bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicentre, randomised clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of alfaxalone administered to bitches for induction of anaesthesia prior to caesarean section
Authors: Metcalfe S , Hulands‐Nave A , Bell M , Kidd C , Pasloske K , O'Hagan B , Perkins N , Whittem T
Published: August 2014

Objective

To determine the clinical safety and efficacy of alfaxalone in bitches undergoing caesarean section (CS) and their puppies when it is administered for induction of anaesthesia followed by maintenance with isoflurane and oxygen and in conjunction with perioperative pharmaceuticals.

Design

A multicentre, randomised, positive‐controlled clinical study.

Methods

A total of 74 bitches were enrolled in the study with 48/74 (65%) and 26/74 (35%) receiving alfaxalone and propofol, respectively, for induction of anaesthesia. Bitches were examined prior to induction and monitored during induction, surgery and recovery. Assessments were made for quality of induction, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia. Assessments were made on pup viability for suction, dorsal flexion, withdrawal and anogenital reflexes.

Results

Of the 48 bitches receiving alfaxalone, 47 (98%) and 39 (81%) scored a top score of excellent for induction and anaesthesia effectiveness, respectively. For the same parameters with propofol in 26 bitches, 23 (88%) and 17 (65%) scored excellent. Average scores for recovery were not different between the two treatment groups with alfaxalone 46/48 (96%) and 25/26 (96%) of propofol induced bitches scoring a good or excellent rating. Bitches tolerated a number of concurrent medications throughout the peri‐operative period. No bitch fatalities were observed in this study. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups for the puppy variables. Live puppies born byCSto bitches having been administered alfaxalone or propofol had similar survival rates 24 h after birth (i.e. 205/213 (96%) and 124/131 (95%), respectively).

Conclusion

This study confirms the safety and efficacy of alfaxalone for the purpose of anaesthetic induction forCSin the bitch. In addition, alfaxalone had a negligible effect on the neonate with >95% of puppies alive 24 h after the bitch had recovered from anaesthesia with alfaxalone induction.
Clinical review of two fatal equine cases of infection with the insectivorous bat strain ofAustralian bat lyssavirus
Authors: Annand EJ , Reid PA
Published: August 2014

Case series

The first two confirmed cases ofAustralian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection in horses are presented. Both cases occurred in the same week inMay 2013 in paddock mates in south‐eastQueensland.Australia has been one of only a few countries considered free from rabies‐like viruses in domestic animal species.ABLVinfection had previously only been confirmed in bats and humans. All three confirmed human cases were fatal, the latest inFebruary 2013. An additional human case of possible abortive infection in 1996 has also been reported. Both equine cases reported here resulted in euthanasia. The risks of infection across other mammalian species are still to be determined.

Conclusions

These two equine cases highlight thatABLVshould be considered as a differential diagnosis in animals with similar clinical presentations inAustralia. There is a need for greater awareness regarding the zoonotic risk, use of personal protective equipment, pre‐ and post‐exposure prophylactic measures and laboratory diagnostic options. The authors recommendABLVtesting for allAustralian cases of progressive equine neurological disease.
Breech‐strike on mulesed, clipped and unmulesed Merino ewes and hoggets in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Tyrell LD , Larsen JWA , Anderson N
Published: August 2014

Objective

Compare breech‐strike on Merino ewes and hoggets that were mulesed, had breech and tail clips applied (‘clipped’) or left unmulesed and treated strategically with long‐acting insecticide.

Design

A cohort study on two farms in southern Victoria.

Methods

Three treatment groups were established at lamb marking in 2008 and 2009 on each farm. The unmulesed group was treated with a long‐acting insecticide in early spring. The prevalence of breech‐strike and key risk factors, including presence of dag, urine stain and breech wrinkle, were compared between groups.

Results

Breech‐strike was detected from October to December on 1.9% and 7.2% of mulesed, and on 14.8% and 12.5% of clipped ewes, respectively, on each farm. Thus, clipped ewes had a relative risk of breech‐strike 7.8‐ and 1.7‐fold that of mulesed ewes. Unmulesed ewes treated with insecticide had similar or less breech‐strike compared with mulesed ewes (3.4% and 1.4%), but significantly more dag, stain and breech wrinkle. From January, breech‐strike on unprotected unmulesed ewes was 8.5% and 2.8%, compared with 3.5% and 0% on mulesed ewes.

