bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE LAW OF CRIME CONCENTRATION AND THE CRIMINOLOGY OF PLACE*
Authors: WEISBURD DAVID
Published: May 2015

According to Laub (2004), criminology has a developmental life course with specific turning points that allow for innovations in how we understand and respond to crime. I argue that criminology should take another turn in direction, focusing on microgeographic hot spots. By examining articles published in Criminology, I show that only marginal attention has been paid to this area of study to date—often termed the criminology of place. I illustrate the potential utility of a turning point by examining the law of crime concentration at place, which states that for a defined measure of crime at a specific microgeographic unit, the concentration of crime will fall within a narrow bandwidth of percentages for a defined cumulative proportion of crime. By providing the first cross‐city comparison of crime concentration using a common geographic unit, the same crime type, and examining a general crime measure, I find strong support for a law of crime concentration. I also show that crime concentration stays within a narrow bandwidth across time, despite strong volatility in crime incidents. By drawing from these findings, I identify several key research questions for future study. In conclusion, I argue that a focus on the criminology of place provides significant opportunity for young scholars and has great promise for advancing criminology as a science.
Taxonomic review of theHaliplidae (Coleoptera) in theKorean peninsula
Authors: Lee Dae‐Hyun , van Vondel Bernhard Johannes , Lee Soong Hwa , Ahn Kee‐Jeong
Published: May 2015

A taxonomic review ofKoreanHaliplidaeAubé is presented. Eight species in two genera are recognized, one of which (Haliplus diruptusBalfour‐Browne) is reported for the first time inSouthKorea. We also found thatH. ovalis Sharp previously recorded in theKorean peninsula was an incorrect identification ofH. chinensis Falkenström. Habitus and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs, diagnoses of genera, additional characters of species and diagnostic characters with illustrations of the species are provided.
Barriers to the use of paediatric clinical practice guidelines in rural and regional New South Wales Australia
Authors: Cohn Sarah L. , Gautam Bijender , Preddy John S. , Connors John R. , Kennedy Sean E.
Published: May 2015

Objective

To identify barriers to compliance with paediatric clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in emergency departments in rural and regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and to propose strategies to increase their use.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Ten emergency departments in rural and regional NSW.

Participants

Fifty medical officers.

Main outcome measures

Use of clinical practice guidelines and perceived barriers to their usage.

Results

Only 22% of medical officers reported that they used the CPGs frequently when managing sick children. Major barriers to the use of CPGs were a lack of awareness of their existence, a lack of training in their use and poor access to the guidelines in printed or electronic format.

Conclusion

In order to increase compliance with the paediatric CPGs, medical officers in rural and regional NSW require further training and education. The CPGs need to be readily available in either printed or electronic format.
A dataset for education‐related majors' performance measures with pre/post‐video game practice
Authors: Novak Elena , Tassell Janet Lynne
Published: May 2015

This dataset includes a series of 30 education‐related majors' performance measures before and after they completed a 10‐hour video game practice in a computer lab. The goal of the experimental study was to examine the effects of action video gaming on students' mathematics performance and mathematics anxiety as mediated by the effect of attention on working memory. The dataset includes students' pre‐ and posttest performance measures for geometry, word and non‐word mathematics problems, perceived cognitive load associated with mathematics assessment, mental rotation test, working memory assessment, mathematics anxiety and confidence in learning mathematics.
Phase 1 study of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumour activity of the BCL2 inhibitor navitoclax in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory CD20+ lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Roberts Andrew W. , Advani Ranjana H. , Kahl Brad S. , Persky Daniel , Sweetenham John W. , Carney Dennis A. , Yang Jianning , Busman Todd B. , Enschede Sari H. , Humerickhouse Roderick A. , Seymour John F.
Published: May 2015

The oral BCL2 inhibitor navitoclax has moderate single‐agent efficacy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and minor activity in lymphoma in Phase 1 trials. Navitoclax synergizes with rituximab in preclinical models of B‐cell lymphoid cancers. We report the safety, pharmacokinetics and clinical activity of this combination. Patients received navitoclax (200–325 mg) daily and four standard weekly doses of rituximab. Twenty‐nine patients were enrolled across three dose‐escalation cohorts and a safety expansion cohort (250 mg/d navitoclax). The combination was well tolerated. Common toxicities were mild diarrhoea (79%) and nausea (72%). Grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 17% of patients (dose limiting at 325 mg/d). CD19+ counts were severely reduced, while CD3+ cells (~ 20%) and serum immunoglobulin M levels (~ 33%) were also reduced during the first year. The maximum tolerated dose for navitoclax in combination was 250 mg/d. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed no apparent interactions between the drugs. The response rate in patients with follicular lymphoma was 9/12, including five complete responses. All five patients with CLL/small lymphocytic leukaemia achieved partial responses. One of nine patients with aggressive lymphoma responded. The addition of rituximab to navitoclax 250 mg/d is safe; the combination demonstrates higher response rates for low‐grade lymphoid cancers than observed for either agent alone in previous Phase 1 trials.
Newspaper Coverage of Three Presidential Campaigns in Chile: Personalisation and Political Strategies
Authors: PORATH WILLIAM , SUZUKI JOSÉ‐JOAQUÍN , RAMDOHR TANIA‐MARIE , PORTALES JUAN‐CRISTÓBAL
Published: May 2015

