bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid societal change as a proxy for regional environmental forcing: Evidence and explanations for Pacific island societies in the 14–15th centuries
Authors: Goff James , Nunn Patrick D.
Published: November 2015

Given the unquestioned impacts of recent/future environmental changes on human societies, it is reasonable to posit that past societal responses could be used as proxies of contemporaneous environmental forcing and might help identify the drivers of these, particularly where independent evidence of the effects of these events is inadequate. Such areas include Pacific oceanic islands for most of which there is evidence of a societal perturbation in the 14th and 15th centuries that saw the outbreak of region‐wide conflict, abandonment of coastal settlements and the abrupt end of long‐distance cross‐ocean voyaging networks. The contemporaneity of these effects across a vast region requires a driver that is external to particular island groups with the only possibility that of oceanic origin, most likely large waves (tsunamis or storm surges) or rapid sea‐level change. The explanation is less important than the principle that societal changes can be used as proxies for environmental activity.
Multicriteria decision‐making approach based on gray linguistic weighted Bonferroni mean operator
Authors: Tian Zhang‐Peng , Wang Jing , Wang Jian‐Qiang , Chen Xiao‐Hong
Published: November 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) approach that applies the gray linguistic Bonferroni mean (BM) operator to address the situations where the criterion values take the form of gray linguistic numbers (GLNs) and the criterion weights are known. First, the related operations and comparison method for GLNs are provided. Subsequently, a BM operator and weighted BM operator of GLNs are developed. Then, based on the gray linguistic weighted BM operator, an MCDM approach is proposed. Finally, an illustrative example is given and a comparison analysis is conducted between the proposed approach and other existing methods to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed approach.
Pricing and advertising the relief goods under various information sharing scenarios
Authors: Zhang Ting , Zhu Xiaowei , Zhou Chuiri , Liu Mengqi
Published: November 2015

We study the strategic implications of the advertising and pricing problem with market disruptions where a manufacturer sells relief goods to the end customers through a retailer in a natural disaster. We focus on the impact of forecast and value of keeping information private on advertising and pricing decisions. Three information cases, including noninformation sharing (N), information sharing (I), and retailer forecasting (R), are studied. For each case, we derive the optimal national advertising effort and wholesale price for the manufacturer, and the optimal local advertising effort and retail price for the retailer. We then compare the three cases and derive conditions under which the two parties should share information with each other. Results of extensive numerical experimentation are also presented.
An approach to multiplicative linguistic group decision making based on possibility degrees
Authors: Xia Meimei , Xu Zeshui
Published: November 2015

In order to compare two uncertain multiplicative linguistic variables, a possibility degree formula has been developed and its properties are also studied. Then a possibility degree matrix (also considered as a reciprocal preference relation) is constructed to compare a collection of uncertain multiplicative linguistic variables. Two models are further provided to derive the priority vector from the possibility degree matrix based on the additive consistency and multiplicative consistency. Especially, if the parameters are assigned specific values, then the models reduce to the existing ones. A group decision making method has been developed to deal with the situations where the preferences on alternatives are expressed by uncertain multiplicative linguistic variables. In this method, the possibility degree matrix is first constructed, from which the priority of alternatives is obtained using the developed models. At the end, an example is given to illustrate the proposed method.
The inventory routing problem: the value of integration
Authors: Archetti Claudia , Speranza M. Grazia
Published: November 2015

We consider an inventory routing problem in which a supplier delivers goods to customers over a given planning period. Before the advent of the supply chain management concept, customers usually applied a policy for the inventory management. The supplier then, on the basis of the distribution schedule determined by the customers, organized the distribution routes. In an integrated approach, the supplier has access to the inventory levels at the customers and knowledge of their demand process. On the basis of this information the supplier organizes a complete distribution plan, determining the days of visit, quantities to deliver, and distribution routes. This integrated policy is called vendor‐managed inventory policy. We solve the optimization problems arising in the traditional and integrated management, and analyze the two approaches, comparing the costs and characteristics of the different solutions.
Sociological Approaches to the European Union in Times of Turmoil
Authors: Saurugger Sabine
Published: November 2015

This contribution aims at questioning the explanatory capacity of sociological approaches to European integration in times of crisis. Its main argument is that in times of turmoil – perceived or real – analysis of actors’ strategies and cognitive frames is crucial for understanding the emergence of solutions proposed to remedy the problem. Starting from a sociological definition of crisis, the article illustrates through empirical examples how the cognitive frames in which actors evolve determine their analysis of problems as well as solutions. Sociological approaches to public policy, which reject the basic assumption of actors behaving solely according to a presumed material cost–benefit analysis, help us to better grasp the complexity of decision‐making. The main reason for this is that they allow for linking the domestic and European levels when analysing cognitive and decision‐making processes, instead of concentrating on either European citizens or European elites separately.
Regulation Theory and the Political Economy of the European Union
Authors: Bieling Hans‐Jürgen , Jäger Johannes , Ryner Magnus
Published: November 2015

