bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of prasugrel and clopidogrel reloading on high platelet reactivity in clopidogrel-loaded patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PRAISE-HPR): a study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Lee Dong-Hyun , Kim Moo Hyun , Park Tae-Ho , Park Jong Sung , Park Kyungil , Zhang Hong-Zhe , Seo Jeong-Min , Lee Michael S
Published: March 2013

Background

Patients with reduced responsiveness to clopidogrel often have diminished platelet inhibition, a factor associated with increased rates of major adverse cardiovascular events. Clinical trials that have focused on reducing high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) with an additional loading dose of clopidogrel have reported varying effects. Prasugrel, a newer thienopyridine, exhibits a more consistent antiplatelet effect and more rapid onset time when compared to clopidogrel. We hypothesize that prasugrel reloading would be more effective than clopidogrel reloading in patients with HPR after an initial loading dose of clopidogrel.

Method/Design

Comparison of Prasugrel and Clopidogrel Reloading on High Platelet Reactivity in Clopidogrel-loaded Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PRAISE-HPR) is a prospective, randomized, open-label, active controlled study. A total of 76 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with HPR after administration of a loading dose of clopidogrel will be randomly assigned to either prasugrel or clopidogrel groups, and patients in each group will be reloaded with 20 mg of prasugrel or 300 mg of clopidogrel. The primary endpoint will be HPR at 24 hours after PCI, as determined by the VerifyNow assay during the study period. The rate of sustained high platelet reactivity and 30-day clinical outcomes will also be measured.

Discussion

PRAISE-HPR is a randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of reloading prasugrel and clopidogrel in suppressing residual high platelet reactivity. The results will be made publicly available in the year 2013.

Trial registration

NCT01609647
Diagnostic accuracy of a short-duration 3 Tesla magnetic resonance protocol for diagnosing stifle joint lesions in dogs with non-traumatic cranial cruciate ligament rupture
Authors: Galindo-Zamora Vladimir , Dziallas Peter , Ludwig Davina C , Nolte Ingo , Wefstaedt Patrick
Published: March 2013

Background

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the preferred diagnostic tool to evaluate internal disorders of many joints in humans; however, the usefulness of MR imaging in the context of osteoarthritis, and joint disease in general, has yet to be characterized in veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of short-duration 3 Tesla MR imaging for the evaluation of cranial and caudal cruciate ligament, meniscal and cartilage damage, as well as the degree of osteoarthritis, in dogs affected by non-traumatic, naturally-occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). Diagnoses made from MR images were compared to those made during surgical exploration. Twenty-one client-owned dogs were included in this study, and one experienced evaluator assessed all images.

Results

All cranial cruciate ligaments were correctly identified as ruptured. With one exception, all caudal cruciate ligaments were correctly identified as intact. High sensitivities and specificities were obtained when diagnosing meniscal rupture. MR images revealed additional subclinical lesions in both the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments and in the menisci. There was a “clear” statistical (kappa) agreement between the MR and the surgical findings for both cartilage damage and degree of osteoarthritis. However, the large 95% confidence intervals indicated that evaluation of cartilage damage and of degree of osteoarthritis is not clinically satisfactory.

Conclusions

The presence of cruciate ligament damage and meniscal tears could be accurately assessed using the MR images obtained with our protocol. However, in the case of meniscal evaluation, occasional misdiagnosis did occur. The presence of cartilage damage and the degree of osteoarthritis could not be properly evaluated.
Ratio of preoperative atrial natriuretic peptide to brain natriuretic peptide predicts the outcome of the maze procedure in mitral valve disease
Authors: Sato Masafumi , Mikamo Akihito , Kurazumi Hiroshi , Suzuki Ryo , Murakami Masanori , Kobayashi Toshiro , Yoshimura Koich , Hamano Kimikazu
Published: March 2013

Background

Although the maze procedure is an established surgical treatment for eliminating atrial fibrillation (AF), its efficacy in patients with mitral valve disease has remained unsatisfactory. A useful predictive marker for the outcome of the maze procedure is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative ratio of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) reflects atrial fibrosis and can be used to predict the maze procedure outcome in patients with mitral valve disease.

Methods

A total of 23 consecutive patients who underwent the radial approach to the maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery were included in this study and were divided into a sinus rhythm (SR) group (n=16) and an AF group (n=7) based on postoperative cardiac rhythm. Plasma samples were obtained at rest before the operation and were analysed for ANP and BNP levels. Atrial tissue samples taken during surgery were used to quantify interstitial fibrosis.

Results

The preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio in the SR group was significantly higher than that in the AF group (0.74 +/− 0.29 vs. 0.42 +/− 0.28, respectively; p=0.025). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify factors that predict outcomes after the maze procedure. The area under the ROC curve for the ANP-to-BNP ratio (0.81) was greater than for any other preoperative factors. Moreover, the preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio demonstrated a negative correlation with left atrial fibrosis (r=−0.69; p=0.003).

