bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality, ethnicity, and education in an occupational cohort
Authors: Jonas Saran , Grieco Giacinto , Norman Robert , Grumet Surah , Kedan Ilan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between occupational degree requirement and mortality between ethnic groups in a cohort of urban workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study included 118,606 health-insured full-time workers from the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC). Mortality rates (MR) and mortality rate ratios (MRR) were calculated for major ethnic categories. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, and occupational degree requirement.

Findings

– Prior to adjustment for degree requirement, mortality rates (MRs) by ethnic groups in the Health and Hospitals Corporation were in line with national estimates: highest for blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islander (APIs). After adjustment, the MR for blacks became comparable to whites (mortality rate ratio (MRR)=1.02). The low-Hispanic MR did not change; the Hispanic advantage persisted (MRR=0.66), as did the API advantage (MRR=0.50).

Research limitations/implications

– Higher education may not substantially change the MR for Hispanics, and it may only account for a portion of the survival advantage among APIs. The findings also suggest that without reducing the disparity in higher education attainment between blacks and whites, equality in other socioeconomic factors may not abolish the disparity in mortality between these groups.

Originality/value

– This study bypassed common limitations of ethnic mortality studies, with intrinsic parity for certain socio-economic status factors (full-time employment and health care access) across cohort members and consistent ethnic classification across time-points. This includes a cohort of API workers with complete self-identification of ethnicity, which has not been accomplished by previous investigations.
An optimal risk – return portfolio of Islamic banks
Authors: Ismal Rifki
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze individual financing instruments and portfolios of instruments, and find the location of the most efficient portfolio financing. The Indonesian Islamic banking industry is very promising with four dominant financing instruments, namely, Mudarabah, Musharakah, Murabahah and Istishna. Each instrument has unique pattern of return, expected return and risk. Moreover, the variances of two, three and four financing instruments suggest the importance of identifying the most prospective financing instruments. Further, the most efficient portion of the most prospective financing is determined by constructing an efficient portfolio financing frontier.

Design/methodology/approach

– Technically, it uses risk and return theory to compute risk, return and variance of an instrument and set of financing instruments. In addition, it uses an efficient portfolio frontier curve to locate all combination of the most progressive portfolio financing and finds the most efficient portfolio financing.

Findings

– It finds some interesting finding with regard to the pattern of return, characteristics of a financing instrument and groups of financing instruments. The most essential finding of the paper is the location of the most efficient portfolio financing.

Research limitations/implications

– The information and finding of this paper benefit the Indonesian Islamic banking industry to optimize the performance of an individual and groups of financing instruments. Particularly, for the most progressive financing instruments, it proposes the combinations of portfolio financing which give optimum output.

Originality/value

– To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first paper trying to analyze and construct an efficient portfolio financing frontier of the Indonesian Islamic banking industry.
Statistical analysis of democracy index
Authors: Rahman M. Shafiqur
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is statistical analysis for the democracy index data of 167 countries for the period 2006 to 2012 to investigate whether democracy index is progressing day by day? Does democracy make any significant improvement in public life and public trust in political institutions? What are the implications for future progress of democracy? Democracy index is a measure of democratic performance introduced by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The EIU calculated democracy index since 2006 for 167 countries covering almost the entire population of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

– As democracy index varies from country to country and over time, the author considers randomized complete bock design for the analysis of variance to test whether there are significant variations among the countries and between time (years). The author also applied Friedman’s test, which is a non-parametric distribution-free test.

Findings

– It was found that democracy did not make any significant progress in the study period. Popular confidence in political institutions continues to decline in many full democratic countries. Violence and drug-trafficking have a negative impact on democracy in some countries. Some countries had democratic progress, while some other countries had regression. However, these changes in democratic performances are not statistically significant. As a result, democracy becomes stagnant all over the world.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis is based on only five years of available data.

Practical implications

– As democracy becomes stagnant all over the world and the public trust on political institutions and politicians is declining, it is essential to find out the root cause.

Social implications

– Democracy is a popular alternative to hybrid or authoritarian regimes, but the nations’ recent democratic transitions had brought no improvements to their lives in the society. God has created us in this world with the rest of creation for a very good reason which was explained in all main religious books. To increase our honesty, character, trust and understanding for becoming a good human, we should follow the divine rules and guidance. Eventually everything will work properly, including democracy.

Originality/value

– The author analyzed democracy index data produced by the EIU using statistical techniques, analysis of variance and non-parametric Friedman’s test. Statistical analysis, discussion and conclusion are the author
'
s contribution.
Using response action with intelligent intrusion detection and prevention system against web application malware
Authors: Alazab Ammar , Hobbs Michael , Abawajy Jemal , Khraisat Ansam , Alazab Mamoun
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to mitigate vulnerabilities in web applications, security detection and prevention are the most important mechanisms for security. However, most existing research focuses on how to prevent an attack at the web application layer, with less work dedicated to setting up a response action if a possible attack happened.

