bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religiosity and Regional Variation of Lethal Violence
Authors: Chon Don Soo
Published: March 2015

The present study tested the impact of religiosity and region on lethal violence in 83 countries by applying an integrated model. The regression results provided support for Durkheim’s proposition that religious passion might lead to a high homicide rate in a society. However, religiosity was significantly and negatively connected to the suicide rate, suggesting that religious secularization is related to an increased national suicide rate. Finally, the Latin American region exhibited an elevated homicide rate, while North Africa and the Middle East displayed low homicide and suicide rates.
Associations between individual and relationship characteristics and genital herpes disclosure
Authors: Myers Jaime L , Buhi Eric R , Marhefka Stephanie , Daley Ellen , Dedrick Robert
Published: March 2015

Disclosure is often a challenge for individuals living with genital herpes. This study explores determinants of genital herpes disclosure with one’s most recent sexual partner using an online questionnaire ( n = 93). The majority of participants reported (80.4%) disclosure. Among non-disclosers, fear of negative partner reactions was the primary reason for non-disclosure. Age, relationship commitment, time in relationship, and expectations of partner’s reaction were statistically significant predictors at the bivariate level. Reaction expectations and relationship commitment remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression model. Findings indicate that future disclosure research should focus on relationship context and managing negative expectations to increase disclosure.
The process of development of a prioritization tool for a clinical decision support build within a computerized provider order entry system: Experiences from St Luke’s Health System
Authors: Wolf Matthew , Miller Suzanne , DeJong Doug , House John A , Dirks Carl , Beasley Brent
Published: March 2015

To establish a process for the development of a prioritization tool for a clinical decision support build within a computerized provider order entry system and concurrently to prioritize alerts for Saint Luke’s Health System. The process of prioritizing clinical decision support alerts included (a) consensus sessions to establish a prioritization process and identify clinical decision support alerts through a modified Delphi process and (b) a clinical decision support survey to validate the results. All members of our health system’s physician quality organization, Saint Luke’s Care as well as clinicians, administrators, and pharmacy staff throughout Saint Luke’s Health System, were invited to participate in this confidential survey. The consensus sessions yielded a prioritization process through alert contextualization and associated Likert-type scales. Utilizing this process, the clinical decision support survey polled the opinions of 850 clinicians with a 64.7 percent response rate. Three of the top rated alerts were approved for the pre-implementation build at Saint Luke’s Health System: Acute Myocardial Infarction Core Measure Sets, Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis within 4 h, and Criteria for Sepsis. This study establishes a process for developing a prioritization tool for a clinical decision support build within a computerized provider order entry system that may be applicable to similar institutions.
Trust and the wealth of nations
Authors: Gur Nurullah
Published: March 2015

In this article, we survey a growing body of evidence showing the effects of trust on the wealth of nations. It is important to understand the mechanisms through which trust affects the wealth of nations. This article suggests that trust has effects on the wealth of nations mainly through five channels. These channels are: (a) investment in human and physical capital, (b) financial development, (c) public expenditures, (d) regulations and institutions and (e) the organization of firms.
Producing social capital as a development strategy: Implications at the micro-level
Authors: Seferiadis Anastasia A. , Cummings Sarah , Zweekhorst Marjolein B.M. , Bunders Joske F.G.
Published: March 2015

This article considers how social capital can contribute to poverty alleviation at the micro-level, based on an analysis of the documentary evidence provided by theoretical perspectives and empirical studies. Across countries and contexts, micro-credit, agricultural production and marketing, environmental protection and knowledge networking are linked to productive social capital. Four mechanisms to strengthen social capital are identified: structural opportunity to meet, ‘know-how’ of social interaction, sense of belonging and an ethos of mutuality. We envision that opportunities within the development practice exist to foster such mechanisms, and recommend in-depth studies to enhance our understanding of social capital production mechanisms.
Book Review: Hashim, I. and Thorsen, D. 2011: Child Migration in Africa
Authors: Guha Mirna
Published: March 2015

Hashim, I. and Thorsen, D. 2011: Child Migration in Africa. London: Zed Books. X + 150 pp. £70.00 cloth, £21.99 paper, £21.98 e-book. ISBN: 9781848134553 (cloth), 9781848134560 (paper), 9781780321196 (e-book).
Border Citizenry and the Arbitrary Civil Protection of Black Males
Authors: Jackson Ronald L. , Balaji Murali
Published: March 2015

