bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governing sustainable low‐carbon transport in Indonesia: An assessment of provincial transport plans
Authors: Jaeger Andreas , Nugroho Sudarmanto Budi , Zusman Eric , Nakano Ryoko , Daggy Rachel
Published: March 2015

Over the past three years, Indonesia has tasked provincial governments with defining sub‐national actions to help implement the nationally appropriate mitigation action (NAMA) it pledged to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC) in 2009. This paper assesses provincial plans in Indonesia's Sustainable Urban Transport Initiative (SUTI) — a set of transport plans that developed in parallel to its NAMA — focusing on three key questions distilled from sustainable low carbon transport and multi‐level governance literature. The questions seek to shed light into whether provincial governments: (1) prioritize actions that avoid unnecessary travel and shift passengers to more efficient modes; (2) carefully consider funding and costs estimates; and (3) clearly define institutional roles and responsibilities. The assessment suggests that most provincial governments prioritize measures designed to improve vehicle efficiencies and shift to more efficient modes (rather than avoid and shift). Furthermore, there is little evidence of due diligence being performed in relation to estimating costs and seeking creative financing. Lastly, observations point toward low levels of cross‐agency collaboration and weakly defined institutional responsibilities at sub‐provincial levels. The results imply that Indonesia may encounter some of the same problems confronting developed countries such as the United Kingdom as they translate national climate targets into local transport actions. Three focused case studies suggest that provinces with greater population density, economic diversity, and experience with international organizations outperform other provinces. They may therefore serve as a useful model for sharing with other provinces that are further behind the learning curve.
Potential Use of Bacterial Community Succession in Decaying Human Bone for Estimating Postmortem Interval,,
Authors: Damann Franklin E. , Williams Daniel E. , Layton Alice C.
Published: March 2015

Bacteria are taphonomic agents of human decomposition, potentially useful for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) in late‐stage decomposition. Bone samples from 12 individuals and three soil samples were analyzed to assess the effects of decomposition and advancing time on bacterial communities. Results indicated that partially skeletonized remains maintained a presence of bacteria associated with the human gut, whereas bacterial composition of dry skeletal remains maintained a community profile similar to soil communities. Variation in theUniFrac distances was significantly greater between groups than within groups (p < 0.001) for the unweighted metric and not the weighted metric. The members of the bacterial communities were more similar within than between decomposition stages. The oligotrophic environment of bone relative to soft tissue and the physical protection of organic substrates may preclude bacterial blooms during the first years of skeletonization. Therefore, community membership (unweighted) may be better for estimatingPMIfrom skeletonized remains than community structure (weighted).
Why on the snow? Winter emergence strategies of snow‐active Chironomidae (Diptera) in Poland
Authors: Soszyńska‐Maj Agnieszka , Paasivirta Lauri , Giłka Wojciech
Published: March 2015

A long‐term study of adult non‐biting midges (Chironomidae) active in winter on the snow in mountain areas and lowlands in Poland yielded 35 species. The lowland and mountain communities differed significantly in their specific composition. The mountain assemblage was found to be more diverse and abundant, with a substantial contribution from the subfamily Diamesinae, whereas Orthocladiinae predominated in the lowlands. Orthocladius wetterensis Brundin was the most characteristic and superdominant species in the winter‐active chironomid communities in both areas. Only a few specimens and species of snow‐active chironomids were recorded in late autumn and early winter. The abundance of chironomids peaked in late February in the mountain and lowland areas with an additional peak in the mountain areas in early April. However, this second peak of activity consisted mainly of Orthocladiinae, as Diamesinae emerged earliest in the season. Most snow‐active species emerged in mid‐ and late winter, but their seasonal patterns differed between the 2 regions as a result of the different species composition and the duration of snow cover in these regions. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tests yielded positive results between each season and the number of chironomid individuals recorded in the mountain area. A positive correlation between air temperature, rising to +3.5 °C, and the number of specimens recorded on the snow in the mountain community was statistically significant. The winter emergence and mate‐searching strategies of chironomids are discussed in the light of global warming, and a brief compilation of most important published data on the phenomena studied is provided.
Validating the Absolute Reliability of a Fat Free Mass Estimate Equation in Hemodialysis Patients Using Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kono Kenichi , Nishida Yusuke , Moriyama Yoshihumi , Taoka Masahiro , Sato Takashi
Published: March 2015

