bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled release and synergistic effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on phosphate corrosion inhibitor at the interface of thermal insulation and carbon steel
Authors: Lian Zhouyang , Yuan Lirui , Wei Wuji , Zhou Qing , Jiang Juncheng
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the controlled release and synergistic effect of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on phosphate corrosion inhibitor at the interface of thermal insulation cotton/carbon steel.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was carried out using a coating method, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and AC impedance.

Findings

– The single-phase phosphate particles were coated/adsorbed on the PVA film, which was formed on the fiber surface of corrosion inhibitor/PVA-impregnated rock wool sample. On the surface of Q235 steel, an effective protective film was formed by the corrosion inhibitor with partially dissolved PVA that can significantly increase the polarization resistance of corrosion reaction, and reduce the capacitive reactance of electric double layer. The rock wool impregnated with the phosphate corrosion inhibitor and 1.5 per cent PVA showed obvious controlled release and inhibition synergism.

Originality/value

– The rock wool impregnated with the phosphate corrosion inhibitor and 1.5 per cent PVA showed the following advantages: the adsorption and release quantities of the corrosion inhibitor increased by 3.3 and 2.9 times, respectively; the release-adsorption equilibrium time increased from 2 to 6 h; and the corrosion inhibition efficiency increased from 61.55 per cent to 94.6 per cent.
Characterization of NiBP-graphite composite coatings deposited by dynamic chemical plating
Authors: Omidvar Hamid , Sajjadnejad Mohammad , Stremsdoerfer Guy , Meas Yunny , Mozafari Ali
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to coat ternary composite NiBP-graphite films by Dynamic Chemical Plating “DCP” technique with a growth rate of at least 5 μm/h, which makes this technique a worthy candidate for production of composite films. Electroless nickel plating method can be used to deposit nickel–phosphorous and nickel–boron coatings on metals or plastic surface. However, restrictions such as toxicity, short lifetime of the plating-bath and limited plating rate have limited applications of conventional electroless processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– DCP is an alternative for producing metallic deposits on non-conductive materials and can be considered as a modified electroless coating process. Using a double-nozzle gun, two different solutions containing the precursors are sprayed simultaneously and separately onto the surface. With this technique, NiBP-graphite films are fabricated and their corrosion and tribological properties are investigated.

Findings

– With a film thickness of 2 μm, tribological analysis confirms that these coatings have favorable anti-friction and anti-wear properties. Corrosion resistance of NiBP-graphite composite films was investigated, and it was found that graphite incorporation significantly enhances corrosion resistance of NiBP films.

Originality/value

– DCP is faster and simpler to perform compared to other electroless deposition techniques. Using a double-nozzle gun, metal salt solution and reducing agents are sprayed to the surface, forming a deposit. Previously, coatings such as Cu, Cu-graphite, Cu-PTFE, Ni-B-TiO2, Ni-P, Ni-B-P and Ni-B-Zn with favorable compactness and adherence by DCP were reported. In this paper, the authors report the application of the DCP technique for depositing NiBP-PTFE nanocomposite films.
Apparel distribution with uncertain try-on time by evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Hu Zhi-Hua , Wei Chen , Yu Xiao-Kun
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the problem of a routing problem with uncertain try-on service time (VRPUS) for apparel distribution, and to devise solution strategies coping with the uncertainty by an evolutionary algorithm. VRPUS belongs to the category of practical routing models integrated with uncertain service times. However, in the background of apparel distribution, it has distinct features. The try-on service will improve the customer satisfaction by providing experiences to customers; the return cost is saved; the customer loyalty is improved for experiencing face-to-face try-on services. However, the uncertainty of try-on service time makes the apparel distribution process uncertain and incurs additional risk management cost, such that the logistics companies should optimally make decisions on the choice of the service and the service processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper devised a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model for the base vehicle routing problem (VRP) and then it is extended to support the solution strategies for uncertain try-on times. A try-on time estimation parameter and a time reservation parameter are used to cope with the uncertain try-on time, and the try-on rejection strategy is applied when the uncertain try-on time is realized at customer and no surplus time can be used for try-on service besides distributing to remainder customers. Due to the computational complexity of VRPUS, an evolutionary algorithm is designed for solving it. These parameters and strategy options are designed for the operational decisions by logistics companies. Finally, a decision support system (DSS) is designed.

Findings

– Five experimental scenarios are performed to reveal the impacts of parameters and solution strategies coping with uncertain try-on time on the distribution cost, return cost, and the try-on service failure. The tuning methods are designed to assist the decisions by logistics companies.

