bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyclical and structural change in the UK housing market
Authors: White Michael
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine factors affecting house prices separating cyclical and structural influences. In addition to considering the role of income and interest rates, it examines whether access to a key source of liquidity, mortgage finance, could affect the long-term behaviour of the market rather than being a short run impact. In addition, the paper considers whether the effects of mortgage funding and the financial crisis affect all regions equally or whether there exist particular differences across regions of the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using quarterly time series data from 1983q1 to 2011q2, the paper employs a Johansen cointegration approach to identify the long-run (permanent) and short-run (transitory) factors affecting house prices both at national and regional levels. It identifies whether there is a separate influence for mortgage lending from interest rates and general money market liquidity, as captured by money supply M3, and whether these effects are permanent or temporary. The paper employs impulse response functions to examine house price evolution due to innovations in mortgage lending and quantifies these effects with and without the financial crisis.

Findings

– The findings indicate that real personal disposable income, mortgage market liquidity, interest rates and money supply as well as housing stock supply impact house prices permanently with the expected signs. The findings are broadly consistent at national and regional level, although there are some significant regional variations in results. The mean reversion of the housing markets is captured via the error correction term which is significant at the national level and in all but three regions. Impulse response functions show how house prices respond to shocks in mortgage lending and how this varies with and without a financial crisis.

Research limitations/implications

– The importance of mortgage lending to the housing market is a clear result from the research in addition to income, interest rate and money supply effects. One implication is that factors affecting mortgage lending supply can impact the housing market in both the short and long run.

Practical implications

– Given the significance of mortgage finance for house price evolution, the paper discusses how the Help-to-Buy policy may help to overcome the limitations created by the reaction of the mortgage lending sector to the financial crisis.

Social implications

– Access to homeownership has been limited by greater downpayment constraints introduced by lenders since 2008/2009. Policies that reduce these constraints may enable households to change to the type of tenure they prefer.

Originality/value

– The paper identifies the importance of mortgage lending for the housing market both nationally and regionally using an econometric approach that quantifies the role of fundamentals in both the long and short run.
A combined energy and error optimization method for metal powder based additive manufacturing processes
Authors: Paul Ratnadeep , Anand Sam
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to analyze the total sintering energy (TSE) required for manufacturing a part in metal powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes and optimize AM processes for minimizing total energy and form errors of AM parts while maximizing part strength.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a computational geometry approach to determine the TSE expended for manufacturing a metal AM part. The stereolithography (STL) file of a part is converted into a voxel data structure and the total sintering volume (TSV) is computed from the voxel representation. The TSE is then calculated from the TSV using the material property information of the metal powder.

Findings

– The TSE of an AM part is calculated for different slice thickness and part orientations, and the correlation of the total energy to these parameters is calculated. Using these correlations, the AM process is optimized to calculate the optimal values of slice thickness and part orientation which would result in lower process energy, lower part form errors and higher part strength.

Originality/value

– The methodology presented in this paper provides AM users a roadmap to predict the energy required for manufacturing a part. In addition, the optimization model will allow engineers to manufacture precision parts which satisfy their design specifications with minimal energy expenditure.
Between Autonomy and Interdependence: The Challenges of Shared Rule after the Scottish Referendum
Authors: Mcewen Nicola , Petersohn Bettina
Published: April 2015

Drawing on the distinction between self‐rule and shared rule in multilevel states, this article argues that shared rule has been the neglected element of the UK devolution settlement. The ability of the devolved administrations to participate in, and influence, national decision making through shared rule mechanisms is very limited. The article argues that the lack of shared rule is especially problematic in light of the increasing complexity of the Scottish devolution settlement in the wake of the Scotland Act 2012 and the Smith commission report. Smith, in particular, seems set to increase both the power of the Scottish Parliament and its dependence on UK policy decisions in the areas of tax, welfare and the economy. Creating a more robust intergovernmental system which could manage these new interdependencies will be a significant challenge, and yet, without such a system, the new settlement will be difficult to sustain.
Optimising the imaging plane for right ventricular magnetic resonance volume analysis in adult patients referred for assessment of right ventricular structure and function
Authors: Lyen Stephen , Mathias Helen , McAlindon Elisa , Trickey Adam , Rodrigues Jonathan , Bucciarelli‐Ducci Chiara , Hamilton Mark , Manghat Nathan
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Our aim was to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of using short‐axis and axial (transaxial) plane for magnetic resonance imaging analysis in adult patients referred for assessment of right ventricular (RV) structure and function.

Methods

Twenty consecutive subjects (10 male, 10 female, mean age 32.2 ± 14.8 years) who were referred for RV assessment and had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively selected. Axial and short‐axis manual contouring was performed using cine steady‐state free precession sequences by three experienced imaging specialists. The reproducibility of end diastolic volumes, end systolic volumes and ejection fraction was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and paired t‐tests. Left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) and RV stroke volumes (RVSV) were compared with concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) and t‐tests to determine accuracy.

