bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who Withdraws Shareholder Proposals and Does It Matter? An Analysis of Sponsor Identity and Pay Practices
Authors: Bauer Rob , Moers Frank , Viehs Michael
Published: February 2015

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

We study more than 12,000 shareholder proposals that were filed to S&P1500 companies from 1997 to 2009, and investigate the determinants of proposal withdrawal by the sponsoring shareholder. We also study the effectiveness of withdrawn proposals as a corporate governance device.

Research Findings/Insights

We find that proposals filed by influential investors are more likely to be withdrawn than proposals filed by private investors. Our empirical results show that institutional ownership (in particular by long‐term, passively investing institutions) is positively related to the likelihood of a proposal's withdrawal if the sponsoring shareholder is an institutional investor. We also document a negative relation between CEO ownership and the likelihood of withdrawal. This effect is most pronounced for corporate governance proposals. We also show that withdrawn proposals on executive compensation change subsequent corporate pay practices.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our paper provides the first comprehensive evidence on withdrawn shareholder proposals. We show that withdrawn proposals are a strong and important category of proposals because managers proactively prevent them from being put to a vote. Hence, our results imply that researchers should also account for withdrawn shareholder proposals when making inferences about the effectiveness of proxy proposals.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Our empirical evidence points to the importance of withdrawn shareholder proposals as a governance mechanism. Managers try to protect their own power and reputation by preventing filed shareholder proposals from being put to a vote during the annual general meeting: They enter into private negotiations with the sponsors of the proposals to accomplish a withdrawal.
Prioritising Healthcare Workers for Ebola Treatment: Treating Those at Greatest Risk to Confer Greatest Benefit
Authors: Satalkar Priya , Elger Bernice E. , Shaw David M.
Published: February 2015

The Ebola epidemic in Western Africa has highlighted issues related to weak health systems, the politics of drug and vaccine development and the need for transparent and ethical criteria for use of scarce local and global resources during public health emergency. In this paper we explore two key themes. First, we argue that independent of any use of experimental drugs or vaccine interventions, simultaneous implementation of proven public health principles, community engagement and culturally sensitive communication are critical as these measures represent the most cost‐effective and fair utilization of available resources. Second, we attempt to clarify the ethical issues related to use of scarce experimental drugs or vaccines and explore in detail the most critical ethical question related to Ebola drug or vaccine distribution in the current outbreak: who among those infected or at risk should be prioritized to receive any new experimental drugs or vaccines? We conclude that healthcare workers should be prioritised for these experimental interventions, for a variety of reasons.
FIELD EXPERIMENTS ON THE ANCHORING OF ECONOMIC VALUATIONS
Authors: Alevy Jonathan E. , Landry Craig E. , List John A.
Published: February 2015

A pillar of behavioral research is that preferences are constructed during the process of choice. A prominent finding is that uninformative numerical “anchors” influence judgment and valuation. It remains unclear whether such processes influence market equilibria. We conduct two experiments that extend the study of anchoring to field settings. The first experiment produces evidence that some consumers' valuations can be anchored in novel situations; there is no evidence that experienced agents are influenced by anchors. The second experiment finds that anchors have only transient effects on market outcomes that converge to equilibrium predictions after a few market periods. (JEL C93, D11)
Effectiveness of a web‐based child protection training programme designed for dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia: a pre‐ and post‐test study
Authors: Al‐Dabaan R. , Asimakopoulou K. , Newton J. T.
Published: February 2015

Aim

Safeguarding children is an integral part of dental training and practice. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a web‐based training program in child protection on dental practitioners' knowledge and practice in Saudi Arabia. In addition, participants' views of the course were also assessed.

Method

Pre‐, immediately post‐training, and one month post‐training knowledge and self reported behaviour were assessed following completion of an online training course in child protection by 82 dental practitioners working in Saudi Arabia.

Results

Eighty‐two participants completed the whole training package and 62 completed the one month post‐training survey. A significant increase in knowledge was found immediately after taking part in the child protection training program in comparison to baseline knowledge (P < 0.001). The course was highly rated by those who completed it. At one month following the training program, 21% have or intend to adopt a child protection policy in their practice, 29% identified a staff member to lead on child protection since completing the program, almost all participants have been aware of child abuse and neglect (CAN) signs in their daily practice and 27.4% have made a report of a suspected case of CAN in the last month since the training.