Originality/value

– A new routing problem is addressed for apparel distribution in fashion industry especially in the context of booming apparel e-commerce, which is a VRP with uncertain try-on service time for apparel distribution; three strategies are developed to cope with the try-on time uncertainty. The proposed method is also a theoretical base for designing a practical DSS for logistics companies to provide try-on service to customers.
CFD based study of thermal sensation of occupants using thermophysiological model. Part II
Authors: Angelova Radostina A. , Pichurov George , Simova Iskra , Stankov Peter , Rodrigo Iosu
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to simulate the effect of clothing insulation and activity on the interaction between the human body and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– A thermo-physiological model, integrated into a Fluent CFD software package is applied. The temperature of the skin surface, clothing surface and heat flux (dry and total heat flux) through layers of clothing with different insulation level are numerically investigated in function of the clothing insulation and the different activities performed indoors.

Findings

– The increase of the clothing insulation leads to increase of both skin and clothing temperature. Higher temperature difference ΔT between the room temperature and skin temperature provokes more dynamic change of the skin temperature and decreases the thermal comfort of the person. The increase of the metabolic rate, however, leads to more uniform skin temperature, regardless the temperature difference ΔT. With the increase of the clothing insulation for a constant metabolic rate the total heat flux remains constant, but the dry heat flux decreases, while the evaporative heat flux increases.

Originality/value

– The joint influence of clothing insulation and indoor activities on the thermal interaction between the body and the environment is assesses using a thermo-physiological model, integrated in a CFD software package.
Dietary Protein Derived from Dried Bonito Fish Improves Type‐2 Diabetes Mellitus‐Induced Bone Frailty in Goto‐Kakizaki Rats
Authors: Ochiai Masaru , Kuroda Takashi , Gohtani Shoichi , Matsuo Tatsuhiro
Published: February 2015

Type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induces bone frailty. Protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in fish can be effective in enhancing bone quality, but the bone developing effect of fish protein containing less PUFA has not been evaluated in young animals with T2DM. We prepared a bonito fish (BF) and defatted BF (DBF) and hypothesized that protein contained in BF and DBF would be effective for mitigating the effects of T2DM‐induced bone frailty. We mainly evaluated the effect of dietary BF and DBF on bone and apparent calcium absorption in young Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rats with T2DM. GK rats were divided into 3 groups based on diets (casein, BF, and DBF) and fed with each diet for 6 wk. Wistar rats were fed with the casein diet as a non‐T2DM control. Bone mass, bone strength, apparent calcium absorption, and serum biochemical parameters were determined. The dry weight and strength of the femurs were lower in the GK rats than in the Wistar rats fed with the casein diet. Dietary intake of the BF and DBF diets enhanced the maximum load and dry weight of the femurs and suppressed the serum alkaline phosphatase activity although the apparent calcium absorption was lower in the GK rats fed with the BF and DBF diets than in those fed with the casein diet. These parameters were not different between the rats fed with the BF and DBF diets. Our data suggest that protein contained in the BF and DBF diets improved T2DM‐induced bone frailty.
Dynamic variation of the microbial community structure during the long‐time mono‐fermentation of maize and sugar beet silage
Authors: Klang Johanna , Theuerl Susanne , Szewzyk Ulrich , Huth Markus , Tölle Rainer , Klocke Michael
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the development of the microbial community during a long‐term (337 days) anaerobic digestion of maize and sugar beet silage, two feedstocks that significantly differ in their chemical composition. For the characterization of the microbial dynamics, the community profiling method terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) in combination with a cloning‐sequencing approach was applied.

Our results revealed a specific adaptation of the microbial community to the supplied feedstocks. Based on the high amount of complex compounds, the anaerobic conversion rate of maize silage was slightly lower compared with the sugar beet silage. It was demonstrated that members from the phylum Bacteroidetes are mainly involved in the degradation of low molecular weight substances such as sugar, ethanol and acetate, the main compounds of the sugar beet silage. It was further shown that species of the genus Methanosaeta are highly sensitive against sudden stress situations such as a strong decrease in the ammonium nitrogen (NH4+‐N) concentration or a drop of the pH value. In both cases, a functional compensation by members of the genera Methanoculleus and/or Methanosarcina was detected. However, the overall biomass conversion of both feedstocks proceeded efficiently as a steady state between acid production and consumption was recorded, which further resulted in an equal biogas yield.
In vitro caloric restriction induces protective genes and functional rejuvenation in senescent SAMP8 astrocytes
Authors: García‐Matas Silvia , Paul Rajib K. , Molina‐Martínez Patricia , Palacios Hector , Gutierrez Vincent M. , Corpas Rubén , Pallas Mercè , Cristòfol Rosa , de Cabo Rafael , Sanfeliu Coral
Published: February 2015