Results

The concordance between the RVSV and LVSV was good using both methods (axial RVSV CCC = 0.93, short‐axis RVSV CCC = 0.86). Paired t‐test and analysis of variance showed that the LV/RV stroke volume differences were not significant (p = 0.17). There was slight improvement in interobserver reliability with end systolic volume measurements (axial ICC = 0.92, short‐axis ICC = 0.81) but this failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.37). There was excellent intraobserver variability (ICC > 0.9).

Conclusion

This study shows that there is no statistically significant difference in reproducibility or accuracy using the short‐axis or axial orientations in RV volume analysis in adult patients being referred for RV assessment.
Cost‐effectiveness of Quantitative Pretest Probability Intended to Reduce Unnecessary Medical Radiation Exposure in Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain and Dyspnea
Authors: Troyer Jennifer L. , Jones Alan E. , Shapiro Nathan I. , Mitchell Alice M. , Hewer Ian , Kline Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Quantitative pretest probability (qPTP) incorporated into a decision support tool with advice can reduce unnecessary diagnostic testing among patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and pulmonary embolism (PE), reducing 30‐day costs without an increase in 90‐day adverse outcomes. This study estimates long‐term (beyond 90‐day) costs and outcomes associated withqPTP. The authors hypothesized thatqPTPreduces lifetime costs and improves outcomes in low‐risk patients with symptoms suggestive ofACSand PE.

Methods

This was a cost‐effectiveness analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of adult emergency patients with dyspnea and chest pain, in which a clinician encountering a low‐risk patient with symptoms suggestive ofACSorPEconducted either the intervention (qPTPforACSandPEwith advice) or the sham (noqPTPand no advice). Effect of the intervention over a patient's lifetime was assessed using a Markov microsimulation model. Short‐term costs and outcomes were from the trial; long‐term outcomes and costs were from the literature. Outcomes included lifetime transition toPE,ACS, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); mortality from cancer,ICH,PE,ACS, renal failure, and ischemic stroke; quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs); and total medical costs compared between simulated intervention and sham groups.

Results

Markov microsimulation for a 40‐year‐old patient receivingqPTPfound lifetime cost savings of $497 for women and $528 for men, associated with small gains inQALYs (2 and 6 days, respectively) and lower rates of cancer mortality in both sexes, but a reduction inICHonly in males. Sensitivity analysis for patients aged 60 years predicted thatqPTPwould continue to save costs and also reduce mortality from bothICHand cancer. Use ofqPTPsignificantly reduced the lifetime probability ofPEdiagnosis, with lower probability of death fromPEin both sexes aged 40 to 60 years. However, use ofqPTPreduced the rate ofACSdiagnosis and death fromACSat age 40, but increased the death rate fromACSat age 60 for both sexes.

Conclusions

Widespread use of a combinedqPTPfor bothACSandPEhas the potential to decrease costs by reducing diagnostic testing, while improving most long‐term outcomes in emergency patients with chest pain and dyspnea.
‘How can experience of local residents be “knowledge”?’ Challenges in interdisciplinary climate change research
Authors: Yeh Emily T
Published: April 2015

Despite widespread acceptance of the idea of working across disciplines and methods in climate change research, the interpretive social sciences continue to be relatively neglected in interdisciplinary research endeavours. Much greater appreciation across epistemological differences is necessary for inclusive collaborative efforts, which in turn requires explicit discussion of what those differences are. Based on the author's participation in an interdisciplinary research project on climate change in Tibet, this article discusses three conceptual challenges: knowledge, system and ontology.
Limb and digit orientation during vertical clinging in Bibron's gecko, Chondrodactylus bibronii (A. Smith, 1846) and its bearing on the adhesive capabilities of geckos
Authors: Russell Anthony P. , Oetelaar Garrett S.
Published: April 2015

Geckos with subdigital adhesive pads can scale smooth vertical surfaces in defiance of gravity. The deployment of the adhesive system is activated by the musculoskeletal system during active traverses of such surfaces, but adhesion on such substrata can also be achieved by passive means, with the body weight of the gecko applying tensile loading to the adhesive setae, maintaining prolonged, static contact with the surface. To investigate whether passively induced adhesion is employed by geckos holding station on smooth vertical surfaces, we investigated the magnitude of shear force generation for the manus and pes, and the positioning of the limb segments and digits in Chondrodactylus bibronii in freely selected resting postures (head‐up, head‐down and facing laterally to the left and right). Our results indicate that different subsets of digits occupy positions consistent with them being passively loaded in different body orientations. Limb segment and digit orientation are consistent within, and differ between, the resting postures, and relatively few of the 20 digits are positioned to take advantage of gravitationally induced loading in any posture. The pedal digits have greater adhesive potential than the manual ones and, more frequently, capitalize on passive loading than do manual digits. This is especially evident in the commonly adopted head‐down resting posture.
Outcome of patients older than 60 years with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with front line ABVD chemotherapy: frequent pulmonary events suggest limiting the use of bleomycin in the elderly
Authors: Stamatoullas Aspasia , Brice Pauline , Bouabdallah Reda , Mareschal Sylvain , Camus Vincent , Rahal Ilhem , Franchi Patricia , Lanic Hélène , Tilly Hervé
Published: April 2015