Design/methodology/approach

– A combination of a Signature-based Intrusion Detection System (SIDS) and an Anomaly-based Intrusion Detection System (AIDS), namely, the Intelligent Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IIDPS).

Findings

– After evaluating the new system, a better result was generated in line with detection efficiency and the false alarm rate. This demonstrates the value of direct response action in an intrusion detection system.

Research limitations/implications

– Data limitation.

Originality/value

– The contributions of this paper are to first address the problem of web application vulnerabilities. Second, to propose a combination of an SIDS and an AIDS, namely, the IIDPS. Third, this paper presents a novel approach by connecting the IIDPS with a response action using fuzzy logic. Fourth, use the risk assessment to determine an appropriate response action against each attack event. Combining the system provides a better performance for the Intrusion Detection System, and makes the detection and prevention more effective.
The familiarity and use of reference management software by LIS faculties in Iran
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Maryam , Hazeri Afsaneh
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the familiarity and use of reference management software (RMS) by library and information science (LIS) faculties in Iran, and aims to identify the possible factors that lead to the application and choice of this software.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a descriptive survey. Data collected by a Web-based questionnaire include both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The questionnaires were distributed among LIS discussion groups and were sent to the e-mails of LIS faculties.

Findings

– Results reveal that over half of the respondents had a good familiarity with the various citation software packages and knew how to use them; 35 per cent of respondents have learned how to use these packages through formal education. “Endnote” is the most popular software among respondents. Respondents confirm the need to offer some educational programs on how to use these software packages to bachelor students, and nominated the “Academic Writing” course as the proper place for teaching this topic.

Originality/value

– If due attention is given to the importance of referencing in academic writing and to establishing criteria for the acceptance of papers for publication, teaching students how to carry out referencing and how to use RMS packages for this purpose will aid the promotion of scientific products. To determine whether LIS educators are able to teach the use of RMS packages, it is necessary to examine the extent to which they are familiar with these programs.
The digital librarian
Authors: Massis Bruce
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the two basic skills necessary for today’s librarian to be successful in a library environment where technology and copyright are evolving and thus changing the manner by which a transition from print resources to digital can be successfully implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

– A combination of technology skills and an understanding of digital copyright issues are strengths that, for today’s librarians, are less unique and more typical components of a librarian’s skill set.

Originality/value

– The value in addressing this issue is to highlight the background that today’s librarian must bring to the profession in a highly digitized and more legally determined library environment.
Development of a framework to facilitate a collaborative peer learning 2:1 model of practice placement education
Authors: Lynam Ann‐Marie , Corish Clare , Connolly Deirdre
Published: October 2014

Aim

The educational approach towards practice placement education in health‐related disciplines has changed in recent years. The use of collaborative or peer learning models has increased, associated with positive effects on desired outcomes such as learning, competence and reflective practice. At present, there is little published literature on the implementation or use of such models in dietetics practice placement education. The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot study of a collaborative peer learning 2 students to 1 educator (2:1 model).

Methods

Experienced practice placement educators from four clinical sites in the discipline of dietetics in the Republic of Ireland were invited to participate in the study and form an advisory group. Feedback from this group was used to inform the design and development of a framework to guide the wider implementation of the 2:1 model.

Results

Feedback from the pilot study was largely positive, with all four sites willing to facilitate a 2:1 model again. The main recommendation was that the practice placement educators require more practical information on the implementation of a 2:1 model, particularly the facilitation of the peer feedback process. In response to this feedback, the Lynam framework was designed, which is the focus of this paper.

Conclusions

This pilot study of a 2:1 model in dietetics practice placement education informed the design and development of a framework for implementation of the model. Further research into the use of the 2:1 model for practice placement education and the effectiveness of the Lynam framework to guide the implementation of this model is required.
Bacillus subtilis HJ18‐4 from Traditional Fermented Soybean Food Inhibits Bacillus cereus Growth and Toxin‐Related Genes
Authors: Eom Jeong Seon , Lee Sun Young , Choi Hye Sun
Published: October 2014