Astrocytes are key cells in brain aging, helping neurons to undertake healthy aging or otherwise letting them enter into a spiral of neurodegeneration. We aimed to characterize astrocytes cultured from senescence‐accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a mouse model of brain pathological aging, along with the effects of caloric restriction, the most effective rejuvenating treatment known so far. Analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of SAMP8 astrocytes cultured in control conditions and treated with caloric restriction serum was performed using mRNA microarrays. A decrease in mitochondrial and ribosome mRNA, which was restored by caloric restriction, confirmed the age‐related profile of SAMP8 astrocytes and the benefits of caloric restriction. An amelioration of antioxidant and neurodegeneration‐related pathways confirmed the brain benefits of caloric restriction. Studies of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function demonstrated a reduction of oxidative damage and partial improvement of mitochondria after caloric restriction. In summary, caloric restriction showed a significant tendency to normalize pathologically aged astrocytes through the activation of pathways that are protective against the age‐related deterioration of brain physiology.
Race and Sex Disparities in Prehospital Recognition of Acute Stroke
Authors: Govindarajan Prasanthi , Friedman Benjamin T. , Delgadillo James Q. , Ghilarducci David , Cook Lawrence J. , Grimes Barbara , McCulloch Charles E. , Johnston S. Claiborne
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine prehospital provider recognition of stroke by race and sex.

Methods

Diagnoses at emergency department (ED) and hospital discharge from a statewide database in California were linked to prehospital diagnoses from an electronic database from two counties in Northern California from January 2005 to December 2007 using probabilistic linkage. All patients 18 years and older, transported by ambulances (n = 309,866) within the two counties, and patients with hospital‐based discharge diagnoses of stroke (n = 10,719) were included in the study. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent association of race and sex with the correct prehospital diagnosis of stroke.

Results

There were 10,719 patients discharged with primary diagnoses of stroke. Of those, 3,787 (35%) were transported by emergency medical services providers. Overall, 32% of patients ultimately diagnosed with stroke were identified in the prehospital setting. Correct prehospital recognition of stroke was lower among Hispanic patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.96), Asians (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.80), and others (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.94), when compared with non‐Hispanic whites, and in women compared with men (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.94). Specificity for recognizing stroke was lower in females than males (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.78 to 0.90).

Conclusions

Significant disparities exist in prehospital stroke recognition.
Balancing Ethical Goals in Challenging Individual Participant Scenarios Occurring in a Trial Conducted with Exception from Informed Consent
Authors: Biros Michelle H. , Dickert Neal W. , Wright David W. , Scicluna Victoria M. , Harney Deneil , Silbergleit Robert , Denninghoff Kurt , Pentz Rebecca D.
Published: February 2015

In 1996, federal regulations were put into effect that allowed enrollment of critically ill or injured patients into Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐regulated clinical trials using an exception from informed consent (EFIC) under narrowly prescribed research circumstances. Despite the low likelihood that a legally authorized representative (LAR) would be present within the interventional time frame, the EFIC regulations require the availability of an informed consent process, to be applied if an LAR is present and able to provide prospective consent for patient enrollment into the trial. The purpose of this article is to describe a series of unanticipated consent‐related questions arising when a potential surrogate decision‐maker appeared to be available at the time of patient enrollment into a trial proceeding under EFIC.
Hydrogen sulphide induces vasoconstriction of rat coronary artery via activation of Ca2+ influx
Authors: Ping N.‐N. , Li S. , Mi Y.‐N. , Cao L. , Cao Y.‐X.
Published: February 2015

Aim

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) exhibits a dual modulation of isolated artery tension. This study investigated the vasoconstrictive effect of sulphur sodium hydride (NaHS), a donor of gaseous H2S, on rat coronary artery.

Methods

The contractile response of isolated arteries was recorded using a wire myograph. Fluo‐3/AM was used to load vascular smooth muscle, and intracellular calcium was determined using confocal laser microscopy. The protein expression of Rho kinase was examined using Western blot.

Results

NaHS induced concentration‐dependent contractions of rat coronary artery, and the contraction reached approx. 65% of 60 mm KCl‐induced contraction. The NaHS‐induced contraction was elevated following the removal of endothelium or the use of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L‐NAME. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin reduced NaHS‐induced contraction. The Rho kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 significantly attenuated NaHS‐induced vasoconstriction. Furthermore, NaHS elevated the protein expression of Rho kinase. NaHS‐induced contraction was completely abolished in a Ca2+‐free solution and suppressed by the Ca2+ influx blocker nifedipine (100 nm). NaHS also significantly increased the change rate of Ca2+ fluorescence intensity. However, treatment with a Cl−/HCO3− exchanger blocker, K+ channel blockers, the mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitor U‐0126 or cyclic adenosine monophosphate did not affect contraction. Species‐dependent differences in NaHS‐induced vasoconstriction were observed because these effects were only modest in dog coronary artery and absent in rabbit coronary artery.