European integration theory considers to what extent the EU can realize a telos where American pluralism is the template. Not without merits, but considering the financial and eurozone crises fatally, such perspectives elide power relations and attendant contradictions and irrationalities that are constitutive of transatlantic integration itself. Regulation theory, which synthesizes the reformist ethos of Europe's postwar statist tradition and Marxism, and which has produced a considerable body of analysis of the EU published at the margins of EU scholarship, offers a compelling alternative that potentially overcomes these shortcomings. This article critically assesses how regulation theory has interpreted the single market, financial liberalization and EMU as a suppression of alternatives to neoliberal post‐Fordism, or finance‐led accumulation, in Europe. It argues that understanding the EU's current conjuncture of eurozone crisis management requires a neo‐Gramscian extension of regulation theory, stressing transnational patterns of capitalist accumulation and power relations.
Parenting behavior at 2 years predicts school‐age performance at 7 years in very preterm children
Authors: Treyvaud Karli , Doyle Lex W. , Lee Katherine J. , Ure Alexandra , Inder Terrie E. , Hunt Rod W. , Anderson Peter J.
Published: November 2015

Background

Parenting influences child development, but it is unclear whether early parenting behavior can influence school‐age outcomes in very preterm (VPT) children, and/or if certain groups of VPT children may be more affected by early parenting behavior. These research questions were examined.

Methods

Participants were 147 children born <30 weeks’ gestation or birth weight <1250 g and their primary caregiver. At term corrected age (CA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine presence and severity of brain abnormality and medical data collected. High medical risk was defined as the presence of at least one of sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, moderate to severe white matter abnormality on MRI, or postnatal corticosteroids. At 2 years CA, parent–child interaction was assessed, and at 7 years CA, general intelligence (IQ), language, executive function, academic skills, and social‐emotional functioning were assessed.

Results

Higher levels of parent–child synchrony, and parent facilitation, sensitivity and positive affect at 2 years were associated with better child outcomes at 7 years, while higher levels of intrusiveness and negative affect were associated with poorer outcomes. Many of these relationships remained after controlling for early child cognitive development. Interactions between child medical risk (higher/lower) and parenting were limited to child reading, math, and executive functioning outcomes, with stronger relationships for lower medical risk children.

Conclusions

The contribution of early parenting to VPT children's school‐age performance is significant, with stronger effects for lower medical risk children in some outcomes. These findings support the premise that parenting strategies should be included in the NICU and early interventions programs for VPT infants.
The Evolving Role of Midwives as Laborists
Authors: DeJoy Susan A. , Sankey Heather Z. , Dickerson Anissa E. , Psaltis Audrey , Galli Amy , Burkman Ronald T.
Published: November 2015

This article examines the history and present state of the midwife as laborist. The role of the midwife and obstetrician laborist/hospitalist is rapidly evolving due to the need to improve patient safety and provide direct care due to reduced resident work hours, as well as practice demands experienced by community providers and other factors. Models under development are customized to meet the needs of different communities and hospitals. Midwives are playing a prominent role in many laborist/hospitalist practices as the first‐line hospital provider or as part of a team with physicians. Some models incorporate certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives as faculty to residents and medical students. The midwifery laborist/hospitalist practices at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, are presented as an example of how midwives are functioning as laborists. Essential components of a successful midwife laborist program include interdisciplinary planning, delineation of problems the model should solve, establishment of program metrics, clear practice guidelines and role definitions, and a plan for sustained funding. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.
Implementing Family‐Centered Cesarean Birth
Authors: Schorn Mavis N. , Moore Elizabeth , Spetalnick Bennett M. , Morad Anna
Published: November 2015

Cesarean birth is recognized as a physical and psychological stressor for many women. Maternity practices during cesarean birth should meet women's needs, while maintaining safety, to optimize the experience. Family‐centered cesarean birth is a package of interventions that encourages a woman to participate in choosing interventions that would be helpful when undergoing a planned or unplanned cesarean birth. Included in family‐centered cesarean birth is implementation of skin‐to‐skin care in the operating room for neonates who appear term and healthy. The process of attempting to implement family‐centered cesarean birth at one academic center is presented, including steps for implementation, benefits, challenges, and areas for continued improvement and research. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.
Attenuation of cerebral ischemic injury in interferon regulatory factor 3‐deficient rat
Authors: Li Lei , Qin Juan‐Juan , Guo Sen , Zhang Peng , Gong Jun , Zhang Xiao‐Jing , Zheng Ankang , Xia Hao , Li Hongliang
Published: November 2015

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in the innate immune response, apoptosis, and oncogenesis. Previous studies have shown that endogenous IRF3 does not affect stroke in mice; however, paradoxically, elevated IRF3 expression was observed in the rat brains following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, indicating that IRF3 may have different functions during stroke in rats than in mice. A clear and comprehensive study of the effect of IRF3 on stroke in rats has been hampered by the lack of an IRF3‐knockout rat strain. In this study, a novel IRF3 knockout rat strain and a transgenic rat strain with neuronal‐specific IRF3 over‐expression (IRF3‐TG) were created. Subsequently, the generated IRF3‐knockout rats, the neuronal‐specific IRF3 over‐expressing rats and their corresponding controls were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and followed by reperfusion, to investigate the exact role of IRF3 in cerebral I/R in rats. In contrast to the results in mice, IRF3 deficiency in rats provided significant protection against cerebral I/R injury and inhibited neuronal apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress after cerebral I/R injury; the opposite patterns were observed in neuronal‐specific IRF3 over‐expressing rats. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IRF3 plays a negative regulatory role in cerebral I/R in rats, and IRF3 may be an attractive therapeutic target for preventing stroke.