There is no standard of care in elderly classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients. ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine), the standard chemotherapy for younger patients, is also used in elderly patients but little is known about toxicity and efficacy. We retrospectively analysed 147 patients aged 60 years and over treated with ABVD in three French haematological centres. Treatment regimen modification was applied in 56 patients for toxicity or HL progression. Bleomycin was removed or reduced in 53 patients, mainly for pulmonary toxicity. Neither initial characteristics nor treatment characteristics were found to correlate with lung toxicity. One hundred and seventeen patients achieved a complete remission, 6 a partial remission, 16 had refractory disease and 8 were non‐evaluable. Five‐year overall survival was estimated at 67%. With a median follow‐up of 58 months, 51 patients died and 14% of deaths were related to lung toxicity. Our study confirms the efficacy of ABVD in elderly patients even if results are inferior to those obtained in younger patients with the same regimen. ABVD can be proposed as front‐line chemotherapy in selected elderly cHL patients. The frequency of pulmonary events leads us to propose to either reduce the dose of bleomycin or to remove it from the regimen.
Long‐term results of high‐dose imatinib in children and adolescents with chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase: the Italian experience
Authors: Giona Fiorina , Putti Maria C. , Micalizzi Concetta , Menna Giuseppe , Moleti Maria L. , Santoro Nicola , Iaria Grazia , Ladogana Saverio , Burnelli Roberta , Consarino Caterina , Varotto Stefania , Tucci Francesca , Messina Chiara , Nanni Mauro , Diverio Daniela , Biondi Andrea , Pession Andrea , Locatelli Franco , Piciocchi Alfonso , Gottardi Enrico , Saglio Giuseppe , Foà Robin
Published: April 2015

Imatinib mesylate (IM) is used for the management of childhood chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The most effective dosage of IM and its long‐term efficacy in children are not well defined. The purpose of this multicentre study is to report on the long‐term results of high‐dose IM (340 mg/m2/d) in CML patients in chronic phase (CP‐CML) aged <18 years at diagnosis. A total of 47 CP‐CML patients with a median age at diagnosis of 11 years 9 months were enrolled in nine Italian centres. Complete cytogenetic response was achieved in 91·5% of the evaluable patients at a median time of 6 months. BCR‐ABL1 International Scale ≤ 0·1% (major molecular response; MMR) and ≤0·01% (molecular response; MR) at 12 months were 66·6% and 33%, respectively. During follow‐up, MMR and MR were achieved in 78·6% and 61% of children, respectively. IM was safely discontinued in 3 long‐term treated children with a durable MR. Twelve patients (eight cytogenetic/molecular responders) underwent stem cell transplantation. The progression‐free survival probabilities at 96 months for responding patients who continued IM and for those transplanted were 60% and 50%, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 52 months (range 3–146), all patients are alive. High‐dose IM is a long‐term effective therapy in children and adolescents with CP‐CML.
Managing chronic orofacial pain: A qualitative study of patients', doctors', and dentists' experiences
Authors: Peters Sarah , Goldthorpe Joanna , McElroy Cheryl , King Elizabeth , Javidi Hanieh , Tickle Martin , Aggarwal Vishal R.
Published: April 2015

Objective

Persistent pain in the face, mouth, and jaws is a common presentation to dental and medical services. The aetiology remains unclear, but a growing evidence base recognizes the effectiveness of psychological rather than biomedical interventions. To understand how this approach might be implemented into clinical practice, knowledge is needed of patients' and clinicians' experience of chronic orofacial pain (COFP). The aim of this study was to explore the experience and understanding of COFP by patients and primary and secondary care medical and dental practitioners.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Methods

Audio‐recorded semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 dentists, 11 general practitioners, and seven patients were thematically analysed.

Results

Clinicians and patients recognized the role that psychological factors could play in the development and maintenance of COFP, yet management and self‐management strategies were largely limited to biomedical interventions. Achieving a diagnosis proved problematic but largely functional for both parties. GPs and dentists viewed COFP as a non‐dental problem and felt inadequately equipped to manage the condition. GPs, unlike dentists, felt obligated to support patients using techniques for managing patients with other long‐term conditions. Frustration at the current inadequacy of COFP management often led to conflict with (or disengagement from) the clinician–patient relationship.