We investigate the evolution of political campaign coverage through a content analysis of the topics highlighted in newspapers' agendas during three presidential elections in Chile. Results show an expected increase in the space allocated to the politicians' private lives (privatisation) by 2009, but no change in the attention given to individual politicians' political traits (political competence). Coverage of candidates' campaign strategies had increased markedly in media agendas by 1999, and by 2009 in politicians' agendas. These changes are consistent with some of the recent transformations of political communication in Western democracies, within the framework of the so‐called ‘mediatisation’ of politics.
Left‐right asymmetry in the light of TOR: An update on what we know so far
Authors: Casar Tena Teresa , Burkhalter Martin D. , Philipp Melanie
Published: May 2015

The internal left‐right (LR) asymmetry is a characteristic that exists throughout the animal kingdom from roundworms over flies and fish to mammals. Cilia, which are antenna‐like structures protruding into the extracellular space, are involved in establishing LR asymmetry during early development. Humans who suffer from dysfunctional cilia often develop conditions such as heterotaxy, where internal organs appear to be placed randomly. As a consequence to this failure in asymmetry development, serious complications such as congenital heart defects (CHD) occur. The mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has recently emerged as an important regulator regarding symmetry breaking. The mTOR pathway governs fundamental processes such as protein translation or metabolism. Its activity can be transduced by two complexes, which are called TORC1 and TORC2, respectively. So far, only TORC1 has been implicated with asymmetry development and appears to require very precise regulation. A number of recent papers provided evidence that dysregulated TORC1 results in alterations of motile cilia and asymmetry defects. In here, we give an update on what we know so far of mTORC1 in LR asymmetry development.
Marketing Activities to Support ‘Moderately Novel’ Product Innovation: Insights from the Chemical Industry
Authors: Smits Armand , Vissers Geert , Dankbaar Ben
Published: May 2015

Scholars often follow a contingency approach to study which marketing activities are suitable for a particular type of product innovation project, thereby making a distinction between incremental and radical innovation only. ‘Moderately novel’ projects, which have intermediate levels of newness, have therefore not been given due attention. This paper focuses on market intelligence generation and the creation of cross‐functional linkages as marketing activities that are important in the context of moderately novel product innovation. In addition, the organizational position of the marketers involved in these activities is dealt with. Based on the analysis of four successful projects in the chemical industry, we argue, firstly, that moderately novel innovation projects have their own particular sets of marketing practices and, secondly, that differences exist between projects aiming at a new market segment and projects in which novelty is not related to market segment but to other market dimensions. These differences are especially salient in early project phases. These findings are pertinent to research on the role of marketers in product innovation, and to the study of organizational ambidexterity.
Altered expression of caspases-4 and -5 during inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer: Diagnostic and therapeutic potential
Authors: Flood B , Oficjalska K , Laukens D , Fay J , O'Grady A , Caiazza F , Heetun Z , Mills K H G , Sheahan K , Ryan E J , Doherty G A , Kay E , Creagh E M
Published: May 2015

Caspases are a group of proteolytic enzymes involved in the co-ordination of cellular processes, including cellular homeostasis, inflammation and apoptosis. Altered activity of caspases, particularly caspase-1, has been implicated in the development of intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the involvement of two related inflammatory caspase members, caspases-4 and -5, during intestinal homeostasis and disease has not yet been established. This study demonstrates that caspases-4 and -5 are involved in IBD-associated intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, we found a clear correlation between stromal caspase-4 and -5 expression levels, inflammation and disease activity in ulcerative colitis patients. Deregulated intestinal inflammation in IBD patients is associated with an increased risk of developing CRC. We found robust expression of caspases-4 and -5 within intestinal epithelial cells, exclusively within neoplastic tissue, of colorectal tumours. An examination of adjacent normal, inflamed and tumour tissue from patients with colitis-associated CRC confirmed that stromal expression of caspases-4 and -5 is increased in inflamed and dysplastic tissue, while epithelial expression is restricted to neoplastic tissue. In addition to identifying caspases-4 and -5 as potential targets for limiting intestinal inflammation, this study has identified epithelial-expressed caspases-4 and -5 as biomarkers with diagnostic and therapeutic potential in CRC.
Convolution Filtering of Continuous Signed Distance Fields for Polygonal Meshes
Authors: Sanchez Mathieu , Fryazinov Oleg , Fayolle Pierre‐Alain , Pasko Alexander
Published: May 2015