The assessment of nutritional states using fat free mass (FFM) measured with near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is clinically useful. This measurement should incorporate the patient's post‐dialysis weight (“dry weight”), in order to exclude the effects of any change in water mass. We therefore used NIRS to investigate the regression, independent variables, and absolute reliability of FFM in dry weight. The study included 47 outpatients from the hemodialysis unit. Body weight was measured before dialysis, and FFM was measured using NIRS before and after dialysis treatment. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the FFM in dry weight as the dependent variable. The measured FFM before dialysis treatment (Mw‐FFM), and the difference between measured and dry weight (Mw‐Dw) were independent variables. We performed Bland‐Altman analysis to detect errors between the statistically estimated FFM and the measured FFM after dialysis treatment. The multiple regression equation to estimate the FFM in dry weight was: Dw‐FFM = 0.038 + (0.984 × Mw‐FFM) + (−0.571 × [Mw‐Dw]); R2 = 0.99). There was no systematic bias between the estimated and the measured values of FFM in dry weight. Using NIRS, FFM in dry weight can be calculated by an equation including FFM in measured weight and the difference between the measured weight and the dry weight.
Effect of On‐Line Hemodiafiltration on P‐Wave Dispersion in Children
Authors: Sawires Happy , Makar Samuel , Zekry Hanan
Published: March 2015

P‐wave dispersion (PWD) (difference between the maximum and minimum P‐wave duration), has been proposed as a useful predictor of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The consequences of hemodialysis (HD) on PWD and P‐wave duration have not been unequivocally documented and understood, and may be complex. We aimed in this work to demonstrate the effects of online hemodiafiltration (OL‐HDF) on the risk of developing AF through assessment of PWD. Thirty‐three pediatric patients (14 males and 19 females with mean age of 11.66 ± 2.93 years) on conventional HD for at least 6 months underwent echocardiography, 12‐lead electrocardiogram and PWD calculation. Then they were switched to OL‐HDF for another 6 months and same parameters were reassessed. Thirty sex‐ and aged‐matched healthy children, served as controls. PWD significantly decreased upon switching to OL‐HDF (P < 0.001) and fractional shortening significantly improved (P < 0.001). Mean PWD of controls (24 ± 6 ms) was significantly less than PWD before and after OL‐HDF (P < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Online HDF significantly decreased PWD and hence also the potential of AF development, which may invite a higher consideration of this renal replacement modality in a pediatric population.
Construct of Dialysis Employee Satisfaction: Acquiring Satisfaction Factors and Their Contributions
Authors: Gu Xiuzhu , Itoh Kenji
Published: March 2015

We developed a construct of dialysis employees' satisfaction as an assessment framework and identified the crucial factors that contribute to overall job satisfaction. We also seek to capture some important characteristics of dialysis professionals' job satisfaction/dissatisfaction in Japan. A questionnaire was developed, including 35 facet‐specific job‐related satisfaction and 10 general satisfaction items in closed‐ended questions. A questionnaire‐based survey was conducted between August and October 2013. A total of 799 valid responses (87% of response rate) were collected from 46 physicians, 470 nurses and 251 technologists in the dialysis department of 43 facilities in Japan. Five satisfaction factors were derived by applying principal component analysis with 61% of cumulative variance accounted for. Physicians, nurses and technologists in the dialysis department shared a similar trend of job satisfaction that they were more satisfied with leadership, and communication and teamwork among the five factors, whereas their satisfaction level was relatively low with salary and welfare conditions. Physicians expressed the strongest satisfaction with any factor while nurses were the least satisfied. Nurses' and technologists' overall job satisfaction was mostly determined by satisfaction with self‐actualization, and work demands and workload. A five‐factor construct of dialysis employee satisfaction was identified. Overall job satisfaction of dialysis nurses and technologists were not overly high in Japan, and this seems to be caused by their relatively low satisfaction with self‐actualization and with work demands and workload. Therefore, it is suggested that their work conditions and environment must be improved to support their self‐actualization and to reduce their workload.
Association Between Modification of Phenolic Profiling and Development of Wine Color during Alcohol Fermentation
Authors: Li Si‐Yu , Liu Pei‐Tong , Pan Qiu‐Hong , Shi Ying , Duan Chang‐Qing
Published: March 2015

To solve the problem of wine color instability in western China, different additives (the maceration enzymes Vinozym G and Ex‐color, yeasts VR5 and Red Star, and commercial tannins) were added during alcoholic fermentation of Syrah (Vitis vinifera L.). The phenolic profile and color characteristics of wine were examined using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and CIELAB, respectively. The results showed that the combination of the enzyme Ex‐color with the Red Star yeast eased the release of non‐anthocyanins from grape berries into wine, whereas the use of enzyme Vinozym G and VR5 yeast enhanced the concentration of anthocyanins and achieved a higher red hue (a* value) and a lower yellow hue (b* value) in the wine. The addition of commercial tannins greatly promoted the level of gallic acid in the wine and led to a relatively higher concentration of anthocyanins. Partial least‐squares regression analysis was used to find out the major phenolics, which were in close relation with color parameters; principal component analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of different winemaking techniques to wine color. The combination of these 2 analytic methods indicated that Vinozym G and VR5 yeast together with commercial tannins should be an appropriate combination to enhance the stability of wine color during alcohol fermentation, which was related to a significant increase in cyanidin‐3‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl)‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐(6‐O‐coumaryl)‐glucoside, trans‐peonidin‐3‐O‐(6‐O‐coumaryl)‐glucoside, trans‐malvidin‐3‐O‐(6‐O‐coumaryl)‐glucoside, and malvidin‐3‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl)‐glucoside‐pyruvic acid, all of which played an important role in stabilizing wine color.
Agricultural BMP Effectiveness and Dominant Hydrological Flow Paths: Concepts and a Review
Authors: Rittenburg Rebecca A. , Squires Audrey L. , Boll Jan , Brooks Erin S. , Easton Zachary M. , Steenhuis Tammo S.
Published: March 2015

