results. We show that threat variables are routinely (59%) identified as significant predictors of extinction risk, yet while most studies (78%) include extrinsic factors of some kind (e.g., geographic or bioclimatic information), the majority (63%) do not include threats. Despite low overall usage, studies are increasingly employing threats to explain patterns of extinction risk. However, most continue to employ methods developed for the analysis of heritable traits (e.g., body size, fecundity), which may be poorly suited to the treatment of nonheritable predictors including threats. In our global mammal and continental amphibian extinction risk case studies, omitting threats reduced model predictive performance, but more importantly (i) reduced mechanistic information relevant to management; (ii) resulted in considerable disagreement in species classifications (12% and 5% for amphibians and mammals, respectively, translating to dozens and hundreds of species); and (iii) caused even greater disagreement (20–60%) in a downstream conservation application (species ranking). We conclude that the use of threats in comparative extinction risk analysis is important and increasing but currently in the early stages of development. Priorities for future studies include improving uptake, availability, quality and quantification of threat data, and developing analytical methods that yield more robust, relevant and tangible products for conservation applications.
Natural variations in snow cover do not affect the annual soil CO2 efflux from a mid‐elevation temperate forest
Authors: Schindlbacher Andreas , Jandl Robert , Schindlbacher Sabine
Published: August 2013

Climate change might alter annual snowfall patterns and modify the duration and magnitude of snow cover in temperate regions with resultant impacts on soil microclimate and soil CO2 efflux (Fsoil). We used a 5‐year time series of Fsoil measurements from a mid‐elevation forest to assess the effects of naturally changing snow cover. Snow cover varied considerably in duration (105–154 days) and depth (mean snow depth 19–59 cm). Periodically shallow snow cover (<10 cm) caused soil freezing or increased variation in soil temperature. This was mostly not reflected in Fsoil which tended to decrease gradually throughout winter. Progressively decreasing C substrate availability (identified by substrate induced respiration) likely over‐rid the effects of slowly changing soil temperatures and determined the overall course of Fsoil. Cumulative CO2 efflux from beneath snow cover varied between 0.46 and 0.95 t C ha−1 yr−1 and amounted to between 6 and 12% of the annual efflux. When compared over a fixed interval (the longest period of snow cover during the 5 years), the cumulative CO2 efflux ranged between 0.77 and 1.18 t C ha−1 or between 11 and 15% of the annual soil CO2 efflux. The relative contribution (15%) was highest during the year with the shortest winter. Variations in snow cover were not reflected in the annual CO2 efflux (7.44–8.41 t C ha−1) which did not differ significantly between years and did not correlate with any snow parameter. Regional climate at our site was characterized by relatively high amounts of precipitation. Therefore, snow did not play a role in terms of water supply during the warm season and primarily affected cold season processes. The role of changing snow cover therefore seems rather marginal when compared to potential climate change effects on Fsoil during the warm season.
Simulating greenhouse gas mitigation potentials for Chinese Croplands using the DAYCENT ecosystem model
Authors: Cheng Kun , Ogle Stephen M. , Parton William J. , Pan Genxing
Published: August 2013

Understanding the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in agricultural lands is a critical challenge for climate change policy. This study uses the DAYCENT ecosystem model to predict GHG mitigation potentials associated with soil management in Chinese cropland systems. Application of ecosystem models, such as DAYCENT, requires the evaluation of model performance with data sets from experiments relevant to the climate and management of the study region. DAYCENT was evaluated with data from 350 cropland experiments in China, including measurements of nitrous oxide emissions (N2O), methane emissions (CH4), and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes. In general, the model was reasonably accurate with R2 values for model predictions vs. measurements ranging from 0.71 to 0.85. Modeling efficiency varied from 0.65 for SOC stock changes to 0.83 for crop yields. Mitigation potentials were estimated on a yield basis (Mg CO2‐equivalent Mg−1Yield). The results demonstrate that the largest decrease in GHG emissions in rainfed systems are associated with combined effect of reducing mineral N fertilization, organic matter amendments and reduced‐till coupled with straw return, estimated at 0.31 to 0.83 Mg CO2‐equivalent Mg−1Yield. A mitigation potential of 0.08 to 0.36 Mg CO2‐equivalent Mg−1Yield is possible by reducing N chemical fertilizer rates, along with intermittent flooding in paddy rice cropping systems.
Effect of the Growth Parameters on Nonlinear Optical Properties of Al‐Doped ZnO Nano Films
Authors: Yang Ping , Zhang Liqiang , Zhao Yanfang , Gong Jie , Tang Yunqing
Published: August 2013