Conclusions

The preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio can predict maze procedure outcome in patients with mitral valve disease, and it represents a potential biomarker for left atrial fibrosis.
Labor market conditions and self-employment: a Denmark-Spain comparison
Authors: Carrasco Raquel , Ejrnæs Mette
Published: March 2013

Among the OECD countries, Spain faces one of the highest rates of self-employment and Denmark one of the lowest, being the difference specially relevant among women. These two countries present important differences in their labor market conditions in terms of labor market flexibility, generosity of the unemployment benefits system, child care policies, and barriers to start and operate a business. In this paper we analyze if the different institutional environment and employment conditions in both countries can help to interpret the different incidence of self-employment rates. The study is carried out for men and women separately using a strictly comparable panel data set. The results indicate that in Spain self-employment seems to offer individuals who normally are considered as marginalized in the labor market a beneficial alternative to wage employment, while this pattern is not so clear in Denmark. Specifically, in Spain those individuals in the bottom part of the wage distribution and non-employees, particularly unemployed without unemployment benefits and mothers with small children, start more often their own business than in Denmark.

JEL codes

J15, J81, J61E64, J18, J38, J58, J24, J44, J62
Prevalence of PALB2 mutations in Australasian multiple-case breast cancer families
Authors: Teo Zhi L , Park Daniel J , Provenzano Elena , Chatfield Catherine A , Odefrey Fabrice A , Nguyen-Dumont Tu ,   kConFab, Dowty James G , Hopper John L , Winship Ingrid , Goldgar David E , Southey Melissa C
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Population-based studies of breast cancer have estimated that some PALB2 mutations confer a breast cancer risk (penetrance) comparable to the average pathogenic mutation in BRCA2. As this risk is of clinical relevance, we sought to identify mono-allelic PALB2 mutations and determine their frequencies in multiple-case breast cancer families attending Familial Cancer Clinics in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

The youngest affected woman, not known to carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, from 747 multiple-case breast cancer families participating in kConFab were selected for PALB2 mutation screening. The coding and flanking intronic regions of PALB2 in DNA extracted from blood were screened using high-resolution melt curve analysis with Sanger sequencing confirmation. Where possible, relatives of women found to carry PALB2 mutations were genotyped for the family-specific mutation, mutant transcripts were characterised and breast tumours arising in mutation carriers were recalled and reviewed. Missense mutations were assessed for potential to disrupt protein function via SIFT, Align GVGD and Polyphen-2.

Results

The mutation screen identified two nonsense mutations (PALB2 c.3113G>A in eight women and PALB2 c.196C>T in one woman), two frameshift mutations (PALB2 c.1947_1948insA and PALB2 c.2982_2983insT each in one woman), 10 missense variants, eight synonymous variants and four variants in intronic regions. Of the four PALB2 mutations identified that were predicted to produce truncated protein products, only PALB2 c.1947_1948insA had not previously been reported. PALB2 c.3113G>A and PALB2 c.196C>T were previously identified in the Australian population whereas PALB2 c.2982_2983insT was previously reported in the UK population. Transcripts derived from three of these mutant PALB2 alleles were vulnerable to nonsense-mediated decay. One missense mutation (PALB2 c.2993G>A) was predicted to disrupt protein function via the three in silico assessment methods applied. The majority of breast cancers arising in carriers that were available for review were high-grade invasive ductal carcinomas. Conclusions: About 1.5% (95% CI 0.6to 2.4) of Australasian multiple-case breast cancer families attending clinics are segregating protein-truncating mutations in PALB2, most being PALB2 c.3113G>A, p.Trp1038*. Given the prevalence, breast cancer risk, and tumour grade associated with this mutation, consideration of clinical PALB2 testing is warranted.
A computational framework for boosting confidence in high-throughput protein-protein interaction datasets
Authors: Hosur Raghavendra , Peng Jian , Vinayagam Arunachalam , Stelzl Ulrich , Xu Jinbo , Perrimon Norbert , Bienkowska Jadwiga , Berger Bonnie
Published: March 2013

Improving the quality and coverage of the protein interactome is of tantamount importance for biomedical research, particularly given the various sources of uncertainty in high-throughput techniques. We introduce a structure-based framework, Coev2Net, for computing a single confidence score that addresses both false-positive and false-negative rates. Coev2Net is easily applied to thousands of binary protein interactions and has superior predictive performance over existing methods. We experimentally validate selected high-confidence predictions in the human MAPK network and show that predicted interfaces are enriched for cancer -related or damaging SNPs. Coev2Net can be downloaded at http://struct2net.csail.mit.edu.
Genome-wide association studies: what a psychiatrist needs to know
Authors: Craddock Nick
Published: March 2013

Recent advances in high-throughput genotyping have made possible genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in which hundreds of thousands of common DNA variants spread across all the chromosomes are examined in a large number of individuals rapidly and for a realistic cost. The GWAS approach has been successfully used to identify common susceptibility variants involved in many non-psychiatric diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, Crohn's disease, and in normal traits such as height. The typical finding is numerous susceptibility loci, each of which has a small effect size. Genome-wide association studies are similarly providing robust and replicable evidence for genes and, hence, proteins and biological systems/pathways that are involved in the aetiology and pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and Alzheimer's disease. This article outlines for the busy psychiatrist some of the key messages emerging from this line of research.
Squaring the circle: developing clinical risk management strategies in mental healthcare organisations
Authors: Boland Billy , Bremner Sandy
Published: March 2013