The words “police brutality” when paired together ought to sound like an oxymoron. Yet we have learned that marginalized group members have somehow not earned the same protection under the law as others. Although the law is the site at which ordinary citizens depend on jurisprudence, fairness, and integrity in the United States, the failure of the state apparatus to ensure such protection has facilitated the production of border communities. By “border communities,” I do not mean those neighborhoods that are adjacent or contiguous. I mean there are very real cultural, social, political, and discursive separations that enable a sort of new artificial boundaries to be drawn that in effect disable the continuity, commonality, and sense of community that binds us together as human beings. Like all other borders, there are patrols, territories, migrations, police, and politics whose structural parameters constitute barriers to progress. This article examines whether there is any possibility of dismantling these boundaries and allowing the borders to effectively disappear or whether we will always be left with border communities that imprint our citizens with the stain of hegemony, entitlement, and patriarchy. Both Emmett Till and Trayvon Martin are treated as cases that are emblematic of a larger social terror and enigmatic set of privileges that remain unchecked.
I’m Positive, But I’m Negative
Authors: Rautenbach Clinton , Lindegger Graham , Slack Catherine , Wallace Melissa , Newman Peter
Published: March 2015

HIV vaccine trials (HVTs) are ethically complex, and sound informed consent processes should facilitate optimal decision-making for participants. This study aimed to explore representations of critical HVT-related concepts to enhance the consent process. Four focus group discussions were conducted with participants from key constituencies at a South African HVT site. Thematic analysis was employed to identify representations of key HVT-related concepts. The findings suggest that (potential) participants may negotiate multiple, competing versions of HVT-related concepts in a somewhat unrecognized process, which may have significant implications for the consent process. Stakeholders involved in consent and engagement activities at sites should be assisted to elicit, engage, and resolve competing representations of HVT-related concepts. More empirical research is needed to explore how such stakeholders address competing representations in their interactions with potential participants.
Value of pentraxin-3 and galectin-3 in acute coronary syndrome: a short-term prospective cohort study
Authors: George Melvin , Shanmugam Elangovan , Srivatsan Varsha , Vasanth Karunamoorthy , Ramraj Balaji , Rajaram Muthukumar , Jena Amrita , Sridhar Aruna , Chaudhury Minakshi , Kaliappan Ilango
Published: March 2015

Background:

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Galectin-3 and pentraxin-3 are two prognostic biomarkers that have been studied in heart failure (HF). However, there are limited data on these biomarkers in the ACS population. The objective of the study was to determine the variables that are most affected by high concentrations of pentraxin-3 and galectin-3, and the influence they have on outcomes of all-cause mortality in patients with ACS.

Methods:

We included a total of 160 patients [ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), n = 64; non STEMI/unstable angina (NSTEMI/UA), n = 38; and control subjects with chronic stable angina (CSA)/microvascular angina (MVA) n = 58]. Plasma pentraxin-3 and galectin-3 levels were assessed from these patients at the time of hospital admission. Major adverse cardiovascular events including all-cause mortality, rehospitalizations and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were assessed at 6 months.

Results:

The median concentration of pentraxin-3 and galectin-3 were significantly higher in STEMI than in NSTEMI patients ( p < 0.005) or controls ( p < 0.005). Greater numbers of deaths (4 versus 0) were observed in STEMI patients with higher levels of these biomarkers. In addition, ACS patients with high levels of pentraxin-3 and galectin-3 had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ( p < 0.005), and a moderate correlation was observed between LVEF and pentraxin-3 levels ( r = -0.45, p < 0.005). Patients with higher galectin-3 levels were also observed to have a lower estimated glomerular fraction rate (eGFR), and a moderate correlation was observed between them ( r = -0.34, p < 0.005).

Conclusion:

Pentraxin-3 and galectin-3 hold much promise in the ACS population as prognostic biomarkers.
The development and validation of a questionnaire for rotator cuff disorders: The Functional Shoulder Score
Authors: Iossifidis Anestis , Ibrahim Edward F , Petrou Charalambos , Galanos Antonis
Published: March 2015

Background

The purpose of the present study was to validate the Functional Shoulder Score (FSS), a new patient-reported outcome score specifically designed to evaluate patients with rotator cuff disorders.

Methods

One hundred and nineteen patients were assessed using two shoulder scoring systems [the FSS and the Constant–Murley Score (CMS)] at 3 weeks pre- and 6 months post-arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery. The reliability, validity, responsiveness and interpretability of the FSS were evaluated.

Results

Reliability analysis (test–retest) showed an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.92 to 0.98]. Internal consistency analysis revealed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93. The Pearson correlation coefficient FSS-CMS was 0.782 pre-operatively and 0.737 postoperatively ( p < 0.0005). There was a statistically significant increase in FSS scores postoperatively, an effect size of 3.06 and standardized response mean of 2.80. The value for minimal detectable change was ±8.38 scale points (based on a 90% CI) and the minimal clinically important difference for improvement was 24.7 ± 5.4 points.