Conclusion

Early‐season treatment of unmulesed sheep prevented most breech‐strikes during spring and early summer on both hoggets and breeding ewes, confirming it as a short‐ to medium‐term option for the control of breech‐strike. Some benefits were associated with the use of clips but, to control breech‐strike, clipped sheep should be treated the same as unmulesed sheep. Genetic selection to reduce the prevalence of dag will be required for future strategies to control breech‐strike on Merino sheep in south‐eastern Australia.
A serial risk score approach to disease classification that accounts for accuracy and cost
Authors: Huynh Dat , Laeyendecker Oliver , Brookmeyer Ron
Published: August 2014

The performance of diagnostic tests for disease classification is often measured by accuracy (e.g., sensitivity or specificity); however, costs of the diagnostic test are a concern as well. Combinations of multiple diagnostic tests may improve accuracy, but incur additional costs. Here, we consider serial testing approaches that maintain accuracy while controlling costs of the diagnostic tests. We present a serial risk score classification approach. The basic idea is to sequentially test with additional diagnostic tests just until persons are classified. In this way, it is not necessary to test all persons with all tests. The methods are studied in simulations and compared with logistic regression. We applied the methods to data from HIV cohort studies to identify HIV infected individuals who are recently infected (1 year) by testing with assays for multiple biomarkers. We find that the serial risk score classification approach can maintain accuracy while achieving a reduction in cost compared to testing all individuals with all assays.
Exploring factors that influence adoption of e‐learning within higher education
Authors: King Emma , Boyatt Russell
Published: August 2014

E‐learning is increasingly adopted in the workplace for supporting professional development and continuing education; however, in higher education, the use of e‐learning is predominantly used as a tool support teaching. As a relatively new priority for universities, this paper explores what influences its adoption. Challenges identified in the literature include organisational features of universities like faculty autonomy and dispersed academic perspectives. This study, carried out at the University of Warwick, adopted a phenomenological approach and explored participants' perceptions through a series of faculty‐based focus groups and individual interviews. Factors identified as influential to adoption of e‐learning included the institutional infrastructure, staff attitudes and skills, and perceived student expectations. Participants suggested the importance of an institutional strategy targeted at providing sufficient resources and guidance for effective implementation. This strategy needs to be supported by a varied programme of staff development and opportunities for sharing practice among colleagues. In further developing understanding in this area, it would be beneficial to replicate the study with other stakeholder groups (including the leadership team and students) to develop an institutional strategy responsive at all levels of implementation. It would also be valuable to investigate the extent to which these findings are replicated within other workplaces looking to adopt innovation.
How and why academics do and do not use iPads for academic teaching?
Authors: Aiyegbayo Olaojo
Published: August 2014

This paper evaluated how academics, at a mid‐sized UK university, used their iPads for teaching. The data were gathered using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Eighty‐four academics completed a survey while 22 semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Eleven interviewees reported that they used their iPads for teaching purposes and the SAMR model was employed to analyse these teaching uses. The other 11 interviewees stated that they did not use their iPads for teaching purposes and the reasons why these academics were not using their iPads are also explored in this paper. Formal pedagogical support and students' access to iPads were considered important by academics in order to use their iPads effectively for teaching.
Combination of SAHA and bortezomib up‐regulates CDKN2A and CDKN1A and induces apoptosis of Epstein‐Barr virus‐positive Wp‐restricted Burkitt lymphoma and lymphoblastoid cell lines
Authors: Hui Kwai Fung , Leung Yvonne Y. , Yeung Po L. , Middeldorp Jaap M. , Chiang Alan K.S.
Published: August 2014

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) latent proteins exert anti‐apoptotic effects on EBV‐transformed lymphoid cells by down‐regulating BCL2L11 (BIM), CDKN2A (p16INK4A) and CDKN1A (p21WAF1). However, the potential therapeutic effects of targeting these anti‐apoptotic mechanisms remain unexplored. Here, we tested both in vitro and in vivo effects of the combination of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and proteasome inhibitors on the apoptosis of six endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL) lines of different latency patterns (types I and III and Wp‐restricted) and three lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). We found that the combination of HDAC and proteasome inhibitors (e.g. SAHA/bortezomib) synergistically induced the killing of Wp‐restricted and latency III BL and LCLs but not latency I BL cells. The synergistic killing was due to apoptosis, as evidenced by the high percentage of annexin V positivity and strong cleavage of PARP1 (PARP) and CASP3 (caspase‐3). Concomitantly, SAHA/bortezomib up‐regulated the expression of CDKN2A and CDKN1A but did not affect the level of BCL2L11 or BHRF1 (viral homologue of BCL2). The apoptotic effects were dependent on reactive oxygen species generation. Furthermore, SAHA/bortezomib suppressed the growth of Wp‐restricted BL xenografts in nude mice. This study provides the rationale to test the novel application of SAHA/bortezomib on the treatment of EBV‐associated Wp‐restricted BL and post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Local Resources and Procurement Practices in Humanitarian Supply Chains: An Empirical Examination of Large‐Scale House Reconstruction Projects
Authors: Matopoulos Aristides , Kovács Gyöngyi , Hayes Odran
Published: August 2014