Conclusion

The web‐based training program in child protection was appraised positively and was effective in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes towards safeguarding children.
Regime shifts in demersal assemblages of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem: a comparative assessment
Authors: Kirkman Stephen P. , Yemane Dawit , Atkinson Lara J. , Kathena John , Nsiangango Silvi E. , Singh Larvika , Axelsen Bjorn E. , Samaai Toufiek
Published: February 2015

Using long‐term survey data, changes in demersal faunal communities in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem were analysed at community and population levels to provide a comparative overview of the occurrence and timing of regime shifts. For South Africa, the timing of a community‐level shift observed in the early 1990s, and of a lesser shift observed in the mid‐2000s, corresponded well with the results of other studies that showed environmental, community‐level or population‐level changes at similar times, suggesting that environmental forcing had played a role. Several population‐level shifts were detected for Namibia; these and a regime shift in the overall community identified for this country corresponded well to the timing of severe environmental perturbations and an extensive regime shift in the pelagic ecosystem of this area. However, the interpretation of these shifts was confounded by changes in sampling gear; closer scrutiny of the types of species affected and the direction of shifts (increase/decrease) in relation to the timing and nature of sampling gear modifications, revealed that the observed shifts were potentially an artefact of gear changes. This highlighted the importance of accounting for changes in sampling protocols during the analysis and interpretation of long‐term data. For Angola, a community level shift in the mid‐2000s and population‐level changes for a few species (mainly positive), could not have been influenced by gear changes which took place mainly before the onset of the time series under consideration. However, no clear environmental or anthropogenic changes that could have influenced these shifts were obvious.
Have the spawning habitat preferences of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the southern Benguela changed in recent years?
Authors: Mhlongo Nandipha , Yemane Dawit , Hendricks Marc , van der Lingen Carl D.
Published: February 2015

This paper examines whether the ranges of occurrence of anchovy and sardine eggs have changed off the South African coast in recent years, and whether this could be linked to changes in sea surface temperature (SST). We used a single parameter quotient analysis with randomization to estimate the preferred and tolerated SST ranges of the spawning habitats of anchovy and sardine in the southern Benguela over the period 1988–2009. Previous studies have reported long‐term change in SST off the South African coast, and our analysis was aimed at determining whether spawning habitat selection by these small pelagic fish tracked such change. The analysis used data on egg occurrence collected concurrently with in situ SST data during annual surveys of pelagic fish biomass conducted along the South African coast. Results show that anchovy typically, but not always, spawn in warmer waters (17.0–23.0°C) than sardine do (16.0–22.0°C), and sardine almost always showed a wider SST tolerance range than did anchovy, over the time‐series. The analysis further suggests evidence of an increase in the surface temperature conditions along the South African coast recently; the spawning patterns of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) appear to track these changes through time. Therefore, the spawning habitat preferences of anchovy and sardine in the southern Benguela have changed in recent years, but this is unlikely to be due to warming alone.
Oxygen‐depleted bottom waters along the west coast of South Africa, 1950–2011
Authors: Jarre A. , Hutchings L. , Crichton M. , Wieland K. , Lamont T. , Blamey L. K. , Illert C. , Hill E. , van den Berg M.
Published: February 2015

As part of the southern Benguela upwelling ecosystem, South Africa's west coast represents a very productive marine habitat. Decadal‐scale environmental and ecosystem regime shifts have been documented based on wind and ocean temperature data, as well as biota. This study analyses the variability of oxygen‐depleted (<2 mL L−1) bottom waters on South Africa's west coast shelf using data from St Helena Bay, the most productive embayment in the ecosystem, from 1957, data from demersal and pelagic fisheries surveys since the 1980s, and monthly observations from a fixed transect off St Helena Bay from 2000 to 2011. Oxygen‐depleted waters are generally restricted to bottom depths <150 m, and occur regularly during austral summer and autumn, albeit with variable severity. The high spatial variability makes it impossible to define any single station as an indicator station for the extent of oxygen depletion. We provide estimates of the shelf area, 30–33°S, covered by oxygen‐depleted bottom water in austral summer and autumn, and show a parabolic relationship between oxygen depletion and upwelling strength. The results suggest that the cumulative upwelling divergence from the onset of the upwelling season (September) to the establishment of oxygen depletion (January) can be used as a proxy indicator for oxygen depletion in summer. Periods of better bottom ventilation are indicated for the second half of the 1960s to the early 1980s; more extensive oxygen depletion at the beginning of the 1950s, and the mid‐1990s to the mid‐2000s. Implications for environmental monitoring and marine living resources are discussed.
Genetic diversity is related to climatic variation and vulnerability in threatened bull trout
Authors: Kovach Ryan P. , Muhlfeld Clint C. , Wade Alisa A. , Hand Brian K. , Whited Diane C. , DeHaan Patrick W. , Al‐Chokhachy Robert , Luikart Gordon
Published: February 2015