This article explores the challenges of developing clinical risk management practice and policy within large mental healthcare organisations. The national context is outlined and requirements of organisations explained. Consideration is given to how clinical risk relates to clinical quality and the benefits of standardisation are explored. We highlight the complexities and conflicts of implementing standardised procedures, given the current evidence base, and the difficulties of applying this in clinical practice. Using concepts from strategic planning and psychology, we suggest an approach to respond to these factors at a local level to achieve better outcomes for service users and clinicians.
Adjustment disorder considered
Authors: Casey Patricia , Jabbar Faraz
Published: March 2013

Adjustment disorder has been included in psychiatric classifications for over 40 years but has received little attention from the research community. It is particularly common in consultation liaison psychiatry. Evaluation is problematic since it may be mistaken for major depression, generalised anxiety or non-pathological reactions to stress. Its measurement by structured interview is difficult since it is not included in many instruments and, in others, cannot be diagnosed once the threshold for another disorder is reached. There are few evidence-based treatments and it is possible that these transient reactions may not require any formal intervention. Adjustment disorder generally carries an excellent prognosis but in some individuals is associated with self-harm and suicide.
Bipolar disorder and substance misuse: pathological and therapeutic implications of their comorbidity and cross-sensitisation
Authors: Post Robert M. , Kalivas Peter
Published: March 2013

Background

Bipolar disorder has a high co-occurrence with substance use disorders, but the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been adequately explored.

Aims

To review the role of stress in the onset and recurrence of affective episodes and substance misuse.

Method

We review the mechanisms involved in sensitisation (increased responsivity) to recurrence of stressors, mood episodes and cocaine use.

Results

Evidence suggests that intermittent stressors, mood episodes and bouts of cocaine use not only show sensitisation to themselves, but cross-sensitisation to the others contributing to illness progression. Converseley, an understanding of the common mechanisms of sensitisation (such as regionally selective alterations in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and hyperactivity of striatally based habit memories), could also result in single therapies (such as N-acetylcysteine) having positive effects in all three domains.

Conclusions

These interacting sensitisation processes suggest the importance of early intervention in attempting to prevent increasingly severe manifestations of bipolar illness and substance misuse progression.
A critical appraisal of the role of respiratory supercomplexes in mitochondria
Authors: Genova Maria Luisa , Lenaz Giorgio
Published: March 2013

Substantial evidence exists that the mitochondrial respiratory chain is organized in supramolecular units called supercomplexes or respirasomes. While the structural evidence of the supercomplexes is overwhelming, fewer studies have focused on their functional relevance. Although the presence of coenzyme Q channeling between complexes I and III has been ascertained, no such clear demonstration has been carried out for cytochrome c between complexes III and IV, at least in mammalian mitochondria. This review also discusses the implications concerning the number of respiratory complexes organized in supercomplexes and the possibility that they represent associations in dynamic equilibrium with the individual complexes.
Crystal structure of 1-methyl-5-(4-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-ylthio) butylthio)-1H-tetrazole, C8H14N8S2
Authors: Xia Daocheng , Feng Feng
Published: March 2013

C8H14N8S2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 8.455(1) Å, b = 9.7574(8) Å, c = 8.9024(9) Å, β = 116.23(1)°, V = 658.8 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0528, wRref(F2) = 0.1224, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of aqua-di-μ-hydroxy-bis(3-(pyridin-3-yl-oxy)-benzene- 1,2-dicarboxylato)tri-zinc(II), C26H18N2O13Zn3
Authors: Li Guan-Feng , Feng Xun , Shi Zhi-Qiang , Xie Shi-Yu
Published: March 2013

C26H18N2O13Zn3, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 24.794(5) Å, b = 9.362(2) Å, c = 11.950(2) Å, β = 112.452(4)°, V = 2563.7 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0681, wRref(F2) = 0.1855, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of tert-butyl-3-(1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin- 7-yl)propanoate, C14H20N4O4
Authors: Liu Jian-Ping , Wang Chao , Yuan Wei
Published: March 2013

C14H20N4O4, orthorhombic, Pccn (no. 56), a = 25.821(3) Å, b = 6.9466(8) Å, c = 17.551(2) Å, V = 3148.1 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0456, wRref(F2) = 0.1405, T = 298 K.
Crys tal struc ture of 2,6-diiodo-8-phenyl-BODIPY, C19H17BF2I2N2
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Jiang Wenjuan , Li Yajuan , Zhang Junna , Son Young-A
Published: March 2013

C19H17BF2I2N2, monoclinic, P21/c1 (no. 14), a = 15.326(2) A, b = 7.5985(8) A, c = 17.189(2) A, β = 91.834(1)°, V = 2000.7 A3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0270, wRref(F2) = 0.0680, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of 2-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole, C17H18N2O2
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Li Yajuan , Zhang Junna , Son Young-A
Published: March 2013