Signed distance fields obtained from polygonal meshes are commonly used in various applications. However, they can have C1 discontinuities causing creases to appear when applying operations such as blending or metamorphosis. The focus of this work is to efficiently evaluate the signed distance function and to apply a smoothing filter to it while preserving the shape of the initial mesh. The resulting function is smooth almost everywhere, while preserving the exact shape of the polygonal mesh. Due to its low complexity, the proposed filtering technique remains fast compared to its main alternatives providing C1‐continuous distance field approximation. Several applications are presented such as blending, metamorphosis and heterogeneous modelling with polygonal meshes.
Measuring body composition: the limitations of body mass index
Authors: Vogtle Laura K
Published: May 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Gutknecht et al. on pages 1070–1075 of this issue.
Mate Choice by Both Sexes Maintains Reproductive Isolation in a Species Flock of Pupfish (Cyprinodon spp) in the Bahamas
Authors: West Rhiannon J. D. , Kodric‐Brown Astrid
Published: May 2015

Female and male mate choices can reinforce reproductive isolation after sympatric speciation. Using a binary choice design, we examine the importance of visual cues in female mate choice in all three sympatric species of pupfish on San Salvador Island. We also examine the importance of olfactory cues in female choice of the hard‐shelled invertebrate specialist (Cyprinodon brontotheroides). We examine male mate choice in two of the three species, the scale eater (C. desquamator) and the detritivore (C. variegatus). Females of all three species use visual cues and prefer conspecific males. C. brontotheroides females do not use olfactory cues to discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific males. Males of C. desquamator and C. variegatus also preferentially court conspecific females. Thus, mutual mate choice, where both females and males exhibit mate choice, acts as a strong behavioral pre‐mating isolation mechanism in these sympatrically speciated pupfish.
Evaluation of non‐traditional modelling techniques for forecasting salmon returns
Authors: McCormick J. L. , Falcy M. R.
Published: May 2015

Forecasting adult salmon abundance is problematic when the number of observations is small relative to the number of potential explanatory variables. Machine learning and other non‐traditional techniques employ algorithms designed to prevent model overfitting. Data from 18 coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch(Walbaum), and seven Chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tschawytscha(Walbaum), populations on the Oregon coast were used to evaluate the forecast performance of artificial neural networks, elastic net, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, principal component regression (PCR) and ridge regression (RR) compared to several more traditional techniques. In general, the non‐traditional modelling techniques evaluated in this study performed similarly to the traditional techniques with the exception of sibling regression. This suggests that they have merit for improving actual predictions. Among the non‐traditional techniques,PCRresulted in the lowest prediction error for the coho salmon populations, andRRpredicted Chinook salmon returns most accurately. The techniques explored are not an easy solution to a difficult problem. Spurious conclusions about the processes that generate salmon returns still may result as evidenced by the inclusion of an unrelated variable in many of the non‐traditional models.
Vegetation shift from deciduous to evergreen dwarf shrubs in response to selective herbivory offsets carbon losses: evidence from 19 years of warming and simulated herbivory in the subarctic tundra
Authors: Ylänne Henni , Stark Sari , Tolvanen Anne
Published: May 2015

Selective herbivory of palatable plant species provides a competitive advantage for unpalatable plant species, which often have slow growth rates and produce slowly decomposable litter. We hypothesized that through a shift in the vegetation community from palatable, deciduous dwarf shrubs to unpalatable, evergreen dwarf shrubs, selective herbivory may counteract the increased shrub abundance that is otherwise found in tundra ecosystems, in turn interacting with the responses of ecosystem carbon (C) stocks and CO2 balance to climatic warming. We tested this hypothesis in a 19‐year field experiment with factorial treatments of warming and simulated herbivory on the dominant deciduous dwarf shrub Vaccinium myrtillus. Warming was associated with a significantly increased vegetation abundance, with the strongest effect on deciduous dwarf shrubs, resulting in greater rates of both gross ecosystem production (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) as well as increased C stocks. Simulated herbivory increased the abundance of evergreen dwarf shrubs, most importantly Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, which led to a recent shift in the dominant vegetation from deciduous to evergreen dwarf shrubs. Simulated herbivory caused no effect on GEP and ER or the total ecosystem C stocks, indicating that the vegetation shift counteracted the herbivore‐induced C loss from the system. A larger proportion of the total ecosystem C stock was found aboveground, rather than belowground, in plots treated with simulated herbivory. We conclude that by providing a competitive advantage to unpalatable plant species with slow growth rates and long life spans, selective herbivory may promote aboveground C stocks in a warming tundra ecosystem and, through this mechanism, counteract C losses that result from plant biomass consumption.
Firm Innovation and Co‐Location in Portugal
Authors: Faria Ana Paula , Barbosa Natália , Eiriz Vasco
Published: May 2015

This paper investigates the geographical distribution and concentration of firms’ innovation persistence and innovation type (product and process) based on three waves of the Portuguese Community Innovation Survey data covering the period 1998–2006. The main findings are: 1) both innovation persistence and innovation type are asymmetrically distributed across Portuguese regions, 2) the degree of correlation between geographical location and innovative output varies with the innovation type, and 3) the correlation between geographical unit and innovation increases when the spatial unit of analysis is narrower. The results suggest that the firms’ choices of geographical location have a long‐lasting effect, engendering no equal probabilities of being persistently innovative.
Monitoring of kidney function in HIV‐positive patients
Authors: Yombi JC , Jones R , Pozniak A , Hougardy J‐M , Post FA
Published: May 2015