Different procurement decisions taken by relief organizations can result in considerably different implications in regards to transport, storage, and distribution of humanitarian aid and ultimately can influence the performance of the humanitarian supply chain and the delivery of the humanitarian aid. In this article, we look into what resources are needed and how these resources evolve in the delivery of humanitarian aid. Drawing on the resource‐based view of the firm, we develop a framework to categorize the impact of local resources on the configuration of humanitarian supply chains. In contrast to other papers, the importance of localizing the configuration of the humanitarian supply chain is not only conceptually recognized, but empirical investigations are also provided. In terms of methodology, this article is based on the analysis of secondary data from two housing reconstruction projects. Findings indicate that the use of local resources in humanitarian aid has positive effects on programs’ overall supply chain performance and these effects are not only related to the macroeconomic perspective, but benefits expand to improvements related to the use of knowledge. At the same time, it was found that local sourcing often comes with a number of problems. For example, in one of the cases, significant problems existed, which were related to the scarcity of local supplies. Both housing reconstruction projects have indicated the continuous need for changes throughout the programs as a dynamic supply chain configuration is important for the long‐term sustainability of reconstruction aid.
Governance Choice, Sourcing Relationship Characteristics, and Relationship Performance
Authors: Narayanan Sriram , Narasimhan Ram
Published: August 2014

Past work on exchange relationships has debated the efficacy of partnership versus arm's‐length governance on performance of a buyer–supplier relationship. However, how these governance approaches leverage key supplier specific relationship characteristics has not been examined. In this study, we examine the moderating role of governance choice (arm's‐length versus partnership governance) in leveraging key supplier specific characteristics to achieve superior performance for the buyer in a relationship. Specifically, drawing from residual rights theory, we argue that the governance choice buyers make moderates the impact of supplier flexibility, supplier human capital and relationship dependency on performance. Our findings suggest that, for a buyer, the benefits of supplier flexibility and relationship dependency are better realized in partnership governance as opposed to arm's‐length governance. Further, our findings suggest that although buyers choose a specific governance approach consistent with their outsourcing motivation, the choice of governance is critical to leveraging the impact of supplier characteristics due to the moderation effects studied. We elaborate on these effects and discuss the implications of our findings.
Pricing of Full‐Service Repair Contracts with Learning, Optimized Maintenance, and Information Asymmetry
Authors: Huber Sebastian , Spinler Stefan
Published: August 2014

This article considers the optimal pricing of full‐service (FS) repair contracts by taking into account learning and maintenance efficiency effects, competition from service , and asymmetric information. We analyze on‐call service (OS) and FS contracts in a market where customers exhibit heterogeneous risk aversion. While the customers minimize their disutility over the equipment lifetime, the service provider maximizes expected profits arising from the portfolio of OS and FS contracts. We show that the optimal FS price depends inter alia on the customer's prior cost experience and on OS repair and maintenance costs. The optimal FS price is shown to increase as fewer OS customers are lost to competition, whereas improved repair learning enabled by FS reduces the optimal price. A numerical study based on data from a manufacturer of forklifts highlights the importance of learning in maintenance operations, which constitutes the key benefit of FS contracts; 81% of the customers select the FS option and are willing to pay an insurance premium of around 1.5% of total OS cost against volatility of repair costs.
Supply Network Structure, Visibility, and Risk Diffusion: A Computational Approach
Authors: Basole Rahul C. , Bellamy Marcus A.
Published: August 2014

Understanding and managing supply chain risks is a critical functional competency for today's global enterprises. A lack of this competency can have significant negative outcomes, including costly production and delivery delays, loss of future sales, and a tarnished corporate image. The ability to identify and mitigate risks, however, is complicated as supply chains are becoming increasingly global, complex, and interconnected. Drawing on the complex systems and epidemiology literature, and using a computational modeling and network analysis approach, we examine the impact of global supply network structure on risk diffusion and supply network health and demonstrate the importance of supply network visibility. Our results show a significant association between network structure and both risk diffusion and supply network health. In particular, our results indicate that small‐world supply network topologies consistently outperform supply networks with scale‐free characteristics. Theoretically, our study contributes to our understanding of risk management and supply networks as complex networked systems using a computational approach. Managerially, our study illustrates how decision makers can benefit from a network analytic approach to develop a more holistic understanding of system‐wide risk diffusion and to guide network governance policies for more favorable health level outcomes. The article concludes by highlighting the main findings and discussing possibilities of future research directions.
ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SB1070 IN ARIZONA
Authors: Amuedo‐Dorantes Catalina , Lozano Fernando
Published: August 2014

We investigate the effectiveness of Arizona's omnibus immigration law SB1070, which made it a misdemeanor crime for an alien to not carry proper documentation and asked police to determine the immigration status of any person suspected of being an illegal alien during a lawful stop. We find that SB1070's enactment coincided with the stalling to slight recovery of the share of non‐citizen Hispanics in Arizona 3 years after the enactment of an employment verification mandate to all employers. Yet, its effectiveness in reducing the share of likely unauthorized immigrants has been minimal and questions the merit of the law. (JEL J61, J1)
Extensive dispersal of Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data
Authors: Roberts James H. , Angermeier Paul L. , Hallerman Eric M.
Published: August 2014