Bacillus subtilis HJ18‐4 isolated from buckwheat sokseongjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean food, exhibits broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens, including Bacillus cereus. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial efficacy and regulation of toxin gene expression in B. cereus by B. subtilis HJ18‐4. Expression of B. cereus toxin–related genes (groEL, nheA, nheC, and entFM) was downregulated by B. subtilis HJ18‐4, which also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against B. cereus. We also found that water extracts of soy product fermented with B. subtilis HJ18‐4 significantly inhibited the growth of B. cereus and toxin expression. These results indicate that B. subtilis HJ18‐4 could be used as an antimicrobial agent to control B. cereus in the fermented soybean food industry. Our findings also provide an opportunity to develop an efficient biological control agent against B. cereus.
In With the Old and Out With the New? A Comparison of the Old and New Binge Drinking Standards
Authors: Corbin William R. , Zalewski Suzanne , Leeman Robert F. , Toll Benjamin A. , Fucito Lisa M. , O'Malley Stephanie S.
Published: October 2014

Background

There is consistent evidence that the binge drinking standard of 5+ drinks per drinking occasion for men (4+ for women) is associated with risk for negative consequences. Yet, many have questioned the adequacy of this measure as an index of intoxication (e.g., a blood alcohol concentration [BAC] of 0.08 g%). In response to these concerns, a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism task force recommended adding a time qualifier of 2 hours to this criterion. Although conceptually appealing, there has been little effort to determine whether this new measure better captures drinking that leads to negative consequences.

Methods

This study examined the new binge standard (2‐hour period) and old binge standard (no time qualifier) in relation to frequency of drinking to an estimated BAC of 0.08 g% and the experience of negative drinking consequences. These relations were examined within both a social drinking sample of adults (N = 200) and a sample of heavy‐drinking young adults (N = 168) participating in a randomized clinical trial for drinking reduction.

Results

Contrary to the purpose of adding a time qualifier, the new binge measure was not more strongly correlated with drinking to an estimated BAC of 0.08 g% relative to the old binge measure. In addition, when both measures were entered simultaneously into a regression model, only the old binge measure accounted for significant variance in negative drinking consequences.

Conclusions

These empirically based results suggest that the original binge standard without a time qualifier may be preferable to the 2‐hour standard as a marker for risk. The findings also suggest that further efforts are needed to identify a brief measure that effectively captures drinking to intoxication and related risk for negative consequences.
Relative risk of injury from acute alcohol consumption: modeling the dose–response relationship in emergency department data from 18 countries
Authors: Cherpitel Cheryl J. , Ye Yu , Bond Jason , Borges Guilherme , Monteiro Maristela
Published: October 2014

Aims

To update and extend analysis of the dose–response relationship of injury and drinking by demographic and injury subgroups and country‐level drinking pattern, and examine the validity and efficiency of the fractional polynomial approach to modeling this relationship.

Design

Pair‐matched case–cross‐over analysis of drinking prior to injury, using categorical step‐function and fractional polynomial analysis.

Setting

Thirty‐seven emergency departments (EDs) across 18 countries.

Participants

A total of 13 119 injured drinkers arriving at theEDwithin 6 hours of the event.

Measurements

The dose–response relationship was analyzed by gender, age, cause of injury (traffic, violence, fall, other) and country detrimental drinking pattern (DDP).

Findings

Estimated risks were similar between the two analytical methods, with injury risk doubling at one drink [odds ratio (OR) = 2.3–2.7] and peaking at about 30 drinks. Although risk was similar for males and females up to three drinks (OR = 4.6), it appeared to increase more rapidly for females and was significantly higher starting from 20 drinks [femaleOR = 28.6; confidence interval (CI) = 16.8, 48.9; maleOR = 12.8;CI = 10.1, 16.3]. No significant differences were found across age groups. Risk was significantly higher for violence‐related injury than for other causes across the volume range. Risk was also higher at all volumes forDDP‐3 compared withDDP‐2 countries.

Conclusions

There is an increasing risk relationship between alcohol and injury but risk is not uniform across gender, cause of injury or country drinking pattern. The fractional polynomial approach is a valid and efficient approach for modeling the alcohol injury risk relationship.
The Anti‐Politics of Climate Finance: The Creation and Performativity of the Green Climate Fund
Authors: Bracking Sarah
Published: October 2014

This paper is an empirical case study of the institutional design process of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from December 2011 to May 2014. Powerful countries, corporations and banks have favoured a deepening of neoliberal environmental governance, while civil society actors have argued over retaining movement concepts, won small representational victories, while participating in a process that has subjected them to a deepened practise of advanced liberal governance. The process has thus far produced “non‐outcomes” that fail to meet hopes that the GCF could provide a significant scaling up and paradigm shift in global climate finance. However, civil society engagement appears to be, somewhat inadvertently, exposing the “overflows”, limits and contradictions inherent in advanced liberal governance. The impasse created has prompted alternative governmentalities to emerge, not least of spectacle and (non‐)performativity, which may be generating an anti‐politics in environmental governance.
Dying autologous cells as instructors of the immune system
Authors: Munoz L E , Herrmann M , Berens C
Published: October 2014