Conclusions

The FSS is a patient-reported outcome measure that can easily be incorporated into clinical practice, providing a quick, reliable, valid and practical measure for rotator cuff problems. The questionnaire is highly sensitive to clinical change.
2013 Subtalar Arthroereisis Survey
Authors: Shah Neil S. , Needleman Richard L. , Bokhari Omaima , Buzas David
Published: March 2015

Background. Subtalar arthroereisis (SA) has been a procedure used for the correction of painful flexible flatfoot deformity in adults and children. Clinical studies of patients who had a SA are sparse and with mixed results and variable indications. The purpose of this study was to determine the current practice among orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists regarding SA. Methods. Web-based questionnaires were e-mailed to members of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Requested information included demographics and practice patterns in regard to performing SA surgery. A total of 572 respondents completed the survey (32% response rate). Results. A total of 273 respondents (48%) have performed SA. Of this group, 187 respondents (69%) still perform this procedure (33% of total respondents currently perform SA). Of the respondents, 401 (70%) practice in the United States, 40% have performed SA, and 60% of those still perform this procedure. Of non-US respondents, 66% have performed SA, and 80% of those still perform it. The most common US indications are painful congenital flatfoot, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and flatfoot associated with accessory navicular. Conclusion. Many doctors have performed SA, and a significant number no longer perform this procedure for various reasons. A greater percentage of non-US practitioners have performed and continue to perform SA than their counterparts in the United States. There is a common list of surgical indications. Most doctors who still perform this procedure have removed the implants, commonly for pain. SA is still being performed in the United States and throughout the world.
Do Environmental Sustainable Practices of Organic Wine Suppliers Affect Consumers’ Behavioral Intentions? The Moderating Role of Trust
Authors: Bonn Mark A. , Cronin J. Joseph , Cho Meehee
Published: March 2015

Growing consumer interest in sustainable products and an increased emphasis on supply chain relationships within the organic wine industry necessitate a more in-depth understanding of the effects of consumer perceptions about the sustainable practices of organic wine producers and retailers (suppliers). This study focuses on consumer perceptions about sustainable practices used by organic wine suppliers along with consumer attitudes pertaining to organic wine attributes. Results suggest that consumer perceptions of sustainable practices by wine producers affect the outcomes of consumers’ decision making relative to organic wine. In addition, this study found that consumer attitudes about organic wine attributes related to the environment, health, and price had significant effects upon behavioral intentions. The moderating effects of trust on these perceptions are also considered. Findings indicate consumers that trust wine retailers are more likely to engage in positive outcomes. Numerous implications regarding organic wine supply chain management and future research are identified.
Soft systems methodology for personalized learning environment
Authors: Nair Uday
Published: March 2015

There are two sides to a coin when it comes to implementing technology at universities; on one side, there is the university using technologies via the virtual learning environment that seems to be outdated with the digital needs of the students, and on the other side, while implementing technology at the university learning environment the focus is primarily on the technology more than the learning process students undergo. This paper looks at using soft systems methodology as a ‘potential approach’ towards (a) bringing the two sides of the coin together by working with different stakeholders at the university and (b) identifying the needs and requirements for a personalized learning environment that would satisfy the learning needs and styles of learners, thereby shifting the paradigm from institution/tutor-centric to a learner-centric approach. This paper also highlights some criticisms towards the existing e-learning system in place at universities, and the role a systems approach could play in the design of online learning environments.
The emergency framing of solar geoengineering: Time for a different approach
Authors: Horton Joshua B
Published: March 2015

Solar geoengineering has been proposed as a possible response measure in the event of a ‘climate emergency’. Scientific evidence for climate emergencies in the form of tipping points, however, is contested and unsettled. Furthermore, declarations of emergency entail authoritarian political tendencies that historically have given rise to repression and abuse. By definition, an emergency must exhibit a combination of high risk, urgency and necessity; no plausible climatic tipping point displays all these attributes simultaneously. A weak scientific basis together with genuine societal peril argues against the continued emergency framing of solar geoengineering.
The research capacity and culture of Australian podiatrists
Authors: Williams Cylie M , Lazzarini Peter A
Published: March 2015

Background

Best practice clinical health care is widely recognised to be founded on evidence based practice. Enhancing evidence based practice via the rapid translation of new evidence into every day clinical practice is fundamental to the success of health care and in turn health care professions. There is little known about the collective research capacity and culture of the podiatry profession across Australia. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the research capacity and culture of the podiatry profession within Australia and determine if there were any differences between podiatrists working in different health sectors and workplaces.

Method

All registered podiatrists were eligible to participate in a cross‐sectional online survey. The Australian Podiatry Associations disseminated the survey and all podiatrists were encouraged to distribute it to colleagues. The Research Capacity and Culture (RCC) tool was used to collect all research capacity and culture item variables using a 10‐point scale (1 = lowest; 10 = highest). Additional demographic, workplace and health sector data variables were also collected. Mann–Whitney‐U, Kruskal–Wallis and logistic regression analyses were used to determine any difference between health sectors and workplaces. Word cloud analysis was used for qualitative responses of individual motivators and barriers to research culture.