The objective of this research work is to provide a systematic method to perform test and evaluation on the nonlinear optical properties of Al‐doped ZnO nano thin film structure for designing a high‐performance optical‐electronic structure. Some different kinds of samples can be manufactured for testing. The samples are designed by changing technical parameters such as sputtering power of Al and ZnO, pressure and sputtering time and each parameter has three levels. The test results show that the main factor is the sputtering power of Al, which means the doping density of Al. In the meantime, the Maxwell–Garnett theory is used to investigate the optical prosperities of Al‐doped ZnO nano thin films in the visible range. The optical band gap of Al‐doped ZnO nano thin films increases with the increasing of Al doping density, but it becomes slowly when the doping density is more than 16.0%. The results and the investigation method are useful for designing and manufacturing for nano thin films.
A Facile Route to Construct SiCO Nanospheres with Tunable Sizes
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Wang Han , San Haisheng , Liu Yu , Fang Jiyu , An Linan , Fang Qingling
Published: August 2013

We report a facile route to synthesize SiCO nanospheres using Pluronic F127/polyvinylsilazane (PVSZ) mixed micelles as a template, in which PVSZ selectively swells with the PEO core of the F127 micelles. The thermal degradation of the F127/PVSZ mixed micelles leads to the formation of SiCO nanospheres. The size of the resultant SiCO nanospheres can be tuned in the range from 25 nm to 75 nm by controlling annealing time at 70°C.
The impact of different types of concernment on the consumption of organic food
Authors: Hoffmann Stefan , Schlicht Julia
Published: August 2013

Previous research has mainly focused on consumers' environmental values and attitudes to explain green consumption. However, it has been neglected how situational factors like the way a consumer is affected by the impacts of environmental pollution influence environmental attitudes and the demand for organic food products. To fill this void, we firstly introduce a taxonomy of different types of factual concernment and perceived concern. Factual concernment describes the manner in which a person is affected by the negative consequences of environmental pollution, whereas perceived concern expresses an anxious sense of interest. Building on that taxonomy, an experimental study analyses how four types of factual concernment (direct vs. indirect; material vs. immaterial) influence consumers' perceived concerns (in terms of environmental and health concern) as well as the readiness to gather information, the readiness to make sacrifices, the willingness to pay higher prices and purchase intentions. The study reveals that particularly direct concernment fosters the consumption of organic food. However, the study did not find any differences between the influences of material and immaterial concernment on the organic food purchase decision.
Role of gastronomic, externality and feasibility attributes in consumer demand for organic and local foods: The case of honey and apples
Authors: Jensen Jørgen D. , Mørkbak Morten R.
Published: August 2013

Local food systems providing high‐value products are seen as a tool to sustain economic activity on family farms in rural areas. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of gastronomic, externality and feasibility characteristics in consumers' demand for local and for organic foods. An Internet questionnaire survey was conducted in 2010 among Danish consumers. 3211 respondents completed the questionnaire, which included questions about respondents' food‐related values and their specific perception of organic and local varieties of honey and apples. Variables related to consumers' food‐related values and product perception were analysed using principal component analysis, in order to identify overall dimensions (factors) in these variables. Although statements about gastronomic attributes (e.g. taste, appearance, quality) were quite strongly represented in three of these factors, externality and availability concerns also contributed significantly to the overall variation in the variables. Multinomial logit choice modelling was used for describing the relationship between these dimensions and respondents' stated choices regarding organic and local varieties of honey and apples. Results suggest that although both organic and local food supply chains are often associated with special attributes such as gastronomic characteristics and relatively beneficial externality attributes, these attributes are perceived differently for the two types of supply chains. Perceived gastronomic quality is the most important determinant for food choice, but externality and feasibility aspects are also important correlates.
Consumers' experiences of cold chain food packaging: A qualitative study among women in South Africa
Authors: van der Merwe Daleen , Viljoen Stephné , de Beer Hanli , Bosman Magdalena , Kempen Elizabeth
Published: August 2013