HIV‐positive patients are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Although guidelines recommend regular monitoring of renal function in individuals living with HIV, the optimal frequency remains to be defined. In this review, we discuss the renal syndromes that may be identified at an earlier stage via routine assessment of kidney function, and provide guidance in terms of the frequency of monitoring, the most useful tests to perform, and their clinical significance. Specifically, we address whether annual monitoring of kidney function is appropriate for the majority of HIV‐positive patients.
Quantitative evaluation of apically extruded debris with Twisted File Adaptive instruments in straight root canals: reciprocation with different angles, adaptive motion and continuous rotation
Authors: Karataş E. , Arslan H. , Kırıcı D. Ö. , Alsancak M. , Çapar İ. D.
Published: May 2015

Aim

To evaluate the influence of movement kinematics when using Twisted File Adaptive instruments (SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA) (TF Adaptive) on the amount of apically extruded debris.

Methodology

Forty‐eight extracted mandibular incisor teeth were selected. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n ꞊ 12), and the root canals were instrumented using the following movement kinematics: TF Adaptive motion, 90° clockwise (CW) to 30° counterclockwise (CCW) reciprocating motion, 150°CW to 30°CCW reciprocating motion or continuous rotation. TF Adaptive instruments were used for all groups. Debris extruded apically during instrumentation was collected in pre‐weighed Eppendorf tubes, and after drying, the mean weight of the debris was assessed with an electronic balance. The data were analysed statistically using a one‐way analysis of variance.

Results

The 90° CW to 30° CCW reciprocating motion produced the highest mean extrusion value, and this was significantly greater when compared with continuous rotation (P < 0.05). 150° CW to 30° CCW reciprocating, adaptive and continuous rotation motions produced similar amounts of debris extrusion (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Movement kinematics affected the amount of apically extruded debris when using Twisted File Adaptive instruments.
Adiposity is related to decrements in cardiorespiratory fitness in obese and normal‐weight children
Authors: Tsiros M. D. , Coates A. M. , Howe P. R. C. , Walkley J. , Hills A. P. , Wood R. E. , Buckley J. D.
Published: May 2015

Background

Obese children are typically less physically active than their normal‐weight peers and are often assumed to be ‘unfit’.

Objective

Investigate the relationships between adiposity, physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in obese and normal‐weight children. A secondary aim was to examine obese/normal‐weight differences in CRF.

Methods

Obese (N = 107) and normal‐weight (N = 132) 10–13‐year‐olds participated. Fat‐free mass (FFM), percent fat, physical activity and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) were assessed. Analyses were adjusted for socioeconomic status (SES).

Results

Higher percent fat was inversely associated with VO2peak normalized for mass (r = −0.780, P < 0.001) even after controlling for physical activity (r = −0.673, P < 0.001). While higher percent fat was also inversely associated with VO2peak normalized for FFM, this was only significant in males (r = −0.247, P = 0.004) and did not persist after controlling for physical activity (r = −0.059 P = 0.526). Compared with normal‐weight children, obese children had higher absolute VO2peak, lower VO2peak corrected for mass (P ≤ 0.009) and lower VO2peak corrected for FFM (P = 0.041) that did not persist after controlling for SES (P = 0.086).

Conclusion

Obesity‐related inefficiencies in CRF were evident. Higher adiposity was associated with poorer CRF relative to mass, irrespective of physical activity levels. However, low physical activity levels may be responsible for associations between adiposity and CRF relative to FFM seen in boys, indicating the importance of encouraging physical activity.
Protecting children from nutritional and medical neglect in sub‐SaharanAfrica: A five‐country study
Authors: Laird Siobhan E
Published: May 2015

This study critically considers the applicability of conceptions of child neglect that have been theorised byBritish andAmerican scholars and promulgated inAfrican countries through the domestication of theConvention on theRights of theChild. The child protection legislation of five sub‐Saharan nations was compared in order to examine the presumptions embedded in their provisions concerning child neglect. These were then appraised in relation to the socio‐economic conditions pertaining in each country. Food insecurity, over‐reliance on staples and high infection rates among children in conjunction with hard to access health care and poor quality services contest the validity and relevance of dominantAnglo‐centric definitions of child neglect and methods for detecting it. The study concluded that greater congruence between national child protection legislation and the socio‐economic challenges faced by families in sub‐Saharan countries would better protect children against neglect.