Understanding how climatic variation influences ecological and evolutionary processes is crucial for informed conservation decision‐making. Nevertheless, few studies have measured how climatic variation influences genetic diversity within populations or how genetic diversity is distributed across space relative to future climatic stress. Here, we tested whether patterns of genetic diversity (allelic richness) were related to climatic variation and habitat features in 130 bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations from 24 watersheds (i.e., ~4–7th order river subbasins) across the Columbia River Basin, USA. We then determined whether bull trout genetic diversity was related to climate vulnerability at the watershed scale, which we quantified on the basis of exposure to future climatic conditions (projected scenarios for the 2040s) and existing habitat complexity. We found a strong gradient in genetic diversity in bull trout populations across the Columbia River Basin, where populations located in the most upstream headwater areas had the greatest genetic diversity. After accounting for spatial patterns with linear mixed models, allelic richness in bull trout populations was positively related to habitat patch size and complexity, and negatively related to maximum summer temperature and the frequency of winter flooding. These relationships strongly suggest that climatic variation influences evolutionary processes in this threatened species and that genetic diversity will likely decrease due to future climate change. Vulnerability at a watershed scale was negatively correlated with average genetic diversity (r = −0.77; P < 0.001); watersheds containing populations with lower average genetic diversity generally had the lowest habitat complexity, warmest stream temperatures, and greatest frequency of winter flooding. Together, these findings have important conservation implications for bull trout and other imperiled species. Genetic diversity is already depressed where climatic vulnerability is highest; it will likely erode further in the very places where diversity may be most needed for future persistence.
Modelling the impact of agricultural management on soil carbon stocks at the regional scale: the role of lateral fluxes
Authors: Nadeu Elisabet , Gobin Anne , Fiener Peter , van Wesemael Bas , van Oost Kristof
Published: February 2015

Agricultural management has received increased attention over the last decades due to its central role in carbon (C) sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. Yet, regardless of the large body of literature on the effects of soil erosion by tillage and water on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural landscapes, the significance of soil redistribution for the overall C budget and the C sequestration potential of land management options remains poorly quantified. In this study, we explore the role of lateral SOC fluxes in regional scale modelling of SOC stocks under three different agricultural management practices in central Belgium: conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and reduced tillage with additional carbon input (RT+i). We assessed each management scenario twice: using a conventional approach that did not account for lateral fluxes and an alternative approach that included soil erosion‐induced lateral SOC fluxes. The results show that accounting for lateral fluxes increased C sequestration rates by 2.7, 2.5 and 1.5 g C m−2 yr−1 for CT, RT and RT+i, respectively, relative to the conventional approach. Soil redistribution also led to a reduction of SOC concentration in the plough layer and increased the spatial variability of SOC stocks, suggesting that C sequestration studies relying on changes in the plough layer may underestimate the soil's C sequestration potential due to the effects of soil erosion. Additionally, lateral C export from cropland was in the same of order of magnitude as C sequestration; hence, the fate of C exported from cropland into other land uses is crucial to determine the ultimate impact of management and erosion on the landscape C balance. Consequently, soil management strategies targeting C sequestration will be most effective when accompanied by measures that reduce soil erosion given that erosion loss can balance potential C uptake, particularly in sloping areas.
Long‐term effect of biochar on the stabilization of recent carbon: soils with historical inputs of charcoal
Authors: Hernandez‐Soriano Maria C. , Kerré Bart , Goos Peter , Hardy Brieuc , Dufey Joseph , Smolders Erik
Published: February 2015

This study was set up to identify the long‐term effect of biochar on soil C sequestration of recent carbon inputs. Arable fields (n = 5) were found in Belgium with charcoal‐enriched black spots (>50 m2; n = 14) dating >150 years ago from historical charcoal production mound kilns. Topsoils from these ‘black spots’ had a higher organic C concentration [3.6 ± 0.9% organic carbon (OC)] than adjacent soils outside these black spots (2.1 ± 0.2% OC). The soils had been cropped with maize for at least 12 years which provided a continuous input of C with a C isotope signature (δ13C) −13.1, distinct from the δ13C of soil organic carbon (−27.4 ‰) and charcoal (−25.7 ‰) collected in the surrounding area. The isotope signatures in the soil revealed that maize‐derived C concentration was significantly higher in charcoal‐amended samples (‘black spots’) than in adjacent unamended ones (0.44% vs. 0.31%; P = 0.02). Topsoils were subsequently collected as a gradient across two ‘black spots’ along with corresponding adjacent soils outside these black spots and soil respiration, and physical soil fractionation was conducted. Total soil respiration (130 days) was unaffected by charcoal, but the maize‐derived C respiration per unit maize‐derived OC in soil significantly decreased about half (P < 0.02) with increasing charcoal‐derived C in soil. Maize‐derived C was proportionally present more in protected soil aggregates in the presence of charcoal. The lower specific mineralization and increased C sequestration of recent C with charcoal are attributed to a combination of physical protection, C saturation of microbial communities and, potentially, slightly higher annual primary production. Overall, this study provides evidence of the capacity of biochar to enhance C sequestration in soils through reduced C turnover on the long term.
The effect of tree cover on the biomass and diversity of the herbaceous layer in a Mediterranean dehesa
Authors: López‐Carrasco C. , López‐Sánchez A. , San Miguel A. , Roig S.
Published: February 2015