Conclusions

Current management of COFP is ineffective and unsatisfactory for patients and practitioners, which impacts on their relationship. Fundamental barriers to accessing and implementing psychological interventions for COFP arise from ineffective communication between physicians and patients, and between medical and dental practitioners.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

COFP is characterized by persistent pain in the face, mouth, or jaws that are not the result of organic disease or physical trauma.

Patients with COFP present to both medical and dental services and receive sub‐optimal care.

No studies have examined the experiences of managing this problem from the perspectives of dentists, general practitioners and patients.

What does this study add?

Patients, dentists, and GPs recognize the role that psychological factors have in maintaining and addressing facial pain symptoms, yet principally manage it through biomedical interventions.

Challenges exist over arriving at a diagnosis and managing the problem, and challenges are exacerbated by poor communication between doctors and medical services.

Improvements are needed in liaison between medical and dental services and further training to support primary care clinicians to facilitate a stepped care approach to managing COFP.
A high concentration of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 induces low‐efficacy bone regeneration in sinus augmentation: a histomorphometric analysis in rabbits
Authors: Hong Ji‐Youn , Kim Min‐Soo , Lim Hyun‐Chang , Lee Jung‐Seok , Choi Seong‐Ho , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The aim of the study was to elucidate the efficacy of bone regeneration at the early stage of healing in rabbit sinuses grafted with a biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) carrier soaked in a high concentration of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2).

Materials and methods

Both maxillary sinuses of eight male rabbits were used. The sinus on one side (assigned randomly) was grafted with BCP loaded with rhBMP‐2 (1.5 mg/ml; test group) using a soaking method, while the other was grafted with saline‐soaked BCP (control group). After a 2‐week healing period, the sinuses were analyzed by micro‐computed tomography and histomorphometry.

Results

The total augmented area and soft tissue space were significantly larger in the test group than in the control group, whereas the opposite was true for the area of residual material and newly formed bone. Most of the new bone in the test group was localized to the Schneiderian membrane (SM), while very little bone formation was observed in the window and center regions of the sinus. New bone was distributed evenly in the control group sinuses.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it appeared that application of a high concentration of rhBMP‐2 soaked onto a BCP carrier inhibited bone regeneration from the pristine bone and increased soft tissue swelling and inflammatory response at the early healing stage of sinus augmentation, although osteoinductive potential was found along the SM.
Occupational contact dermatitis caused by aniline epoxy resins in the aircraft industry
Authors: Pesonen Maria , Suuronen Katri , Jolanki Riitta , Aalto‐Korte Kristiina , Kuuliala Outi , Henriks‐Eckerman Maj‐Len , Valtanen Ilona , Alanko Kristiina
Published: April 2015

Background

Tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐methylenedianiline (TGMDA) is an aniline epoxy resin used in, for example, resin systems of pre‐impregnated composite materials (prepregs) of the aircraft industry. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by TGMDA in prepregs has been described previously.

Objectives

To report on 9 patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by TGMDA in epoxy glues used in helicopter assembly.

Methods

The patients were examined with patch testing at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in 2004–2009. The first patient was diagnosed by testing both components of two epoxy glues from the workplace, and was also tested with glue ingredients, including TGMDA. The following patients were tested with the glues and TGMDA. The resin parts of the glues were analysed for their epoxy compounds, including TGMDA.

Results

All of the patients had a patch test reaction to one or both of the resin parts of the TGMDA‐containing glues. Eight of them had a strong allergic reaction to TGMDA, and one had a doubtful reaction to TGMDA. Two of the patients also had an allergic reaction to triglycidyl‐p‐aminophenol (TGPAP), another aniline epoxy resin, which was not present in the TGMDA‐containing glues.

Conclusions

In aircraft industry workers with suspected occupational dermatitis, aniline epoxy resins should be considered and patch tested as possible contact allergens.
Doing Things Differently: Can Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services Support Peace‐ and State‐Building Processes?
Authors: Kooy Michelle , Wild Leni , Mason Nathaniel
Published: April 2015

Interventions across all sectors in fragile states are called to contribute to tackling conflict and fragility despite the lack of evidence on how/if this is possible. This article reviews the existing literature to identify five entry points through which water supply and sanitation service delivery might interact, both positively and negatively, with state‐building and/or peace‐building processes. Evidence for the relevance of these entry points was assessed in the Republic of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our research suggests that the way in which water and sanitation services are delivered is more important than the delivery of these services per se. Moreover, we find that the effects are largely modest and likely to be localised, and that greater attention is still needed to avoid potential negative consequences.
An Unusual Cause of Cardioembolic Stroke: Paradoxical Embolism Due to Thrombus Formation on the Eustachian Valve
Authors: ElRefai Mohamed , Thananayagam Karthika , Bathula Rajaram , Shah Benoy N.
Published: April 2015