Results

There were 232 fully completed surveys (6% of Australian registered podiatrists). Overall respondents reported low success or skills (Median rating < 4) on the majority of individual success or skill items. Podiatrists working in multi‐practitioner workplaces reported higher individual success or skills in the majority of items compared with sole practitioners (p < 0.05). Non‐clinical and public health sector podiatrists reported significantly higher post‐graduate study enrolment or completion, research activity participation, provisions to undertake research and individual success or skill than those working privately.

Conclusions

This study suggests that podiatrists in Australia report similar low levels of research success or skill to those reported in other allied health professions. The workplace setting and health sector seem to play key roles in self reported research success and skills. This is important knowledge for podiatrists and researchers aiming to translate research evidence into clinical practice.
Severe and multiple hypoglycemic episodes are associated with increased risk of death in ICU patients
Authors: Kalfon Pierre , Le Manach Yannick , Ichai Carole , Bréchot Nicolas , Cinotti Raphaël , Dequin Pierre-François , Riu-Poulenc Béatrice , Montravers Philippe , Annane Djilalli , Dupont Hervé , Sorine Michel , Riou Bruno ,   on behalf of the CGAO-REA Study Group
Published: March 2015

Introduction

In a randomized controlled trial comparing tight glucose control with a computerized decision support system and conventional protocols (post hoc analysis), we tested the hypothesis that hypoglycemia is associated with a poor outcome, even when controlling for initial severity.

Methods

We looked for moderate (2.2 to 3.3 mmol/L) and severe (<2.2 mmol/L) hypoglycemia, multiple hypoglycemic events (n ≥3) and the other main components of glycemic control (mean blood glucose level and blood glucose coefficient of variation (CV)). The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. We used both a multivariable analysis taking into account only variables observed at admission and a multivariable matching process (greedy matching algorithm; caliper width of 10−5 digit with no replacement).

Results

A total of 2,601 patients were analyzed and divided into three groups: no hypoglycemia (n =1,474), moderate hypoglycemia (n =874, 34%) and severe hypoglycemia (n =253, 10%). Patients with moderate or severe hypoglycemia had a poorer prognosis, as shown by a higher mortality rate (36% and 54%, respectively, vs. 28%) and decreased number of treatment-free days. In the multivariable analysis, severe (odds ratio (OR), 1.50; 95% CI, 1.36 to 1.56; P =0.043) and multiple hypoglycemic events (OR, 1.76, 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.37; P <0.001) were significantly associated with mortality, whereas blood glucose CV was not. Using multivariable matching, patients with severe (53% vs. 35%; P <0.001), moderate (33% vs. 27%; P =0.029) and multiple hypoglycemic events (46% vs. 32%, P <0.001) had a higher 90-day mortality.

Conclusion

In a large cohort of ICU patients, severe hypoglycemia and multiple hypoglycemic events were associated with increased 90-day mortality.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01002482. Registered 26 October 2009.
Systolic blood pressure and short-term mortality in the emergency department and prehospital setting: a hospital-based cohort study
Authors: Kristensen Anders Kasper Bruun , Holler Jon Gitz , Mikkelsen Søren , Hallas Jesper , Lassen Annmarie
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Systolic blood pressure is a widely used tool to assess circulatory function in acutely ill patients. The systolic blood pressure limit where a given patient should be considered hypotensive is the subject of debate and recent studies have advocated higher systolic blood pressure thresholds than the traditional 90 mmHg. The aim of this study was to identify the best performing systolic blood pressure thresholds with regards to predicting 7-day mortality and to evaluate the applicability of these in the emergency department as well as in the prehospital setting.

Methods

A retrospective, hospital-based cohort study was performed at Odense University Hospital that included all adult patients in the emergency department between 1995 and 2011, all patients transported to the emergency department in ambulances in the period 2012 to 2013, and all patients serviced by the physician-staffed mobile emergency care unit (MECU) in Odense between 2007 and 2013. We used the first recorded systolic blood pressure and the main outcome was 7-day mortality. Best performing thresholds were identified with methods based on receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and multivariate regression. The performance of systolic blood pressure thresholds was evaluated with standard summary statistics for diagnostic tests.

Results

Seven-day mortality rates varied from 1.8 % (95 % CI (1.7, 1.9)) of 112,727 patients in the emergency department to 2.2 % (95 % CI (2.0, 2.5)) of 15,862 patients in the ambulance and 5.7 % (95 % CI (5.3, 6.2)) of 12,270 patients in the mobile emergency care units. Best performing thresholds ranged from 95 to 119 mmHg in the emergency department, 103 to 120 mmHg in the ambulance, and 101 to 115 mmHg in the MECU but area under the ROC curve indicated poor overall discriminatory performance of SBP thresholds in all cohorts.