Mediterranean dehesas are an archetypal example of high nature value farmland in Europe. To better understand the interactions between trees and grasslands in the conservation and management of the dehesa, we measured, over 3 years, the contribution of scattered trees to the diversity and biomass dry‐matter (DM) yield of the herb layer and the relationship between the herb layer (biomass and diversity interaction) and the trees. The study was based on 135 subplots representing four aspects and three distances from fifteen trees selected randomly in a plot within a dehesa in central Spain. The specific questions were the following: (i) To what extent do trees affect biomass of the herbaceous layer? (ii) What is the relationship between herbaceous layer biomass and species diversity under the influence of trees? and (iii) What are the effects of trees and small‐scale topography on the herbaceous diversity? Results differed between years depending on water availability. Legume and forb DM yields were highest at the edge of the tree crown and beyond the canopy. Species richness was positively related to legume DM yield, and both were higher at the bottom of the hillside, especially in dry conditions. Given the importance of tree influence on the biomass and diversity of grasslands, maintaining proper agroforestry management practices for trees and grasslands is important for conserving dehesa diversity and productivity under the conditions of high climatic and soil variability in Mediterranean dehesas.
Effect of pharmacological treatment for urinary incontinence in the elderly and frail elderly: A systematic review
Authors: Samuelsson Eva , Odeberg Jenny , Stenzelius Karin , Molander Ulla , Hammarström Margareta , Franzen Karin , Andersson Gunnel , Midlöv Patrik
Published: February 2015

Aim

The prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) increase with age and comorbidity. The benefits of pharmacotherapy for UI in the elderly are questionable. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for UI in the elderly and frail elderly.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Cinahl databases through October 2013 to identify prospective controlled trials that evaluated pharmacological treatment for UI in persons aged ≥65 years. Elderly persons living in nursing homes were regarded as frail elderly. Outcomes were urinary leakage, quality of life and adverse events.

Results

We screened 1038 abstracts and assessed 309 full‐text articles. We identified 13 trials of high or moderate quality; 11 evaluated anticholinergic drugs and two evaluated duloxetine. Oxybutynin, the only drug studied in the frail elderly population, had no effect on urinary leakage or quality of life in elderly with urgency UI (UUI). Seven trials evaluated the effects of darifenacin, fesoterodine, solifenacin, tolterodine or trospium. Urinary leakage decreased (standard mean difference: −0.24, 95% confidence interval −0.32–0.15), corresponding to a reduction of half a leakage per 24 h. Common side‐effects of treatment were dry mouth and constipation. Data were insufficient for evaluation of the effect on quality of life or cognition. The evidence was insufficient to evaluate the effects of duloxetine. No eligible studies on mirabegron and estrogen were found.

Conclusions

Anticholinergics have a small, but significant, effect on urinary leakage in older adults with UUI. Treatment with drugs for UUI in the frail elderly is not evidence based. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 521–534.
Effectiveness of a community‐based multidomain cognitive intervention program in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kim Hee‐Jin , Yang YoungSoon , Oh Jeong‐Gun , Oh Seongil , Choi Hojin , Kim Kyoung Hee , Kim Seung Hyun
Published: February 2015

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multidomain program in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

A total of 53 patients with probable AD participated in the present study. The participants were classified to a cognitive programming group (n = 32) and control group (n = 21). Participants in the cognitive intervention program received multidomain cognitive stimulation including art, music, recollection and horticultural therapy, each period of intervention lasting 1 h. This program was repeated five times per week over a period of 6 months at the Seongdong‐gu Center for Dementia. The Mini‐Mental State Examination, the Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical dementia rating scales, and the Korean version of the Quality of Life‐Alzheimer's Disease were used to evaluate cognitive ability at baseline and after intervention. After 6 months, cognitive abilities were compared between patients actively participating in cognitive intervention and the pharmacotherapy only group.

Results

Patients receiving cognitive intervention showed significant cognitive improvement in the word‐list recognition and recall test scores versus the control. There was no change in the overall Clinical dementia rating score, but the domain of community affairs showed a significant improvement in the cognitive intervention group. Quality of Life‐Alzheimer's Disease of caregivers was slightly improved in the cognitive intervention group after 6 months.

Discussion

Multidomain cognitive intervention by regional dementia centers has great potential in helping to maintain cognitive function in patients with dementia, increase their social activity and reduce depression, while enhancing the quality of life of caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 191–199.
Fall risk in Chinese community‐dwelling older adults: A physiological profile assessment study
Authors: Siong Kar‐Ho , Kwan Marcella Mun‐San , Lord Stephen R , Lam Andrew Kwok‐Cheung , Tsang William Wai‐Nam , Cheong Allen Ming‐Yan
Published: February 2015

Aim

The short‐form Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) is increasingly used in clinical practice for assessing fall risk in older people. However, a normative database is only available for Caucasian populations. The purpose of the present study was to develop a normative database for Hong Kong Chinese older people and examine the fall risk profile of this population.