C17H18N2O2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 7.192(1) Å, b = 14.948(2) Å, c = 14.001(2) Å, β = 94.520(2)°, V = 1500.5 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0533, wRref(F2) = 0.1685, T = 296 K.
Redetermination of the structure of 1-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-2-bromopropan- 1-one, C16H15BrO2
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Dayananda Alaloor S. , Gerber Thomas , Hosten Eric , Betz Richard
Published: March 2013

C16H15BrO2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 4.8925(2) Å, b = 9.6531(3) Å, c = 29.896(1) Å, β = 97.802(2)°, V = 1398.9 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0445, wRref(F2) = 0.0894, T = 200 K
Crystal structure of 3,4,5-trimethoxy-N-(4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl pyridin-2-yl)benzamide, C56H52N4O10
Authors: Guo Chang-Bin , Hou Zhen-Geng , He Yang
Published: March 2013

C56H52N4O10, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 13.448(3) Å, b = 18.975(4) Å, c = 19.670(4) Å, β = 105.63(1)°, V = 4833.8 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0515, wRref(F2) = 0.1789, T = 296 K
Crystal structure of lithium disulfate, Li2[S2O7], Li2O7S2
Authors: Logemann Christian , Witt Julia , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: March 2013

Li2O7S2, orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), a = 13.177(2) Å, b = 8.2516(7) Å, c = 4.8547(4) Å, V = 527.8 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0338, wRref(F2) = 0.1054, T = 153 K.
Crystal structure of di-acetato-bis-pyridine-palladium(II), [Pd(C2H3O2)2(C5H5N)2], C14H16N2O4Pd
Authors: Gudenschwager Marit , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: March 2013

C14H16N2O4Pd, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.7797(4) Å, b = 11.7520(6) Å, c = 8.0914(4) Å, β = 90.754(2)°, V = 739.7 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0186, wRref(F2) = 0.0437, T = 153 K.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Chu Alison , Hageman Joseph R. , Caplan Michael S.
Published: March 2013

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory disease of the intestine that largely affects very low birthweight premature infants. It is a disease process that can be widely variable in its course and outcomes. Because the etiology and pathogenesis of NEC still remain incompletely understood, treatment options and morbidity and mortality for infants who have NEC have not significantly improved in the past four decades. Given the potentially devastating outcomes of NEC, it is imperative to focus research efforts on potential markers that could identify this disease process early in its course, as well as predict the course and severity of disease to improve outcomes. Perhaps more importantly, this article reviews the current status of preventive measures for NEC.
Methods of Mortality Risk Adjustment in the NICU: A 20-Year Review
Authors: Patrick Stephen W. , Schumacher Robert E. , Davis Matthew M.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Improving the quality of care delivered in NICUs relies on the ability to partition variation associated with patient characteristics from those attributed to processes of care delivery through risk adjustment. Multiple methods of mortality risk adjustment have been proposed for NICU populations. We review existing literature pertaining to mortality risk adjustment in the NICU.

METHODS:

PubMed and Scopus were searched to identify unique methods of mortality risk adjustment in the NICU and their trends in citation since original publication. Additional online searches were performed to identify organizational and government agency means of mortality risk adjustment for patients in the NICU.

RESULTS:

Among 10 unique neonatal mortality risk adjustment scores identified by this review, there are >3 dozen different measurement components. No score includes >28 components; no score contains <6. Scores differ substantively in their intended purposes, component parameters and intensity of data collection. The Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) has been referenced most frequently in other research articles (447 citations), while the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development “calculator” has the greatest rate of citations per year since initial publication (37). The scores are notably inconsistent in their approaches to timing of data collection and inclusion of comorbidity indicators.

CONCLUSIONS:

Rigorous means of risk adjustment in the NICU are essential to enhancing the quality of care delivered to neonates, by facilitating more meaningful comparisons in quality improvement. Building on the first 20 years of neonatal mortality risk adjustment will ultimately allow researchers and quality improvement teams to apply measures that facilitate cross-institutional comparisons thoroughly and fairly.
Tchaikovsky, leitor de Dante: lugar da angústia e imaginação narrativa em Francesca da Rimini op.32 (1876)
Authors: Pinto Junior Rafael Alves
Published: March 2013

Este texto tem como objetivo discutir a estrutura do poema sinfônico Francesca da Rimini op. 32, composto por Piotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1840-1893) em 1876, inspirado no Canto V do Inferno (1307) da Divina Comédia de Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). Interessa-nos observar como Tchaikovsky parte do texto poético de Dante - usando-o como fonte - e desenvolve uma narrativa musical que abre ao ouvinte outros planos do sensível. Em Francesca, Tchaikovsky não se limita ao relato, mas cria, a partir dele, o seu próprio. Procuramos encontrar a operação-chave da estrutura compositiva da obra que parece ser a mímesis: se Dante descreve o que "vê" no real de sua ficção, Tchaikovsky descreve o que sente no "real" do espaço-tempo musical.
New Neonatal Classification of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate—Part 1: To Predict Primary Lateral Incisor Agenesis and Inherent Tissue Hypoplasia
Authors: Delestan Christian , Montoya Pedro , Doucet Jean-Charles , Bigorre Michèle , Baümler Caroline , Herlin Christian , Daures Jean-Pierre , Captier Guillaume
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To bring a neonatal classification system of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to correlate this classification with the distribution of the primary lateral incisor.