We present a conceptual framework that relates agricultural best management practice (BMP) effectiveness with dominant hydrological flow paths to improve nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management. We use the framework to analyze plot, field and watershed scale published studies on BMP effectiveness to develop transferable recommendations for BMP selection and placement at the watershed scale. The framework is based on the location of the restrictive layer in the soil profile and distinguishes three hydrologic land types. Hydrologic land type A has the restrictive layer at the surface and BMPs that increase infiltration are effective. In land type B1, the surface soil has an infiltration rate greater than the prevailing precipitation intensity, but there is a shallow restrictive layer causing lateral flow and saturation excess overland flow. Few structural practices are effective for these land types, but pollutant source management plans can significantly reduce pollutant loading. Hydrologic land type B2 has deep, well‐draining soils without restrictive layers that transport pollutants to groundwater via percolation. Practices that increased pollutant residence time in the mixing layer or increased plant water uptake were found as the most effective BMPs in B2 land types. Matching BMPs to the appropriate land type allows for better targeting of hydrologically sensitive areas within a watershed, and potentially more significant reductions of NPS pollutant loading.
The European Court Of Human Rights: A ‘Culture of Bad Faith’?
Authors: Manco Noemi
Published: March 2015

The aim of this article is to show the gap between discourse and practice at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg. In fact, while the lexical field of human rights revolves around terms like ‘absolute’ and ‘inviolable’, the Court has relentlessly sought to soften the clout of the rights entailed in the European Convention it is supposed to enforce.

This article first suggests an explanation as to why the ECtHR fails to take a strong stand in favour of individual freedoms and against state power. It then proceeds to present the legal array the ECtHR has developed to pursue this goal.
Economic Growth in Developing Countries: Is Landlockedness Destiny?
Authors: Paudel Ramesh C.
Published: March 2015

This paper examines the determinants of economic growth in developing countries within the standard growth regression framework, with special attention being paid to the experience of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). The results confirm that the landlockedness hampers economic growth, but the magnitude of negative impact is sensitive to alternative estimation methods. However, the analysis suggests that good governance, trade openness and coordinating infrastructure development with neighbours explain the significant aspect of the inter‐country differences in growth rates among LLDCs. The results also suggest that African landlocked countries are not different from the other LLDCs. Contrary to the “resource curse” hypothesis, natural resources seem to contribute to economic growth of LLDCs.
Points to Consider When Self‐Assessing Your Empirical Accounting Research
Authors: Evans John Harry , Feng Mei , Hoffman Vicky B. , Moser Donald V. , van der Stede Wim A.
Published: March 2015

We provide a list of points to consider (PTCs) to help researchers self‐assess whether they have addressed certain common issues that arise frequently in accounting research seminars and in reviewers’ and editors’ comments on papers submitted to journals. Anticipating and addressing such issues can help accounting researchers, especially doctoral students and junior faculty members, convert an initial empirical accounting research idea into a thoughtful and carefully designed study. Doing this also allows outside readers to provide more beneficial feedback rather than commenting on the common issues that could have been dealt with in advance. The list, provided in the appendix, consists of five sections: Research Question; Theory; Contribution; Research Design and Analysis; and Interpretation of Results and Conclusions. In each section, we include critical items that readers, journal referees, and seminar participants are likely to raise and offer suggestions for how to address them. The text elaborates on some of the more challenging items, such as how to increase a study's contribution, and provides examples of how such issues have been effectively addressed in previous accounting studies.
Effect of Concession‐Timing Strategies in Auditor–Client Negotiations: It Matters Who Is Using Them
Authors: Sun Yan , Tan Hun‐Tong , Zhang Jixun
Published: March 2015

In this study, we examine how norms about the use of negotiation strategies by different parties in an auditor–client negotiation influence the relative efficacies of these negotiation strategies. We conduct an experiment with experienced auditors/financial managers as participants, who enter into a negotiation on an income‐decreasing audit adjustment with a hypothetical client/auditor who uses a strategy where the same concessions are given either at the start, gradually, or the end of the negotiation. We find that the concession‐end strategy is more effective than the concession‐start strategy when used by auditors; however, the reverse is true when these same strategies are used by financial managers. The concession‐gradual strategy leads to superior outcomes when used by either auditors or clients. We also provide evidence that auditors’ and financial managers’ perceptions of the norms relating to the use of these strategies correspond to what we propose in our theory.
Validating the power of mitochondrial metagenomics for community ecology and phylogenetics of complex assemblages
Authors: Gómez‐Rodríguez Carola , Crampton‐Platt Alex , Timmermans Martijn J. T. N. , Baselga Andrés , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: March 2015

The biodiversity of mixed‐species samples of arthropods can be characterized by shotgun sequencing of bulk genomic DNA and subsequent bioinformatics assembly of mitochondrial genomes. Here, we tested the power of mitochondrial metagenomics by conducting Illumina sequencing on mixtures of >2600 individuals of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) from 10 communities.