Methods

A total of 622 participants aged 60–95 years were recruited. Participants underwent the PPA (containing tests of contrast sensitivity, proprioception, quadriceps strength, reaction time and sway), and composite fall risk scores were computed. Participants were then followed up for falls for 1 year.

Results

Quadriceps strength and lower limb proprioception scores were comparable with those reported for Caucasian populations. However, contrast sensitivity, simple reaction time and postural sway scores were relatively poor. The average composite fall risk score was 1.7 ± 1.5, showing a “moderate” fall risk when compared with the Caucasian norms. Despite the relatively poor physical performances and moderately high fall risk scores, the incidence of one plus falls in the 1‐year follow‐up period was just 16.4%, with just 2.6% reporting two plus falls. The area under the curve for composite fall risk scores in discriminating fallers from non‐fallers was 0.53 (95% CI 0.45–0.60).

Conclusions

Despite poorer performance in PPA tests, the incidence of prospective falls in a Hong Kong Chinese population was low. In consequence, the PPA could not discriminate well between fallers and non‐fallers. The present study provided normality data for short‐form PPA measures for older Chinese people as a reference for further studies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 259–265.
Headache Research and Medical Practice in Brazil: An Historical Overview
Authors: Valença Marcelo Moraes , da Silva Amanda Araújo , Bordini Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2015

Since the creation of the Brazilian Headache Society in 1978, substantial developments have taken place in both research and clinical practice in the field of headache medicine in Brazil. The Society now has almost 300 members throughout the country, actively working to improve the health of the general population and, in particular, diagnose and treat headache disorders. In addition, in a few large cities, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Ribeirão Preto, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre, headache specialists have come together to promote research projects and increase knowledge in the field through MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral programs. Furthermore, scientific journals have emerged and books have been published to record and disseminate Brazilian scientific production in headache medicine. In this narrative review, we will briefly describe some important aspects of headache medicine in Brazil from prehistoric times to the present day, discuss the origin of headache medicine as a specialty in Brazil, the principal publications dealing with headache disorders, the use of plants and other unconventional forms of treatment used by faith healers, the main training centers, and the research produced to date by Brazilians. In conclusion, in recent years enormous progress has been made in headache medicine in Brazil stimulating us to review and expand our role in an increasingly international scenario.
Acupuncture Is All Placebo and Here Is Why
Authors: McGeeney Brian E.
Published: February 2015

Background

Alternative and complementary medicines such as acupuncture remain popular with the general public and many clinicians. The term “integrative medicine” is often now used to describe this type of non‐science‐based medicine, which has become more of a faith‐based method of practice, making it harder to challenge. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat headache along with just about any other symptom and condition known to man.

Discussion

Physicians regularly fall into many misunderstandings when erroneously believing a real effect from acupuncture, when there is none. A perfunctory and poorly informed media contribute to the misinformation. Sixteen logical traps are identified which together explain most of the false reasoning behind the alleged effect of acupuncture.

Conclusion

Practitioners need to do a better job of discerning truth from information and data available on acupuncture.
An immunohistochemical study of potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of wild‐type gastrointestinal stromal tumours
Authors: Wong Newton A C S , Wingate Jenny , Gradhand Elise
Published: February 2015

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate whether succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry could screen for wild‐type gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and to determine what proportion of wild‐type GISTs expressed these proteins and might therefore represent candidates for targeted therapies.

Methods and results

Twenty‐seven wild‐type GISTs and 91 KIT‐mutated or PDGFRA‐mutated GISTs were immunostained for SDHB, IGF1R, HER2, and EGFR. A preliminary study of the BRAF VE1 antibody showed non‐specific staining, and indicated it was neither a specific nor a sensitive marker of wild‐type GISTs. SDHB loss showed 100% specificity but only 37% sensitivity as such a marker. EGFR and IGF1R were expressed by 63% and 33% of the wild‐type GISTs but also by 56% and 32% of the KIT/PDGFRA mutant GISTs, respectively. Therefore, adding EGFR and/or IGF1R to SDHB as a panel only decreased the specificity of SDHB loss as a marker for wild‐type status.

Conclusions

All five antibodies failed, individually or collectively, to represent highly sensitive and highly specific markers for wild‐type GIST. However, whereas HER2 has been excluded as a therapeutic biomarker, both EGFR and IGF1R are expressed by some wild‐type GISTs and are therefore potential therapeutic targets.
Shigella flexneri serotype 1 infections in men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Wilmer A , Romney MG , Gustafson R , Sandhu J , Chu T , Ng C , Hoang L , Champagne S , Hull MW
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Outbreaks of shigellosis have been documented in men who have sex with men (MSM), associated with interpersonal transmission and underlying HIV infection. We observed a rise in Shigella flexneri isolates identified in a downtown tertiary‐care hospital laboratory located within the city centre community health area (CHA‐1) of Vancouver, Canada. The objectives of this study were to evaluate clinical outcomes of shigellosis cases among MSM admitted to hospital and to evaluate trends in Shigella cases within Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

Adult rates of shigellosis were analysed by gender and health region, from 2005 to 2011, followed by retrospective chart review of all hospital laboratory‐identified S. flexneri cases from 2008 to 2012. Serotyping and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed on these isolates.