Design

Retrospective with longitudinal follow-up.

Setting

Tertiary.

Patients

One hundred twenty-one patients with treated UCLP. Thirteen plaster casts were used as controls.

Main Outcome Measures

The UCLP patients were classified anatomically into four categories: class 1 corresponds to a maxillary arch with a narrow alveolar cleft, class 2 corresponds to a balanced form, class 3 corresponds to a wide cleft and short maxilla, and class 4 corresponds to a wide cleft and long maxilla. Clinical validity was evaluated with a concordance analysis (intra- and interexaminer). This anatomical classification was also corroborated with an automatic classification determined by morphometric parameters measured on neonatal maxillary plaster casts. The class was finally correlated with the distribution of the primary lateral incisor.

Results

Clinical classification of UCLP found 12 cases of class 1 (9.9%), 36 cases of class 2 (29.8%), 47 cases of class 3 (38.8%), and 26 cases of class 4 (21.5%). The clinical classification was validated with a good intra- and interexaminer concordance analysis (κ > .6). The automatic classification was close to the clinical classification in 84%. The correlation was ideal in class 1 (100%), almost perfect in class 4 (92%), but lower for class 2 (74%) and class 3 (70%). The primary lateral incisor was usually duplicated in class 1, whereas class 2 and class 4 were correlated with a primary lateral incisor located on the lateral palatal segment. Class 3 was associated with an agenesis of the primary lateral incisor ( P < .001).

Conclusions

UCLP can be classified into four different classes at birth, which can all give information about the inherent tissue hypoplasia and the distribution of the primary lateral incisor.
Reducing ‘non-value-adding activities’ when building infrastructure in South Africa
Authors: Emuze Fidelis A. , Smallwood John J.
Published: March 2013

The purpose of the investigation was to examine issues pertaining to poor project performance by identifying non-value-adding activities and their causes in South African construction. The assessment was undertaken through a quantitative survey conducted among public sector clients, consulting engineers, and general contractors involved in civil engineering projects in South Africa. Selected findings were that the respondents perceive that non-value-adding activities such as inadequate supervision and waiting for critical tasks to be completed contributed significantly to poor project performance in South Africa. In addition, the respondents were of the opinion that factors contributing to non-value-adding activities in South Africa include lack of appropriately skilled workers, repetitive revisions and changes, and delay in design approval. Although the findings are based on the perceptions of stakeholders in the South African infrastructure sector only, the discourse supports the argument that it is imperative to limit/eliminate non-value-adding activities in the construction process in order to engender improvement in project performance in the sector.
GlideScope® Tracheal Intubation with and without Muscle Relaxation: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Leissner Kay B. , Beutler Sascha , Bigatello Luca , Srinivasa Venkatesh
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

GlideScope® videolaryngoscope (GVL, Verathon Medical Inc., Bothell, WA, USA) assisted orotracheal
intubation is a useful technique for patients who are difficult to intubate, but who can be mask ventilated. The effect
of muscle relaxants on the success of GVL intubation has not been evaluated. The authors conducted a prospective, placebo-
controlled study to assess the effectiveness and incidence of complications of GVL-assisted tracheal intubation performed
during general anesthesia with and without the use of a muscle relaxant in patients with seemingly normal airway
anatomy.

Material and Methods:

52 patients who required orotracheal intubation were prospectively included. Anesthesia was induced
using midazolam (0.01-0.03 mg/kg), fentanyl (1-3 µg/kg) and propofol (1-3 mg/kg). Patients were randomly assigned
to one of two groups to receive rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg (n = 26 for rocuronium group) or saline intravenously (n =
26 for placebo group). GVL-assisted intubation was initiated after 90 s. The number of successful intubations, the number
of attempts and their duration were recorded. Events during the procedure, such as airway trauma, blood pressure changes
and movements were also recorded.

Results:

The success rate of GVL intubation was 100% in the placebo group and 100% in the rocuronium group. Patients
in both groups received the same number of intubation attempts and the intubation time were alike (53± 15 vs. 55 ± 18 s;
p=0.63). The Placebo group experienced a greater incidence of events during intubation (81 vs. 35%; P < 0.001) than patients
in the rocuronium group.