The dispersal ecology of most stream fishes is poorly characterised, complicating conservation efforts for these species. We used microsatellite DNA marker data to characterise dispersal patterns and effective population size (Ne) for a population of Roanoke logperch Percina rex, an endangered darter (Percidae). Juveniles and candidate parents were sampled for 2 years at sites throughout the Roanoke River watershed. Dispersal was inferred via genetic assignment tests (ATs), pedigree reconstruction (PR) and estimation of lifetime dispersal distance under a genetic isolation‐by‐distance model. Estimates of Ne varied from 105 to 1218 individuals, depending on the estimation method. Based on PR, polygamy was frequent in parents of both sexes, with individuals spawning with an average of 2.4 mates. The sample contained 61 half‐sibling pairs, but only one parent–offspring pair and no full‐sib pairs, which limited our ability to discriminate natal dispersal of juveniles from breeding dispersal of their parents between spawning events. Nonetheless, all methods indicated extensive dispersal. The AT indicated unrestricted dispersal among sites ≤15 km apart, while siblings inferred by the PR were captured an average of 14 km and up to 55 km apart. Model‐based estimates of median lifetime dispersal distance (6–24 km, depending on assumptions) bracketed AT and PR estimates, indicating that widely dispersed individuals do, on average, contribute to gene flow. Extensive dispersal of P. rex suggests that darters and other small benthic stream fishes may be unexpectedly mobile. Monitoring and management activities for such populations should encompass entire watersheds to fully capture population dynamics.
Hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor mediates recovery from chronic stress‐induced spatial reference memory deficits
Authors: Ortiz J. Bryce , Mathewson Coy M. , Hoffman Ann N. , Hanavan Paul D. , Terwilliger Ernest F. , Conrad Cheryl D.
Published: August 2014

Chronic restraint stress impairs hippocampal‐mediated spatial learning and memory, which improves following a post‐stress recovery period. Here, we investigated whether brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein important for hippocampal function, would alter the recovery from chronic stress‐induced spatial memory deficits. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were infused into the dorsal hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)3 region with an adeno‐associated viral vector containing the sequence for a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) directed against BDNF or a scrambled sequence (Scr). Rats were then chronically restrained (wire mesh, 6 h/day for 21 days) and assessed for spatial learning and memory using a radial arm water maze (RAWM) either immediately after stressor cessation (Str‐Imm) or following a 21‐day post‐stress recovery period (Str‐Rec). All groups learned the RAWM task similarly, but differed on the memory retention trials. Rats in the Str‐Imm group, regardless of adeno‐associated viral contents, committed more errors in the spatial reference memory domain on the single retention trial during day 3 than did the non‐stressed controls. Importantly, the typical improvement in spatial memory following the recovery from chronic stress was blocked with the shRNA against BDNF, as Str‐Rec‐shRNA performed worse on the RAWM compared with the non‐stressed controls or Str‐Rec‐Scr. The stress effects were specific for the reference memory domain, but knockdown of hippocampal BDNF in unstressed controls briefly disrupted spatial working memory as measured by repeated entry errors on day 2 of training. These results demonstrated that hippocampal BDNF was necessary for the recovery from stress‐induced hippocampal‐dependent spatial memory deficits in the reference memory domain.
Migraine improvement during short lasting ketogenesis: a proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Di Lorenzo C. , Coppola G. , Sirianni G. , Di Lorenzo G. , Bracaglia M. , Di Lenola D. , Siracusano A. , Rossi P. , Pierelli F.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

Ketogenesis is a physiological phenomenon due to starvation or a ketogenic diet (KD), a drastic restricted carbohydrate dietary regimen that induces lipid metabolism and ketone body synthesis. Two patients whose migraines disappeared only during, and not outside, cycles of very‐low‐calorie KD performed to reduce their weight were recently observed. To confirm our observation, in a dietitian clinical setting two parallel groups of migraineurs, one receiving a 1‐month very‐low‐calorie KD prescription followed by a 5‐month standard low‐calorie diet (SD) and the other a 6‐month SD, were followed.

Methods

Ninety‐six overweight female migraineurs were enrolled in a diet clinic and blindly received a KD (n = 45) or an SD (n = 51) prescription. Mean monthly attack frequency, number of days with headaches and tablet intake were assessed before and 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after diet initiation.

Results

In the KD group, the baseline attack frequency (2.9 attacks per month), number of days with headaches (5.11 days per month) and tablet intake (4.91 doses per month) were significantly reduced after the first month of diet (respectively 0.71, 0.91, 0.51; overall, KD versus baseline, P < 0.0001). During the transition period (first versus second month), the KD group showed a transient worsening of each clinical headache variable (respectively 2.60, 3.60, 3.07), despite being improved compared with baseline, with continuous improvement up to month 6 (respectively 2.16, 2.78, 3.71). In the SD group, significant decreases in the number of days with headaches and tablet intake were observed only from month 3 (P < 0.0001), and in attack frequency at month 6 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The underlying mechanisms of KD efficacy could be related to its ability to enhance mitochondrial energy metabolism and counteract neural inflammation.
Dosing feasibility and tolerability of intranasal diazepam in adults with epilepsy
Authors: Sperling Michael R. , Haas Kevin F. , Krauss Gregory , Seif Eddeine Hussam , Henney Herbert R. , Rabinowicz Adrian L. , Bream Gary , Squillacote David , Carrazana Enrique J.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To determine the feasibility of administering a diazepam nasal spray formulation (diazepam‐NS) to adults with epilepsy during a generalized tonic–clonic seizure or in the postictal period following a tonic–clonic or other seizure type, to assess pharmacokinetics and to assess tolerability.