Food packaging defines a product's uniqueness and strengthens consumers' relationship with a brand, in this way offering functional and experiential benefits. Although cold chain food is predicted to become even more important to consumers, consumers' experiences of the packaging of these products have been neglected in the literature. Thus, this exploratory study investigated these experiences of female participants in Potchefstroom, South Africa, using semi‐structured interviews and a projective technique assisted by ambiguous mock packaging. The findings reveal that despite marketers' intention to use packaging to lure consumers to purchase food products, participants also valued functionality and quality in cold chain food packaging. This study also identified a dislike of carton boxes and preference for plastic bottles for this kind of packaging, as well as further negative and positive characteristics for consideration by manufacturers. Although brand loyalty and price sensitivity were stronger considerations for some participants than the packaging, the latter seemed to play a pre‐eminent role in most participants' purchasing decisions. Therefore, it is recommended that when designing packaging for frozen and refrigerated foods, product developers and manufacturers should take into account consumers' experiences, requirements and needs of the packaging specific to cold chain food. Our research offers a starting point for designing cold chain food packaging that complies as closely as possible with consumers' expectations.
Odorant receptors of a primitive hymenopteran pest, the wheat stem sawfly
Authors: Gress J. C. , Robertson H. M. , Weaver D. K. , Dlakić M. , Wanner K. W.
Published: August 2013

The wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus, is an herbivorous hymenopteran that feeds exclusively on members of the Graminae family. Synanthropically, it has become one of the most important insect pests of wheat grown in the northern Great Plains region of the USA and Canada. Insecticides are generally ineffective because of the wheat stem sawfly's extended adult flight period and its inaccessible larval stage, during which it feeds within the wheat stems, making it virtually intractable to most pest management strategies. While research towards integrated pest management strategies based on insect olfaction has proved promising, nothing is known about the molecular basis of olfaction in this important pest species. In this study we identified 28 unique odorant receptor (Or) transcripts from an antennal transcriptome. A phylogenetic analysis with the predicted Ors from the honey bee and jewel wasp genomes revealed at least four clades conserved amongst all three Hymenoptera species. Antennal expression levels were analysed using quantitative real‐time PCR, and one male‐biased and five female‐biased Ors were identified. This study provides the basis for future functional analyses to identify behaviourally active odours that can be used to help develop olfactory‐mediated pest management tools.
The interactions between the effects of implicit and explicit feedback and individual differences in language analytic ability and working memory
Authors: Li Shaofeng
Published: August 2013

This study investigated the interactions between two types of feedback (implicit vs. explicit) and two aptitude components (language analytic ability and working memory) in second language Chinese learning. Seventy‐eight L2 Chinese learners from two large U.S. universities were assigned to three dyadic NS–NNS interaction conditions and received implicit (recasts), explicit (metalinguistic correction), or no feedback (control) in response to their non‐target‐like oral production of Chinese classifiers. The treatment effects were measured by a grammaticality judgment test and an elicited imitation test. The Words in Sentences subtest of the MLAT was used to measure language analytic ability; a listening span test was utilized as the measure of working memory. A principal components analysis and a structural equation modeling analysis established that working memory was an aptitude component. Multiple regression analyses showed that language analytic ability was predictive of the effects of implicit feedback, and working memory mediated the effects of explicit feedback; all the statistically significant results involved delayed posttest scores. Interpretations were sought with recourse to the mechanisms of the cognitive constructs and the processing demands imposed by the different learning conditions.
The interface of language aptitude and multilingualism: Reconsidering the bilingual/multilingual dichotomy
Authors: Thompson Amy S.
Published: August 2013

This study is an attempt to fill the gap in SLA research regarding the understudied interface of language aptitude and multilingualism. Although there have been numerous studies lauding the benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism, very few studies have examined the relationship between language aptitude and previous language experience (cf. Sanz, 2000). Using the Cognitive Ability for Novelty in Acquisition of Language (Foreign) aptitude test (CANAL–FT), which is based on Sternberg's (2002) triarchic theory of human intelligence, the language aptitude scores from 79 Brazilian language learners were analyzed using one‐way ANOVAs. Interviews were also conducted to obtain further insight to the participants' language learning experiences. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed; the results indicate that previous language experience has an effect on language aptitude, thus supporting the concept of language aptitude as a dynamic feature. Furthermore, even those participants with a small amount of previous language learning experience outperformed those with no language learning experience other than English on the CANAL–FT, as did those participants who exhibited the feature of Perceived Positive Language Interaction (PPLI). Thus, the results also indicate a need to closely monitor the linguistic background of participants in future studies, as previous language experience was shown to have a significant effect on language aptitude scores.
The link between foreign language classroom anxiety and psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism among adult Bi‐ and multilinguals
Authors: Dewaele Jean–Marc
Published: August 2013