Conclusions:

Omitting muscle relaxants in patients with apparently normal airways is not associated with a higher failure
rate, increased intubation attempts or intubation time when performing GVL assisted orotracheal intubation, but is associated
with a higher rate of patient movement.
Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Cognitive Impairment in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Shaffi Kamran , Tighiouart Hocine , Scott Tammy , Lou Kristina , Drew David , Weiner Daniel , Sarnak Mark
Published: March 2013

Background and objectives

25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) deficiency and cognitive impairment are both prevalent in hemodialysis patients in the United States. This study tested the hypothesis that 25(OH)D deficiency may be associated with cognitive impairment because of its vasculoprotective, neuroprotective, and immune-modulatory properties.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This cross-sectional analysis involved 255 patients enrolled in the Dialysis and Cognition Study between 2004 and 2012. In linear regression models, 25(OH)D was the exposure variable; it was used first as a continuous variable and then stratified as deficient (<12 ng/ml), insufficient (12 to <20 ng/ml), and sufficient (≥20 ng/ml). Principal component analysis was used to obtain the memory and the executive function domains from the individual neurocognitive tests. Scores on individual tests as well as on the memory and executive function domains were the outcome variables. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, race, education, and other potential confounding variables.

Results

Mean serum 25(OH)D ± SD was 17.2±7.4 ng/ml, with 14%, 55%, and 31% of patients in the deficient, insufficient, and sufficient groups, respectively. Patients in the deficient group were more likely to be women, African American, and diabetic and to have longer dialysis vintage. Higher 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with better performance on several tests of executive function (mean difference on component executive score, 0.16 [95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.28; P=0.01] for each SD higher 25[OH]D). No association was seen with tests assessing memory.

Conclusions

25(OH)D deficiency in hemodialysis patients is associated with worse cognitive function, particularly in domains that assess executive function.
Mandatory Audit Partner Rotation: Perceptions of Audit Quality Consequences
Authors: Daugherty Brian E. , Dickins Denise , Hatfield Richard C. , Higgs Julia L.
Published: March 2013

This paper summarizes our study, “An Examination of Partner Perceptions of Partner Rotation: Direct and Indirect Consequences to Audit Quality” (Daugherty et al. 2012). The study examines the perceptions of practicing audit partners with respect to mandatory partner rotation and cooling-off periods, in general, and how the more stringent partner rotation rules mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may negatively impact audit partners' quality of life at the expense of audit quality. The results suggest that mandatory partner rotation increases partners' (and other engagement team members') workloads, as well as the likelihood of partner relocation. In response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the SEC's acceleration of mandatory partner rotation and extension of cooling-off periods, the partners participating in this study indicate that they would rather learn a new industry than relocate. Importantly, partners perceive that audit quality suffers from retraining, but not from relocating. Taken together, the study's results suggest that the partner rotation provisions create an unintended consequence—specifically an indirect, negative impact on audit quality.
Widening or Closing the Knowledge Gap?
Authors: Jenssen Anders Todal
Published: March 2013

The public has gradually become more dependent on the mass media for their political information as alternative channels of political communication have been marginalized. Political knowledge is not equally distributed, and according to the knowledge gap hypothesis, the gap between the most and least knowledgeable is likely to widen due to the pattern of media consumption, the different content of printed media and TV, and the abilities of the audience as linked to educational differences. Most of the empirical research on the knowledge gap hypothesis has been done in the USA, a media system very different from those of the Nordic countries. The strong tradition of PB TV and the high rate of newspaper consumption make the Norwegian media environment favourable for political knowledge gain, but it may, for the very same reasons, lead to a widening knowledge gap, according to the knowledge gap hypothesis. In the present paper, the impacts of TV and newspaper consumption on the distribution of political knowledge are studied. Two hypotheses are tested: TV exposure as leveller and newspapers exposure as enhancer of the knowledge gap. The empirical analyses are based on the 1997, 2001 and 2005 Norwegian election studies.
Negotiating Boundaries between Us and Them
Authors: Halse Rolf
Published: March 2013

Interpretive communities can read a media text in different ways. The present article examines how various interpretive communities of young adults in Norway perceive the action serial 24’s portrayal of a Muslim family. It investigates the understandings and attitudes informants express in their conversations about the Muslim ‘next door neighbour terrorist’ stereotype, and sheds light on how 24’s text can mobilize stereotypes and facilitate stereotyping among viewers. The findings reveal different patterns of reception. The ethnic Norwegian participants found gratifications in 24’s storyline, while a majority of the Norwegian Muslims found it unpleasant and offensive. An important contribution to the fear that the stereotype evoked in the ethnic Norwegians was related to the challenge and tension it created in the negotiation process of categorization. The category ‘Muslim’ triggered a powerful response, and the conversation veered off in a xenophobic direction. This is an example of how an interpretive community modified its perception of the stereotype through socially patterned readings.
Education in the News and in the Mind
Authors: Fladmoe Audun
Published: March 2013

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has gained popularity in educational debates, and scholars argue that the tests influence national educational governance. It has further been claimed that PISA has penetrated the news media and that public opinion on education has been affected, but few have offered empirical evidence for such arguments. The present study contributes to the area by investigating the relationship between (i) news consumption and public awareness of PISA, and between (ii) awareness of PISA and public opinion on education in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The findings suggest that consumption of newspapers and public service TV (PBS) news is positively associated with awareness of PISA; consumption of commercial TV news is negatively associated with awareness of PISA. Further, “PISA effects” on public opinion are dependent upon news consumption and political considerations. The most significant relationship is found in Norway, where mass political polarization is stronger among respondents who are aware of PISA, compared to those who are not.
Determination of the Content of Promoters in Magnetite and Wustite Phases in the Fused Iron Catalyst
Authors: Lendzion-Bieluń Zofia , Jędrzejewski Roman
Published: March 2013