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In the present study, we discovered that the transcription factor IRF3, which plays a central role in the innate immune response, apoptosis, and oncogenesis, could exacerbate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via activating caspase‐dependent neuronal apoptosis, inducing inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that IRF3 may be an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention of stroke.
Sorting out release, uptake and processing of alpha‐synuclein during prion‐like spread of pathology
Authors: Tyson Trevor , Steiner Jennifer A. , Brundin Patrik
Published: November 2015

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by the formation of intracellular protein inclusion bodies composed primarily of a misfolded and aggregated form of the protein α‐synuclein. There is growing evidence that supports the prion‐like hypothesis of α‐synuclein progression. This hypothesis postulates that α‐synuclein is a prion‐like pathological agent and is responsible for the progression of Parkinson pathology in the brain. Potential misfolding or aggregation of α‐synuclein that might occur in the peripheral nervous system as a result of some insult, environmental or genetic (or more likely a combination of both) that might spread into the midbrain, eventually causing degeneration of the neurons in the substantia nigra. As the disease progresses further, it is likely that α‐synuclein pathology continues to spread throughout the brain, including the cortex, leading to deterioration of cognition and higher brain functions. While it is unknown why α‐synuclein initially misfolds and aggregates, a great deal has been learned about how the cell handles aberrant α‐synuclein assemblies. In this review, we focus on these mechanisms and discuss them in an attempt to define the role that they might play in the propagation of misfolded α‐synuclein from cell‐to‐cell.

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The prion‐like hypothesis of α‐synuclein pathology suggests a method for the transmission of misfolded α‐synuclein from one neuron to another. This hypothesis postulates that misfolded α‐synuclein becomes aggregation prone and when released and taken up by neighboring cells, seeds further misfolding and aggregation. In this review we examine the cellular mechanisms that are involved in the processing of α‐synuclein and how these may contribute to the prion‐like propagation of α‐synuclein pathology.

This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
Market Timing and Internationalization Decisions: A Contingency Perspective
Authors: Yuan Lin , Qian Xiaolin , Pangarkar Nitin
Published: November 2015

Does acquisition of low‐cost capital through market timing improve the likelihood of a firm's internationalization? Under what circumstances will the above relationship be stronger? These questions are the focus of our study. We integrate the arguments of the resource‐based view and the market timing theory to answer these questions. We constructed a sample of capital‐raising moves and international investments by 905 listed Chinese firms spanning the 1992–2012 period. Based on random‐effects regression analyses, we find that firms deploying market timing are indeed more likely to internationalize. We also find that this effect is stronger for initial entries than subsequent expansions in a country.
Treatment Outcomes Based on Patients’ Self‐Reported Measures after Receiving New Clasp or Precision Attachment‐Retained Removable Partial Dentures
Authors: Peršić Sanja , Kranjčić Josip , Pavičić Daniela Kovačević , Mikić Vlatka Lajnert , Čelebić Asja
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To evaluate effects of a treatment taking into consideration esthetics, chewing, and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of two tooth replacement strategies for maxillary partially edentulous patients with clasp (C‐RPD) and precision attachment (PA‐RPD) retained removable partial dentures (RPD).

Materials and Methods

The study included 150 patients (72 men, 78 women) who received maxillary RPDs; 88 patients received clasp and 62 patients received precision attachment retained RPDs. Patients completed three questionnaires before treatment and again 3 months after treatment: the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14), and the Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ). Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, paired t‐test, and two‐factor ANOVA.

Results

Both RPD treatments yielded better after‐treatment summary scores when compared with the baseline scores (p < 0.01); however, better results were obtained in the PA‐RPD group. Gender, as a single factor, did not yield significant effects; mutual interaction of retention type and gender yielded significant effects. The PA‐RPD female group assessed esthetics, chewing function, and OHRQoL significantly better than males, and significantly worse than males in the C‐RPD group. The covariate baseline scores yielded statistically significant effects; patients with worse pretreatment condition benefited more from both therapies.