Methods

An open‐label study was conducted in patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit. Eligible patients received a single dose of diazepam‐NS approximating 0.2 mg/kg. Plasma diazepam concentrations were measured serially up to 12 h postdose, and maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax); time to maximum concentration (Tmax); and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve for time zero to last sampling time (AUC0–12) were estimated and dose‐normalized. Pharmacodynamic assessments included Kaplan‐Meier analysis to determine the time‐to‐next seizure. Safety and tolerability were assessed.

Results

Of the 78 patients who consented, 30 had treatment and pharmacokinetic data. Ten patients were treated during a convulsive tonic–clonic seizure, seven within 5 min following the last clonic jerk, and 13 in the postictal period ≥5 min after a tonic–clonic or following other seizure‐types. Diazepam median Tmax was 45 min. Dose‐normalized mean Cmax and AUC0–12 values of diazepam were comparable among patients regardless of the timing of diazepam‐NS administration in relation to seizure. Of those treated, 65% were seizure‐free during the 12‐h observation period and 35% had post‐dose seizures. Treatment was well tolerated, with no unexpected safety findings: 74% had mild and 25% had moderate adverse events. Nasopharyngeal signs were resolved by 12 h postdose.

Significance

Diazepam can be delivered in effective therapeutic concentrations by a nasal spray device during the convulsive phase of tonic–clonic seizures or in the postictal periods following tonic–clonic or other seizure types.
Native plasma‐derived FVIII/VWF complex has lower sensitivity to FVIII inhibitors than the combination of isolated FVIII and VWF proteins. Impact on Bethesda assay titration of FVIII inhibitors
Authors: Bravo M. I. , Da Rocha‐Souto B. , Grancha S. , Jorquera J. I.
Published: August 2014

Sensitivity to FVIII inhibitors of the native plasma‐derived (pd) FVIII/VWF complex vs. the complexes formed after exogenous FVIII infusion in the haemophilic patient has not been thoroughly studied. The role of VWF in the interaction of FVIII with inhibitors was studied in vitro using different combinations of VWF and FVIII concentrates. Normal plasma, pdFVIII/VWF and isolated FVIII (recombinant FVIII, B‐domain deleted and pdFVIII) were used. Titre (BU) was kinetically determined (up to 2 h) in serial dilutions of inhibitor IgG (purified from a pool of plasmas with inhibitors) mixed with VWF and then incubated with the different FVIII. Inhibitor was also added to previously mixed VWF+FVIII. Residual FVIII:C was determined. TGA assays were performed with FVIII‐deficient plasma spiked with the FVIII‐VWF mixtures with/without an ESH‐8 antibody. Inhibitor titres for plasma and pdFVIII/VWF were comparable at all time points. Titres for all concentrates of isolated FVIII were significantly higher than those for plasma or pdFVIII/VWF (1.4–1.9 fold) even after preincubation with VWF. At t = 0 h, titres for plasma or pdFVIII/VWF were unquantifiable, but were detectable for isolated FVIII (0.6–1.6 BU). In contrast to pdFVIII/VWF, the decrease in thrombin generation parameters by isolated FVIII in the presence of ESH‐8 was significant (P < 0.01) even when previously combined with VWF. In conclusion, VWF protection against FVIII inhibitor activity might be higher with native pdFVIII/VWF complex than with the corresponding compound formed from the isolated proteins. Bethesda assay titration using different FVIII concentrates would be advisable to guide the treatment of inhibitor patients.
Overturning the Point: Exploring Change in Australian–Asian relations
Authors: Sobocinska Agnieszka
Published: August 2014

The historiography of Australian–Asian relations is punctuated with numerous ‘turning points’. This article explores the ramifications of ascribing change in Australian–Asian relations to single events. It suggests that this mode encourages ahistorical and teleological interpretations and has implications for contemporary politics. Instead of looking for ‘turning points’, this article suggests that explaining shifts in Australian relations with Asia requires historians to analyse cultural changes over the long term and calls for a broader debate about causation in international relations, both within and outside the discipline.
Migration of a volcanic front inferred from K–Ar ages of late Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks in central Japan
Authors: Nakamura Hitomi , Oikawa Teruki , Geshi Nobuo , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: August 2014