Patterns of species richness, community dissimilarity and biomass were assessed from matches of reads against three reference databases, including (i) a custom set of mitogenomes generated for 156 species (89% of species in the study); (ii) mitogenomes obtained by the de novo assembly of sequence reads from the real‐world communities; and (iii) a custom set of DNA barcode (cox1‐5′) sequences.

Species detection against the custom‐built reference genomes was very high (>90%). False presences were rare against mitogenomes but slightly higher against the barcode references. False absences were mainly due to the incompleteness of the reference databases and, thus, more prevalent in the de novo data set. Biomass (abundance × body length) and read numbers were strongly correlated, demonstrating the potential of mitochondrial metagenomics for studies of species abundance.

A phylogenetic tree from the mitogenomes showed high congruence with known relationships in Chrysomelidae. Patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity between sites were highly consistent with data from morphological identifications.

The power of mitochondrial metagenomics results from the possibility of rapid assembly of mitogenomes from mixtures of specimens and the use of read counts for accurate estimates of key parameters of biodiversity directly from community samples.
UNREASONABLE, UNDERDOGS AND UNEXPECTEDNESS
Authors: Nathu Adam
Published: March 2015

Being reasonable only gets you so far. Adam Nathu maps out the route to becoming productively unreasonable
MANAGING INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURES
Authors: Dume Philippe , Frank Sergey
Published: March 2015

Philippe Dume and Sergey Frank provide practical joint venture advice
MY DAY
Authors: Hemrika Laura
Published: March 2015

Laura Hemrika, a leader in Credit Suisse's wide‐ranging involvement in microfinance and impact investing, opens her diary
Association of CYP450 single nucleotide polymorphisms with the efficacy of epidural ropivacaine during mastectomy
Authors: LIU J. , XI H. , JIANG Y. , FENG Z. , HOU L. , LI W.
Published: March 2015

Background

Ropivacaine is frequently used for local anesthesia in the clinic and is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in the liver. CYP450 polymorphisms may alter the therapeutic efficacy of drugs in patients. In this study, we selected six CYP450 polymorphisms from the dbSNP and HapMap databases, using a combination of functional analysis and Tag SNP strategies and examined these polymorphisms for association with the efficacy of epidural ropivacaine in patients during mastectomy.

Methods

A total of 256 patients with breast cancer received thoracic epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine for elective mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance. Blood samples from patients were genotyped using the SNaPshot method.

Results

We found that patients with rs11636419 AG and GG genotypes required lower doses of epidural ropivacaine than patients with the AA genotype (corrected P = 0.024 and P < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, patients with rs17861162 CG and GG genotypes required lower doses of epidural ropivacaine than those with the CC genotype (corrected P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant association between the other four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and total or mean ropivacaine dose, the onset of ropivacaine, or the initial dose of lidocaine.

Conclusions

Our present data demonstrate that CYP1A2 SNPs rs11636419 and rs17861162 alter the sensitivity of epidural ropivacaine in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. As such, detection of these two CYP1A2 SNPs may aid in the development of effective personalized treatments for breast cancer patients.
Emergency Physician Perceptions of Shared Decision‐making
Authors: Kanzaria Hemal K. , Brook Robert H. , Probst Marc A. , Harris Dustin , Berry Sandra H. , Hoffman Jerome R.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Despite the potential benefits of shared decision‐making (SDM), its integration into emergency care is challenging. Emergency physician (EP) perceptions about the frequency with which they use SDM, its potential to reduce medically unnecessary diagnostic testing, and the barriers to employing SDM in the emergency department (ED) were investigated.

Methods

As part of a larger project examining beliefs on overtesting, questions were posed to EPs about SDM. Qualitative analysis of two multispecialty focus groups was done exploring decision‐making around resource use to generate survey items. The survey was then pilot‐tested and revised to focus on advanced diagnostic imaging and SDM. The final survey was administered to EPs recruited at four emergency medicine (EM) conferences and 15 ED group meetings. This report addresses responses regarding SDM.

Results

A purposive sample of 478 EPs from 29 states were approached, of whom 435 (91%) completed the survey. EPs estimated that, on average, multiple reasonable management options exist in over 50% of their patients and reported employing SDM with 58% of such patients. Respondents perceived SDM as a promising solution to reduce overtesting. However, despite existing research to the contrary, respondents also commonly cited beliefs that 1) “many patients prefer that the physician decides,” 2) “when offered a choice, many patients opt for more aggressive care than they need,” and 3) “it is too complicated for patients to know how to choose.”