Results

Although shigellosis rates in men within CHA‐1 did not change from 2005 to 2011 (range 33.4–68.5 per 100 000; P = 0.74), they were significantly higher than in other regions within the city of Vancouver (P ≤ 0.001) and the province of British Columbia (P ≤ 0.001). Shigella flexneri rates in men within CHA‐1 increased significantly (range 2.3–51.4 per 100 000; P < 0.001), starting in 2008, and were higher than in other regions within Vancouver (P ≤ 0.01). Seventy‐nine isolates of S. flexneri from 72 patients were identified by a single hospital laboratory. All patients were male and predominantly MSM (91.7%) and HIV‐infected (86.1%), with most (92.6%) demonstrating CD4 counts ≥ 200 cells/μL. In total, 38.0% required hospitalization. Most (87.3%) had S. flexneri serotype 1 infection, with 72.9% of these representing a single PFGE pattern.

Conclusions

We identified high levels of transmission of a primarily clonal strain of S. flexneri serotype 1 in our local MSM population, resulting in a substantial burden of illness and health care resource use secondary to hospital admissions.
A comparison between interactions of triglyceride oil and mineral oil with proteins and their ability to reduce cleanser surfactant‐induced irritation
Authors: Mukherjee S. , Yang L. , Vincent C. , Lei X. , Ottaviani M. F. , Ananthapadmanabhan K. P.
Published: February 2015

Synopsis

Objective

Skin irritation in personal cleansing has been correlated with surfactant binding with stratum corneum proteins. Polar and non‐polar oils are increasingly being used in cleansing formulations which contain high (10–15%) level of anionic and non‐ionic surfactants. However, the effects of oils in modulating skin damage from a cleansing product have not been studied in any detail. The objectives of this study are to determine whether low‐viscosity polar and non‐polar oils differ in their ability to reduce surfactant‐induced skin irritation and, if so, how it might be related to their interactions with proteins.

Methods

Surfactant‐induced skin irritation was measured by a 14‐day in vivo cumulative patch irritation test. The methodology was similar to the well‐known soap chamber test. Surfactant interactions with the water‐soluble protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), in the presence of oils were measured by conductometric titration. The effects of low‐viscosity polar and non‐polar oils on stratum corneum protein dynamics in the sulfhydryl group region were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using the covalently bound spin‐label 3‐maleimido‐proxyl (5‐MSL). EPR measurements were performed with stratum corneums obtained from discarded skins of 3‐ to 4‐week‐old female pigs. Simulation of the complex spectra provided insights on the environment and mobility of the protein‐bound spin label.

Results

Addition of 1% polar sunflower seed oil (viscosity 42 centipoise) reduced in vivo irritation of 1% sodium lauryl ether sulphate with two ethoxylate/cocamidopropyl betaine (SLES/CAPB) by 20%, whereas 1% non‐polar mineral oil (viscosity 15 centipoise) had no effect. Polar oil glyceryl trioleate (a major component in sunflower seed oil) at 10% level reduced surfactant binding to BSA protein in water by 40%, whereas the non‐polar oil dodecane (a major component of mineral oil) at a similar level did not have any effect. The mobility of the spin label in a dry corneum was very low and was increased significantly with the addition of water and glycerol trioleate but less so with mineral oil.

Conclusion

Sunflower seed oil reduces surfactant‐induced in vivo skin irritation more than mineral oil. This is possibly due to stronger interaction of polar oil with proteins, thus protecting it from surfactant binding.
Importance of the Atmosphere on the Mechanisms and Kinetics of Reactions Between Silica and Solid Sodium Carbonate
Authors: Grynberg Julien , Gouillart Emmanuelle , Chopinet Marie‐Hélène , Toplis Michael J.
Published: February 2015

Using thermogravimetric analysis, the reaction kinetics between powders of silica (SiO2) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) are investigated below the melting point of sodium carbonate, under different atmospheres. These experiments show that the reaction kinetics critically depend on the partial pressure of CO2 in the surrounding atmosphere. Under a flow of nitrogen, the reaction rate is constant with time and follows an Arrhenian law, with a weak influence of the grain sizes of the two reactants. Under a flow of carbon dioxide, the reaction rate is found to be much slower, to have nonlinear time dependence and to have a weaker temperature dependence. The influence of grain size is also found to be more significant in this case. Two different reaction mechanisms between silica and sodium carbonate may account for these results: (i) sodium carbonate dissociates at a rate depending on the partial pressure of CO2, releasing sodium to the vapor, that may then react with the surface of silica grains, or (ii) silica and sodium carbonate grains react at granular contacts between individual grains. A quantitative equation is proposed that accounts for the influence of temperature, , and grain size on the reaction rate between silica and sodium carbonate.
Forty Years of Silica Simulations. Which Way Now?
Authors: Angell C. Austen
Published: February 2015