The present study focuses on the link between three global personality traits (Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism), one sociobiographical factor (knowledge of languages), and levels of foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA; Horwitz, Horwitz, & Cope, 1986) in the second (L2), third (L3), and fourth (L4) language of two groups of adult language learners and users. The first group consisted of 86 students who were enrolled at Birkbeck College, University of London, and the second group consisted of 62 students from University of Les Illes Balears in Mallorca, Spain. The main aim was to examine whether, as is generally reported in the Second Language Acquisition literature, FLCA is unrelated to a basic personality trait reflecting anxiety (Neuroticism). Contrary to other findings in the field, correlation analyses revealed a significant link between Neuroticism and FLCA in the foreign languages of both groups, sharing between 9% and 25% of variance. Moderately significant relationships were found among Psychoticism, Extraversion, and FLCA in one group only. Language knowledge had an effect on FLCA in some languages. Strong correlations between FLCA values in L2, L3, and L4 suggest that levels of FLCA are relatively stable across the foreign languages known by the learners/users.
Typification and redelimitation of Nepenthes alata with notes on the N. alata group, and N. negros sp. nov. from the Philippines
Authors: Cheek Martin , Jebb Matthew
Published: August 2013

In the course of studies to typify what has been regarded as the most widespread and common of the endemic Philippines species of Nepenthes, N. alata Blanco, we were able to review the morphological variation in what we previously regarded as a polymorphic species. This led us to redelimit that species in a narrower sense, to resurrect N. graciliflora Elmer, and to recognise N. negros sp. nov., here assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) using the IUCN standard. The Nepenthes alata group is characterised and a key to its species is provided.
Stocks and seasonal migrations of the flounder Xystreurys rasile as indicated by its parasites
Authors: Alarcos A. J. , Timi J. T.
Published: August 2013

The aims of this study were (1) to compare the structure and composition of parasite assemblages of the flounder Xystreurys rasile in two regions of the Argentine Sea in order to evaluate the hypothesis for the existence of different stocks, and (2) to test the hypothesis for X. rasile migration from the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ) towards more southern waters during spring. Parasitological evidence shows that at least two stocks of X. rasile inhabit the coastal and shelf waters of the northern Argentine Sea, one in El Rincón and the other in the AUCFZ. These stocks should be considered as discrete entities in management plans to ensure a sustainable use of these resources. The results also confirm the existence of migratory patterns in the northern stock.
Genetic differentiation of a primitive teleost, the African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus, among river basins and within a floodplain river system in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Hurtado L. A. , Carrera E. , Adite A. , Winemiller K. O.
Published: August 2013

Examination of eight microsatellite DNA loci revealed high levels of genetic differentiation among populations of the African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus from three river basins that constitute important fishing areas in Benin. Low levels of population genetic differentiation were detected within the Ouemé–Sô River floodplain system. These results have important implications for conservation and management of stocks supporting important inland fisheries in West Africa.
Targeted hepatitis C screening among ex‐injection drug users in the community
Authors: Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Chim Angel Mei‐Ling , Cheng Tsz‐Fai , Cheung Shirley Wing‐Yan , Lai Carol Man‐Sze , Szeto Kylie Joan‐Yi , Tsang Sharon , Wu Stephen Ho‐Chun , Yan Kenneth Kar‐Lung , Hui Alex Yui , Yiu Desmond Chi‐Him , Wu Brian Bing‐Ying , Cheung David , Chung Cedric Sze‐Lai , Lai Camey Wai‐Man , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen
Published: August 2013

Background and Aim

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. It is highly prevalent among injection drug users (IDUs) but is often undiagnosed because they represent an underprivileged group that faces multiple barriers to medical care. Here, we report the results of the New Life New Liver Project, which provides targeted HCV screening and education for ex‐IDUs in the community.

Methods

Patients were recruited through the social worker networks and referrals by fellow ex‐IDUs, and rapid diagnosis was based on point‐of‐care anti‐HCV testing at rehabilitation centers.