K–Ar ages have been determined for 14 late Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks in the north of the Kanto Mountains, Japan, for tracking the location of the volcanic front through the time. These samples were collected from volcanoes located behind the trench–trench–trench (TTT) triple junction of the Pacific, Philippine Sea, and North American plates. This junction is the site of subduction of slabs of the Pacific and the Philippine Sea plates, both of which are thought to have influenced magmatism in this region. The stratigraphy and K–Ar ages of volcanic rocks in the study area indicate that volcanism occurred between the late Miocene and the Pliocene, and ceased before the Pleistocene. Volcanism in adjacent areas of the southern NE Japan and northern Izu–Bonin arcs also occurred during the Pliocene and ceased at around 3 Ma with the westward migration of the volcanic front, as reported previously. Combining our new age data with the existing data shows that before 3 Ma the volcanic front around the TTT junction was located about 50 km east of the preset‐day volcanic front. We suggest that northward subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate slab ended at ∼3 Ma as a result of collision between the northern margin of the plate with the surface of the Pacific Plate slab. This collision may have caused a change in the subduction vector of the Philippine Sea Plate from the original north‐directed subduction to the present‐day northwest‐directed subduction. This indicates that the post ∼3 Ma westward migration of the volcanic front was a result of this change in plate motion.
Frequency‐Dependent Qf Value of Microwave Dielectric Ceramics
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: August 2014

The microwave dielectric properties of some typical low‐loss dielectric ceramics (CaNdAlO4, Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3, Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3, Ba4Sm9.33Ti18O54, Ca0.71Nd0.26TiO3 and SrTiO3) were evaluated at different frequencies by using high‐order TE0np resonant modes of resonant cavity method. The dielectric constant shows little dependence on frequency for these microwave dielectric ceramics, while the Qf value increases with frequency in the measurement frequency range of 3–14 GHz. The results indicate that the Qf value as a frequency‐independent constant at microwave frequencies is not valid for these microwave dielectric ceramics, while the constant Qf value has been accepted as a common recognition for a long period. The frequency dependence of Qf value is attributed to the defects‐induced extrinsic dielectric loss, which cannot be avoided in actual microwave dielectric ceramics.
EU Leverage and Democratic Backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe: the Case of Romania
Authors: Iusmen Ingi
Published: August 2014

This article examines the effectiveness of European Union post‐accession leverage to contain democratic backsliding in the Member States by employing as a case study the EU's intervention concerning the impeachment of the Romanian President Băsescu in July 2012. It is argued that a set of domestic factors, such as political miscalculations, tensions within the ruling coalition and opportunistic actions, facilitated the success of EU material leverage to halt democratic deterioration in Romania. The comparison drawn with the anti‐democratic turn in Hungary demonstrates that facilitating domestic conditions, available in the Romanian case but lacking in the Hungarian one, can affect the exercise of EU post‐accession leverage to contain democratic regression in the Member States.
Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin alone or as add‐on to other oral antihyperglycemic drugs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A 52‐week open‐label study
Authors: Inagaki Nobuya , Kondo Kazuoki , Yoshinari Toru , Kuki Hideki
Published: August 2014

Aims/Introduction

Canagliflozin is a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to examine its efficacy and safety as monotherapy or in combination with commonly used oral antihyperglycemic drugs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Patients on diet/exercise alone or diet/exercise plus an oral antihyperglycemic drug (sulfonylurea, glinide, α‐glucosidase inhibitor, biguanide, thiazolidinedione or dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor) were randomized to either 100 or 200 mg canagliflozin while continuing prior therapy. Patients were treated for 52 weeks in an open‐label manner.

Results

Canagliflozin significantly reduced hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose and bodyweight in all the study groups. Improvements were apparent by 4 weeks of treatment, and were maintained for 52 weeks. The reduction in hemoglobin A1c ranged from −0.80 to −1.06%, and from −0.93 to −1.26% in the 100 and 200 mg canagliflozin groups, respectively. Drug‐related adverse events occurred in approximately one‐third of patients, and included hypoglycemia/asymptomatic hypoglycemia and pollakiuria. Hypoglycemia/asymptomatic hypoglycemia was most common in patients treated with a sulfonylurea. Most adverse events were classified as mild or moderate in severity.

Conclusions

The results of the present study confirmed that treatment with canagliflozin resulted in significant reductions in glycemic control and bodyweight that were maintained for 52 weeks of treatment irrespective of whether it was administered as monotherapy or in combination with another oral antihyperglycemic drug. Canagliflozin was well tolerated, with a low incidence of drug‐related adverse events. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT01387737).
Long‐Term Outcome after Transcatheter Closure of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture
Authors: HEIBERG JOHAN , HJORTDAL VIBEKE ELISABETH , NIELSEN‐KUDSK JENS ERIK
Published: August 2014

Objectives

We report the long‐term all‐cause mortality and procedure‐related complication rate following transcatheter closure of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) in a single tertiary center.

Background

VSR is an exceedingly serious and deathly complication to myocardial infarction. Surgical closure has previously been the treatment of choice, but in the last decade a transcatheter approach has gained ground. However, reports on long‐term survival are still sparse and experience is often restricted to large tertiary centers with high flow of patients.