Conclusions

NaHS induces the contraction of rat coronary artery, which is dependent on the activation of Ca2+ influx. Rho kinase likely participates in the vasoconstriction.
Without Rice, Even the Cleverest Housewife Cannot Cook: Sustainable Livelihoods Research in a Poor Chinese Village
Authors: Zhong Ling , Blaxland Megan , Zuo Ting
Published: February 2015

This paper presents findings of a qualitative study investigating the assets, the risks and shocks, and the anti‐risk mechanisms of the households of a poor village in rural northern China. The paper explores the vulnerability of the rural households to becoming impoverished and presents some implications for Chinese social policy. The research shows that income sources and assets of the households were considerably varied, and that this, in turn, affected the kinds of strategies they could implement to manage risk. Poorer households had fewer assets, smaller social networks, and less capacity to manage risk than better‐off households, despite all living in the same poor village. Moreover, poorer households were much more likely to have family members with chronic ill‐health or disability. These findings point to a need to ensure better access for all rural households to social support, health and care services, and opportunities to find new sources of income within their village.
Transitional and Developmental Challenges for Chinese Social Policy
Authors: Blaxland Megan , Fisher Karen , Shang Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2015

This special issue explores the social policy challenges faced by China as it navigates a period of rapid social and economic change. While China has benefited from significant growth and new wealth in recent years, there are many sections of Chinese society that continue to live in poverty. The authors in this special issue provide thoughtful and creative responses to difficult policy questions with the aim of reducing poverty and expanding and improving social and community services.
Social Assistance Programs and Child Poverty Alleviation — A Comparison Between Hong Kong and Mainland China
Authors: Qi Di , Tang Vera M. Y.
Published: February 2015

This paper compares the major child poverty alleviation policy in Hong Kong and the urban regions of Mainland China, i.e. Comprehensive Social Security Allowance (CSSA) Scheme and Minimum Living Security Standards (MLSS), respectively. It aims to examine whether CSSA and MLSS can tackle child poverty, to identify similarities and dissimilarities of CSSA and MLSS, and finally to suggest future policy implications or directions. A methodology of comprehensive systematic review is used to search for the relevant literature. The findings show that children living in poor families faced food consumption difficulties, lived in overcrowded environment and lacked education‐related financial support and learning resources. Children's rights emphasized in the UNCRC (United Nations, 1989) in different dimensions of living standards were often unmet due to the limited support from these two cash transfer policies. Poor children experiencing multiple disadvantages need more than just monetary or material assistance. Such findings can provide evidence for policy makers to craft holistic responses to meet the needs and remove the barriers that poor children face in China.
Causal Estimation Using Semiparametric Transformation Models under Prevalent Sampling
Authors: Cheng Yu-Jen , Wang Mei-Cheng
Published: February 2015

This article presents methods and inference for causal estimation in semiparametric transformation models for the prevalent survival data. Through the estimation of the transformation models and covariate distribution, we propose a few analytical procedures to estimate the causal survival function. As the data are observational, the unobserved potential outcome (survival time) may be associated with the treatment assignment, and therefore there may exist a systematic imbalance between the data observed from each treatment arm. Further, due to prevalent sampling, subjects are observed only if they have not experienced the failure event when data collection began, causing the prevalent sampling bias. We propose a unified approach, which simultaneously corrects the bias from the prevalent sampling and balances the systematic differences from the observational data. We illustrate in the simulation study that standard analysis without proper adjustment would result in biased causal inference. Large sample properties of the proposed estimation procedures are established by techniques of empirical processes and examined by simulation studies. The proposed methods are applied to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and Medicare-linked data for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
John Porter Lecture: Waves of Protest—Direct Action, Deliberation, and Diffusion
Authors: Wood Lesley
Published: February 2015

The book Direct Action, Deliberation and Diffusion: Collective Action After the WTO Protests in Seattle argues that the process of diffusion is dependent on social processes in the receiving context. The most important in social movements is an egalitarian and reflexive deliberation among diverse actors. The book traces the direct action tactics associated with the Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization in 1999 and how these spread to activists in Toronto and New York City. It shows how the structure of the political field, racial and class inequalities, identity boundaries, and organizational and conversational dynamics limited deliberation among activists, and thus limited the diffusion of the Seattle tactics. By constraining the spread of the Seattle tactics, this slowed the global justice movement's wave of protest. In this paper, I explore the application of and implications of this model of protest tactic diffusion to the recent Idle No More mobilizations.

Le livre Direct Action, Deliberation and Diffusion: Collective Action After the WTO Protests in Seattle fait valoir que le processus de diffusion dépend de processus sociaux dans le contexte de réception. Le plus important pour les movements sociaux est une délibération égalitaire et réflexive entre divers acteurs. Le livre retrace les tactiques d'action directe associés aux manifestations de Seattle contre l’Organisation Mondiale du Commerce en 1999 et comment ils se propagent à des militants de Toronto et de New York. Il montre comment la délibération de la structure des inégalités le domaine politique, raciales et de classe, les limites de l'identité et de la dynamique de l'organisation et de la conversation limitée parmi les militants, et donc limiter la diffusion de la tactique de Seattle. En limitant la propagation de la tactique de Seattle, ce ralentissement de la vague de protestation du mouvement altermondialiste. Dans cet article, j'explore l'application et implications de ce modèle de diffusion protestation de tactique pour les dernières Idle No More mobilisations.
La démocratisation de l'enseignement supérieur au Canada: la face cachée de la massification
Authors: Kamanzi Pierre Canisius , Doray Pierre
Published: February 2015