Results

From 2009 to 2012, we served 234 subjects. One hundred thirty (56%) subjects were anti‐HCV positive. The number needed to screen to detect one patient with positive anti‐HCV was 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.6–2.0). However, only 69 (53%) HCV patients attended subsequent follow‐up at regional hospitals, and 26 (20%) received antiviral therapy. Patients who attended follow‐up were older, had higher education level and more active disease as evidenced by higher alanine aminotransferase, HCV RNA, and liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography.

Conclusions

Targeted screening in ex‐IDUs is effective in identifying patients with HCV infection in the community. Improvement in the referral system and introduction of interferon‐free regimens are needed to increase treatment uptake.
Factors that predict mortality in children with Wilson disease associated acute liver failure and comparison of Wilson disease specific prognostic indices
Authors: Devarbhavi Harshad , Singh Rajvir , Adarsh Channagiri K , Sheth Keyur , Kiran Ravi , Patil Mallikarjun
Published: August 2013

Background and Aims

Wilson disease (WD) associated acute liver failure (ALF) affects children more than adults. The predictors of mortality and outcome in patients without encephalopathy are not clear. We investigated the ability of prognostic factors and various models including model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) to predict mortality among children with WD and ALF.

Methods

We analyzed the admission characteristics in 61 children <18 years with WD and ALF. Factors associated with mortality on univariate Cox regression analysis were analyzed by forward stepwise Cox hazards regression. The prognostic models such as Nazer's model, revised Kings College Model, and pediatric end‐stage liver disease/model for end‐stage liver disease (PELD/MELD) score were compared.

Results

Of the 145 children < 18 years with WD, 61 experienced ALF of whom 33 (54%) died, including 22/27 (81.5%) with encephalopathy and 11/34 (32.4%) without encephalopathy. The mean age of children with ALF was 9.7 years, 38(62.3%) were boys. Prognostic factors significant for mortality included encephalopathy, international normalized ratio, total proteins, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine, and white blood cell count. Forward stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression identified encephalopathy (hazard ratio 2.88; CI 1.1–7.4) and total bilirubin (hazard ratio 1.05; CI: 1.02–1.09) as predictors of outcome. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of the Nazer index, revised King's College Criteria, and PELD/MELD were 0.74, 0.76, and 0.75, respectively.

Conclusions

Mortality in children with WD and ALF is 54% including 81.5% with encephalopathy and 32.4% without encephalopathy. The prognostic models, MELD/PELD score, Nazer index and Kings College Criteria are comparable with a AUC between 0.74–0.76.
Minimal influence of expertise on the evaluation of colorectal neoplastic lesions by confocal laser endomicroscopy
Authors: Yuan Xue Min , Li Zhen , Ji Rui , Li Chang Qing , Zuo Xiu Li , Yu Tao , Gu Xiao Meng , Liu Jun , Wang Peng , Li Ming , Li Yan Qing
Published: August 2013

Background and Aims

Three different confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) diagnostic systems including Maiz, Sanduleanu, and Qilu had been developed to differentiate between benign and neoplastic colorectal lesions. This study was designed to compare and evaluate these three diagnostic systems by different levels of expertise.

Methods

Thirty‐nine patients with 50 colorectal polyps, including 23 hyperplastic polyps and 27 adenomas diagnosed by histopathology, were recruited. Four confocal images (two superficial images and two deeper images) and one conventional white‐light endoscopic image were selected from each of the 50 lesions in this study by an experienced endomicroscopist. Selected images were evaluated by three experienced CLE investigators and three non‐experienced ones. The accuracy and interobserver agreement between experienced and non‐experienced investigators for prediction of colorectal neoplasia were determined.

Results

The diagnostic accuracy was 84%, 81%, and 87%, respectively, using the Maiz, Sanduleanu, and Qilu diagnostic system, while the sensitivity was 85%, 79%, and 85%, the specificity was 83%, 84%, and 89%, respectively. There is no significant difference on diagnostic accuracy between experienced and non‐experienced investigators. In addition, there is a short learning curve for non‐experienced CLE investigators identified in this study.