Methods

From January 2000 to April 2013, 9 patients underwent transcatheter closure of a VSR at Aarhus University Hospital. Primary device closure was chosen mainly because of significant risk factors against surgery. Our major endpoints were 30‐day, 1‐year, and 5‐year mortality and years of survival until time of evaluation.

Results

Our cohort had a mean age of 75.1 ± 8.4 years, and the median time from VSR to closure was 16 days (2–346). The 30‐day, 1‐year, and 5‐year mortality rates were 11.1%, 33.3%, and 62.5%, respectively. Mean time of postprocedural survival was 4.6 ± 4.4 years at the time of review. Three patients were still alive at the time of review, 1 with a shock‐index <1 at the time of VSR closure.

Conclusions

As a single medium‐sized tertiary center, we report lower short‐ and long‐term mortality rates compared with most published data on outcome after surgical closure. Our results are comparable to the few previously published reports on transcatheter closure of postinfarction VSRs. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:509–515)
Influence of Sex on Outcome Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: STANGL VERENA , BALDENHOFER GERD , LAULE MICHAEL , BAUMANN GERT , STANGL KARL
Published: August 2014

Background

Sex differences exist in pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and outcome in aortic stenosis (AS). However, only limited information is available concerning sex differences in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of the present study is a comprehensive meta‐analysis of studies that investigate differences between men and women in outcome after TAVI.

Methods

We screened PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Inclusion criteria were: AS treated with all forms of TAVI, studies specifically targeting sex/gender differences, and at least 2 of the following outcome data: 30‐day all‐cause death, mortality during follow‐up, major vascular complications, major bleeding, pacemaker, or stroke rate (<30 days). Studies were excluded if they considered female gender merely in subgroup analysis.

Results

We included 14 observational studies with a total of 7,973 patients (4,242 women, 3,731 men). At 30 days (12 studies, 3,044 women, 2,784 men), female sex was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.78 [0.64, 0.96]). Of the 14 studies included for analysis, 12 provided data on mortality during follow‐up that likewise show a survival advantage for women (OR 0.70 [0.59, 0.82]). Whereas the major vascular complication rate was greater in women (11 studies, 3,731 women, 3,342 men; OR 1.72 [1.41, 2.09]), major bleeding (8 studies, 2,124 women, 2,100 men; OR 1.13 [0.95, 1.33]) was not. Pacemaker and stroke rate were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

In treatment with TAVI, there is evidence for a significantly greater overall survival benefit in women over men.
Protective effect of saponins extract from Panax japonicus on myocardial infarction: involvement of NF-κB, Sirt1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways and inhibition of inflammation
Authors: Wei Na , Zhang Changcheng , He Haibo , Wang Ting , Liu Zhaoqi , Liu Guangyao , Sun Zhiwei , Zhou Zhiyong , Bai Caihong , Yuan Ding
Published: August 2014

Objective

Inflammation is widely acknowledged to increase morbidity and mortality in myocardial infarction (MI), and the ideal therapeutic methods should be aimed at the inflammation reaction triggers. The aim was to evaluate the protective effect of saponins extracted from Panax japonicus (SPJ) on MI, and based on these results investigate the possible involvement mechanism of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, MI, MI + SPJ 50 and SPJ 100 mg/kg groups. After administration for 3 days, MI rats were created by ligaturing coronary artery, and then underwent the same administration for 7 days as before. Cardiac function and the expressions of pro-apoptosis protein Bax, anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2, NF-κB, SIRT1, MAPKs signal pathway-related proteins and inflammatory factor, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), were assessed.

Key findings

SPJ might significantly improve cardiac function, decrease the serum MCP-1 and TNF-α levels, ameliorate the increased Bax protein expression and decrease Bcl-2 protein expression, and suppress the protein expressions of NF-κBp65 subunit, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK, but have no effect on c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and increase the expression of SIRT1. Histopathological observations provided supportive evidence for aforementioned results, and with the dose of SPJ increasing, the aforesaid improvement became more and more strong.

Conclusion

The studies demonstrated that SPJ exerted beneficially cardioprotective effects on MI rats, mainly inhibiting NF-κB, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation, but increased the expression of SIRT1, alleviating MI injury and cardiac cell death.
Effects of two field continuous incremental tests on cardiorespiratory responses in Standardbred trotters
Authors: Fortier J. , Goachet A. G. , Julliand V. , Deley G.
Published: August 2014