Cardioembolism is an important cause of ischemic stroke, with several studies showing worse outcome than following other stroke subtypes. Paradoxical embolism is a rare cause of cardioembolic stroke. We report a case of a patient with presumed paradoxical cardioembolic stroke secondary to thrombus formation on the eustachian valve remnant in the right atrium. The patient was anticoagulated with resolution of the mass upon follow‐up assessment. The diagnostic, investigative and management strategies are discussed for patients with suspected paradoxical embolism causing stroke. Physicians are reminded of the utility of echocardiography for identifying potential cardioembolic etiologies, including both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
Massive structural redundancies in species composition patterns of floodplain forest moths
Authors: Truxa Christine , Fiedler Konrad
Published: April 2015

Terrestrial arthropod communities usually consist of very large species numbers. Data from experiments or long time‐series would be required to ascertain the functional significance of individual species. Both are largely unavailable for species‐rich natural communities. Recognising structural redundancies in species composition allows for an alternative approach to address how strong functional redundancy might be in natural assemblages, if structural and functional redundancies are related to each other. Determining structural redundancies is a regular topic in aquatic ecology, but has rarely been applied to terrestrial communities.

We explored the extent of structural redundancy in species‐rich terrestrial insect assemblages and whether structural redundancies are contingent to species abundances or functional group affiliations.

We used the BVSTEP algorithm to determine structural redundancies in a large data set of moth species (32 181 individuals; 448 species) that had been sampled with light‐traps in three different floodplain forests in eastern Austria. We partitioned the moth species into 12 functional types based on larval host‐plant affiliations to test if moth species included in reduced subsets represent functional groups in the same proportions as they occur in the entire fauna.

We observed far more massive structural redundancies in moth assemblages than previously found in aquatic communities. Subsets containing only 8–15 species (1.8–3.3% of all recorded species) were still highly representative for the overall data. Subsets selected by the BVSTEP procedure performed better than equally small subsets that were defined solely by species abundances or by functional group affiliations. Effective ‘surrogate’ subsets contained only 6–9 of the 12 functional moth types. High abundance only loosely corresponded with the frequency at which a moth species was included in the subsets. Thus, certain uncommon species contribute importantly to species composition patterns.

Our results show unexpectedly extensive structural redundancies in complex floodplain forest moth communities, which may also indicate strong functional redundancies.
Ramping single unit activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum reflects the onset of waiting but not imminent impulsive actions
Authors: Donnelly Nicholas A. , Paulsen Ole , Robbins Trevor W. , Dalley Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2015

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral striatum (VS), including the nucleus accumbens, are key forebrain regions involved in regulating behaviour for future rewards. Dysfunction of these regions can result in impulsivity, characterized by actions that are mistimed and executed without due consideration of their consequences. Here we recorded the activity of single neurons in the mPFC and VS of 16 rats during performance on a five‐choice serial reaction time task of sustained visual attention and impulsivity. Impulsive responses were assessed by the number of premature responses made before target stimuli were presented. We found that the majority of cells signalled trial outcome after an action was made (both rewarded and unrewarded). Positive and negative ramping activity was a feature of population activity in the mPFC and VS (49.5 and 50.4% of cells, respectively). This delay‐related activity increased at the same rate and reached the same maximum (or minimum) for trials terminated by either correct or premature responses. However, on premature trials, the ramping activity started earlier and coincided with shorter latencies to begin waiting. For all trial types the pattern of ramping activity was unchanged when the pre‐stimulus delay period was made variable. Thus, premature responses may result from a failure in the timing of the initiation of a waiting process, combined with a reduced reliance on external sensory cues, rather than a primary failure in delay activity. Our findings further show that the neural locus of this aberrant timing signal may emanate from structures outside the mPFC and VS.
Reduction of ferredoxin or oxygen by flavin‐based electron bifurcation in Megasphaera elsdenii
Authors: Chowdhury Nilanjan P. , Kahnt Jörg , Buckel Wolfgang
Published: April 2015