Conclusions

The three diagnostic systems for the prediction of colorectal hyperplastic polyp or adenoma have a high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The diagnostic accuracy was not significantly influenced by the expertise in CLE.
Effects of fasudil on the portal and systemic hemodynamics of patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Fukuda Takeshi , Narahara Yoshiyuki , Kanazawa Hidenori , Matsushita Yoko , Kidokoro Hideko , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Atsukawa Masanori , Nakatsuka Katsuhisa , Sakamoto Choitsu
Published: August 2013

Background and Aim

Fasudil, a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, has been shown to reduce portal venous pressure in cirrhotic rats. However, its effects on portal and systemic hemodynamics have not been investigated in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fasudil on the portal and systemic hemodynamics of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

Methods

Twenty‐three patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were studied. Systemic and portal hemodynamics were measured prior to and 50 min after the initiation of intravenous administration of 30 mg fasudil (n = 15) or placebo (n = 8).

Results

After fasudil, there were significant decreases in both mean arterial pressure (P < 0.05) and systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.05), whereas the heart rate increased significantly (P < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient (P < 0.05). Portal vascular resistance also decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Placebo caused no significant effects. There were no symptomatic reactions caused by changes in the mean arterial pressure or heart rate after fasudil.

Conclusions

In cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, fasudil lowers portal vascular resistance, resulting in decreased portal venous pressure with reducing arterial pressure.
Do Peer Firms Affect Corporate Financial Policy?
Authors: LEARY MARK T. , ROBERTS MICHAEL R.
Published: August 2013

We show that peer firms play an important role in determining corporate capital structures and financial policies. In large part, firms' financing decisions are responses to the financing decisions and, to a lesser extent, the characteristics of peer firms. These peer effects are more important for capital structure determination than most previously identified determinants. Furthermore, smaller, less successful firms are highly sensitive to their larger, more successful peers, but not vice versa. We also quantify the externalities generated by peer effects, which can amplify the impact of changes in exogenous determinants on leverage by over 70%.
Placing Strategy Discourse in Context: Sociomateriality, Sensemaking, and Power
Authors: Balogun Julia , Jacobs Claus , Jarzabkowski Paula , Mantere Saku , Vaara Eero
Published: August 2013

There has been increasing interest in the discursive aspects of strategy over the last two decades. In this paper we review the existing literature, focusing on six major bodies of discursive scholarship: post‐structural, critical discourse analysis, narrative, rhetoric, conversation analysis, and metaphor. Our review reveals the significant contributions of research on strategy and discourse, but also the potential to advance research in this area by bringing together research on discursive practices and research on other practices we know to be important in strategy work. We explore the potential of discursive scholarship in integrating between significant theoretical domains (sensemaking, power, and sociomateriality), and realms of analysis (institutional, organizational, and the episodic), relevant to strategy scholarship. This allows us to place the papers published in this special issue on Strategy as Discourse: Its Significance, Challenges, and Future Directions among the body of knowledge accumulated thus far, and to suggest a way forward for future scholarship.
A nucleolar AAA‐NTPase is required for parasite division
Authors: Suvorova Elena S. , Radke Joshua B. , Ting Li‐Min , Vinayak Sumiti , Alvarez Carmelo A. , Kratzer Stella , Kim Kami , Striepen Boris , White Michael W.
Published: August 2013

Apicomplexa division involves several distinct phases shared with other eukaryote cell cycles including a gap period (G1) prior to chromosome synthesis, although how progression through the parasite cell cycle is controlled is not understood. Here we describe a cell cycle mutant that reversibly arrests in the G1 phase. The defect in this mutant was mapped by genetic complementation to a gene encoding a novel AAA‐ATPase/CDC48 family member called TgNoAP1. TgNoAP1 is tightly regulated and expressed in the nucleolus during the G1/S phases. A tyrosine to a cysteine change upstream of the second AAA+ domain in the temperature sensitive TgNoAP1 allele leads to conditional protein instability, which is responsible for rapid cell cycle arrest and a primary defect in 28S rRNA processing as confirmed by knock‐in of the mutation back into the parent genome. The interaction of TgNoAP1 with factors of the snoRNP and R2TP complexes indicates this protein has a role in pre‐rRNA processing. This is a novel role for a cdc48‐related chaperone protein and indicates that TgNoAP1 may be part of a dynamic mechanism that senses the health of the parasite protein machinery at the initial steps of ribosome biogenesis and conveys that information to the parasite cell cycle checkpoint controls.
Dithiocarb (N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate, DEDTC) decreases levels of biogenic monoamines in the adult mouse brain
Authors: Redondo‐Castro Elena , Romero Rafael , Torres‐Espín Abel , Utrera Juana , Duque Daniel , Junyent Fèlix , Auladell Carme
Published: August 2013

Aims

Dithiocarb (diethyldithiocarbamate, DEDTC) belongs to the group of dithiocarbamates and is the main metabolite of disulphiram, a drug of choice for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Its therapeutic potential relays on its ability to create an unpleasant aversive reaction following the ingestion of alcohol, and this effect is usually accompanied by neurobehavioural symptoms. Most of these can be attributed to the impaired metabolism of brain biogenic amines.