In humans, cardiorespiratory responses are widely evaluated from field incremental exercise tests. On the contrary, equine exercise physiology faces a huge lack of oxygen consumption measurements (VO2) in field conditions due to technical concerns. The aim of this study was to test the effects of two incremental continuous field tests on cardiorespiratory responses in Standardbred trotters. The two protocols were realized at trot and ended when horses galloped. The tests started at 4.2 m/s (T1) and 6.4 m/s (T2), with speed increments of 1.4 m/s every 3 min for T1 and 0.8 m/s every 2 min for T2. Velocity (v), heart rate (HR) and gas exchanges were recorded continuously, and blood lactate concentration [La−] was measured before and after tests. Values recorded at the end of the tests were considered as peak values. The vpeakvalues were 10.6 ± 0.3 and 10.7 ± 0.7 m/s for T1 and T2 respectively. Horses reached higherVO2peak(T1: 116.6 ± 11.5 ml/min/kg; T2: 88.9 ± 10.2 ml/min/kg; p < 0.05) andHRpeak(T1: 217 ± 5 bpm; T2: 209 ± 3 bpm; p < 0.05) during T1 compared with T2. T1 was significantly longer than T2 (17.5 ± 1.9vs. 12.9 ± 1.6 min respectively, p < 0.01), and the number of steps entirely ran tended to be different (T1: 5.6 ± 0.6; T2: 6.2 ± 0.8, p = 0.07). Compared to T2, the design of T1 appeared easier to implement and allowed higher cardiorespiratory responses. The relationship betweenHR‐VO2obtained through T1 gave a better correlation between the two variables than T2. These findings suggest that T1 might be better than T2 for evaluating cardiorespiratory adaptations to exercise and for estimating aerobic energy expenditure in exercising trotters.
Chromosome changes after polyploidization in Triticeae
Authors: WANG Qiu‐Xia , GAO Ai‐Nong , YANG Xin‐Ming , LI Li‐Hui
Published: August 2014

Chromosome changes are common in Triticeae, and they occur widely in natural and resynthesized polyploidy. Two important factors, nucleocytoplasmic interaction (internal) and the environment (external), can significantly influence chromosome changes after polyploidization. And chromosomal DNA changes play key roles during the initial formation, gradual stabilization, and establishment of polyploids. Hybrid breeding between common wheat and related wild species of Triticeae is an example of polyploidization, and many of the chromosome changes occurring after hybridization could be useful for improving wheat varieties. The famous chromosomal translocation 1BL/1RS that occurred after ancestral hybridization between wheat and rye is distributed widely among modern wheat varieties and makes a big contribution to wheat breeding; xiaoyan 6 is a similarly distant hybridization between wheat and Agropyron elongatum (Host) P. Beauv. in China. This chromosome translocation line was cultivated as the main variety in Shaanxi Province for 16 years and has also been used as a core parent for wheat breeding in China during the past 20 years because of its outstanding merits.
Positive fire feedbacks contribute to shifts from Nothofagus pumilio forests to fire‐prone shrublands in Patagonia
Authors: Paritsis Juan , Veblen Thomas T. , Holz Andrés
Published: August 2014

Question

Under climate change and increased ignitions by humans, burning of forests in which severe fires were naturally infrequent may result in environmental changes that increase the probability that they will burn again. On the eastern slopes of the northern Patagonian Andes, after fire‐resistant Nothofagus pumilio forests burn they are typically replaced by fire‐prone shrublands dominated by resprouting shrubs. We examine fuel properties and microclimatic conditions at the community level as potential fire feedback mechanisms mediating switches from fire‐resistant N. pumilio forests to fire‐prone shrublands.

Location

Northwestern Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina.

Methods

We characterized the volume and vertical distribution of fine fuels, understorey woody and semi‐woody plant composition, stand structure and microclimatic conditions in unburned and burned N. pumilio forest and shrublands 14–29 yr after severe fire.

Results

Fuel amount and arrangement in unburned N. pumilio forests are unfavourable for fire activity compared with post‐fire N. pumilio forests and shrublands. Unburned N. pumilio forests presented vertical discontinuities in fine fuel distribution and lesser amounts of fine fuels near the ground in comparison to fuels in shrublands. Floristic understorey composition of unburned and burned shrublands was very similar, while composition of unburned and burned N. pumilio forests showed clear differences. Additionally, microclimatic conditions following burning of N. pumilio forests and shrublands were significantly warmer and drier than in the unburned forest, and more frequently exceeded thresholds associated with fire activity in this region.

Conclusions

Positive feedbacks from initial burning of otherwise fire‐resistant N. pumilio forest will accelerate the rate of fire‐induced conversion of forests to non‐forest assemblages. Once transformed to the alternative state of shrublands, return to a forest cover is unlikely due to increased probability of burning in shrublands, as well as the unfavourable effects of warmer and drier conditions on tree establishment.
The Role of Production in Infant Word Learning
Authors: Vihman Marilyn May , DePaolis Rory A. , Keren‐Portnoy Tamar
Published: August 2014

Studies of phonological development that combine speech‐processing experiments with observation and analysis of production remain rare, although production experience is necessarily relevant to developmental advance. Here we focus on three proposals regarding the relationship of production to word learning: (1)Articulatory filter: The hypothesis that children are influenced in noticing words in input speech by their resemblance to patterns they can produce has recently received experimental support. (2)Systematization and regression: It is proposed that the decline in accuracy that follows first‐word production is the consequence of an increase in systematicity (with renewed accuracy emerging only later). (3)Word‐production experience facilitates new word learning: Evidence that expressive vocabulary growth in itself facilitates new word learning supports the idea that knowledge is gradient, involving increases in stability and reliability with repeated exposure and use.