Key Practitioner Message: ● Child neglect is an ethnocentric concept that requires interrogation to test its relevance before applying it to developing country contexts. ● In sub‐Saharan countries, conditions of absolute poverty and grossly inadequate public services profoundly affect the ability of parents or guardians to meet their children's basic needs. ● Laws that frame child protection systems need to recognise the inter‐relationship between public services, poverty and parental care in the neglect of children.
Proteome research in urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Kageyama Susumu , Isono Takahiro , Iwaki Hideaki , Hanada Eiki , Tomita Keiji , Yoshida Tetsuya , Yoshiki Tatsuhiro , Kawauchi Akihiro
Published: May 2015

In all creatures including humans, the molecules that function in accordance with the genetic code are mainly proteins. After completing the sequencing of the human genome, rapid progress has been made in proteome analysis. The primary structures of almost all proteins were determined by the human genome sequence. However, the whole picture of proteins cannot be elucidated because of alternative splicing and post‐translational modifications. Therefore, genomic as well as systematic and comprehensive information of proteins is required. Modern methods of proteomics have dramatically improved the quality and speed of protein analysis. Developments in both bioinformatics and mass spectrometry have contributed to the technical improvement, making it possible to identify proteins in a short time with high accuracy even from a very small sample. In the field of cancer research, many studies of useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers using these proteomic technologies have been reported, and target molecules for treatment have been explored. The aim of the present review was to summarize the basic technologies of proteomics and recent research in the field of urothelial cancer obtained using proteomic methods.
Cost to government and society of chronic kidney disease stage 1–5: a national cohort study
Authors: Wyld M. L. R. , Lee C. M. Y. , Zhuo X. , White S. , Shaw J. E. , Morton R. L. , Colagiuri S. , Chadban S. J.
Published: May 2015

Background

Costs associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well documented. Understanding such costs is important to inform economic evaluations of prevention strategies and treatment options.

Aim

To estimate the costs associated with CKD in Australia.

Methods

We used data from the 2004/2005 AusDiab study, a national longitudinal population‐based study of non‐institutionalised Australian adults aged ≥25 years. We included 6138 participants with CKD, diabetes and healthcare cost data. The annual age and sex‐adjusted costs per person were estimated using a generalised linear model. Costs were inflated from 2005 to 2012 Australian dollars using best practice methods.

Results

Among 6138 study participants, there was a significant difference in the per‐person annual direct healthcare costs by CKD status, increasing from $1829 (95% confidence interval (CI): $1740–1943) for those without CKD to $14 545 (95% CI: $5680–44 842) for those with stage 4 or 5 CKD (P < 0.01). Similarly, there was a significant difference in the per‐person annual direct non‐healthcare costs by CKD status from $524 (95% CI: $413–641) for those without CKD to $2349 (95% CI: $386–5156) for those with stage 4 or 5 CKD (P < 0.01). Diabetes is a common cause of CKD and is associated with increased health costs. Costs per person were higher for those with diabetes than those without diabetes in all CKD groups; however, this was significant only for those without CKD and those with early stage (stage 1 or 2) CKD.

Conclusion

Individuals with CKD incur 85% higher healthcare costs and 50% higher government subsidies than individuals without CKD, and costs increase by CKD stage. Primary and secondary prevention strategies may reduce costs and warrant further consideration.
Patients' estimates of their sleep times: reliability and impact on diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Khor Y. H. , Tolson J. , Churchward T. , Rochford P. , Worsnop C.
Published: May 2015

Background

Home polysomnography (PSG) is an alternative method for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Some types 3 and 4 PSG do not monitor sleep and so rely on patients' estimation of total sleep time (TST).

Aim

To compare patients' subjective sleep duration estimation with objective measures in patients who underwent type 2 PSG for probable OSA.

Methods

A prospective clinical audit of 536 consecutive patients of one of the authors between 2006 and 2013. A standard questionnaire was completed by the patients the morning after the home PSG to record the time of lights being turned off and estimated time of sleep onset and offset. PSG was scored based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Results

Median estimated sleep latency (SL) was 20 min compared with 10 min for measured SL (P < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference between the estimated and measured sleep offset time (median difference = −1 min, P = 0.01). Estimated TST was significantly shorter than the measured TST (median difference = −18.5 min, P = 0.002). No factors have been identified to affect patients' accuracy of sleep perception. Only 2% of patients had a change in their diagnosis of OSA based on calculated apnoea–hypopnoea index.

Conclusions

Overall estimated TST in the patients with probable OSA was significantly shorter than measured with significant individual variability. Collectively, inaccurate sleep time estimation had not resulted in significant difference in the diagnosis of OSA.
When a patient's ethnicity is declared, medical students' decision‐making processes are affected
Authors: Ewen S. C. , Barrett J. , Paul D. , Askew D. , Webb G. , Wilkin A.
Published: May 2015

Background

Disparity in health status and healthcare outcomes is widespread and well known. This holds true for Indigenous peoples in many settings including Australia and Hawaii. While multi‐factorial, there is increasing evidence of health practitioner contribution to this disparity. This research explored senior medical students' clinical decision‐making processes.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted in 2014 with 30 final year medical students from The University of Melbourne, Australia, and The John Burns Medical School, Hawaii, USA. Each student responded to questions about a paper‐based case, first in writing and elaborated further in an interview. Half the students were given a case of a patient whose ethnicity was not declared; the other half considered the patient who was Native Hawaiian or Australian Aboriginal. A systematic thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was conducted.