Conclusions

Systolic blood pressure alone is not sufficient to identify patients at risk regardless of the defined threshold for hypotension. If, however, a threshold is to be defined, a systolic blood pressure threshold of 100 to 110 mmHg is probably more relevant than the traditional 90 mmHg.
Podocalyxin enhances breast tumor growth and metastasis and is a target for monoclonal antibody therapy
Authors: Snyder Kimberly A , Hughes Michael R , Hedberg Bradley , Brandon Jill , Hernaez Diana Canals , Bergqvist Peter , Cruz Frederic , Po Kelvin , Graves Marcia L , Turvey Michelle E , Nielsen Julie S , Wilkins John A , McColl Shaun R , Babcook John S , Roskelley Calvin D , McNagny Kelly M
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Podocalyxin (gene name PODXL) is a CD34-related sialomucin implicated in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration and polarity. Upregulated expression of podocalyxin is linked to poor patient survival in epithelial cancers. However, it is not known if podocalyxin has a functional role in tumor progression.

Methods

We silenced podocalyxin expression in the aggressive basal-like human (MDA-MB-231) and mouse (4T1) breast cancer cell lines and also overexpressed podocalyxin in the more benign human breast cancer cell line, MCF7. We evaluated how podocalyxin affects tumorsphere formation in vitro and compared the ability of podocalyxin-deficient and podocalyxin-replete cell lines to form tumors and metastasize using xenogenic or syngeneic transplant models in mice. Finally, in an effort to develop therapeutic treatments for systemic cancers, we generated a series of antihuman podocalyxin antibodies and screened these for their ability to inhibit tumor progression in xenografted mice.

Results

Although deletion of podocalyxin does not alter gross cell morphology and growth under standard (adherent) culture conditions, expression of PODXL is required for efficient formation of tumorspheres in vitro. Correspondingly, silencing podocalyxin resulted in attenuated primary tumor growth and invasiveness in mice and severely impaired the formation of distant metastases. Likewise, in competitive tumor engraftment assays where we injected a 50:50 mixture of control and shPODXL (short-hairpin RNA targeting PODXL)-expressing cells, we found that podocalyxin-deficient cells exhibited a striking decrease in the ability to form clonal tumors in the lung, liver and bone marrow. Finally, to validate podocalyxin as a viable target for immunotherapy, we screened a series of novel antihuman podocalyxin antibodies for their ability to inhibit tumor progression in vivo. One of these antibodies, PODOC1, potently blocked tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusions

We show that podocalyxin plays a key role in the formation of primary tumors and distant tumor metastasis. In addition, we validate podocalyxin as potential target for monoclonal antibody therapy to inhibit primary tumor growth and systemic dissemination.
HIV effects on age-associated neurocognitive dysfunction: premature cognitive aging or neurodegenerative disease?
Authors: Cohen Ronald A , Seider Talia R , Navia Bradford
Published: March 2015

Marked improvements in survival and health outcome for people infected with HIV have occurred since the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy over a decade ago. Yet HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders continue to occur with an alarming prevalence. This may reflect the fact that infected people are now living longer with chronic infection. There is mounting evidence that HIV exacerbates age-associated cognitive decline. Many middle-aged HIV-infected people are experiencing cognitive decline similar that to that found among much older adults. An increased prevalence of vascular and metabolic comorbidities has also been observed and is greatest among older adults with HIV. Premature age-associated neurocognitive decline appears to be related to structural and functional brain changes on neuroimaging, and of particular concern is the fact that pathology indicative of neurodegenerative disease has been shown to occur in the brains of HIV-infected people. Yet notable differences also exist between the clinical presentation and brain disturbances occurring with HIV and those occurring in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. HIV interacts with the aging brain to affect neurological structure and function. However, whether this interaction directly affects neurodegenerative processes, accelerates normal cognitive aging, or contributes to a worsening of other comorbidities that affect the brain in older adults remains an open question. Evidence for and against each of these possibilities is reviewed.
Fixed point and common fixed point results in cone metric space and application to invariant approximation
Authors: Kumar Anil , Rathee Savita
Published: March 2015

In this work, the concept of almost contraction for multi-valued mappings in the setting of cone metric spaces is defined and then we establish some fixed point and common fixed point results in the set-up of cone metric spaces. As an application, some invariant approximation results are obtained. The results of this paper extend and improve the corresponding results of multi-valued mapping from metric space theory to cone metric spaces. Further our results improve the recent result of Arshad and Ahmad (Sci. World J. 2013:481601, 2013).
The medial circumflex femoral artery origin variability and its radiological and surgical intervention significance
Authors: Al-Talalwah Waseem
Published: March 2015