Taking advantage of differences in etching rates of crystallographic phases, forming an oxidized form of the fused iron catalyst, a content of promoters in main phases, magnetite and wustite, was determined. A calcium oxide content in magnetite and wustite was 0.54 wt% and 3.59 wt%, respectively. Aluminum oxide was found in the magnetite phase, and its content was 4.5 wt%. The third promoter, potassium oxide, was almost completely located outside these phases. XRD and ICP-OES instrumental methods were used in the investigations.
Revision of the Terellia virens Group (Diptera, Tephritidae) with Description of Three New Species
Authors: Korneyev V. A. , Evstigneev D. A. , Karimpour Y. , Kütük M. , Mohamadzade Namin S. , Ömür Koyuncu M. , Yaran M.
Published: March 2013

The Terellia virens group includes eight species of uniformly greenish flies with white setulose abdomens and hyaline wings, variable in the characters of the male and female terminalia. Three new species are described and illustrated: Terellia freidbergi sp. n. from Middle and Near East, from flower heads of Centaurea behen L., T. ivannikovi V. Korneyev et Evstigneev, sp. n. from European Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, breeding in flower heads of Ce. chartolepis Greuter, and T. whitei V. Korneyev et Mohamadzade, sp. n. reared from flower heads of Cousinia spp. in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. Illustrated diagnoses or redescriptions of other species and a key to the species of Terellia with hyaline wings and white setulose abdominal tergites are given.
The Life Cycles of Mayflies of the Eastern Ukraine. Subfamily Baetinae (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)
Authors: Martynov A. V.
Published: March 2013

The life cycle types of mayflies of the subfamily Baetinae in Eastern Ukraine are determined. The scheme for identification of larval age structure is given. The age structure changes of Baetis braaschi, B. nexus and Alainites muticus larvae during the year are described in detail. The flight periods of imagoes throughout the studied region are delimited for almost all species of the subfamily. B. braaschi is shown to have the bivoltine life cycle, with its populations overwintering as the larval stage (MBws) independently on temperature conditions in the water body. The peculiarities of oviposition are described for this species. The following aspects of life cycles were revealed: nymphs, subimagoes and imagoes of different generations of B. braaschi differ considerably in size; the voltinity of B. vernus in the region can vary (Us and/or MBss), mainly due to temperature conditions of the water bodies, where its development takes place; geographically isolated populations of A. muticus in the Eastern Ukraine reproduce only by thelytoky
Facial nerve motor evoked potentials during skull base surgery to monitor facial nerve function using the threshold-level method
Authors: Sarnthein Johannes , Hejrati Nader , Neidert Marian C. , Huber Alexander M. , Krayenbühl Niklaus
Published: March 2013

Object

During surgeries that put the facial nerve at risk for injury, its function can be continuously monitored by transcranial facial nerve motor evoked potentials (FNMEPs) in facial nerve target muscles. Despite their advantages, FNMEPs are not yet widely used. While most authors use a 50% reduction in FNMEP response amplitudes as a warning criterion, in this paper the authors' approach was to keep the response amplitude constant by increasing the stimulation intensity and to establish a warning criterion based on the “threshold-level” method.

Methods

The authors included 34 consecutive procedures involving 33 adult patients (median age 47 years) in whom FNMEPs were monitored. A threshold increase greater than 20 mA for eliciting FNMEPs in the most reliable facial nerve target muscle was considered a prediction of reduced postoperative facial nerve function, and subsequently a warning was issued to the surgeon. Preoperative and early postoperative function was documented using the House-Brackmann grading system.

Results

Monitoring of FNMEPs was feasible in all 34 surgeries in at least one facial nerve target muscle. The mentalis muscle yielded the best results. The House-Brackmann grade deteriorated in 17 (50%) of 34 cases. The warning criterion was reached in 18 (53%) of 34 cases, which predicted an 83% risk of House-Brackmann grade deterioration. Sensitivity amounted to 88% (CI 64%–99%) and specificity to 82% (CI 57%–96%). Deterioration of FNMEPs and a worse House-Brackmann grade showed a high degree of association (p < 0.001). The impact of FNMEP monitoring on surgical strategy is exemplified in an illustrative case.