Conclusions

Treatment outcomes were better in the PA‐RPD group than the C‐RPDs. Women showed greater concern for the treatment outcomes; their rates were significantly better than in male patients in the PA‐RPD group; however, when their satisfaction was lower, their rates were significantly worse than in male patients (in the C‐RPD group).
Evaluation of Different Polishing Systems and Speeds for Dental Zirconia
Authors: Chavali Ramakiran , Lin Chee Paul , Lawson Nathaniel C.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To evaluate two polishing systems and three polishing speeds on the gloss, roughness, and heat production of yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y‐TZP).

Materials and Methods

A Y‐TZP block (Zenostar Zr Translucent) was sectioned into 4‐mm‐thick sections. Specimens (n = 30 per polishing system) were first wet ground with a fine diamond bur at 200,000 RPM for 15 seconds. The baseline gloss of all specimens was measured in a glossmeter (60° angle) in a direction perpendicular to grinding. Initial surface roughness (Ra) was determined on an optical profilometer in a direction perpendicular to grinding. The specimens were then polished with either a Dialite ZR Polishing Kit or a CeraMaster Polishing Kit. All grinding and polishing was performed by the same operator calibrated to apply approximately 2 N pressure. The medium grit polisher was used for 30 seconds, repeated for 30 seconds, and then the fine grit polisher was used. After each step, the gloss and roughness of each specimen was remeasured as described previously. Each polishing system was used at 5000, 15,000, and 40,000 RPM (n = 10 for each polish system/speed combination). A group of glazed specimens (n = 10) was evaluated for gloss and roughness as a control. The heat generated for each polishing step was measured with a thermocouple. The gloss and roughness of the specimens were analyzed using a linear mixed model and Tukey‐Kramer post‐hoc tests. Each step of polishing was compared to the glazed control group with an ANOVA and Dunnett's test.

Results

Polishing step, system, and speed were significant (p< 0.05) for gloss and roughness. Examination of system and step interaction was significant for gloss only. Post‐hoc analysis revealed that 15,000 RPM produced higher gloss and lower roughness than other speeds. Each progressive step produced an improvement in gloss except for initial 30 seconds with the CeraMaster Coarse (medium polisher;p= 0.34). Roughness was also reduced at each progressive step. No polishing speed/system produced an increase in temperature above 41°C. Both polishing systems were capable of achieving a similar or superior roughness and gloss as the glazed control specimens after the final polishing step at 15,000 RPM.

Conclusions

Fifteen thousand RPM is an optimal polishing speed. Progressing through the polishing sequence significantly improves gloss and roughness and can create similar values as glazed zirconia.
Intraoral Digital Impression Technique Compared to Conventional Impression Technique. A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gjelvold Björn , Chrcanovic Bruno Ramos , Korduner Eva‐Karin , Collin‐Bagewitz Ingrid , Kisch Jenö
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To compare digital and conventional impression techniques in a randomized clinical trial; specifically, procedure times, patient‐centered outcomes, and clinical evaluation of the restorations.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐two patients in need of tooth‐supported single crowns and/or fixed partial prostheses up to six units were randomly allocated to one of the impression techniques. The procedure times, dentists’ and patients’ assessments using a visual analog scale (VAS), and clinical evaluation of the restorations were compared between the two groups.

Results

The mean total procedure times for digital and conventional impression technique were 14:33 ± 5:27 and 20:42 ± 5:42, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean impression times were 7:33 ± 3.37 and 11:33 ± 1.56, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean VAS scores for the dentist's assessment of difficulty (0 to 100; very difficult = 100) were 24.00 ± 18.02 and 48.02 ± 21.21, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean VAS scores for the patients’ assessment of discomfort (0 to 100; very discomforting = 100) was 6.50 ± 5.87 and 44.86 ± 27.13, respectively (p < 0.0001). Occlusal contacts showed a better result for the digital technique.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrated that the digital technique was more efficient and convenient than the conventional impression technique.
In Vitro Wear Resistance of Nano‐Hybrid Composite Denture Teeth
Authors: Munshi Nabeel , Rosenblum Marc , Jiang Shuying , Flinton Robert
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the wear resistance of nano‐hybrid composite denture teeth as compared to two commonly used denture teeth: interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and double crosslinking polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture teeth.

Material and Methods

18 styli and 18 disk specimens were prepared from the three denture tooth materials: nano‐hybrid composite, IPN, and double crosslinking PMMA. The specimens were mounted in a two‐body wear testing machine to simulate chewing in the complete denture. The amount of wear from the styli specimens were measured before and after using a digital micrometer, and the depth of the wear track from the disk specimens was measured using a noncontact 3D optical profilometer. The total wear from each denture tooth group was compared using one‐way ANOVA with a 0.05 significance level. A Tukey post hoc test was used to determine differences between the three groups.

Results

The mean total wear in the nano‐hybrid composite teeth group was 1.16 mm, SD = 0.5 mm, statistically significantly higher (p ≤ 0.0001) than the IPN (mean = 0.13 mm, SD = 0.05) and double crosslinking PMMA tooth groups (mean = 0.31 mm, SD = 0.19). There was no statistically significant difference between IPN denture teeth and double crosslinking PMMA denture teeth in the amount of wear.