Over 50 years ago, it was reported that, in the anaerobic rumen bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii, the reduction of crotonyl‐CoA to butyryl‐CoA by NADH involved an electron transferring flavoprotein (Etf) as mediator [Baldwin RL, Milligan LP (1964) Biochim Biophys Acta 92, 421–432]. Purification and spectroscopic characterization revealed that this Etf contained 2 FAD, whereas, in the Etfs from aerobic and facultative bacteria, one FAD is replaced by AMP. Recently we detected a similar system in the related anaerobe Acidaminococcus fermentans that differed in the requirement of additional ferredoxin as electron acceptor. The whole process was established as flavin‐based electron bifurcation in which the exergonic reduction of crotonyl‐CoA by NADH mediated by Etf + butyryl‐CoA dehydrogenase (Bcd) was coupled to the endergonic reduction of ferredoxin also by NADH. In the present study, we demonstrate that, under anaerobic conditions, Etf + Bcd from M. elsdenii bifurcate as efficiently as Etf + Bcd from A. fermentans. Under the aerobic conditions used in the study by Baldwin and Milligan and in the presence of catalytic amounts of crotonyl‐CoA or butyryl‐CoA, however, Etf + Bcd act as NADH oxidase producing superoxide and H2O2, whereas ferredoxin is not required. We hypothesize that, during bifurcation, oxygen replaces ferredoxin to yield superoxide. In addition, the formed butyryl‐CoA is re‐oxidized by a second oxygen molecule to crotonyl‐CoA, resulting in a stoichiometry of 2 NADH consumed and 2 H2O2 formed. As a result of the production of reactive oxygen species, electron bifurcation can be regarded as an Achilles’ heel of anaerobes when exposed to air.
Post‐Craniotomy Headache: A Clinical View With a Focus on the Persistent Form
Authors: Rocha‐Filho Pedro Augusto Sampaio
Published: April 2015

Background

Post‐craniotomy headache is a frequent complication of neurosurgical procedures and is often a challenge for neurosurgeons, neurologists, and headache specialists.

Method

This was a narrative review.

Results

Surgical trauma, adherence of the musculature to the dura mater, peripheral nerve injury, development of neurinomas in the surgical scar, and central sensitization may be involved in the genesis of such headaches. Performing smaller craniotomies, replacement of the bone (craniotomy), performing cranioplasty, and infiltration of the surgical site with local anesthesia at the end of the surgical procedure are strategies used to prevent such headaches. Among the most frequent characteristics of post‐craniotomy headaches are that they start on the first days after the operation, are located on the same side as and at the site of the surgical scar, and improve with the passage of time. Depression, anxiety, and temporomandibular disorders are frequently associated with these headaches. Abortive treatment such as opioids, ordinary analgesics, non‐hormonal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and triptans can be administered. There have been reports of improvements using sodium divalproex, verapamil, and local anesthetics.

Conclusions

Post‐craniotomy headaches can have significant repercussions on patients' quality of life. There is a need for clinical trials evaluating therapeutic options for treatment of this type of headache.
One‐year extended, monthly vaccination prophylaxis combined with hepatitis B immune globulin for hepatitis B after liver transplantation
Authors: Togashi Junichi , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Kaneko Junichi , Tamura Sumihito , Tanaka Tomohiro , Arita Junichi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: April 2015

Aim

The feasibility of vaccination in liver transplant recipients is highly controversial, and the present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a 1‐year extended, monthly vaccine prophylaxis protocol of a second‐generation recombinant vaccine for transplant recipients.

Methods

The recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (10 µg) was administrated s.c. every month for 12 months as the vaccination protocol to 39 liver transplant recipients in stable condition, including those with hepatitis B‐related chronic liver disease (n = 30), those with acute hepatitis B liver failure (hepatitis B surface antibody [HBsAb], n = 4), and those with hepatitis B core antibody positive grafts (n = 5). A fixed dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) was administrated during the study based on the monoprophylaxis approach, and the increase in the hepatitis B surface antibody titer was measured to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccination.

Results

The vaccination protocol was initiated a mean of 54 months (range, 13–124) after liver transplantation, and all patients tolerated the vaccination well without adverse effects. The overall hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence rate was 5% (2/39) based on hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, and 2% (1/39) based on HBV DNA detectability. Six (15%) patients showed a good response to vaccination with an increase in the HBsAb titer greater than 100 IU/L at the end of vaccination, but only three (8%) maintained an adequate HBsAb level to spare HBIG during the 2‐year observation period.

Conclusion

While a few patients demonstrated an adequate response to vaccination, the clinical indication for the HBV vaccination for liver transplant recipients is currently minimal.
Emancipation as a Three‐Dimensional Process for the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Coole Diana
Published: April 2015

This article elicits two overlapping frameworks in which emancipation has been understood and applied to women. The first distinguishes between a) an original definition grounded in Roman Law and defined as release from slavery and b) an Enlightenment sense in which an emancipatory process is associated with a critical ethos. I derive this latter meaning from an analysis of Kant's and Foucault's respective essays on enlightenment. Although they agree that emancipation is an ongoing critical task, I emphasize two aspects of Foucault's version: his attention to practices of liberty that entail bodily as well as subjective reconstruction and his inclusion, among topics for critique, of modernity's ontology of the human subject. In the case of women's emancipation, I argue that both aspects of emancipation must proceed simultaneously because of the distinctive nature of their oppression. For second‐wave feminism, I note a continued, although reoriented, equation between women and slaves. But now I identify a further framework whereby emancipation emerges as a threefold although systemic undertaking in which legal, subjectivist, and economic dimensions are at stake. I argue in conclusion that each entails unfinished emancipatory projects that represent timely ways to revive emancipation in the twenty‐first century.
Effect of xanthan gum on processing and cooking quality of nontraditional pasta
Authors: Sandhu Gurleen K. , Simsek Senay , Manthey Frank A.
Published: April 2015