Conclusions

Most surveyed EPs believe SDM is a potential high‐yield solution to overtesting, but many perceive patient‐related barriers to its successful implementation.
Financial reporting of European banks during the GFC: a pitch
Authors: Ratiu Raluca V.
Published: March 2015

This short paper applies the pitch template developed by Faff (2015a), for a proposed accounting research project on financial reporting of European banks and the global financial crisis. I begin by giving a brief background to writing the pitch. I then give a brief commentary on my pitch, followed by a few key personal reflections on the pitch exercise itself.
Educational inequalities in hospitalization attributable to alcohol: a population‐based longitudinal study of changes during the period 2000–07
Authors: Herttua Kimmo , Mäkelä Pia , Martikainen Pekka
Published: March 2015

Aims

To estimate the relative risk of hospitalization from alcohol‐related causes among men and women in Finland across different educational categories, and to determine whether these differentials changed following a large reduction in alcohol prices in 2004.

Design and measurements

A register‐based longitudinal study of hospitalizations. We used repeated‐measures analysis to estimate alcohol‐attributable hospitalization rates and assessed effects of the reduction in alcohol prices by comparing two 4‐year periods (2000–03 and 2004–07).

Setting

Finland.

Participants

A representative sample of the residents of Finland aged 30–79 years in the period 2000‐07 (n = 470,627).

Findings

There was a clear gradient across educational levels in alcohol‐attributable hospitalizations: the incidence rate ratios among men and women with basic education were 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32, 2.20] and 1.96 (95% CI = 1.36, 2.84), respectively, compared with those with upper‐tertiary education. After allowing for the long‐term trend, there were no significant changes between the two follow‐up periods either among men with an upper tertiary education or among women in any educational level, whereas the rate increased by 21% (95% CI = 5, 41), 16% (95% CI = 6, 27) and 10% (95% CI = 2, 18), respectively, among men with a lower tertiary, secondary and basic education. However, these differences in changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Lower‐level education is associated with a substantially increased risk of alcohol‐related hospitalization among men and women in Finland, even when adjusted for age, economic activity and income. The results do not provide strong evidence that the 2004 price reduction had differential effects by education.
Consequences of habitat disturbance on seed fate of a Brazilian tropical dry forest tree Cavanillesia arborea (Malvaceae)
Authors: Souza‐Silva Herbert , Machado Larissa F. , Silva Jhonathan O. , Espírito‐Santo Mário M.
Published: March 2015

We compared seed fate (survival, mortality by rodent predators, desiccation and other causes) of the tree Cavanillesia arborea (Malvaceae) in preserved old‐growth tropical dry forests and in nearby abandoned pasturelands in Brazil. For this purpose, we performed an experiment where 15 seeds were placed in the surroundings of 15 parental individuals in each habitat. These 450 seeds were monitored over four months. At the end of the experiment, seed predation by rodents was higher in forest (56.5%) than in pasture (8.9%) areas, but seed desiccation showed the opposite pattern (8.9% vs. 80.4%). Mortality by desiccation was also faster in pasture than in forest areas, probably reducing their attractiveness to predators in these areas. None of the seeds placed in the pasture survived, whereas 26.2% of seeds became seedlings in forest areas. The absence of seedling recruitment of Cavanillesia arborea in pastures is likely a consequence of their incapacity to tolerate the harsh abiotic conditions in this habitat. Thus, forest conversion imposes a strong limitation to the long‐term population viability of this species. However, restoration and natural regeneration of abandoned pastures can recreate the forest structure and microclimatic conditions favourable to seed germination and seedling establishment. Remnant individuals of Cavanillesia arborea in agricultural landscapes may have a negligible contribution to current recruitment, but they can attract potential dispersers of pioneer species, with positive feedbacks to future recruitment during secondary succession.
Remaining root dentin thickness in mesiobuccal canals of maxillary first molars after attempted removal of broken instrument fragments
Authors: Gao Yuan , Shen Ya , Zhou Xuedong , Haapasalo Markus
Published: March 2015

The aim was to measure the minimal thickness of the remaining canal wall dentine in the mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars using a virtual model to simulate the attempt to remove fractured instruments. Thirty‐seven molars were scanned by micro‐computed tomography. The application framework for the simulation of the attempt to remove a broken instrument was constructed. The staging platform was created and followed by the use of ultrasonic tips to trephine dentine around the fragment to reveal the coronal 1.5 mm. The minimum canal wall thickness in the mesiobuccal roots was then measured. The concavity groove was found on all the distal aspects of the mesiobuccal root. The minimum thickness of the remaining canal wall distally to the canal was significantly thinner than mesially to the canals when sizes 25/0.06 and 25/0.02 instruments were broken at 3 and 5 mm away from the canal orifice. When the sizes 20/0.02 and 25/0.06 instruments were broken at 5 mm away from the canal orifice, the minimum thickness of the distal dentine wall was only 300–400 μm which was significantly less than when the instrument was broken at 3 mm.
Schizophrenia and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: A clinical investigation
Authors: Lev‐Ran Shaul , Feingold Daniel , Rudinski Dmitri , Katz Stefan , Arturo Lerner G.
Published: March 2015

Background and Objectives

We compared characteristics of schizophrenia patients with prior LSD use who developed hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (SCH+HPPD) with those who did not (SCH−HPPD).