Conclusions

Nano‐hybrid composite denture teeth exhibited statistically significantly more wear than the IPN and double crosslinking PMMA denture teeth.
Evaluating hazardous waste generation in for‐profit outpatient haemodialysis centres
Authors: García‐Vicente Sergio , Llopis‐González A. , González‐Steinbauer C. , Morales Suárez‐Varela M.
Published: November 2015

Background

“Green” haemodialysis management to reduce the environmental impact of haemodialysis is growing.

Objectives

Dealing with hazardous waste production could heighten healthcare professionals’ awareness of this problem, and improve their healthcare involvement in environmental sustainability and environmental‐friendliness.

Design and Measurements

A list of for‐profit outpatient haemodialysis centres in the Valencian Community (E Spain) was compiled. Data on their hazardous waste production from 2008 to 2012 through the annual waste reports issued by official organisations competent in environmental issues were collected.

Results

There are 22 for‐profit dialysis centres, that managed the treatment for 69.1% of all dialysis patients in the region. Data were collected from 16 centres that collectively offer 350 dialysis places (33.8% of all the places in this region). Mean annual hazardous waste production per dialysis session increased by 14% during the study period: 0.640 kg per session in 2008 vs. 0.740 kg in 2012.

Discussion and Conclusions

As hazardous waste production is high, we must examine the reasons why it is growing. Information about haemodialysis waste production and management is scarce and difficult to access. Having an evaluation of its production would motivate further research, especially as end‐stage kidney disease is increasing, and whose main long‐term treatment, haemodialysis, produces hazardous waste and employs substantial natural resources. Minimising its environmental impact is not mission impossible.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Long‐Term Intermittent Self‐Catheterization with Hydrophilic‐Coated and Uncoated Catheters in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury in Japan
Authors: WATANABE Toyohiko , YAMAMOTO Shingo , GOTOH Momokazu , SAITOH Tadanori , YOKOYAMA Osamu , MURATA Tatsunori , TAKEDA Masayuki
Published: November 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of disposable, hydrophilic‐coated catheters in Japan.

Methods

A Markov decision model previously applied in a European study was used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of intermittent self‐catheterization (ISC) with hydrophilic‐coated catheters in Japanese spinal cord injury (SCI) patients suffering from chronic urinary retention from a lifetime perspective. To adjust the model to a Japanese setting, relevant Japanese data regarding the baseline risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), the average age at onset of SCI, costs, and general mortality were extracted from published literature, national statistics, or the opinions of Japanese experts. The direct medical costs, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) and life years gained (LYG) were calculated from the payers' perspective. An annual discount rate of 2% was applied to both the costs and the effects.

Results

The incremental cost of hydrophilic‐coated catheters was 1 279 886 yen (US$ 10 578 at an exchange rate of US$ 1 = 121 yen) per SCI patient, but they yielded an additional 0.334 QALYs and 0.781 LYG compared with uncoated catheters. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of hydrophilic‐coated catheters vs. uncoated catheters was 3 826 351 yen/QALY (US$ 31 623/QALY) gained and 1 639 562 yen/LYG (US$ 13 550/LYG).

Conclusions

The ICER of 3.8 million yen (US$ 31 405) falls well within the Japanese societal willingness to pay per QALY gained; therefore, hydrophilic‐coated catheters can be considered highly cost‐effective in Japan compared with uncoated catheters. However, because of the lack of relevant studies, a number of key parameters could not be based on Japanese data, and further research among people with SCI in Japan is recommended.
Clinical and patient‐reported outcomes of Chinese patients undergoing haemodialysis in hospital or in the community: A 1‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Julie Y , Wan Eric YF , Choi Edmond PH , Wong Carlos KH , Chan Anca KC , Chan Karina HY , Li Philip KT , Lam Cindy LK
Published: November 2015

Aim

Little is known about the effect of haemodialysis (HD) setting on outcomes of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The study aimed at comparing clinical outcomes and patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) of patients on community‐based (CBHD) and hospital‐based haemodialysis (HBHD).

Methods

A prospective cohort of Chinese ESRD patients receiving HBHD (n = 89) or CBHD (n = 117) in Hong Kong were followed up for 12 months. Subjects were assessed on clinical outcomes of dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) and blood haemoglobin and PRO of health‐related quality of life (SF‐12v2), general health condition (Global Rating Scale (GRS)) and confidence to cope with their illness (Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI)). Differences between groups were analyzed by independent t‐tests for the SF‐12v2, GRS and PEI scores. χ2 tests were used to analyze the difference in proportion of patients reaching the targets of Kt/V and blood haemoglobin and with GRS > 0 and PEI > 0. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess the adjusted difference‐in‐difference estimation.

Results

The mean PEI and GRS scores of CBHD patients at 12 months were significantly higher than those of HBHD patients. CBHD patients had significantly greater improvement in self‐efficacy and were more likely to be enabled after 12 months than the HBHD patients.