The increase in available student placements at colleges and universities, the implementation of provincial and federal postsecondary education policies, and the rise of the educational aspirations of families and individuals have all led to the massification of Canadian higher education. Based on Merle's typology of the forms of democratization, this article attempts to revisit the theory of equality of opportunities by critically analyzing the link between massification of higher education and social equity. The results of an analysis of longitudinal data from the (YIT) Youth in Transition Survey show that at the age of 24 in 2008, approximately 77% of young Canadians have pursued studies in a college or university. If access to postsecondary education is now higher, to what extent has it improved social equity? The article shows, in light of the Merle's typology, that mass university education is achieved in part under the seal of a segregative democratization, while college education tends to be egalitarian.

L'augmentation de la capacité d'accueil des collèges et des universités, la mise en œuvre de politiques provinciales et fédérales de développement de l'enseignement postsecondaire et la montée des aspirations scolaires des familles et des individus ont contribué à massifier l'enseignement supérieur canadien. En se basant sur la typologie des formes de démocratisation de Merle, le présent article tente de revisiter la théorie de l'égalité des chances en s'interrogeant sur le lien entre la massification de l'enseignement supérieur et l'équité sociale. Les résultats obtenus à partir de données longitudinales provenant de l'Enquête auprès de jeunes en transition (EJET) montrent qu’à l'âge de 24 ans en 2008, environ 77 % des jeunes Canadiens ont poursuivi des études dans un collège ou une université. Si l'accès aux études postsecondaires est aujourd'hui plus élevé, dans quelle mesure celui‐ci a‐t‐il amélioré l’équité sociale? L'article montre, à la lumière de la typologie de Merle, que la massification de l'enseignement universitaire se réalise en partie sous le sceau d'une démocratisation ségrégative, tandis que l'enseignement collégial a tendance à être égalisateur.
The Enduring Influence of Parent's Voluntary Involvement on Their Children's Volunteering in Later Life
Authors: Perks Thomas A. , Konecny Daniel
Published: February 2015

This study investigates the effect of parent's voluntary involvement on their children's volunteering in later life, and examines the degree to which this effect persists across older age cohorts. To accomplish this, we make use of retrospective questions from the 2010 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating that ask respondents about their experiences in their school‐age years. The results show that parental voluntary involvement is positively related to adult voluntary participation, and that the effect of parental voluntary involvement on later volunteerism appears to persist well into adulthood. The implications of these findings for volunteering in Canada are discussed.

Cette étude examine l'effet de la participation bénévole des parents sur le bénévolat de leurs enfants plus tard durante leur vie et la mesure dans laquelle cet effet persiste dans les cohortes plus âgées. À cette fin, nous faisons appel à des questions rétrospectives de l'Enquête canadienne sur le don, le bénévolat et la participation de 2010 qui pose aux répondants des questions sur leurs expériences durant leurs années d'âge scolaire. Les résultats montrent que la participation volontaire des parents est positivement liée à la participation volontaire des adultes et que l'effet de la participation bénévole des parents sur le bénévolat de leurs enfants plus tard dans leur vie semble persister durant leur âge adulte. Les implications de ces résultats pour le bénévolat au Canada sont discutées.
Pharmacokinetics, dynamics and toxicity of docetaxel: Why the Japanese dose differs from the Western dose
Authors: Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Tanigawara Yusuke
Published: February 2015

Docetaxel (Taxotere®) has been one of the most important chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment since 1996. Although a large number of clinical studies have been conducted in various cancer fields, there is a discrepancy in the standard dose between Japan and Western countries. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicological profiles of docetaxel, and explains why there exists an ethnic difference in dose, and further discusses which direction we should go forward to solve this problem. The original recommended dose was 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks in US and European populations, while a Japanese phase I study suggested the recommended dose as 60 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. A prospective population pharmacokinetic analysis of docetaxel conducted in both the USA/Europe and Japan, indicated an absence of ethnic difference in the pharmacokinetics. Both analyses demonstrated that docetaxel clearance is related to α1‐acid glycoprotein level, hepatic function, age and body surface area. The relationship was observed between increasing docetaxel dose and increased tumor response rates across the dose range of 60 to 100 mg/m2. The area under the serum concentration time curve (AUC) of docetaxel at the first cycle was significantly related to time to progression. Hematological toxicities were well correlated with the AUC of docetaxel, and severe hematological toxicities were more frequently observed in Japanese patients treated with 60 mg/m2, compared to the US/European patients treated with 75–100 mg/m2 dose. The Japanese population seems more susceptible to the toxicity of docetaxel. A docetaxel dose of 75 mg/m2 is now standard not only in global trials but also in recent Japanese trials. Although the optimal dose of docetaxel is still unclear, we need to continue to seek the appropriate dose of docetaxel depending on patient status and the goals of chemotherapy.
The SickKids Genome Clinic: developing and evaluating a pediatric model for individualized genomic medicine
Authors: Bowdin S.C. , Hayeems R.Z. , Monfared N. , Cohn R.D. , Meyn M.S.
Published: February 2015