Results

The study detected subtle biases in students' ways of talking about the Indigenous person and their anticipation of interacting with her as a patient. Four main themes emerged from the interview transcripts: the patient as a person; constructions of the person as patient; patient–student/doctor interactions; and the value of various education settings. There was a strong commitment to the patient's agenda and to the element of trust in the doctor–patient interaction.

Conclusion

These findings will help to advance medical curricula so that institutions graduate physicians who are increasingly able to contribute to equitable outcomes for all patients in their care. The study also draws attention to subtle biases based on ethnicity that may be currently at play in physicians' practices.
Temperature‐Sensitive Photoluminescence Property and Energy Transfer Mechanism in the Silicate Phosphor MgY4Si3O13: Eu3+
Authors: Ci Zhipeng , Guan Runnan , Nie Kaihui , Liu Limei , Han Lili , Zhang Jiachi , Wang Yuhua
Published: May 2015

A red‐emitting phosphor MgY4Si3O13:Eu3+ was synthesized by conventional solid‐state reaction for the first time. Photoluminescence spectra show that the phosphor can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet and blue light and exhibit an intense emission at 615 nm due to the dominant 5D0→7F2 electric dipole transition of Eu3+. The decay times of Eu3+ monitored at the different wavelengths present an interesting change trend. According to the results of XRD Rietveld refinement, in a unit cell, the number of Eu3+ is obtained to be 0.064 for 4f site and 0.294 for 6 h site. The remarkable preference occupancy for one site could be the leading reason of the abnormal change in decay times. The testing of thermal quenching indicates that the photoluminescence intensity of the phosphor is very sensitive to temperature and furthermore, the emission intensities from 5D1→7FJ and 5D0→7FJ show the different decay ratios with the increase in temperature. Based on the configurational coordinate diagram, an underlying mechanism is proposed and can explain the phenomenon reasonably. The mechanism could be helpful for the understanding of the energy transfer phenomenon among the various energy levels in the process of temperature change as reference.
Highly Porous SiOC Bulk Ceramics with Water Vapor Assisted Pyrolysis
Authors: Li Jiake , Lu Kathy
Published: May 2015

Micro/mesoporous SiOC bulk ceramics with the highest surface area and the narrowest pore size distribution were prepared by water‐assisted pyrolysis of polysiloxane in argon atmosphere at controlled temperatures (1100°C–1400°C) followed by etching in hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. Their pyrolysis behaviors, phase compositions, and microstructures were investigated by DSC, FTIR, XRD, and BET. The Si–O–Si bonds, SiO2‐rich clusters, and SiO2 nanocrystals in the pyrolyzed products act as pore‐forming species and could be etched away by HF. Water injection time and pyrolysis temperature have important effects on phase compositions and microstructures of the porous SiOC bulk ceramics, which have a maximum‐specific surface area of 2391.60 m2/g and an average pore size of 2.87 nm. The porous SiOC ceramics consist of free carbon phase, silicon carbide, and silicon oxycarbide.
Retracted: CYP2E1 Rsa Ι/Pst Ι polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta‐analysis involving 10,947 subjects
Authors: Shen Ze‐Tian , Wu Xin‐Hu , Li Bing , Shen Jun‐shu , Wang Zhen , Li Jing , Zhu Xi‐Xu
Published: May 2015

Many studies have examined the association between the CYP2E1 Rsa Ι/Pst Ι (rs3813867) polymorphism gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. The PubMed and CNKI database was searched for case–control studies published up to October 2013. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In this meta‐analysis, we assessed 23 published studies involving comprising 4727 lung cancer cases and 6220 controls of the association between CYP2E1 Rsa Ι/Pst Ι polymorphism and lung cancer risk. For the homozygote c2/c2 and c2 allele carriers (c1/c2 + c2/c2), the pooled ORs for all studies were 0.73(95% CI = 0.62–0.84; P = 0.005 for heterogeneity) and 0.84 (95% CI = 0.77–0.92; P = 0.001 for heterogeneity) when compared with the homozygous wild‐type genotype (c1/c1). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, the same significantly risks were found among Asians and mixed population for both the c2 allele carriers and homozygote c2/c2. However, no significant associations were found in Caucasian population all genetic models. This updated meta‐analysis suggests that CYP2E1 Rsa Ι/Pst Ι c2 allele is a decreased risk factor for the developing lung cancer among Asians and mixed population.
Unpacking Interests in Normative Power Europe
Authors: Martin‐Mazé Médéric
Published: May 2015

The concept of normative power Europe accurately captured the distinctiveness of EU's international practices. However, it fell victim to social constructivism, from which it derived an exclusionary ontology perpetuating the dualism between norms and interests. To conceive those notions as two faces of the same coin, one needs a thicker ontology. This is what Bourdieu provides for in anchoring norms and interests in social fields. Interest is simultaneously what ties actors to particular games (generic interest) and what makes them make particular moves in these games (specific interest). To illustrate how Bourdieu's sociology shapes a better understanding of normative power Europe, I explore the transmission of EU's integrated border management in Central Asia. In this case, EU power elites delegate the business of wielding this normative power of Europe to a Vienna‐based international street corner society.
Ridge regeneration of damaged extraction sockets using rhBMP‐2: an experimental study in canine
Authors: Lee Jung‐Seok , Jung Jae‐Suk , Im Gun‐Il , Kim Byung‐Soo , Cho Kyoo‐Sung , Kim Chang‐Sung
Published: May 2015

Objectives

This study evaluated the dimensional ridge alteration in a buccal‐bone‐deficient extraction socket, and ridge regeneration following socket grafting accompanied by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP‐2) or a collagen membrane covering.