Conclusion

The study showed similar clinical outcomes and PRO between CBHD and HBHD but CBHD was more effective than HBHD in promoting patient enablement over a 12‐month period. The results suggest added value for patients receiving CBHD and support the transfer of HD care from the hospital to the community.
Percutaneous Repair Technique for Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture with Assistance of Kirschner Wire
Authors: He Ze‐yang , Chai Ming‐xiang , Liu Yue‐ju , Zhang Xiao‐ran , Zhang Tao , Song Lian‐xin , Ren Zhi‐xin , Wu Xi‐rui
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study is to introduce a self‐designed, minimally invasive technique for repairing an acute Achilles tendon rupture percutaneously. Comparing with the traditional open repair, the new technique provides obvious advantages of minimized operation‐related lesions, fewer wound complications as well as a higher healing rate. However, a percutaneous technique without direct vision may be criticized by its insufficient anastomosis of Achilles tendon and may also lead to the lengthening of the Achilles tendon and a reduction in the strength of the gastrocnemius. To address the potential problems, we have improved our technique using a percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage process before suturing, which can effectively recover the length of the Achilles tendon and ensure the broken ends are in tight contact. With this improvement in technique, we have great confidence that it will become the treatment of choice for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
Efficiency and Accuracy of Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy for Adult Hip Dysplasia
Authors: Luo Dian‐zhong , Zhang Hong , Xiao Kai , Cheng Hui
Published: November 2015

Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) has several advantages dealing with adolescents and adults acetabular dysplasia. The authors introduced the details and steps performing PAO, with attached video and schematic diagram which demonstrates a perfect PAO in efficiency and accuracy. The patient is an 18‐year‐old girl, complaining hip pain on the left side for 6 months. Physical examination shows normal gait and range of motion (ROM) of the left hip. Pelvic anteroposterior X‐ray shows acetabular dysplasia on the left, and post operation on the right. She is very satisfied with the PAO on the right one year before, so we recommend PAO for the left hip dysplasia again. The key point of PAO includes 4 cuts: ischial cut, pubic cut, acetabular roof cut, and quadrilateral bone cut, and the four cuts should be accomplished accurately. Then the acetabular fragment should be turned to ideal position with the lateral CE angle (LCE) > 25°, the Tönnis acetabular angle 0°, the anterior CE angle (ACE) > 20°, good congruence joint space, and with the hip center medialized slightly. At lastly the acetabular fragment is fixed with proper nails and instruments. The patient is very happy to the surgery with no hip pain, with normal gait, ROM, and Harris hip scores (HHS). In summary, PAO is a relative new and efficient procedure for adult hip dysplasia, requiring accurate techniques. Cadaveric practice and familiar with the local anatomy can help the surgeon overcome the learning curve quickly.
Utilization of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgical Time: An Evaluation of Three Different Models at a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
Authors: Beebe Allan C. , Arnott Lindsay , Klamar Jan E. , Kean John R. , Klingele Kevin E. , Samora Walter P.
Published: November 2015

Objective

Over the past decade, our institution has instituted three different scheduling models in an attempt to care for pediatric trauma at our Level I Trauma Center. This has been in response to a number of factors, including a limited number of physicians covering the call schedule, increasing competition for operating room (OR) time after hours (pediatric surgery, urology, neurosurgery), an attempt to fully utilize OR time during the daytime, fully staffed hours, and optimizing patients' timeliness to surgery. We examined the three on‐call systems in place at our institution to determine whether a more flexible approach to pediatric trauma call resulted in delays in treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patient records for three distinct 1‐year periods with three different surgical call schedules: (i) a traditional call schedule in which the call physician was responsible for patients who presented to our emergency room; (ii) a half‐day trauma block OR reserved the morning following call; and (iii) a full‐day trauma block. Variables included date of injury, time of admission, admission diagnosis, cause of injury, and OR procedure and start time.

Results

We reviewed 951 cases over the entire study, 268 during the traditional call schedule, 282 during the half‐call block and 401 over the time period of the full‐day block. Mechanisms of injury were similar among the three groups, with falls and motor vehicle accidents being the leading causes. The average delay time was 17:40 for the traditional call group, 15:10 for the half‐block call group, and 15:09 for the full‐day block group. Our findings suggest that there was a high incidence of cases performed on weekdays after peak staffing hours with a traditional call model (59%). In contrast, half‐day and full‐day block models saw only 4% and 1% of the cases performed after peak staffing hours, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients admitted to the OR among the three groups (χ2 = 488.8449, P < 0.0001). The number of patients seen during Monday through Friday was also statistically significant among the three groups (χ2 = 382.0576, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The institution of more flexible and physician‐directed half‐call and full‐day blocks did result in delays in treatment. However, it also has demonstrated benefits to patients in reducing the number of operative cases performed after weekday peak staffing hours; helped our institution better manage its staffing and financial resources; and provided the treating surgeon flexibility in determining the timing of operative care.
Radiographic Features of Acute Patellar Tendon Rupture
Authors: Fazal Muhammad Ali , Moonot Pradeep , Haddad Fares
Published: November 2015

Objective

The purpose of our study was to assess soft tissue features of acute patellar tendon rupture on lateral knee radiograph that would facilitate early diagnosis.