Our increasing knowledge of how genomic variants affect human health and the falling costs of whole‐genome sequencing are driving the development of individualized genomic medicine. This new clinical paradigm uses knowledge of an individual's genomic variants to anticipate, diagnose and manage disease. While individualized genetic medicine offers the promise of transformative change in health care, it forces us to reconsider existing ethical, scientific and clinical paradigms. The potential benefits of pre‐symptomatic identification of at‐risk individuals, improved diagnostics, individualized therapy, accurate prognosis and avoidance of adverse drug reactions coexist with the potential risks of uninterpretable results, psychological harm, outmoded counseling models and increased health care costs. Here we review the challenges, opportunities and limits of integrating genomic analysis into pediatric clinical practice and describe a model for implementing individualized genomic medicine. Our multidisciplinary team of bioinformaticians, health economists, health services and policy researchers, ethicists, geneticists, genetic counselors and clinicians has designed a ‘Genome Clinic’ research project that addresses multiple challenges in pediatric genomic medicine – ranging from development of bioinformatics tools for the clinical assessment of genomic variants and the discovery of disease genes to health policy inquiries, assessment of clinical care models, patient preference and the ethics of consent.
Genetic factors in susceptibility to contact sensitivity
Authors: Friedmann Peter S. , Sanchez‐Elsner Tilman , Schnuch Axel
Published: February 2015

There are clear differences in individual susceptibility to the development of contact allergies; some individuals readily become allergic to many chemicals, and others remain clinically tolerant of everything that they come into contact with. A great number of molecules and pathways can contribute to the perturbation by xenobiotics and the subsequent possible immune response. It is necessary to consider susceptibility in two ways: as allergen‐specific and as non‐allergen‐specific. It is likely that different receptor pathways and processes will be involved in the different forms of susceptibility. As investigations of the genetic control of such susceptibility have failed to identify major genetic control, it is likely that small contributions will be made by many components. Whereas genome‐wide associations and transcriptome analyses may reveal genetic clues in the future, explanation of how/why the expression of multiple molecular components can be controlled in a coordinated fashion may follow from investigation of microRNAs. It is becoming clear that microRNAs can regulate the expression of multiple genes and even multiple components of biochemical pathways.
The effect of lower extremity nerve decompression on health‐related quality of life and perception of pain in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Macaré van Maurik J. F. M. , Oomen R. T. W. , van Hal M. , Kon M. , Peters E. J. G.
Published: February 2015

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess whether surgical decompression of nerves in the lower extremity in people with painful diabetic polyneuropathy would have an effect on health‐related quality of life and to determine minimal clinically important differences in pain and quality of life scores.

Methods

The design was a randomized controlled trial in which 42 participants with painful diabetic painful neuroapthy underwent unilateral decompression of nerves in their left or right leg, using the other leg as a control, with 12 months follow‐up. Surgical decompression was performed at the tibial, superficial, deep and common peroneal nerves. Preoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months post operatively, a visual analogue scale for pain and the 36 item short‐form health survey and EuroQual 5 Dimensions questionnaires were completed.

Results

At 12 months follow‐up, the visual analogue scale was significantly reduced, but decompression surgery did not significantly alter health‐related quality of life scores. The minimal clinically important difference for visual analogue scale reduction was determined at 2.9 points decrease, a threshold reached by 42.5% of the study population.

Conclusions

Although decompression surgery does not influence health‐related quality of life, it achieves a clinically relevant reduction of pain in ~42.5% of people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It can therefore be considered for patients who do not adequately respond to pain medication.
Presence of hypertension modifies the impact of insulin resistance on incident cardiovascular disease in a Middle Eastern population: the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Ghoreishian H. , Tohidi M. , Derakhshan A. , Hajsheikholeslami F. , Azizi F. , Kazempour‐Ardebili S. , Hadaegh F.
Published: February 2015

Aims

To examine the independent impacts of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and the updated model (HOMA2‐IR) on incident cardiovascular /coronary heart disease in a Middle Eastern population with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Methods

We examined 3777 Iranian people, aged ≥ 30 years, without history of cardiovascular disease and without use of antidiabetic medication at baseline. Both HOMA‐IR and HOMA2‐IR were log‐transformed and categorized into quartiles. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model, adjusted for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, was applied to examine the association between HOMA‐IR/HOMA2‐IR with incident cardiovascular/coronary heart disease, considering the lowest quartile as reference.