In an organism, cell death occurs at many different sites and in many different forms. It is frequently part of normal development or serves to maintain cell homeostasis. In other cases, cell death not only occurs due to injury, disease or infection, but also as a consequence of various therapeutic interventions. However, in all of these scenarios, the immune system has to react to the dying and dead cells and decide whether to mount an immune response, to remain quiet or to initiate healing and repopulation. This is essential for the organism, testified by many diseases that are associated with malfunctioning in the cell death process, the corpse removal, or the ensuing immune responsiveness. Therefore, dying cells generally have to be considered as instructors of the immune system. How this happens and which signals and pathways contribute to modulate or shape the immune response is still elusive in many conditions. The articles presented in this Special Issue address such open questions. They highlight that the context in which cell death occurs will not only influence the cell death process itself, but also affect the surrounding cellular milieu, how the generation and presence of ‘eat me’ signals can have an impact on cell clearance, and that the exact nature of the residual ‘debris’ and how it is processed are fundamental to determining the immunological consequences. Hopefully, these articles initiate new approaches and new experiments to complete our understanding of how cell death and the immune system interact with each other.
Regulatory T cell levels and cytokine production in active non-infectious uveitis:in-vitroeffects of pharmacological treatment
Authors: Molins B , Mesquida M , Lee R W J , Llorenç V , Pelegrín L , Adán A
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to quantify the proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg) and cytokine expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with active non-infectious uveitis, and to evaluate the effect of in-vitro treatment with infliximab, dexamethasone and cyclosporin A on Treg levels and cytokine production in PBMCs from uveitis patients and healthy subjects. We included a group of 21 patients with active non-infectious uveitis and 18 age-matched healthy subjects. The proportion of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+ Treg cells and intracellular tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in CD4+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. PBMCs were also either rested or activated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 and cultured in the presence or absence of dexamethasone, cyclosporin A and infliximab. Supernatants of cultured PBMCs were collected and TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No significant differences were observed in nTreg levels between uveitis patients and healthy subjects. However, PBMCs from uveitis patients produced significantly higher amounts of TNF-α and lower amounts of IL-10. Dexamethasone treatment in vitro significantly reduced FoxP3+Treg levels in PBMCs from both healthy subjects and uveitis patients, and all tested drugs significantly reduced TNF-α production in PBMCs. Dexamethasone and cyclosporin A significantly reduced IL-17 and IFN-γ production in PBMCs and dexamethasone up-regulated IL-10 production in activated PBMCs from healthy subjects. Our results suggest that PBMCs from patients with uveitis express more TNF-α and less IL-10 than healthy subjects, and this is independent of FoxP3+ Treg levels. Treatment with infliximab, dexamethasone and cyclosporin A in vitro modulates cytokine production, but does not increase the proportion of FoxP3+ Treg cells.
Icariin attenuates hypoxia‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in osteoblasts and preserves their osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro
Authors: Ma H.‐P. , Ma X.‐N. , Ge B.‐F. , Zhen P. , Zhou J. , Gao Y.‐H. , Xian C. J. , Chen K.‐M.
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Icariin, a prenylated flavonol glycoside isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal herb of the genus Epimedium, has been demonstrated to be a potential alternative therapy for osteoporosis, and its action mechanism so far has been mainly attributed to its phytoestrogenic property. As blood supply to bone is considerably reduced with ageing and by the menopause, we hypothesized that icariin treatment would reduce bone loss by preventing ischaemia‐induced hypoxic damages to bone.

Materials and methods

To investigate effects of icariin treatment on cultured rat calvarial osteoblasts exposed to hypoxic conditions (2% oxygen).

Results

Compared to normoxic control, cell viability decreased with time to 50% by 48 h in the hypoxic group, and icariin attenuated the reduction, dose dependently, with 10−6 and 10−5 m concentrations showing significant protective effects. Icariin also inhibited increase of lactate dehydrogenase activity in culture media. Measurements on oxidative stress, cell cycling and cell survival indicated that icariin protected osteoblasts by reducing production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, increasing superoxide dismutase activity, arresting the cell cycle and inhibiting apoptosis. Icariin also preserved osteogenic differentiation potential of the hypoxic cells in a dose‐dependent manner, compared to the hypoxia alone group, as revealed by increased levels of RUNX‐2, OSX and BMP‐2 gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and formation of mineralized nodules.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that icariin attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis and preserved viability and osteogenic potential of osteoblasts exposed to hypoxia in vitro, and suggested that its anti‐osteoporotic effect may be attributed to its anti‐hypoxic activity and phytoestrogenic properties.
Punishing parents: Child removal in the context of drug use
Authors: Olsen Anna
Published: October 2014