Methods

To gain new insights into the dithiocarbamates and their effects on neurotransmitter systems, an in vivo experimental model based on daily injections of DEDTC in adult mice for 7 days was established. To this end, the concentrations of the three major brain monoamines, dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5‐HT) were measured in whole brain extracts with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels of D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) were evaluated by Western blot and by immunohistochemical techniques the cell pattern of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopa beta hydroxylase (DBH) and choline acetyltransferase ChAT) were analysed.

Results

A significant reduction in DA and 5‐HT levels was observed, whereas NA was not affected. Moreover, decreases in D2R levels, as well as in enzymes such as TH, DBH and ChAT, were found.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that DEDTC provokes alterations in biogenic amines and in different substrates of neurotransmitter systems, which could explain some of the neurobehavioural effects observed in patients treated with disulphiram.
Central response to painful electrical esophageal stimulation in well‐defined patients suffering from functional chest pain
Authors: Hoff D. A. L. , Krarup A. L. , Lelic D. , Olesen S. S. , Dimcevski G. , Hansen T. M. , Brock C. , Hatlebakk J. G. , Drewes A. M.
Published: August 2013

Background

Functional chest pain (FCP) of presumed esophageal origin is considered a common cause for chest pain in which central nervous system hyperexcitability is thought to play an important role. We aimed to compare cerebral responses with painful esophageal stimuli between FCP patients and healthy subjects (HS).

Methods

Thirteen patients with FCP (seven females, mean age 50.4 ± 7.5 years) and 15 HS (eight females, mean age 49.1 ± 12.9 years) were enrolled. Inclusion criteria consisted of typical chest pain, normal coronary angiogram, and normal upper gastrointestinal evaluation. Electrical stimulations evoking the pain threshold were applied in the distal esophagus, while cortical evoked potentials were recorded from the scalp. Pain scores, resting electroencephalogram (EEG), evoked potential characteristics and brain electrical sources to pain stimulation were compared between groups.

Key Results

No differences were seen between patients and HS regarding (i) pain thresholds (patients: 20.1 ± 7.4 mA vs HS: 22.4 ± 8.3 mA, all P > 0.05), (ii) resting‐EEG (P > 0.05), (iii) evoked brain potential latencies (N2: patients 181.7 ± 25.7 mS vs HS 182.2 ± 25.8 mS, all P > 0.05) and amplitudes (N2P2: patients 8.2 ± 7.2 μV vs HS: 10.1 ± 3.4 μV, all P > 0.05), (iv) topography (P > 0.05), and (v) brain source location (P > 0.05).

Conclusions & Inferences

No differences in activation of brain areas to painful esophageal stimulation were seen in this group of well characterized patients with FCP compared with sex‐ and age‐matched HS. The mechanism of pain in FCP and whether it originates in the esophagus remains unsolved.
Regional variation in distal esophagus distensibility assessed using the functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP)
Authors: Lin Z. , Nicodème F. , Boris L. , Lin C.‐Y. , Kahrilas P. J. , Pandolfino J. E.
Published: August 2013

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial variation in esophageal distensibility in normal subjects using a novel multichannel functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP).

Methods

Ten healthy subjects (four men, age 21–49 years) were evaluated during endoscopy with a high‐resolution impedance planimetry probe (FLIP) positioned through the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and distal 10 cm of the esophageal body. Stepwise bag distensions using 5‐mL increments from 0 to 60 mL were conducted, and simultaneous measurements of cross‐sectional area (CSA) and the associated intrabag pressure from each subject were analyzed using a customized MATLAB™ program. The distensibility along the esophagus was determined and compared between the EGJ and interval locations at 2–5 cm and 6–10 cm above the EGJ.

Key Results

The pressure–CSA relationship was nearly linear among sites at lower pressures (0 to 7.5 mmHg) and reached a distension plateau at pressures ranging from 8 to 24 mmHg. The location of greatest distensibility was 4 cm above the EGJ. Although the CSAs of individual recording loci were not significantly different, there was a significant difference between the mean CSAs when comparing the region 2 to 5 cm proximal to EGJ with that 6 to 10 cm proximal to the EGJ.