The medial circumflex femoral artery usually arises from the deep femoral artery. It supplies the supplies adductors and hamstring group as well as sciatic nerve and femoral head and neck through anastomosis. In current study includes 342 dissected hemipelvis to clarify the origin of medial circumflex femoral artery. The medial circumflex femoral artery arose from the common and deep femoral artery in 39.3% and 57%. Infrequently, it arose from the superficial femoral artery in 2.5% whereas it arose from the lateral circumflex femoral artery in 0.6%. In contrast, it found to be congenital absent in 0.6%. In current study, the usual origin level of medial circumflex femoral artery found to be proximal to lateral circumflex femoral artery in 52% and distal to the deep femoral artery in 57.3%. Knowing the medial circumflex femoral artery limits avascular necrosis of the femoral head such as embolization procedure. Therefore, knowing the origin variability of the medial circumflex femoral artery may lead to avoid iatrogenic fault in several procedures such as arterial bypass procedure to protect vascular supply of lower limb. Radiologists as well as orthopedics and vascular surgeons have to be aware of the medial circumflex femoral artery variation.
The numerical frontier of the high-redshift Universe
Authors: Greif Thomas H
Published: March 2015

The first stars are believed to have formed a few hundred million years after the big bang in so-called dark matter minihalos with masses $\sim 10^{6}\mbox{ M}_{\odot}$
∼

10

6

 M
⊙

. Their radiation lit up the Universe for the first time, and the supernova explosions that ended their brief lives enriched the intergalactic medium with the first heavy elements. Influenced by their feedback, the first galaxies assembled in halos with masses $\sim10^{8}\mbox{ M}_{\odot}$
∼

10

8

 M
⊙

, and hosted the first metal-enriched stellar populations. In this review, I summarize the theoretical progress made in the field of high-redshift star and galaxy formation since the turn of the millennium, with an emphasis on numerical simulations. These have become the method of choice to understand the multi-scale, multi-physics problem posed by structure formation in the early Universe. In the first part of the review, I focus on the formation of the first stars in minihalos - in particular the post-collapse phase, where disk fragmentation, protostellar evolution, and radiative feedback become important. I also discuss the influence of additional physical processes, such as magnetic fields and streaming velocities. In the second part of the review, I summarize the various feedback mechanisms exerted by the first stars, followed by a discussion of the first galaxies and the various physical processes that operate in them.
Human tendon adaptation in response to mechanical loading: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise intervention studies on healthy adults
Authors: Bohm Sebastian , Mersmann Falk , Arampatzis Adamantios
Published: March 2015

Background

The present article systematically reviews recent literature on the in vivo adaptation of asymptomatic human tendons following increased chronic mechanical loading, and meta-analyzes the loading conditions, intervention outcomes, as well as methodological aspects.

Methods

The search was performed in the databases PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus as well as in the reference lists of the eligible articles. A study was included if it conducted (a) a longitudinal exercise intervention (≥8 weeks) on (b) healthy humans (18 to 50 years), (c) investigating the effects on mechanical (i.e., stiffness), material (i.e., Young’s modulus) and/or morphological properties (i.e., cross-sectional area (CSA)) of tendons in vivo, and was reported (d) in English language. Weighted average effect sizes (SMD, random-effects) and heterogeneity (Q and I

2
statistics) of the intervention-induced changes of tendon stiffness, Young’s modulus, and CSA were calculated. A subgroup analysis was conducted regarding the applied loading intensity, muscle contraction type, and intervention duration. Further, the methodological study quality and the risk of bias were assessed.

Results

The review process yielded 27 studies with 37 separate interventions on either the Achilles or patellar tendon (264 participants). SMD was 0.70 (confidence interval: 0.51, 0.88) for tendon stiffness (N=37), 0.69 (0.36, 1.03) for Young’s modulus (N=17), and 0.24 (0.07, 0.42) for CSA (N=33), with significant overall intervention effects (p<0.05). The heterogeneity analysis (stiffness: I

2
=30%; Young’s modulus: I

2
=57%; CSA: I

2
=21%) indicated that differences in the loading conditions may affect the adaptive responses. The subgroup analysis confirmed that stiffness adaptation significantly (p<0.05) depends on loading intensity (I

2
=0%), but not on muscle contraction type. Although not significantly different, SMD was higher for interventions with longer duration (≥12 weeks). The average score of 71±9% in methodological quality assessment indicated an appropriate quality of most studies.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis provides elaborate statistical evidence that tendons are highly responsive to diverse loading regimens. However, the data strongly suggests that loading magnitude in particular plays a key role for tendon adaptation in contrast to muscle contraction type. Furthermore, intervention-induced changes in tendon stiffness seem to be more attributed to adaptations of the material rather than morphological properties.
Evaluation of Seismic Response Factors for Eccentrically Braced Frames Using FEMA P695 Methodology
Authors: Kuşyılmaz Ahmet , Topkaya Cem
Published: March 2015

This paper reports details of a numerical study undertaken to evaluate seismic response factors for steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) using the FEMA P695 methodology. Six archetypes were designed by making use of the current U.S. specifications, and their behavior was assessed by making use of nonsimulated collapse models. Results indicate that the current values of response factors result in designs with higher collapse probabilities than expected. Two modifications were developed to bring the collapse probability of these archetypes to acceptable levels. The first modification is on the deflection amplification factor while the second one is on the response modification coefficient. Six archetypes were redesigned using the proposed modifications and reevaluated using the FEMA P695 methodology. The results indicate that the proposed modifications are adequate to satisfy the target collapse probability. Maximum and cumulative link rotation angles were observed to be less than the predefined limits.
Primary root protophloem differentiation requires balanced phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate levels and systemically affects root branching
Authors: Rodriguez-Villalon Antia , Gujas Bojan , van Wijk Ringo , Munnik Teun , Hardtke Christian S.
Published: March 2015