Ten years after Aneesur Rahman's seminal 1964 paper on simulating liquid argon using computer simulations of atoms interacting with continuous potentials, Woodcock and Singer published the first study of ionic liquids using the same classical mechanical approach. With tongue‐in‐cheek, Woodcock and Angell with student Cheeseman then studied SiO2 in a simple ionic model using Tosi‐Fumi type potentials and were surprised by the degree of similarity to the unusual properties of the “real” silica, liquid, and glassy, they were able to obtain. Since that time, many advances have been made and the field of ionic liquids now embraces geochemical in addition to complex inorganic glass systems. Now it seems that some “silica” models may exhibit water‐like second critical points, and then liquid–liquid transitions, and so may serve as new model liquids for liquid polyamorphism studies. Current studies using the realistic van Beest‐Kramer‐van Santen(BKS) and the simpler Woodcock‐Angell‐Cheeseman(WAC) potential models will be described. We provide background on silica's role as a “strong” liquid, and on the criterion for ergodicity breaking which requires the relation Qdτ/dT ≈ 1 to hold at the hysteresis peak Tp (coincides with three common definitions of Tg).
Evidence of a Fractal Percolating Network During Geopolymerization
Authors: Rouyer Julien , Poulesquen Arnaud
Published: February 2015

This study focuses on the transition from the paste state to the solid state which occurs during the hardening of metakaolin‐based Na‐geopolymers. The occurrence of primary interactions and the structural properties were investigated using classical oscillatory rheology (OR) methods. A time‐frequency‐resolved rheology (TF2R) method was used in order to obtain more detailed information about the percolation and aggregation mechanisms. The results obtained show the occurrence of the following process: (i) Elastic behavior predominates initially over the viscous behavior at low frequency. (ii) A percolating process then takes place when the viscoelastic parameters become parallel over more than two frequency decades. At the gel point, a mass‐fractal dimension of approximately 2 was determined. (iii) During the formation of the porous network, the viscous behavior predominates over the elastic one due to the occurrence of polycondensation reactions. (iv) Lastly, a solid state is reached, where the elastic modulus shows a plateau and the viscous modulus decreases. These macroscopic mechanical results are compared using the small angle x‐ray scattering technique. Scattering experiments were in complete agreement with the rheological measurements and showed the presence of aggregated oligomers and a mass fractal dimension equal to 2.1 at the gel point, increasing up to a surface fractal dimension reflecting the formation of the mesoporous network.
Kinetics of Corrosion of BN–ZrO2–SiC Ceramics in Contact with Si‐Killed Steel
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Thapliyal Vivek , Robertson David G. C. , Smith Jeffrey D.
Published: February 2015

The mechanism and kinetics of corrosion of BN–ZrO2–SiC (MYCROSINT®SO43) by molten Si‐killed steel was studied. Isothermal corrosion tests were performed for duration between 2 and 8 h. Refractory and steel composition and morphology changes were investigated. A kinetic model using process simulation software METSIM and thermochemical software FactSage was developed to understand refractory–steel interactions. The corrosion process showed a deviation from parabolic kinetics and was fitted by a combination of linear and parabolic terms. It was determined that corrosion of the BN–ZrO2–SiC refractory was governed by dissolution of SiC and BN and removal of ZrO2 as the other phases were eliminated.
A randomized controlled trial of guided self‐help for improving the experience of caring for carers of clients with depression
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Songprakun Wallapa , Stephenson John
Published: February 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviour therapy guided self‐help manual for enhancing the experience of caregiving of family carers of individuals with depression.

Background

The prevalence of depression is increasing markedly in Thailand. While primary carers give most of the support for individuals with depression, they receive little support from mental health services in this critical role.

Design

A randomized controlled trial.

Method

Carers were randomized to guided self‐help (n = 27), while the control group received standard information and support (n = 27). Both groups also received a short weekly telephone call. Participants were assessed at three time points; the outcome measure was the Experience of Caregiving Inventory. A doubly multivariate analysis of variance (anova) procedure, including between‐group and within‐group factors, was implemented. Fieldwork was from October 2007–May 2008.