The physicochemical properties of three different commercial sources of xanthan gum (XG) were determined, and its subsequent effect on the processing and cooking quality of pasta containing nontraditional ingredients was characterised. Commercial durum flour was fortified with nontraditional ingredients (soya flour or oat flour, 10% w/w) and XG (2% w/w). Protein content, ash content, bulk density, water‐holding capacity and total glucose content significantly varied among XG samples from different vendors. Xanthan gum increased dough strength of durum flour and the extent of strengthening varied with vendor of XG. For example, time‐to‐peak ranged from 2.75 to 4.25 min; peak width from 2.5 to 3.75 BU; and end width from 2 to 3 BU depending on the vendor of XG. Processing properties differed depending on commercial source. Commercial XG that had the finest particle size required the lowest mechanical energy (range 253–270 J s−1) and had the greatest extrusion rate (range 3.38–3.65 g s−1), both of which resulted in the lowest specific mechanical energy (range 69–79 J g−1) required to extrude spaghetti samples.
Age‐ and gender‐specific effects on VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of the development of multiple sclerosis in Tunisians: a preliminary study
Authors: Ben‐Selma W. , Ben‐Fredj N. , Chebel S. , Frih‐Ayed M. , Aouni M. , Boukadida J.
Published: April 2015

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, evidence remains conflicting. In this report, we investigated the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) TaqI and ApaI of VDR gene and risk development of MS. TaqI and ApaI SNPs were detected by PCR‐RFLP from the DNA of 60 Tunisian patients with MS and 114 healthy controls. Our results show a significant difference of the allelic frequency distribution between the case and control groups for TaqI SNP (P = 0.01), but genotype frequencies were not significantly different (P = 0.07 and 0.23). When adjusting frequency distribution of different alleles and genotypes by age, we found that the difference between the T allele frequencies of this SNP in the group of patients age [15˗24] in comparison with the control group of the same age group was statistically significant (P = 0.026). Moreover, frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in male patients compared with controls of the same sex (P = 0.017). However, neither the genotype nor the allele frequency distribution was significantly different between the MS and control populations for the ApaI SNP. Our preliminary results indicate that VDR gene polymorphism could be associated with susceptibility to MS. The role of VDR gene polymorphism should be further studied in other large populations, and the distribution of other polymorphism, such as FokI and BsmI, should be also analysed to confirm another susceptibility polymorphisms gene for MS and to obtain more adequate strategies for treatment of MS.
Carbon Doping in Boron Suboxide: Structure, Energetics, and Elastic Properties
Authors: Rahane Amol B. , Kumar Vijay , Dunn Jennifer S.
Published: April 2015

The structural, electronic, and elastic properties of pristine and carbon‐doped boron suboxide (B6O) are calculated using density functional theory. The results indicate that it is energetically preferable for a single carbon atom to substitute into an oxygen site rather than a boron site. The lattice parameters and cell volume increase to relieve the residual stress created by the carbon substitution. The interstitial position is not favorable for a single atom substitution. However, if two carbon atoms substitute for two neighboring oxygen atoms, then it becomes energetically favorable to dope an interstitial oxygen, boron, or carbon atom along the C–C chain. If the interstitial dopant is either boron or carbon, a local B4C‐like structure with either a C–B–C or C–C–C chain is created within the boron suboxide unit cell. The resulting structure shows improvements in the bulk modulus at the expense of the shear and Young's moduli. The moduli further improve if an additional carbon is substituted within a polar or equatorial site of the neighboring B12 icosahedron. Based on these calculations, we conclude that carbon doping can either harden or soften B6O depending on the manner in which the substitutions are populated. Furthermore, as B6O samples are often oxygen deficient, C doping can occupy such sites and improve the elastic properties.
A Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalyst of NASICON Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Lu Yuting , Li Yuze , Huang Yanlin , Chen Cuili , Cai Peiqing , Seo Hyo Jin
Published: April 2015

A visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst based on the well‐known cathode material of NASICON‐type Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 was prepared by a modified Pechini method. The sample was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and UV‐vis absorption spectrum. The average size of Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 particle is below 50 nm. NASICON nanoparticles Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 has an efficient absorption in the UV‐visible light wavelength region with a direct allowed electronic transition of 2.07 eV. The photocatalytic properties of Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 were evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 has an efficient photocatalytic activity and could be a potential photocatalyst driven by visible‐light. The photocatalytic activity was discussed on the optical absorption and special hexagonal tunnel structure connected by optical active centers of MoO4 and NiO6 and its good conductivity.
The genetic diversity and structure of 18 sheep breeds exposed to isolation and selection
Authors: Ćurković M. , Ramljak J. , Ivanković S. , Mioč B. , Ivanković A. , Pavić V. , Brka M. , Veit‐Kensch C. , Medugorac I.
Published: April 2015

The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north‐western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability. Only combinations of various phylogenetic parameters offer a reasonable explanation for underlying evolutionary forces working in the investigated island and mainland sheep breeds under variable natural and artificial selection. More than 60% of total genetic, diversity was allocated to virtually unselected Pramenka strains, and an additional 25% to native moderately selected Graue Gehoernte Heidschnucke and intensively selected Ostfriesische Milchschafe. Some economically very important breeds and strains did not contribute to a pool with maximal genetic diversity, while they play an important role in the cultural heritage of respective countries.
Internalising symptoms and body dissatisfaction: untangling temporal precedence using cross‐lagged models in two cohorts
Authors: Patalay Praveetha , Sharpe Helen , Wolpert Miranda
Published: April 2015

Background

Cross‐sectional studies demonstrate that body dissatisfaction and internalising symptoms are correlated and are both overrepresented in girls compared to boys. However, it is not clear whether body dissatisfaction typically precedes internalising symptoms or vice versa. Existing literature provides theoretical and empirical support for both possibilities, but is limited in two ways: (a) no study has simultaneously tested the two temporal hypotheses within the same model, and (b) the studies focus almost exclusively on early adolescents resulting in little being known about development from preadolescence and across puberty.

Methods

This study used data from 5485 primary school students (49.1% girls, aged 8–9 years at baseline) and 5981 secondary school students (53.9% girls, aged 11–12 years at baseline). Self‐reports of internalising symptoms and body dissatisfaction were collected over three consecutive years at 1‐year intervals. Cross‐lagged models were estimated in the two cohorts, for boys and girls separately, to examine the temporal associations between these two domains across the three measurement points.

Results

In the younger cohort, internalising symptoms predicted body dissatisfaction 1‐year later for both boys and girls, whereas there was no evidence for the reverse being true. In the older cohort, internalising symptoms predicted later body dissatisfaction for boys. However, in girls, body dissatisfaction predicted later internalising symptoms.

Conclusions

In preadolescents, internalising symptoms drive later body dissatisfaction regardless of gender, suggesting body dissatisfaction is a specific manifestation of a tendency towards negative affect. From age 11, girls develop a distinct risk profile whereby body dissatisfaction drives later internalising symptoms. Preventative interventions in this field would benefit from adopting a developmentally sensitive approach that takes into account gender differences in risk pathways.
Public reporting influences antibiotic and injection prescription in primary care: a segmented regression analysis
Authors: Liu Chenxi , Zhang Xinping , Wan Jie
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Inappropriate use and overuse of antibiotics and injections are serious threats to the global population, particularly in developing countries. In recent decades, public reporting of health care performance (PRHCP) has been an instrument to improve the quality of care. However, existing evidence shows a mixed effect of PRHCP. This study evaluated the effect of PRHCP on physicians' prescribing practices in a sample of primary care institutions in China. Segmented regression analysis was used to produce convincing evidence for health policy and reform.

Methods

The PRHCP intervention was implemented in Qian City that started on 1 October 2013. Performance data on prescription statistics were disclosed to patients and health workers monthly in 10 primary care institutions. A total of 326 655 valid outpatient prescriptions were collected. Monthly effective prescriptions were calculated as analytical units in the research (1st to 31st every month). This study involved multiple assessments of outcomes 13 months before and 11 months after PRHCP intervention (a total of 24 data points).

Results

Segmented regression models showed downward trends from baseline on antibiotics (coefficient = −0.64, P = 0.004), combined use of antibiotics (coefficient = −0.41, P < 0.001) and injections (coefficient = −0.5957, P = 0.001) after PRHCP intervention. The average expenditure of patients slightly increased monthly before the intervention (coefficient = 0.8643, P < 0.001); PRHCP intervention also led to a temporary increase in average expenditure of patients (coefficient = 2.20, P = 0.307) but slowed down the ascending trend (coefficient = −0.45, P = 0.033). The prescription rate of antibiotics and injections after intervention (about 50%) remained high.

Conclusions

PRHCP showed positive effects on physicians' prescribing behaviour, considering the downward trends on the use of antibiotics and injections and average expenditure through the intervention. However, the effect was not immediately observed; a lag time existed before public reporting intervention worked.