Material and Methods

In five beagle dogs, entire buccal bone of the extracted sockets of premolars was surgically removed and immediately grafted using one of the following graft protocols: (1) sham surgery without any grafting, and grafting with (2) deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), (3) DBBM/rhBMP‐2 and (4) DBBM covered with a collagen membrane (DBBM/Membrane). Quantitative/qualitative analyses were performed radiographically/histologically after 8 weeks.

Results

Buccal‐deficient extraction sockets healed with significant reduction in buccolingual dimension along the entire length of the socket, but all grafting techniques reduced the dimensional changes compared to the non‐grafted control sites. Histologically, sites received DBBM only exhibited minimal regeneration, whereas sites grafted with DBBM/rhBMP‐2 or DBBM/Membrane exhibited greater new bone formation extending the entire augmented area.

Conclusions

Buccal‐bone‐deficiency may lead to significant volume reduction after tooth extraction along the entire length of the socket, and socket grafting accompanied by rhBMP‐2 or covered with a membrane can be candidate therapies for preservation of the buccolingual dimension and successful ridge regeneration.
High‐density aggregations of rodlet cells in the gonads of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, a deep‐water marine flatfish
Authors: Rideout R. M. , Smith S. A. , Morgan M. J.
Published: May 2015

Large aggregations of rodlet cells in the gonads of male and female Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides are reported for the first time. These rodlet cells were not arranged epithelially but rather were found throughout the connective tissue between oocytes (females) or within lymphatic spaces between testicular lobules (males). The reason for large aggregations of rodlet cells in the gonads and not other tissues of this species is uncertain.
Age and growth of mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus at its cool‐water‐range limits
Authors: Piddocke T. P. , Butler G. L. , Butcher P. A. , Stewart J. , Bucher D. J. , Christidis L.
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the age and growth of Lutjanus argentimaculatus at its southern (cooler) range limits in eastern Australia. Specimens were collected from New South Wales and southern Queensland between November 2011 and December 2013. Fork lengths (LF) ranged from 190 to 1019 mm, and ages ranged from 2+ to 57+ years. Growth was described by the von Bertalanffy growth function with coefficients L∞ = 874·92 mm, K = 0·087 year−1 and t0 = −2·76 years. Estimates of the instantaneous natural mortality rate (M) ranged from 0·072 to 0·25. The LF (mm) and mass (W; g) relationship was represented by the equation: . The maximum age of 57+ years is the oldest reported for any lutjanid and comparisons with tropical studies suggest that the age‐based demography of L. argentimaculatus follows a latitudinal gradient. High maximum ages and low natural mortality rates indicate considerable vulnerability to overexploitation at the species' cool‐water‐range limits. These results demonstrate the need to identify underlying processes driving latitudinal gradients in fish demography.
The chorion ultrastructure of ova of Lophius spp.
Authors: Colmenero A. I. , Tuset V. M. , Fortuño J.‐M. , Sánchez P.
Published: May 2015

The chorion surface ultrastructure of unfertilized eggs of black anglerfish Lophius budegassa and white anglerfish Lophius piscatorius was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Species‐specific differences were observed.
Smoking, Central Adiposity, and Poor Glycemic Control Increase Risk of Hearing Impairment
Authors: Cruickshanks Karen J. , Nondahl David M. , Dalton Dayna S. , Fischer Mary E. , Klein Barbara E. K. , Klein Ronald , Nieto F. Javier , Schubert Carla R. , Tweed Ted S.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To determine associations between smoking, adiposity, diabetes mellitus, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the 15‐year incidence of hearing impairment (HI).

Design

A longitudinal population‐based cohort study (1993–95 to 2009–10), the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (EHLS).

Setting

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Participants

Participants in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (1988–90; residents of Beaver Dam,WI, aged 43–84 in 1987–88) were eligible for theEHLS. There were 1,925 participants with normal hearing at baseline.

Measurements

Fifteen‐year cumulative incidence ofHI(pure‐tone average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz greater than 25 decibels hearing level in either ear). Cigarette smoking, exercise, and other factors were ascertained according to questionnaire. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured.

Results

Follow‐up examinations (≥1) were obtained from 87.2% (n = 1,678; mean baseline age 61). The 15‐year cumulative incidence ofHIwas 56.8%. Adjusting for age and sex, current smoking (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31,P = .048), education (<16 years;HR = 1.35,P = .01), waist circumference (HR = 1.08 per 10 cm,P = .02), and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (HR = 2.03,P = .048) were associated with greater risk ofHI. Former smokers and people with better‐controlled diabetes mellitus were not at greater risk.