Results

During a median follow‐up of > 10 years, 197 cardiovascular disease and 181 coronary heart disease events occurred. Among the covariates, we found a significant interaction between hypertension and HOMA‐IR/HOMA2‐IR for incident coronary heart/cardiovascular disease (all P ≤ 0.01). Among the population without hypertension, the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly increased in the second [hazard ratio 1.96 (95% CI 1.04–3.68)], third [hazard ratio 1.93 (95% CI 1.00–3.75)] and fourth [hazard ratio 2.34 (95% CI 1.15–4.75)] quartiles of HOMA‐IR, and the risk of coronary heart disease increased significantly in the fourth quartile of HOMA‐IR [hazard ratio 2.30 (95% CI 1.12–4.73)], but no significant association was detected between HOMA‐IR and cardiovascular/coronary heart disease in the population with hypertension. Among the populations both with and without hypertension, no risk was found to be associated with HOMA2‐IR quartiles however, a 1‐unit increase in HOMA2‐IR was associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease among the non‐hypertensive group [hazard ratio 1.60 (95% CI 1.03–2.48); P = 0.03].

Conclusions

The presence of hypertension modified the impact of HOMA‐IR/HOMA2‐IR on incident cardiovascular/coronary heart disease. The presence of insulin resistance highlighted a significant and independent risk for cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease only in the population without hypertension.
A Closer Look at Socioemotional Wealth: Its Flows, Stocks, and Prospects for Moving Forward
Authors: Chua Jess H. , Chrisman James J. , De Massis Alfredo
Published: February 2015

We supplement the recent work by Miller and Le Breton–Miller by evaluating more closely two related theoretical aspects of the socioemotional wealth concept: (1) the stocks and flows of noneconomic benefits and how they influence family firm behavior; and (2) the use of prospect theory as an umbrella concept. We, thus, contribute to family business research by delineating a number of important research questions related to these two theoretical aspects that need to be addressed if theories of family firm behavior and performance are to move forward.
Focal adhesion kinase and Src expression in premalignant and malignant skin lesions
Authors: Choi Chong Won , Kim Yoon Hwan , Sohn Jin Hee , Lee Hyunjoo , Kim Won‐Serk
Published: February 2015

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src are non‐receptor tyrosine kinases. FAK and Src play a critical role in inducing malignant transformation in tumor cells. We performed immunohistochemical staining for total and phosphorylated forms of FAK and Src, to evaluate the role of FAK and Src in the development of premalignant and malignant skin lesions. A total of 59 facial skin samples (30 actinic keratoses, 10 Bowen's diseases, 13 squamous cell carcinomas and six perilesional skins) were immunohistochemically stained for Ki‐67, total (t) and phosphorylated (p) form of FAK and Src. Cells positive for t‐Src, p‐Src‐y530, t‐FAK and pFAK‐s722 were detected in premalignant intra‐epithelial lesions (PELs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), but not in the perilesional skin. There was a tendency towards high correlation between Ki‐67 and t‐FAK or pFAK‐s722, suggestive of the active role of FAK in cell proliferation. However, our findings of higher t‐Src and p‐Src‐y530 positive cells in PELs, as compared to SCCs (with higher Ki‐67 level), are suggestive of the other role of Src in tumor formation and progression, which requires further investigation.
Knitting and the City
Authors: Price Laura
Published: February 2015

In this paper, I introduce knitting as a popular and underexplored creative practice. Geographers have begun to take interest in craft, skill, and ‘the power of making’ to transform social and material relations and offer new possibilities for urban life. In this paper, I sketch ways that geographers may begin to engage with collective and interventionist knitting in urban environments ‐ in terms of socialities, interventions, and materialities. From knitting circles, yarnbombing to community projects, knitters have begun to stitch new enthusiasms, temporalities, sensorial possibilities, and enchantments into the urban fabric. I conclude the paper ‐ with future directions for geographical engagement with a variety of craft practices that encourage reflection on the people, places, and economies, of ‘making things’ through the example of knitting.
Geographies of Human Rights: Mapping Responsibility
Authors: Laliberté Nicole
Published: February 2015

Geography has much to contribute to the critical study of human rights. To date, geographic scholarship has tended to follow international trends in connecting the rights discourse to social and environmental justice agendas. Human rights, in these contexts, are assumed to be part of emancipatory politics. It is in challenging this assumption that I suggest critical geographic inquiry has more to offer. In this paper, I review critical geographic literature that explicitly focuses on the spatial processes of human rights around the world. Through this review, I identify a gap in the literature regarding the negotiations of responsibility that shape human rights discourses and practices. I draw on feminist and postcolonial theories of responsibility to highlight geography's potential for examining such negotiations to illuminate how responsibility is claimed, denied, ascribed, enacted, and avoided. Ultimately, I suggest mapping negotiations of responsibility as they cross scales, traverse space, and shape place will provide us with new and evocative lenses for critiquing the place of human rights within an emancipatory politics.
The Rhetoric and Reality of Partnerships for International Development
Authors: Schaaf Rebecca
Published: February 2015