Methods

Data were collected for 37 subjects in the SCH+HPPD group and 43 subjects in the SCH−HPPD group.

Results

Socio‐demographics and positive symptom scores were similar between groups. Individuals in the SCHIZO+HPPD group scored lower on general psychopathology and negative symptoms scores.

Discussion and Conclusions

Individuals with schizophrenia and HPPD present with less severe psychopathology, despite persistent perceptual disturbances.

Scientific Significance

Our findings highlight the importance of further research into this subset of patients. (Am J Addict 2015;24:197–199)
A randomised controlled comparison between stimulating and standard catheters for lumbar plexus block
Authors: Cappelleri G. , Ghisi D. , Ceravola E. , Guzzetti L. , Ambrosoli A. L. , Gemma M. , Cornaggia G.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this randomised, prospective, blinded study was to evaluate if stimulating catheters can decrease the minimum effective anaesthetic volume in 50% of patients during lumbar plexus block using mepivacaine 1.5% compared with standard catheters. Fifty‐eight patients of ASA physical status 1–3 were randomly allocated to receive a lumbar plexus block via a stimulating or standard catheter, with 29 in each group. The first dose was 30 ml and subsequent doses were determined using the up‐and‐down staircase method. The minimum effective anaesthetic volume50 was 12.2 ml (95% CI 7.3–17.1 ml) using the stimulating catheter and 24.8 ml (95% CI 23.2–27.5 ml) with the standard catheter (p < 0.0001). Complete lumbar plexus block was achieved with the initial dose of mepivacaine in 29 (100%) patients in the stimulating catheter group and 20 (69%) patients in the standard catheter group (p = 0.002). This study showed that use of a stimulating catheter halves the minimum effective anaesthetic volume50 of mepivacaine 1.5% while increasing the success rate in patients receiving continuous lumbar plexus block.
Quantification of Shear‐Induced Platelet Activation: High Shear Stresses for Short Exposure Time
Authors: Ding Jun , Chen Zengsheng , Niu Shuqiong , Zhang Jiafeng , Mondal Nandan K. , Griffith Bartley P. , Wu Zhongjun J.
Published: March 2015

Thrombosis and thromboembolism are the life‐threatening clinical complications for patients supported or treated with prosthetic cardiovascular devices. The high mechanical shear stress within these devices is believed to be the major contributing factor to cause platelet activation (PA) and function alteration, leading to thrombotic events. There have been limited quantitative data on how the high mechanical shear stress causes platelet activation. In this study, shear‐induced PA in the ranges of well‐defined shear stress and exposure time relevant to cardiovascular devices was quantitatively characterized for human blood using two novel flow‐through Couette‐type blood shearing devices. Four markers of platelet activation—surface P‐selectin (CD62p), platelet‐derived microparticles (PMPs), platelet‐monocyte aggregation (PMA), and soluble P‐selectin—were measured by flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results indicated that PA induced by high shear stresses with short exposure time could be reliably detected with surface P‐selectin, and, to a lesser extent, PMPs rather than soluble P‐selectin. It was also verified that PMA can be a highly sensitive indirect marker of platelet activation. The quantitative relationship between percentage of activated platelets indicated by surface P‐selectin expression and shear stress/exposure time follows well the power law functional form. The coefficients of the power law models of PA based on surface P‐selectin expression were derived.
β3‐AR and the vertebrate heart: a comparative view
Authors: Imbrogno S. , Gattuso A. , Mazza R. , Angelone T. , Cerra M. C.
Published: March 2015

Recent cardiovascular research showed that, together with β1‐ and β2‐adrenergic receptors (ARs), β3‐ARs contribute to the catecholamine (CA)‐dependent control of the heart. β3‐ARs structure, function and ligands were investigated in mammals because of their applicative potential in human cardiovascular diseases. Only recently, the concept of a β3‐AR‐dependent cardiac modulation was extended to non‐mammalian vertebrates, although information is still scarce and fragmentary. β3‐ARs were structurally described in fish, showing a closer relationship to mammalian β1‐AR than β2‐AR. Functional β3‐ARs are present in the cardiac tissue of teleosts and amphibians. As in mammals, activation of these receptors elicits a negative modulation of the inotropic performance through the involvement of the endothelium endocardium (EE), Gi/0 proteins and the nitric oxide (NO) signalling. This review aims to comparatively analyse data from literature on β3‐ARs in mammals, with those on teleosts and amphibians. The purpose is to highlight aspects of uniformity and diversity of β3‐ARs structure, ligands activity, function and signalling cascades throughout vertebrates. This may provide new perspectives aimed to clarify the biological relevance of β3‐ARs in the context of the nervous and humoral control of the heart and its functional plasticity.
Association involving serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region and bipolar disorder type 1 in Iranian population
Authors: Ghadiri Mohammad , Nourmohammadi Issa , Fasihi Ramandi Mahdi , Moazen Zadeh Ehsan
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region, also called 5HTTLPR, is a candidate in the genetics of bipolar disorder; however, the results of previous association studies are inconsistent. Several explanations have been proposed for that inconsistency; among them are the existing differences both in the genetic basis of bipolar disorder subtypes and the genetic backgrounds of the studied populations. We aimed to investigate the association of 5HTTLPR with bipolar disorder type I (BP‐1) in Iranian population.