Methods

The participants were divided into two groups of 35 patients each. There were 28 men and seven women with a mean age of 46 years in the control group and 26 men and nine women with a mean age of 47 years in the rupture group. The lateral knee radiograph of each patient was evaluated for Insall–Salvati ratio for patella alta, increased density of the infrapatellar fat pad, appearance of the soft tissue margin of the patellar tendon and bony avulsions.

Results

In the rupture group there were three consistent soft tissue radiographic features in addition to patellar alta. These were increased density of infrapatellar fat pad; loss of sharp, well‐defined linear margins of the patellar tendon and angulated wavy margin of the patellar tendon while in the control group these features were not observed.

Conclusions

The soft tissue radiographic features described in the rupture group are consistent and reliable. When coupled with careful clinical assessment, these will aid in early diagnosis and further imaging will be seldom required.
Mixed Fixation and Interbody Fusion for Treatment Single‐Segment Lower Lumbar Vertebral Disease: Midterm Follow‐up Results
Authors: Zeng Zhong‐you , Wu Peng , Yan Wei‐feng , Song Yong‐xing , Zhang Jian‐qiao , Tang Hong‐chao , Song Guo‐hao , Han Jian‐fu , Fan Shun‐wu
Published: November 2015

Objective

To investigate the midterm outcomes of unilateral pedicle screws combined with contralateral gunsight‐guided translaminar facet screw fixation and interbody fusion for treatment of single‐segment lower lumbar vertebral disease.

Methods

A total of 78 patients with various lower lumbar single‐segment vertebral diseases were treated in our department from January 2008 to December 2011. There were 21 males and 57 females, with an average age of 52.5 years, including lumbar disc degeneration (28 cases), local recurrence of lumbar disc herniation (9 cases), huge lumbar disc herniation (11 cases), lumbar disc herniation with spinal stenosis (13 cases), and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (degree I) (17 cases). All patients were treated by unilateral pedicle screws in the median incision combined with contralateral gunsight‐guided translaminar facet screw fixation and interbody fusion.

Results

No wound infection or skin necrosis around incision was observed after operation. No leakage of cerebrospinal fluid or nerve injury occurred during and after operation. Excepting 4 cases, 74 cases were followed up for 18–60 months, averaged 33.5 months. All but one patient (98.6%) received interbody fusion. The intervertebral height of the indexed level was well restored and maintained. At final follow‐up. During follow‐up, there was no screw loosening or pedicle fracture observed. No apparent degeneration of adjacent segments. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores was increased significantly from 12.79 ± 2.12 preoperatively to 25.8 ± 2.87 at the final follow‐up.

Conclusion

Unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation and interbody fusion showed good mid‐term outcomes in the treatment of single‐segment lower lumbar vertebral disease, and can be used as an optimal choice for fixation and fusion of some single‐segment lower lumbar vertebral diseases.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in AGTR1, TFAP2B, and TRAF1 are not associated with the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus in Japanese preterm infants
Authors: Kawase Koya , Sugiura Tokio , Nagaya Yoshiaki , Yamada Takaharu , Sugimoto Mari , Ito Koichi , Togawa Takao , Nagasaki Rika , Kato Takenori , Kouwaki Masanori , Koyama Norihisa , Saitoh Shinji
Published: November 2015

Background

Persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent complication in preterm infants. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in several genes, including angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AGTR1), transcription factor AP‐2 beta (TFAP2B) and tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 1 (TRAF1), have been reported to be associated with PDA in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between PDA in preterm infants and polymorphisms in AGTR1, TFAP2B and TRAF1 in the Japanese population.

Methods

The subjects consisted of 107 preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks. Extremely low‐birthweight infants were treated with prophylactic indomethacin during the first 24 h after birth. Five SNP, namely, rs5186 in AGTR1, rs987237 and rs6930924 in TFAP2B, and rs1056567 and rs10985070 in TRAF1, were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays.

Results

There were no significant differences in the distributions of the genotypes and allele frequencies of all studied SNP between the PDA group (n = 46) and the non‐PDA group (n = 61).