New amendments to child welfare policy inNewSouthWales turn a spotlight on parents who use drugs and raise concerns about adequate provision of services for families facing issues with alcohol and other drug use. Sections of the new legislation are explicitly focused on parents who use illicit drugs, expanding the reach of child protection services over expectant parents during pregnancy. This targeting of women who are ‘addicted’ highlights the ambiguous scientific and moral attention to drug use in pregnancy. It also raises practical questions about the potential for the legislation to increase stigma towards drug use and disproportionately affect vulnerable and disadvantaged families.[Olsen A. Punishing parents: Child removal in the context of drug use.Drug Alcohol Rev2015;34:27–30]
Usefulness of the thread‐traction method in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Koike Yoshiki , Hirasawa Dai , Fujita Naotaka , Maeda Yuki , Ohira Tetsuya , Harada Yoshihiro , Suzuki Kenjiro , Yamagata Taku , Tanaka Megumi
Published: October 2014

Background and Aim

To assess the usefulness of the thread‐traction method (TT method) in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Methods

A total of 40 lesions that were scheduled to be treated by esophageal ESD were included in the study. The TT method was used for 20 lesions (group TT) and conventional ESD was used for 20 lesions (group C) after randomization. The hook‐knife method was used in all cases. In group TT, after circumferential mucosal incision, a clip with thread was attached to the oral edge of the lesion.

Results

ESD was carried out in all cases. Effective countertraction was created by the TT method, and it was possible to carry out an efficient dissection operation. Significant shortening of dissection time was achieved in group TT compared with group C (19.8 min vs 31.8 min, P = 0.044). Mean number of local injections during dissection was significantly less in group TT compared with that in group C (0.6 times vs 2.2 times, P < 0.001). As for the amount of local injection, group TT required significantly less compared with group C (2.6 mL vs 7.5 mL, P < 0.01). No complications were encountered.

Conclusion

The TT method in esophageal ESD was safe and contributed to shortening of dissection time. The TT method is expected to become widespread as a safe and useful procedure.
Functional performance in self‐care and mobility after selective dorsal rhizotomy: a 10‐year practice‐based follow‐up study
Authors: Josenby Annika Lundkvist , Wagner Philippe , Jarnlo Gun‐Britt , Westbom Lena , Nordmark Eva
Published: October 2014

Aim

To explore changes in performance in daily activities (self‐care and mobility) 10 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR).

Method

Twenty‐four children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy were followed; the median age at SDR was 4 years 1 month (range 2y 5mo–6y 4mo) and at 10‐year follow‐up was 14 years 6 months (range 12y 3mo–16y 9mo). The preoperative Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were: I (n=1), II (n=7), III (n=4), IV (n=11), and V (n=1). The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used to assess performance in functional skills, caregiver assistance, and frequency of modifications and adaptive equipment (MAE) in self‐care and mobility domains. Changes were analysed in relation to preoperative GMFCS levels, PEDI scores, and age at operation.

Results

All scores improved significantly (p<0.01) during the first 5 years in patients assigned to GMFCS levels I–III and IV–V. Between 5 years and 10 years, changes were seen in patients grouped in GMFCS levels I–III in the functional skills, mobility (p=0.04), caregiver assistance self‐care (p=0.03), and caregiver assistance mobility (p=0.03) domains. Those grouped in GMFCS levels IV–V showed small changes between 5 years and 10 years after surgery. Changes were dependent on the preoperative GMFCS levels in all domains; caregiver assistance, self‐care and mobility changes were dependent on preoperative values. The use of MAE increased in participants in GMFCS levels IV–V.

Interpretation

Children who underwent SDR and physiotherapy improved in functional performance in self‐care and mobility and were more independent 10 years postoperatively.
Fractional anisotropy alterations in individuals born preterm: a diffusion tensor imaging meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Ke , Sun Zeguang , Han Yingping , Gao Luobin , Yuan Li , Zeng Dong
Published: October 2014

Aim

This meta‐analysis explored cerebral microstructural changes in individuals born preterm using fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor imaging.

Method

We used the activation likelihood estimate (ALE) method for the meta‐analysis to locate anatomical regions with white matter abnormalities in a group of individuals born preterm and in term‐born comparison participants. A statistical analysis of fractional anisotropy was conducted to quantitatively explore the extent of fractional anisotropy changes in the three subregions of the corpus callosum in the preterm group.