Methods

In this case–control study, 146 patients with BP‐1 and 165 controls were recruited. The patients were selected through the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. It was required that the patients do not have any present history of general medical conditions, substance abuse, and concurrent major psychiatric disorders. The polymorphism was evaluated by blood sampling and subsequent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Chi‐square test was used for analyzing allelic and genotype frequencies and two‐tailed P values were obtained.

Results

The S allele was significantly more frequent in the BP‐1 patients compared with the controls (P = 0.02, S allele odds ratio = 1.5, confidence interval 95% = 1.06–2.11).

Discussion

Our statistically significant results suggest that the role of 5HTTLPR in the pathogenesis of BP‐1 needs to be clarified by further scrutiny in Iranian population and other populations of Near East.
School Consolidation: Whither China's Rural Education?
Authors: Mei Hong , Jiang Quanbao , Xiang Yuanyuan , Song Xiaoping
Published: March 2015

The School Consolidation Policy in the 1990s significantly impacted Chinese rural compulsory education and Chinese rural communities. Although this policy has been involved in many negative news reports, there is a lack of scientific research on it. To address the research gap, this paper first delineates the evolution of this policy, which was formed to balance the disparity between urban and rural education, accelerated by rural financial reformation and aborted due to various emerging problems. It then discusses the educational problems caused by the policy including misallocated resources, poor quality, rising costs, student safety issues, high dropout rate, and lost rural culture heritage. Through the analyses, this paper provides a clear picture of the development of Chinese rural education, and offers implications for improving educational policy, promoting educational quality, and securing educational rights of students in rural China.
Inhaled corticosteroids: potency, dose equivalence and therapeutic index
Authors: Daley‐Yates Peter T.
Published: March 2015

Glucocorticosteroids are a group of structurally related molecules that includes natural hormones and synthetic drugs with a wide range of anti‐inflammatory potencies. For synthetic corticosteroid analogues it is commonly assumed that the therapeutic index cannot be improved by increasing their glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity. The validity of this assumption, particularly for inhaled corticosteroids, has not been fully explored. Inhaled corticosteroids exert their anti‐inflammatory activity locally in the airways, and hence this can be dissociated from their potential to cause systemic adverse effects. The molecular structural features that increase glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity and selectivity drive topical anti‐inflammatory activity. However, in addition, these structural modifications also result in physicochemical and pharmacokinetic changes that can enhance targeting to the airways and reduce systemic exposure. As a consequence, potency and therapeutic index can be correlated. However, this consideration is not reflected in asthma treatment guidelines that classify inhaled corticosteroid formulations as low‐, mid‐ and high dose, and imbed a simple dose equivalence approach where potency is not considered to affect the therapeutic index. This article describes the relationship between potency and therapeutic index, and concludes that higher potency can potentially improve the therapeutic index. Therefore, both efficacy and safety should be considered when classifying inhaled corticosteroid regimens in terms of dose equivalence. The historical approach to dose equivalence in asthma treatment guidelines is not appropriate for the wider range of molecules, potencies and device/formulations now available. A more robust method is needed that incorporates pharmacological principles.
Growing well‐beings: The positive experience of care farms
Authors: Leck Chris , Upton Dominic , Evans Nick
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Care farms enable people who are in some way vulnerable to engage with agricultural places and farming activities. This study investigates how this impacts on the health and well‐being of service users and explores associated processes and outcomes.

Design

A mixed methods design was adopted that allowed for the integration of quantitative measurements of change with qualitative descriptions of this change. A pragmatic approach provided sufficient flexibility to support the investigation of complex contexts.

Methods

A total of 216 service users completed an initial questionnaire, and 137 (63%) of this number provided comparative data in a follow‐up questionnaire. Questionnaires contained multiple choice and open‐ended questions alongside standardized health and well‐being measures requiring Likert‐format responses. Semi‐structured interviews with 33 service users allowed personal experiences to be detailed.

Results

Statistical analysis of well‐being measure scores identified significant positive relationships with the length of time people had been attending the care farm. Questionnaire and interview data presented health benefits as being enabled by the farm environment, the positive experience as supporting personal development, and associated social interactions as becoming increasingly influential as time progressed.