Conclusions

There were no significant associations between the studied SNP and the incidence of PDA in Japanese preterm infants. These SNP may not be clinically important predisposing factors for PDA in Japanese preterm infants.
Diversity and populations of Phytophthora, Phytopythium and Pythium species recovered from sediments in an agricultural run‐off sedimentation reservoir
Authors: Yang X. , Hong C. X.
Published: November 2015

Agricultural run‐off sedimentation reservoirs are an emerging aquatic system of critical importance to plant biosecurity, water and environmental sustainability. Oomycete pathogens such as Phytophthora and Pythium species in irrigation water have been demonstrated to pose significant risks to ornamental crops, but little is known about their diversity and populations in sediments of agricultural irrigation systems. This study investigated the oomycete communities including Phytophthora (Ph.), Phytopythium (Pp.) and Pythium (Py.) species in sediments at various depths of an agricultural run‐off sedimentation reservoir in Virginia during the winters of 2011 and 2015. The recovery of these oomycetes declined sharply with sediment depth from surface to 0·8 m and none was recovered from sediments deeper than 1·4 m. A total of 47 oomycete species were recovered, with all four species of Phytophthora and five of Phytopythium exclusively from the surface. Recovered species included many important plant pathogens such as Ph. nicotianae, Ph. pini, Ph. tropicalis, Pp.  vexans, Py. irregulare and Py. monospermum. These results underline the importance of decontaminating sediments excavated from top layers (0–1·4 m) of the sedimentation reservoir before reuse in plant production.
Language, affect and the inculcation of social norms in the New Guinea Highlands and beyond
Authors: Rumsey Alan
Published: November 2015

Culturalist accounts of emotion and morality have focused on how they are constructed and inculcated through particular, more or less culturally specific ways of talking about them. Both Bourdieu and recent affect theorists have opposed what they see as an overemphasis on language in such accounts. Here I argue that the dichotomy between the ‘verbal’ and the ‘non‐verbal’ that is common to both is misconceived. A more useful distinction is between the level of referentially explicit talk about emotions and moral precepts, and the ways in which they are implicitly conveyed, both through non‐referential aspects of discourse and through other, non‐discursive aspects of social interaction. Ethnographic evidence for my argument is drawn from study of children's language socialization in Highland Papua New Guinea.
Disparate dimensions of a Mekeo socio‐moral order: Values, emotions and dispositions in language, discourse and practice
Authors: Jones Alan
Published: November 2015

Terms for affective constructs and references to social ideals proliferate in the ethnography of the Mekeo, but these are often inconsistently defined and treated in isolation. I here attempt to produce a more coherent account of relevant terms and, ultimately, a systematic representation of the ontologically disparate elements that combined to produce a viable socio‐moral order in twentieth‐century Mekeo village society. The exercise reveals unexpected synergies between seemingly unrelated dispositions and emotions, espoused values and enacted Using Bourdieu's concept of a ‘generative model’ (1990) I develop a schematic account that brings a gamut of diverse socio‐moral constructs into semi‐orderly alignment with the realities of a disorderly lifeworld. For a certain time at least, the socio‐moral discourse and practices summarised in this schema successfully resolved the basic lived problem of the Mekeo lifeworld—the antinomy between a social structure based on inequality and the intransigence of a narcissistic and hubristic inner male self.
Impacts of Emerging Asia on African and Latin American Trade: Projections to 2030
Authors: Anderson Kym , Strutt Anna
Published: November 2015

Rapid growth in Asia's emerging economies has boosted export earnings of resource‐rich economies over the past decade. Whether or not those high growth rates continue, how will structural changes in Asia alter the relative importance of their imports of primary products? This paper projects production and trade patterns of Africa and Latin America to 2030 under various growth and policy scenarios in Asia, using the GTAP model of the global economy. We compare a projection assuming relatively conservative economic growth in China and India with a projection in which those economies continue to grow rapidly (albeit slower than in the previous decade). We then compare our conservative growth baseline with two alternative scenarios: one assuming Africa and Latin America choose to invest more in public agricultural R&D to take advantage of Asian import growth; the other assuming China and India dampen that import growth by restricting their imports of key food grains (following the historical pattern of economies such as Japan and Korea). The final section summarises the results and draws out policy implications for Latin America and Africa.
DNAbarcoding of deep‐water notacanthiform fishes (Teleostei, Elopomorpha)
Authors: Barros‐García David , Bañón Rafael , Arronte Juan Carlos , Fernández‐Peralta Lourdes , García Ramón , de Carlos Alejandro
Published: November 2015

Notacanthiformes Goodrich, 1909, is an order of deep‐sea teleost fishes with a leptocephalus larval stage whose biology and systematics are not widely known. The aim of this work was to apply theDNAbarcode standard, based onCOIsequence variation, to the delimitation of the species of this order, which is composed by the families Halosauridae (halosaurus) and Notacanthidae (spiny eels). The sequence data used for the analyses were obtained from two sources: 71 samples collected during oceanographic surveys in the North Atlantic Ocean (including the rare speciesLipogenys gilliiGoode & Bean, 1895) and 95 sequences collected from theBOLDdata set. The neighbor‐joining analysis of the barcodes was successful in identifying 96% of the specimens, representing 9 of 16 and 9 of 10 of the recognised species of halosaurus and spiny eels, respectively, including all the current genera. The comparison between the Atlantic and theBOLDdata sets also flagged the possibility of occurrences of misidentification and cryptic species. A modern molecular tool like theDNAbarcoding supports the previously morphological‐based systematics of the order Notacanthiformes and will provide better access to the taxonomic knowledge of these deep‐water fishes.