Results

ALE analysis identified 11 regions of decreased fractional anisotropy and four regions of increased fractional anisotropy. Analysis of the corpus callosum revealed the largest decrease in fractional anisotropy in the splenium (standardized mean difference [SMD]=−0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.93 to −0.57), followed by the body (SMD=−0.73, 95% CI −1.13 to −0.32) and the genu (SMD=−0.65, 95% CI −0.97 to −0.33).

Interpretation

Significant changes in fractional anisotropy in individuals born preterm reflect white matter abnormalities from childhood to young adulthood, and the mechanism of fractional anisotropy alterations in preterm infants may vary during different stages of white matter development. Furthermore, the variability of fractional anisotropy between studies can primarily be attributed to the age of the individuals at scanning and to the field strength of magnetic resonance scanners.
Macrophyte effects on algal turbidity in subtropical versus temperate lakes: a comment on Wang et al. (2014)
Authors: Dolman Andrew M.
Published: October 2014

A recent analysis of 30 lakes in the Yangtze basin found no effect of benthic macrophyte coverage on the relationship between chlorophyll a concentrations and total phosphorus (TP).

While several recent studies have found the effects of macrophyte coverage to be weaker in subtropical versus temperate shallow lakes, in this case, the finding was due to a statistical error meaning that the comparison was effectively made for lakes with very low TP concentrations of just 1 μg L−1.

Centring the data so that the comparison is made at a TP concentration where both vegetated and non‐vegetated lakes are found confirms a strong effect of macrophytes on the chlorophyll a to TP relationship.

Thus, macrophyte effects for these subtropical lakes in the Yangtze basin are in fact similar to those found in temperate lakes.
The combined effects of a long‐term experimental drought and an extreme drought on the use of plant‐water sources in a Mediterranean forest
Authors: Barbeta Adrià , Mejía‐Chang Monica , Ogaya Romà , Voltas Jordi , Dawson Todd E. , Peñuelas Josep
Published: October 2014

Vegetation in water‐limited ecosystems relies strongly on access to deep water reserves to withstand dry periods. Most of these ecosystems have shallow soils over deep groundwater reserves. Understanding the functioning and functional plasticity of species‐specific root systems and the patterns of or differences in the use of water sources under more frequent or intense droughts is therefore necessary to properly predict the responses of seasonally dry ecosystems to future climate. We used stable isotopes to investigate the seasonal patterns of water uptake by a sclerophyll forest on sloped terrain with shallow soils. We assessed the effect of a long‐term experimental drought (12 years) and the added impact of an extreme natural drought that produced widespread tree mortality and crown defoliation. The dominant species,Quercus ilex,Arbutus unedoandPhillyrea latifolia, all have dimorphic root systems enabling them to access different water sources in space and time. The plants extracted water mainly from the soil in the cold and wet seasons but increased their use of groundwater during the summer drought. Interestingly, the plants subjected to the long‐term experimental drought shifted water uptake toward deeper (10–35 cm) soil layers during the wet season and reduced groundwater uptake in summer, indicating plasticity in the functional distribution of fine roots that dampened the effect of our experimental drought over the long term. An extreme drought in 2011, however, further reduced the contribution of deep soil layers and groundwater to transpiration, which resulted in greater crown defoliation in the drought‐affected plants. This study suggests that extreme droughts aggravate moderate but persistent drier conditions (simulated by our manipulation) and may lead to the depletion of water from groundwater reservoirs and weathered bedrock, threatening the preservation of these Mediterranean ecosystems in their current structures and compositions.
Health numeracy: Perspectives about using numbers in health management from African American patients receiving dialysis
Authors: Wright Nunes Julie A. , Osborn Chandra Y. , Ikizler T. Alp , Cavanaugh Kerri L.
Published: October 2014

Health numeracy is linked to important clinical outcomes. Kidney disease management relies heavily on patient numeracy skills across the continuum of kidney disease care. Little data are available eliciting stakeholder perspectives from patients receiving dialysis about the construct of health numeracy. Using focus groups, we asked patients receiving hemodialysis open‐ended questions to identify facilitators and barriers to their understanding, interpretation, and application of numeric information in kidney care. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Twelve patients participated with a mean (standard deviation) age of 56 (12) years. All were African American, 50% were women, and 83% had an annual income <$20,000/year. Although patients felt numbers were critical to every aspect in life, they noted several barriers to understanding, interpreting and applying quantitative information specifically to manage their health. Low patient self‐efficacy related to health numeracy and limited patient–provider communication about quantitatively based feedback, were emphasized as key barriers. Through focus groups of key patient stakeholders we identified important modifiable barriers to effective kidney care. Additional research is needed to develop tools that support numeracy‐sensitive education and communication interventions in dialysis.
Efficacy and safety of open‐label ixekizumab treatment in Japanese patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis
Authors: Saeki H. , Nakagawa H. , Ishii T. , Morisaki Y. , Aoki T. , Berclaz P.‐Y. , Heffernan M.
Published: October 2014

Background

Ixekizumab, an anti‐IL‐17A monoclonal antibody, demonstrated a high level of efficacy in moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis (PP) patients.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of open‐label ixekizumab in Japanese patients with moderate‐to‐severe PP, erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) and generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP).