Protophloem is a specialized vascular tissue in growing plant organs, such as root meristems. In Arabidopsis mutants with impaired primary root protophloem differentiation, brevis radix (brx) and octopus (ops), meristematic activity and consequently overall root growth are strongly reduced. Second site mutation in the protophloem-specific presumed phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase COTYLEDON VASCULAR PATTERN 2 (CVP2), but not in its homolog CVP2-LIKE 1 (CVL1), partially rescues brx defects. Consistent with this finding, CVP2 hyperactivity in a wild-type background recreates a brx phenotype. Paradoxically, however, while cvp2 or cvl1 single mutants display no apparent root defects, the root phenotype of cvp2 cvl1 double mutants is similar to brx or ops, although, as expected, cvp2 cvl1 seedlings contain more phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate. Thus, tightly balanced phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate levels appear essential for proper protophloem differentiation. Genetically, OPS acts downstream of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate levels, as cvp2 mutation cannot rescue ops defects, whereas increased OPS dose rescues cvp2 cvl1 defects. Finally, all three mutants display higher density and accelerated emergence of lateral roots, which correlates with increased auxin response in the root differentiation zone. This phenotype is also created by application of peptides that suppress protophloem differentiation, CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION 26 (CLE26) and CLE45. Thus, local changes in the primary root protophloem systemically shape overall root system architecture.
Robust derivation of epicardium and its differentiated smooth muscle cell progeny from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Iyer Dharini , Gambardella Laure , Bernard William G. , Serrano Felipe , Mascetti Victoria L. , Pedersen Roger A. , Talasila Amarnath , Sinha Sanjay
Published: March 2015

The epicardium has emerged as a multipotent cardiovascular progenitor source with therapeutic potential for coronary smooth muscle cell, cardiac fibroblast (CF) and cardiomyocyte regeneration, owing to its fundamental role in heart development and its potential ability to initiate myocardial repair in injured adult tissues. Here, we describe a chemically defined method for generating epicardium and epicardium-derived smooth muscle cells (EPI-SMCs) and CFs from human pluripotent stem cells (HPSCs) through an intermediate lateral plate mesoderm (LM) stage. HPSCs were initially differentiated to LM in the presence of FGF2 and high levels of BMP4. The LM was robustly differentiated to an epicardial lineage by activation of WNT, BMP and retinoic acid signalling pathways. HPSC-derived epicardium displayed enhanced expression of epithelial- and epicardium-specific markers, exhibited morphological features comparable with human foetal epicardial explants and engrafted in the subepicardial space in vivo. The in vitro-derived epicardial cells underwent an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition when treated with PDGF-BB and TGFβ1, resulting in vascular SMCs that displayed contractile ability in response to vasoconstrictors. Furthermore, the EPI-SMCs displayed low density lipoprotein uptake and effective lowering of lipoprotein levels upon treatment with statins, similar to primary human coronary artery SMCs. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that HPSC-derived epicardium and EPI-SMCs could serve as important tools for studying human cardiogenesis, and as a platform for vascular disease modelling and drug screening.
Until the Bitter End: On Prospect Theory in a Dynamic Context
Authors: Ebert Sebastian , Strack Philipp
Published: March 2015

We provide a result on prospect theory decision makers who are naïve about the time inconsistency induced by probability weighting. If a market offers a sufficiently rich set of investment strategies, investors postpone their trading decisions indefinitely due to a strong preference for skewness. We conclude that probability weighting in combination with naïveté leads to unrealistic predictions for a wide range of dynamic setups. (JEL D81, G02, G11)
Correlation Neglect, Voting Behavior, and Information Aggregation
Authors: Levy Gilat , Razin Ronny
Published: March 2015

In this paper we analyze elections when voters underestimate the correlation between their information sources (“correlation neglect”). We find that this cognitive bias can improve political outcomes. We show that the extreme beliefs which result from correlation neglect induce some voters to base their vote on information rather than on political preferences. We characterize conditions on the distribution of preferences under which this induces higher vote shares for the optimal policies and better information aggregation. (JEL D72, D83)
Merchant Commodity Storage and Term-Structure Model Error
Authors: Secomandi Nicola , Lai Guoming , Margot François , Scheller-Wolf Alan , Seppi Duane J.
Published: March 2015