Over the past 60 years, the international development landscape has become far more complex. There is now a much wider range and number of organisations involved in some aspect of poverty alleviation, and an increasing emphasis on collaborative activities and forming partnerships to achieve development goals. This approach has been reinforced by the eighth Millennium Development Goal, which calls for a global partnership for development, the emerging Sustainable Development Goals, as well as recent multi‐stakeholder partnerships including the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, which evolved from the Busan Partnership agreement devised at the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. However, there are many challenges to partnerships, both in terms of defining their form and operation, but also achieving sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships for development. The advocating of partnerships in development policy suggests significant normative advantages to a more collaborative approach; however, other literature are more cautious, highlighting a number of pitfalls including reductions in effectiveness, difficulties in implementation and conflicts of interest. This article reviews the contemporary nature of partnerships for international development and considers their role in achieving more effective development cooperation.
Permeability of the Mercia Mudstone: suitability as caprock to carbon capture and storage sites
Authors: Armitage P. J. , Worden R. H. , Faulkner D. R. , Butcher A. R. , Espie A. A.
Published: February 2015

The Upper Triassic Mercia Mudstone is the caprock to potential carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites in porous and permeable Lower Triassic Sherwood Sandstone reservoirs and aquifers in the UK (primarily offshore). This study presents direct measurements of vertical (kv) and horizontal (kh) permeability of core samples from the Mercia Mudstone across a range of effective stress conditions to test their caprock quality and to assess how they will respond to changing effective stress conditions that may occur during CO2 injection and storage. The Mercia samples analysed were either clay‐rich (muddy) siltstones or relatively clean siltstones cemented by carbonate and gypsum. Porosity is fairly uniform (between 7.4 and 10.7%). Porosity is low either due to abundant depositional illite or abundant diagenetic carbonate and gypsum cements. Permeability values are as low as 10−20 m2 (10nD), and therefore, the Mercia has high sealing capacity. These rocks have similar horizontal and vertical permeabilities with the highest kh/kv ratio of 2.03 but an upscaled kh/kv ratio is 39, using the arithmetic mean of kh and the harmonic mean of kv. Permeability is inversely related to the illite clay content; the most clay‐rich (illite‐rich) samples represent very good caprock quality; the cleaner Mercia Mudstone samples, with pore‐filling carbonate and gypsum cements, represent fair to good caprock quality. Pressure sensitivity of permeability increases with increasing clay mineral content. As pore pressure increases during CO2 injection, the permeability of the most clay‐rich rocks will increase more than carbonate‐ and gypsum‐rich rocks, thus decreasing permeability heterogeneity. The best quality Mercia Mudstone caprock is probably not geochemically sensitive to CO2 injection as illite, the cause of the lowest permeability, is relatively stable in the presence of CO2–water mixtures.
Polyphenols as active ingredients for cosmetic products
Authors: Zillich O. V. , Schweiggert‐Weisz U. , Eisner P. , Kerscher M.
Published: February 2015

Synopsis

Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐microbial activity. They are ubiquitously distributed in the plant kingdom; high amounts contain, for example, green tea and grape seeds. Polyphenolic extracts are attractive ingredients for cosmetics and pharmacy due to their beneficial biological properties. This review summarizes the effects of polyphenols in the context of anti‐ageing activity. We have explored in vitro studies, which investigate antioxidant activity, inhibition of dermal proteases and photoprotective activity, mostly studied using dermal fibroblasts or epidermal keratinocytes cell lines. Possible negative effects of polyphenols were also discussed. Further, some physicochemical aspects, namely the possible interactions with emulsifiers and the influence of the cosmetic formulation on the skin delivery, were reported. Finally, few clinical studies, which cover the anti‐ageing action of polyphenols on the skin after topical application, were reviewed.
University choice: which attributes matter when you are paying the full price?
Authors: Walsh Caroline , Moorhouse Jan , Dunnett Andrew , Barry Cornelius
Published: February 2015

This article presents the results from a longitudinal study of students' choice of university in England. Students were surveyed initially when applying for university (Wave One) and then again when they were about to embark on their chosen course (Wave Two). The results from Wave Two demonstrated a high degree of consistency with the Wave One findings: course and university reputation are far more important and fees are relatively unimportant. However, a key result across both waves was that patterns of utility for students with no parental experience of university were significantly different from students whose parents had attended university. The utility associated with different levels of entry qualifications, of fees and of university and course reputation, differed between social groups. The study suggests that the benefits of going to a highly rated university may be undervalued in families that have no direct experience of higher education. In addition, whilst females are more significantly put off by universities with low entry requirements, the qualitative attitudinal statements included in the follow‐up study seem to indicate that so‐called ‘softer’ factors may also influence their choice.