Methods

Patients received 160‐mg subcutaneous ixekizumab injection at Week 0, 80‐mg every 2 weeks through Week 12 and 80‐mg every 4 weeks through Week 24. Efficacy and safety are reported through 24 weeks; additional safety data are available for some patients.

Results

A total of 78 patients with PP, 8 with EP and 5 with GPP enrolled. In PP patients, PASI75 and PASI90 response rates were 98.7% (77/78) and 83.3% (65/78) at Week 12 respectively. In EP patients, PASI75 and PASI90 were 100.0% (8/8) and 62.5% (5/8) and in GPP patients were 80.0% (4/5) and 60.0% (3/5). Overall, 84.0% (76/91) had a treatment‐emergent AE through ≥24 weeks. There were no serious AEs, deaths, cases of tuberculosis or invasive fungal infections.

Limitations

No control group and small sample sizes, especially for EP and GPP.

Conclusion

By Week 12, nearly all patients with PP, EP and GPP achieved PASI75. The safety profile was consistent with reported results and no unexpected safety signals were observed.
Assisted Early Mobility for Hospitalized Older Veterans: Preliminary Data from the STRIDE Program
Authors: Hastings S. Nicole , Sloane Richard , Morey Miriam C. , Pavon Juliessa M. , Hoenig Helen
Published: October 2014

An important contributor to hospital‐associated disability is immobility during hospitalization. Preliminary results from STRIDE, a clinical demonstration program of supervised walking for older adults admitted to the hospital with medical illness, are reported. The STRIDE program consisted of a targeted gait and balance assessment by a physical therapist, followed by daily walks supervised by a recreation therapy assistant for the duration of the hospital stay. To examine program effectiveness, STRIDE participants (n = 92) were compared with individuals referred but not enrolled (because of refusal or because program was at capacity, n = 35). Median length of stay was 4.7 days for STRIDE participants and 5.7 days for individuals receiving usual care (P = .31). There was one inpatient fall in each group (not associated with a STRIDE walk). Overall, 92% of STRIDE participants were discharged to home (rather than a skilled nursing facility (SNF)) compared to 74% of individuals receiving usual care (P = .007). Thirty‐day emergency department visit rates and readmission rates were not significantly different between the two groups. STRIDE, a supervised walking program for hospitalized older adults, was feasible and safe, and program participants were less likely to be discharged to a SNF than a demographically similar comparison group. STRIDE is a promising interdisciplinary approach to promoting mobility and improving outcomes in hospitalized older adults.
Insomnia in Long‐Term Care Facilities: A Comparison of Seven European Countries and Israel: The Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care Study
Authors: Gindin Jacob , Shochat Tamar , Chetrit Angela , Epstein Shulamit , Ben Israel Yehoshua , Levi Sarah , Onder Graziano , Carpenter Ian , Finne‐Soveri Harriet , van Hout Hein , Henrard Jean‐Claude , Nikolaus Thorsten , Topinkova Eva , Fialová Daniela , Bernabei Roberto ,   the SHELTER project
Published: October 2014

Objectives

To assess insomnia and its correlates as part of the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care (SHELTER) study, funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union.

Design

Cross‐cultural investigation.

Setting

Long‐term care facilities (LTCFs) in eight European countries (Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, England, the Netherlands, Italy) and one non‐European country (Israel).

Participants

Elderly residents (N = 4,156) of 57 LTCFs.

Measurements

Information on insomnia, age, sex, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive status, depression, major stressful life events, physical activity, fatigue, pain, and sleep medication use was extracted from the International Resident Assessment Instrument (interRAI)LTCF instrument. Rates of insomnia and its correlates were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with insomnia, controlling for demographic variables.

Results

The prevalence of insomnia was 24% (range 13–30%), with significant differences between countries (P < .001). More insomnia complaints were reported in older than younger residents (P < .001). Higher rates of insomnia were associated with hypnosedatives and depression in all countries (P < .001) and with stressful life events, fatigue, and pain in most countries (P < .001). No associations were found between insomnia and ADLs, physical activity, or cognitive status. Age, depression, stressful life events, fatigue, pain and hypnosedatives were independent significant predictors of insomnia, controlling for all other variables and for country.