Conclusions

The health and well‐being outcomes that result from participating at a care farm influence multiple elements of the human condition and apply amongst vulnerable people with a wide range of personal needs. Care farms have access to a potentially unique range of resources that can support many service users in becoming happier and healthier individuals.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Care farming is increasingly practised and is suggested to support the health and well‐being of people who are in some way vulnerable. Care farms utilize agricultural spaces and activities to provide benefits that are presented as having relevance to public health and social inclusion agendas.

What does this study add?

This is the first longitudinal study to include participants with such differing personal needs.

Associated outcomes are explored to provide an understanding of how they impact on health.

People and place are found to be mutually supportive in facilitating positive change.
DaPeCa‐1: diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in 222 patients with penile cancer at four tertiary referral centres – a national study from Denmark
Authors: Jakobsen Jakob K. , Krarup Kim P. , Sommer Peter , Nerstrøm Henrik , Bakholdt Vivi , Sørensen Jens A. , Olsen Kasper Ø. , Kromann‐Andersen Bjarne , Toft Birgitte G. , Høyer Søren , Bouchelouche Kirsten , Jensen Jørgen B.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) in patients with penile cancer and assess SNB complications in a national multicentre setting.

Patients and methods

Retrospectively data were collected from records in four university centres by one medical doctor covering all SNBs performed in Denmark between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010. Patients had either impalpable lymph nodes (LNs) in one or both groins, or had a palpable inguinal mass from which aspiration cytology failed to reveal malignancy. Patients were injected with nanocolloid technetium and had a scintigram recorded before the SNB. The primary endpoint was LN recurrence on follow‐up. The secondary endpoint was complications after SNB. Diagnostic accuracy was computed.

Results

In all, 409 groins in 222 patients were examined by SNB. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up of patients who survived was 6.6 (5–10) years. Of 343 negative groins, eight were false negatives. The sensitivity was 89.2% (95% confidence interval 79.8–95.2%) per groin. Interestingly, four of 67 T1G1 patients had a positive SNB. In all, 28 of 222 (13%) patients had complications of Clavien‐Dindo grade I–IIIa.

Conclusion

Penile cancer SNB with a close follow‐up stages LN involvement reliably and has few complications in a national multicentre setting. Inguinal LN dissection was avoided in 76% of patients.
Radical treatment of localised prostate cancer in the elderly
Authors: Everaerts Wouter , Van Rij Simon , Reeves Fairleigh , Costello Anthony
Published: March 2015

Elderly men are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive cancer, but are often inappropriately denied curative treatment. Biological rather than chronological age should be used to decide if a patient will profit from radical treatment. Therefore, every man aged >70 years should undergo a health assessment using a validated tool before making treatment decisions. Fit elderly men with intermediate‐ or high‐risk disease should be offered standard curative local treatment in keeping with guidelines for younger men. Vulnerable and frail elderly men warrant geriatric intervention before treatment. In the case of vulnerable patients, this intervention may render them suitable for standard care. When considering radical prostatectomy outcomes a ‘bifecta’ of oncological control and continence is appropriate, as erectile dysfunction (although prevalent) has a much smaller impact on quality of life than in younger patients. Radiotherapy is an alternative to radical prostatectomy in men with a life expectancy of <10 years. Primary androgen‐deprivation therapy is not associated with improved survival in localised prostate cancer and should only be used for symptom palliation. Further elderly‐specific research is needed to guide prostate cancer care.
Clinical significance of peripheral zone thickness in men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kwon Jong Kyou , Han Jang Hee , Choi Ho Chul , Kang Dong Hyuk , Lee Joo Yong , Kim Jae Heon , Oh Cheol Kyu , Choi Young Deuk , Cho Kang Su
Published: March 2015

Objective

To evaluate the clinical impact of prostate peripheral zone thickness (PZT), based on presumed circle area ratio (PCAR) theory, on urinary symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) as a novel prostate parameter.

Patients and methods

Medical records were obtained from a prospective database of first‐visit men with LUTS/BPH. Age, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and post‐void residual urine volume (PVR) were assessed. Total prostate volume (TPV), transition zone volume (TZV), transition zone index (TZI), and PZT were measured by transrectal ultrasonography. Reliability analysis was also performed.

Results

In all, 1009 patients were enrolled for the analysis. The mean (sd) PZT was 11.10 (2.50) mm, and patients were classified into three groups PZT thickness groups; PZT <9.5 mm, ≥9.5 to <13 mm, and ≥13 mm. As the PZT became smaller, all urinary symptom scores including IPSS, quality of life (QoL), and OABSS significantly increased. Uroflowmetry variables, such as Qmax and PVR, also showed significant differences. PZT showed a high intra‐class correlation coefficient (0.896). Multivariate analysis revealed that the PZT was independently associated with IPSS (P < 0.001), QoL (P = 0.003), OABSS (P = 0.001), and PVR (P = 0.001), but PZT influence on Qmax was only of borderline significance (P = 0.055).

Conclusion

PZT is a novel, easy‐to‐measure prostate parameter that is significantly associated with urinary symptoms. Our present findings suggest that clinical usefulness of PZT should be further validated for managing men with LUTS/BPH.