Conclusions

In surgeries that put the facial nerve at risk, the intraoperative increase in FNMEP stimulation threshold was closely correlated to postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. Monitoring of FNMEPs is a valid indicator of facial nerve function in skull base surgery. It should be used as an adjunct to direct electrical facial nerve stimulation and continuous electromyographic monitoring of facial nerve target muscles.
Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Titrable Acidity and Vitamin C Content of Citrus Fruits
Authors: Ahmad Iftekhar , Rahman Mizanur , Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Alam Md Mehbub Mustain , Hussain Md Shakawat
Published: March 2013

The study was carried out to assess effect of gamma radiation on the acidity and vitamin C content of the Citrus macroptera (Satkora) and Citrus assamensis (Ginger lime). Irradiation with doses 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 kGy were applied to assess the effect on the titrable acidity and vitamin C contents every one week interval for total five weeks. Both titrable acidity and vitamin C content of C. macroptera, and C. assamensis are sensitive to both gamma radiation and storage time; have decreased with increase of radiation does as well as storage time and this changes of vitamin C and titrable acidity content with gamma radiation and increasing storage period have found statistically significant.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13986 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 1-6, June, 2012
Screening of Different Tomato Varieties in Saline Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Siddiky MA , Sardar PK , Hossain MM , Khan MS , Uddin M Khabir
Published: March 2013

A field study was conducted to screen out a number of Bangladeshi Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) varieties for salinity tolerance. Three levels of salinity were 2.0-4.0 dS m-1, 4.1-8.0 dS m-1 and 8.1-12.0 dS m-1. Significant varietal and or salinity treatment effects were registered on plant height, leaf area, plant growth, yield, dry matter plant-1, Na+ and Claccumulation in tomato tissues. Variety BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2 consistently showed superior biological activity at moderate salinity (4.1-8.0 dS m-1), based on dry matter biomass production thus displaying relatively greater adaptation to salinity. Under saline condition, all plant parameters of tomato varieties were reduced compared to the control except number of fruits of BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2. Thus, BARI Tomato 14, BARI Hybrid Tomato 5 and BARI Tomato 2 can be regarded as a breeding material for development of new tomato varieties for tolerance to salinity in saline areas of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13989 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 13-18, June, 2012
Growth and Production Performances of Crossbred Climbing Perch Koi, Anabas testudineus in Bangladesh
Authors: Kohinoor AHM , Islam MS , Jahan DA , Khan MM , Hussain MG
Published: March 2013

The study was performed for evaluating the growth and production performances of crossbred climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) during August to October 2009. The crossbred groups of fish were produced by crossing between native climbing perch and Thai climbing perch (A. testudineus). Growth and production performances was compared at grow out condition between crossbred groups in the two reciprocal crosses of treatments viz. T1: Native climbing perch (?) × Thai climbing perch (?) and T2: Thai climbing perch (?)×Native climbing perch (?. At the same time, they were compared also with their respective control F1 pure line groups i.e. T3: Native climbing perch (?) × Native climbing perch (?) and T4: Thai climbing perch (?) × Thai climbing perch (?). It was evident from the results that among the treatments in grow out system, the highest mean harvesting weight was 69.25±9.01 g found in T4 (Thai climbing perch), which was significantly different (P<0.05) from all other treatments. Whereas, T3 (native climbing perch) also showed the lowest mean harvesting weight 33.38±8.74 g and showed significant differences (P<0.05) among all the treatments. The mean harvesting weight of both the crossbred groups i.e. T1 and T2 were 50.83±6.65 and 59.94±7.83 g, respectively and these results were statistically insignificant (P>0.05) between them but significant among all other treatments. The highest (93.60%) and lowest (83.06%) survival rates were observed in Thai koi (T4) and native Koi (T3) parental stocks, respectively. Wider variations in terms of productions performances were observed among the treatments, where the gross production of T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 2,753±96.67, 3,401±73.26, 1,733±168.47 and 4,051±185 kg/ha, respectively. The productions obtained from crossbred groups were at intermediate compared to their control pure line groups. Higher FCR mean value was observed in native control line (T3), while, lower FCR mean value was observed in Thai control line (T4). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13990 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 19-25, June, 2012
Agricultural Activities of the Malayali Tribal for Subsistence and Economic Needs in the Mid Elevation Forest of Pachamalai Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Anburaja V , Nandagopalan V
Published: March 2013

This paper is aimed to study the Agricultural activities of the Malayali Tribal for Subsistence and Economic needs in the mid elevation forest of Pachamalai Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil nadu. About 8 percent of the Indian population belongs to a category listed as Scheduled Tribes enumerated in the Schedule to Article 342 of the Constitution of India. Tribal people has been seen to be strongly associated with the forests, hills and remote areas, practicing a unique life style, having a unique set of cultural and religious beliefs. For millennia, tribal communities have lived in forests and survived on hunting and gathering. However, with growing population and resource pressure, it is now witnessing that a rise in livelihoods based on settled farming. In the study area, cereals are the major crop cultivated for their edible grains. The tribal people living in the hills tops of the study area were cultivated 11 major agricultural crops. They are, Eleusine coracana, Panicum miliare, Oryza sativa (verity I) (Mara Nellu), Oryza sativa (verity II), Manihot esculenta, Macrotyloma uniflorum, Vigna mungo, Sesamum orientale, Paspalum sp, Pennisetum americanum and Setaria italica. Among them, Paspalum sp gives the maximum yield with 655 kg acre-1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i1.13992 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (1): 32-36, June, 2012