Results

Fifty‐four carers completed the study and intent‐to‐treat analyses were undertaken. The findings showed there was a significant reduction in the total negative experience of caring, from baseline to post‐treatment, in the intervention group recipients of the manual compared with the control group and treatment effects were maintained at one‐month follow‐up. Similarly, a significant improvement in the total positive experience of caring occurred, from baseline to post‐treatment, in the intervention group in contrast with the control group and these outcomes were sustained at one‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion

Guided self‐help strengthen carers’ positive and reduces their negative, experience of caring. The study contributes to the limited evidence base about this approach in a developing country such as Thailand.
Rosiglitazone via PPARγ‐dependent suppression of oxidative stress attenuates endothelial dysfunction in rats fed homocysteine thiolactone
Authors: Yang Xu‐Hong , Li Peng , Yin Ya‐Ling , Tu Jiang‐Hua , Dai Wen , Liu Li‐Ying , Wang Shuang‐Xi
Published: February 2015

To explore whether rosiglitazone (RSG), a selective peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, exerts beneficial effects on endothelial dysfunction induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) and to investigate the potential mechanisms. Incubation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells with HTL (1 mM) for 24 hrs significantly reduced cell viabilities assayed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide, as well as enhanced productions of reactive oxygen species, activation of nuclear factor kappa B, and increased intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 secretion. Pre‐treatment of cells with RSG (0.001–0.1 mM), pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 0.1 mM) or apocynin (0.1 mM) for 1 hr reversed these effects induced by HTL. Furthermore, co‐incubation with GW9662 (0.01 mM) abolished the protective effects of RSG on HTL‐treated cells. In ex vivo experiments, exposure of isolated aortic rings from. rats to HTL (1 mM) for 1 hr dramatically impaired acetylcholine‐induced endothelium‐dependent relaxation, reduced release of nitric oxide and activity of superoxide dismutase, and increased malondialdehyde content in aortic tissues. Preincubation of aortic rings with RSG (0.1, 0.3, 1 mM), PDTC or apocynin normalized the disorders induced by HTL. In vivo analysis indicated that administration of RSG (20 mg/kg/d) remarkably suppressed oxidative stress and prevented endothelial dysfunction in rats fed HTL (50 mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks. RSG improves endothelial functions in rats fed HTL, which is related to PPARγ‐dependent suppression of oxidative stress.
Efficacy of oral glucocorticoid and cyclosporine in a case of rituximab‐refractory type B insulin resistance syndrome
Authors: Takei Masahiro , Ishii Hiroaki , Kawai Yuko , Kato Kosuke , Sekido Takashi , Sato Yoshihiko , Takeda Teiji , Komatsu Mitsuhisa
Published: February 2015

We describe a case of type B insulin resistance syndrome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that was refractory to rituximab and successfully treated with a combination of oral glucocorticoids and cyclosporine. Prior to treatment, insulin resistance was severe, and application of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was not possible despite the continuous intravenous infusion of insulin at a maximum rate of 9.0 mU/kg/min. The addition of cyclosporine to oral glucocorticoid therapy resulted in remission of insulin resistance. The combination of oral prednisolone and cyclosporine might be effective in treating type B insulin resistance syndrome, particularly in rituximab‐resistant cases. However, nephrotoxicity is a particular concern for patients receiving long‐term cyclosporine therapy.
High‐definition optical coherence tomography algorithm for the discrimination of actinic keratosis from normal skin and from squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Boone M.A.L.M. , Marneffe A. , Suppa M. , Miyamoto M. , Alarcon I. , Hofmann‐Wellenhof R. , Malvehy J. , Pellacani G. , Del Marmol V.
Published: February 2015

Background

Preliminary studies described morphological features of actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) imaged by High‐Definition Optical Coherence Tomography (HD‐OCT) and suggested that this technique may aid in their diagnosis. However, systematic studies evaluating the accuracy of HD‐OCT for the diagnosis of AK and SCC are lacking so far.

Objective

In this study, we sought to design an algorithm for AK classification that could (i) distinguish SCC from AK and normal skin, (ii) differentiate AK from normal skin and (iii) discriminate AKs with adnexal involvement from those without.

Methods

A total of 53 histopathologically confirmed lesions (37 AKs and 16 SCC) were imaged by HD‐OCT. Fifty‐three HD‐OCT images of normal skin of healthy volunteers, with matched age, skin type and anatomic site, were taken as reference. By comparing these 106 en face and cross‐sectional HD‐OCT images, particular features were selected based on their potential to discriminate AK from normal skin and from SCC, and to assess adnexal involvement in AK. This study represents a training set not a testing set. Severe (>300 μm) hyperkeratotic AKs were not included in this study.

Results

Particular features with high Phi coefficient could be identified. The absence of an outlined dermo–epidermal junction (DEJ) on cross‐sectional images allowed discriminating SCC from AK and normal skin (Phi coefficient = 0.84). AK could be discriminated from normal skin in both imaging modes by the presence of alternating hyperkeratosis/parakeratosis in cross‐sectional mode and/or variability in shape, size and reflectivity of cells (atypical honeycomb pattern) in en face mode. Adnexal involvement of AK could be assessed by the disappearance of the typical cocarde image of adnexal epithelium in en face mode.

Conclusion

This study provides select 3‐D HD‐OCT features having a potential to discriminate SCC from AK and normal skin. Based on these particular features with high Phi coefficient, a diagnostic algorithm is designed which will be used later in validation studies to determine HD‐OCT accuracy in AK/SCC classification.