Conclusion

Smoking, central adiposity, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus predicted incidentHI. These well‐known risk factors forCVDsuggest that vascular changes may contribute toHIin aging. Interventions targeting reductions in smoking and adiposity and better glycemic control in people with diabetes mellitus may help prevent or delay the onset ofHI.
Exploration of the two‐photon excitation spectrum of fluorescent dyes at wavelengths below the range of the Ti:Sapphire laser
Authors: TRÄGÅRDH J. , ROBB G. , AMOR R. , AMOS W.B. , DEMPSTER J. , McCONNELL G.
Published: May 2015

We have studied the wavelength dependence of the two‐photon excitation efficiency for a number of common UV excitable fluorescent dyes; the nuclear stains DAPI, Hoechst and SYTOX Green, chitin‐ and cellulose‐staining dye Calcofluor White and Alexa Fluor 350, in the visible and near‐infrared wavelength range (540–800 nm). For several of the dyes, we observe a substantial increase in the fluorescence emission intensity for shorter excitation wavelengths than the 680 nm which is the shortest wavelength usually available for two‐photon microscopy. We also find that although the rate of photo‐bleaching increases at shorter wavelengths, it is still possible to acquire many images with higher fluorescence intensity. This is particularly useful for applications where the aim is to image the structure, rather than monitoring changes in emission intensity over extended periods of time. We measure the excitation spectrum when the dyes are used to stain biological specimens to get a more accurate representation of the spectrum of the dye in a cell environment as compared to solution‐based measurements.
Nutritional Programming of Accelerated Puberty in Heifers: Involvement of Pro‐Opiomelanocortin Neurones in the Arcuate Nucleus
Authors: Cardoso R. C. , Alves B. R. C. , Sharpton S. M. , Williams G. L. , Amstalden M.
Published: May 2015

The timing of puberty and subsequent fertility in female mammals are dependent on the integration of metabolic signals by the hypothalamus. Pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) comprise a critical metabolic‐sensing pathway controlling the reproductive neuroendocrine axis. α‐Melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (αMSH), a product of the POMC gene, has excitatory effects on gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones and fibres containing αMSH project to GnRH and kisspeptin neurones. Because kisspeptin is a potent stimulator of GnRH release, αMSH may also stimulate GnRH secretion indirectly via kisspeptin neurones. In the present work, we report studies conducted in young female cattle (heifers) aiming to determine whether increased nutrient intake during the juvenile period (4–8 months of age), a strategy previously shown to advance puberty, alters POMC and KISS1 mRNA expression, as well as αMSH close contacts on GnRH and kisspeptin neurones. In Experiment 1, POMC mRNA expression, detected by in situ hybridisation, was greater (P < 0.05) in the ARC in heifers that gained 1 kg/day of body weight (high‐gain, HG; n = 6) compared to heifers that gained 0.5 kg/day (low‐gain, LG; n = 5). The number of KISS1‐expressing cells in the middle ARC was reduced (P < 0.05) in HG compared to LG heifers. In Experiment 2, double‐immunofluorescence showed limited αMSH‐positive close contacts on GnRH neurones, and the magnitude of these inputs was not influenced by nutritional status. Conversely, a large number of kisspeptin‐immunoreactive cells in the ARC were observed in close proximity to αMSH‐containing varicosities. Furthermore, HG heifers (n = 5) exhibited a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of kisspeptin neurones in direct apposition to αMSH fibres and an increased (P < 0.05) number of αMSH close contacts per kisspeptin cell compared to LG heifers (n = 6). These results indicate that the POMC‐kisspeptin pathway may be important in mediating the nutritional acceleration of puberty in heifers.
EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN MASTERPLAN
Authors: Wierdsma Judith M. , Vervoort Sigrid C. J. M. , van Zuilen Arjan D. , Berkhout Noeleen C. , Gundlach Paul J.
Published: May 2015

Background

Preserving kidney function and prevention of cardiovascular disease can only be achieved if patients are supported in self‐managing their disease aimed at developing coping strategies.

Objectives

In MASTERPLAN, a clinical trial from 2005 ‐2010, patients with chronic kidney disease were randomised to receive nurse practitioner (NP) support or physician care alone. We evaluated the role of NP and patients in achieving lifestyle treatment goals. However the evaluation of lifestyle interventions resulted in disappointing findings.

Design

We conducted a mixed method study to explain the previous quantitative results in order to achieve a more complete description of the practice of reaching lifestyle goals

Participants

Ten NPs in nine participating hospitals of the MASTERPLAN study were interviewed and identified a hierarchy on what treatment goals received the most attention during MASTERPLAN, at baseline and after four years.

Results

A shift of attention in study goals occured for various reasons e.g. progression of disease, too many goals, non‐motivated patients, changed relationship between NP and patient. Different strategies were used to influence lifestyle change with varying degrees of success.

Conclusion

Lifestyle change is difficult to maintain during five years follow up. Besides a shift of attention in study goals, the relationship with the patient also changed over time.