Conclusion

Hypnosedatives and depression were strong predictors of insomnia beyond cultural differences. Overall, psychosocial variables were more strongly related to insomnia than functional and mental capacities.
Effects of feeding a soft diet and subsequent rehabilitation on the development of the masticatory function
Authors: Fujishita A. , Koga Y. , Utsumi D. , Nakamura A. , Yoshimi T. , Yoshida N.
Published: October 2014

It has been suggested that feeding a soft diet could possibly inhibit normal development of the masticatory function. However, the consequences of such changes in the alimentary habits have yet to be fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether a soft diet prevents the development of masticatory function and whether a critical period for programming the masticatory system exists. To examine these hypotheses, we used a three‐dimensional jaw‐movement tracking device and jaw muscle electromyography (EMG) to analyse masticatory function changes in mice. Jcl:ICR mice were divided into three groups, with the normal group fed a hard diet, the hypofunctional group fed a soft diet, and the rehabilitation group first fed a soft diet that was then changed to a hard diet. Our results showed that the excursion and duration of late‐closing phase (occlusal phase) of the chewing cycle and EMG activity in the masseter muscle were not only reduced in the hypofunctional but also in the rehabilitation group as compared with the normal group. These results suggest that optimisation of the chewing pattern and acquisition of appropriate masticatory function are impeded by feeding a soft diet during the animal's growth period and that no catch‐up effect of the masticatory function is observed when there is a prolonged period of time prior to changing the diet from soft to hard. In conclusion, masticatory function can only be fully developed through a learning process such as exposure to chewing various kinds of foods with different food textures.
Application of ancient DNA to the reconstruction of past microbial assemblages and for the detection of toxic cyanobacteria in subtropical freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Martínez de la Escalera Gabriela , Antoniades Dermot , Bonilla Sylvia , Piccini Claudia
Published: October 2014

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of lake sediments is a promising tool for detecting shifts in past microbial assemblages in response to changing environmental conditions. We examined sediment core samples from subtropical, freshwater Laguna Blanca (Uruguay), which has been severely affected by cultural eutrophication since 1960 and where cyanobacterial blooms, particularly those of the saxitoxin‐producer Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, have been reported since the 1990s. Samples corresponding to ~1846, 1852, 2000 and 2007 AD were selected to perform denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ribosomal ITS) to compare their prokaryotic assemblage composition. Each stratum showed different ITS patterns, but the composition of 21st century samples was clearly different than those of mid‐19th century. This compositional change was correlated with shifts in sediment organic matter and chlorophyll a content, which were significantly higher in recent samples. The presence of saxitoxin‐producing cyanobacteria was addressed by quantitative real‐time PCR of the sxtU gene involved in toxin biosynthesis. This gene was present only in recent samples, for which clone libraries and ITS sequencing indicated the presence of Cyanobacteria. Phylogenetic analyses identified C. raciborskii only in the 2000 sample, shortly after several years when blooms were recorded in the lake. These data suggest the utility of aDNA for the reconstruction of microbial assemblage shifts in subtropical lakes, at least on centennial scales. The application of aDNA analysis to genes involved in cyanotoxin synthesis extends the applicability of molecular techniques in palaeolimnological studies to include key microbial community characteristics of great scientific and social interest.
Immune response genes and pathogen presence predict migration survival in wild salmon smolts
Authors: Jeffries Ken M. , Hinch Scott G. , Gale Marika Kirstin , Clark Timothy D. , Lotto Andrew G. , Casselman Matthew T. , Li Shaorong , Rechisky Erin L. , Porter Aswea D. , Welch David W. , Miller Kristina M.
Published: October 2014

We present the first data to link physiological responses and pathogen presence with subsequent fate during migration of wild salmonid smolts. We tagged and non‐lethally sampled gill tissue from sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolts as they left their nursery lake (Chilko Lake, BC, Canada) to compare gene expression profiles and freshwater pathogen loads with migration success over the first ~1150 km of their migration to the North Pacific Ocean using acoustic telemetry. Fifteen per cent of smolts were never detected again after release, and these fish had gene expression profiles consistent with an immune response to one or more viral pathogens compared with fish that survived their freshwater migration. Among the significantly upregulated genes of the fish that were never detected postrelease were MX (interferon‐induced GTP‐binding protein Mx) and STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1‐alpha/beta), which are characteristic of a type I interferon response to viral pathogens. The most commonly detected pathogen in the smolts leaving the nursery lake was infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). Collectively, these data show that some of the fish assumed to have died after leaving the nursery lake appeared to be responding to one or more viral pathogens and had elevated stress levels that could have contributed to some of the mortality shortly after release. We present the first evidence that changes in gene expression may be predictive of some of the freshwater migration mortality in wild salmonid smolts.