Merchant operations involves valuing and hedging the cash flows of commodity- and energy-conversion assets as real options based on stochastic models that inevitably embed model error. In this paper we quantify how empirically calibrated model errors concerning the futures term structure affect the valuation and hedging of natural gas storage. We find that even small model errors—on the order of 1%–2% of the empirical futures price variance—can have a disproportionate impact on storage valuation and hedging. In particular, theoretically equivalent hedging strategies have very different sensitivities to model error, with one natural strategy exhibiting potentially catastrophic performance in the presence of small model errors. We propose effective approaches to mitigate the negative effect of futures term-structure model error on hedging, also taking into account futures contract illiquidity, and provide theoretical justification for some of these approaches. Beyond commodity storage, our analysis has relevance for other real and financial options that depend on futures term-structure dynamics, as well as for inventory, production, and capacity investment policies that rely on demand-forecast term structures.
How Is Ambidexterity Initiated? The Emergent Charter Definition Process
Authors: Zimmermann Alexander , Raisch Sebastian , Birkinshaw Julian
Published: March 2015

Ambidexterity research has presented a range of structural and contextual approaches for implementing a dual orientation across organizations. Much less is known about the preceding process through which organizations decide to adopt an ambidextrous orientation. In this paper we focus on this first step—the charter definition process through which the activities and responsibilities of an organizational unit are agreed. Most prior studies implicitly assume that senior executives at some point identify the need to become ambidextrous and subsequently design supportive structures and contexts to implement their choice. Based on an inductive multilevel case study of four alliances, we show how this mandated (or top-down) charter definition process can be complemented with an alternative emergent (or bottom-up) charter definition process in which frontline managers take the initiative to adopt an ambidextrous orientation in their part of the organization. This emergent process is important because it enables frontline managers to respond in a timely manner to changing requirements of which senior executives are still unaware. We use the findings from our case study to develop potentially generalizable observations on the level of initiation, the tensions, the management approaches to deal with the tensions, and the outcomes that characterize this emergent charter definition process. We then put forward a multilevel process framework of how organizations initiate an ambidextrous orientation, and we discuss theoretical implications for the general ambidexterity literature, the nascent dynamic view on ambidexterity, and the broader research on how charters in organizations evolve.
Effects of rotational acetabular osteotomy on the mechanical stress within the hip joint in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Ike H. , Inaba Y. , Kobayashi N. , Yukizawa Y. , Hirata Y. , Tomioka M. , Saito T.
Published: March 2015

In this study we used subject-specific finite element analysis to investigate the mechanical effects of rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) on the hip joint and analysed the correlation between various radiological measurements and mechanical stress in the hip joint.

We evaluated 13 hips in 12 patients (two men and ten women, mean age at surgery 32.0 years; 19 to 46) with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) who were treated by RAO.

Subject-specific finite element models were constructed from CT data. The centre–edge (CE) angle, acetabular head index (AHI), acetabular angle and acetabular roof angle (ARA) were measured on anteroposterior pelvic radiographs taken before and after RAO. The relationship between equivalent stress in the hip joint and radiological measurements was analysed.

The equivalent stress in the acetabulum decreased from 4.1 MPa (2.7 to 6.5) pre-operatively to 2.8 MPa (1.8 to 3.6) post-operatively (p < 0.01). There was a moderate correlation between equivalent stress in the acetabulum and the radiological measurements: CE angle (R = –0.645, p < 0.01); AHI (R = –0.603, p < 0.01); acetabular angle (R = 0.484, p = 0.02); and ARA (R = 0.572, p < 0.01).

The equivalent stress in the acetabulum of patients with DDH decreased after RAO. Correction of the CE angle, AHI and ARA was considered to be important in reducing the mechanical stress in the hip joint.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:492–7.
The effect of frictional torque and bending moment on corrosion at the taper interface
Authors: Panagiotidou A. , Meswania J. , Osman K. , Bolland B. , Latham J. , Skinner J. , Haddad F. S. , Hart A. , Blunn G.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of frictional torque and bending moment on fretting corrosion at the taper interface of a modular femoral component and to investigate whether different combinations of material also had an effect. The combinations we examined were 1) cobalt–chromium (CoCr) heads on CoCr stems 2) CoCr heads on titanium alloy (Ti) stems and 3) ceramic heads on CoCr stems.

In test 1 increasing torque was imposed by offsetting the stem in the anteroposterior plane in increments of 0 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm when the torque generated was equivalent to 0 Nm, 9 Nm, 14 Nm and 18 Nm.

In test 2 we investigated the effect of increasing the bending moment by offsetting the application of axial load from the midline in the mediolateral plane. Increments of offset equivalent to head + 0 mm, head + 7 mm and head + 14 mm were used.

Significantly higher currents and amplitudes were seen with increasing torque for all combinations of material. However, Ti stems showed the highest corrosion currents. Increased bending moments associated with using larger offset heads produced more corrosion: Ti stems generally performed worse than CoCr stems. Using ceramic heads did not prevent corrosion, but reduced it significantly in all loading configurations.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:463–72.