Conclusions & Inferences

There were significant regional differences in distensibility along the distal esophagus with lower values in the proximal part compared with more distal part. The greatest distensibility was noted to occur at about 4 cm above the EGJ in close proximity to the location of the contractile deceleration point and phrenic ampulla.
Meditation improves self‐regulation over the life span
Authors: Tang Yi‐Yuan , Posner Michael I. , Rothbart Mary K.
Published: August 2013

The use of meditation to improve emotion and attention regulation has a long history in Asia and there are many practitioners in Western countries. Much of the evidence on the effectiveness of meditation is either anecdotal or a comparison of long‐term meditators with controls matched in age and health. Recently, it has been possible to establish changes in self‐regulation in undergraduate students after only 5 days of meditation practice, allowing randomized trials comparing effects of meditation with other self‐control methods such as relaxation training. Early studies took place in Chinese universities; however, similar effects have been obtained with U.S. undergraduates, and with Chinese children aged 4.5 years and older Chinese participants aged 65 years. Studies using neuroimaging techniques have shown that meditation improves activation and connectivity in brain areas related to self‐regulation, and these findings may provide an opportunity to examine remediation of mental disorders in a new light.
To investigate the therapeutic potential of immunochemotherapy with cisplatin + 78 kDa + MPL‐A against Leishmania donovani in BALB/c mice
Authors: Joshi J. , Kaur S.
Published: August 2013

Leishmaniasis has recently garnered attention as one of the diseases ‘most neglected’ by drug research and development, as the current therapeutic modalities available for the patients are ridden with unacceptable toxicity due to high dosage of the drug, prolonged treatment schedules, resistance and prohibitive costs. A successful chemotherapy requires a restoration of immune response; therefore, we combined Leishmania‐specific 78 kDa antigen (with or without adjuvant MPL‐A) along with a novel drug cisplatin in infected BALB/c mice and did its comparative analysis with chemotherapy and immunotherapy alone. Animals that were treated with immunochemotherapy showed maximum curative potential as demonstrated by a marked reduction in parasite load. Delayed‐type hypersensitivity response to leishmanial antigens has been widely used to assess the level of host protection to the disease. An increased delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was observed in animals given immunotherapy or chemotherapy or immunochemotherapy; however, maximum DTH response was observed in animals treated with cisplatin + 78 kDa + MPL‐A. These animals were also found to exhibit higher IgG2a levels greater cytokine (IFN‐γ and IL‐2) concentrations suggesting the generation of a strong Th1 type of immune response which is responsible for resolution of the disease.
Moral Rationalism without Overridingness
Authors: Archer Alfred
Published: August 2013

Moral Rationalism is the view that if an act is morally required then it is what there is most reason to do. It is often assumed that the truth of Moral Rationalism is dependent on some version of The Overridingness Thesis, the view that moral reasons override nonmoral reasons. However, as Douglas Portmore has pointed out, the two can come apart; we can accept Moral Rationalism without accepting any version of The Overridingness Thesis. Nevertheless, The Overridingness Thesis serves as one of two possible explanations for Moral Rationalism. In this paper I will investigate which of these two explanations a moral rationalist should accept. I will argue that when we properly attend to the form of Moral Rationalism supported by the intuitions that motivate the view, we are left with no reason to accept The Overridingness Thesis.
Is perceived financial inadequacy persistent?
Authors: Kaya Orcun
Published: August 2013

In an attempt to understand the determinants of financial inadequacy, this paper employs the ability of households to make ends meet as a measure of their perceived financial inadequacy. Using household‐level data from theEuropeanCommunityHouseholdPanel covering eight countries over the period from 1994 to 2001, this study applies a dynamic probit model that incorporates both state dependency and individual fixed effects. Exploiting a latterly enhanced bias‐corrected fixed‐effects probit model,Iaddress the persistent nature of subjective financial inadequacy by directly estimating fixed effects while correcting for incidental parameters and avoiding the initial conditions problem of dynamic models. The results reveal that employing time‐invariant individual effects to model subjective monetary perception is essential. However, by controlling for household heterogeneity, income, indebtedness, and health status,Ifind that in addition to the major differences acrossEuropean households, country‐specific factors can have adverse effects on the persistent nature of perceived financial inadequacy.