bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Finite Optimality Set of the Vector Assignment p‐Median Problem
Authors: Lei Ting L. , Church Richard L.
Published: September 2014

The vector assignment p‐median problem (VAPMP) is one of the first discrete location problems to account for the service of a demand by multiple facilities, and has been used to model a variety of location problems in addressing issues such as system vulnerability and reliability. Specifically, it involves the location of a fixed number of facilities when the assumption is that each demand point is served a certain fraction of the time by its closest facility, a certain fraction of the time by its second closest facility, and so on. The assignment vector represents the fraction of the time a facility of a given closeness order serves a specific demand point. Weaver and Church showed that when the fractions of assignment to closer facilities are greater than more distant facilities, an optimal all‐node solution always exists. However, the general form of the VAPMP does not have this property. Hooker and Garfinkel provided a counterexample of this property for the nonmonotonic VAPMP. However, they do not conjecture as to what a finite set may be in general. The question of whether there exists a finite set of locations that contains an optimal solution has remained open to conjecture. In this article, we prove that a finite optimality set for the VAPMP consisting of “equidistant points” does exist. We also show a stronger result when the underlying network is a tree graph.
Spatial Autoregressive Models for Geographically Hierarchical Data Structures
Authors: Dong Guanpeng , Harris Richard
Published: September 2014

This article discusses how standard spatial autoregressive models and their estimation can be extended to accommodate geographically hierarchical data structures. Whereas standard spatial econometric models normally operate at a single geographical scale, many geographical data sets are hierarchical in nature—for example, information about houses nested into data about the census tracts in which those houses are found. Here we outline four model specifications by combining different formulations of the spatial weight matrix W and of ways of modeling regional effects. These are (1) groupwise W and fixed regional effects; (2) groupwise W and random regional effects; (3) proximity‐based W and fixed regional effects; and (4) proximity‐based W and random regional effects. We discuss each of these model specifications and their associated estimation methods, giving particular attention to the fourth. We describe this as a hierarchical spatial autoregressive model. We view it as having the most potential to extend spatial econometrics to accommodate geographically hierarchical data structures and as offering the greatest coming together of spatial econometric and multilevel modeling approaches. Subsequently, we provide Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms for implementing the model. We demonstrate its application using a two‐level land price data set where land parcels nest into districts in Beijing, China, finding significant spatial dependence at both the land parcel level and the district level.
What women want from women's reproductive health research: a qualitative study
Authors: Pandey Shilpi , Porter Maureen , Bhattacharya Siladitya
Published: September 2014

Background

Researchers are being urged to involve patients in the design and conduct of studies in health care with limited insight at present into their needs, abilities or interests. This is particularly true in the field of reproductive health care where many conditions such as pregnancy, menopause and fertility problems involve women who are otherwise healthy.

Objective

To ascertain the feasibility of involving patients and members of the public in research on women's reproductive health care (WRH).

Setting

University and tertiary care hospital in north‐east Scotland; 37 women aged 18–57.

Method

Four focus groups and one individual interview were audio‐recorded and verbatim transcripts analysed thematically by two researchers using a grounded theory approach.

Results and discussion

Most participants were interested in WRH, but some participated to promote a health issue of special concern to them. Priorities for research reflected women's personal concerns: endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause, fertility risks of delaying parenthood and early post‐natal discharge from hospital. Women were initially enthusiastic about getting involved in research on WRH at the design or delivery stage, but after discussion in focus groups, some questioned their ability to do so or the time available to commit to research. None of the respondents expected payment for any involvement, believing that the experience would be rewarding enough in itself.

Conclusions

Involving patients and public in research would include different perspectives and priorities; however, recruiting for this purpose would be challenging.
The hypercoagulable status in common Mediterranean β‐thalassaemia mutations trait
Authors: Labib H. A. , Etewa R. L. , Atia H.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

The coagulation activation in β‐thalassaemia is multifactorial and most likely a consequence of the exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on RBCs surface. The degree of PS exposure and procoagulant activity of RBCs in β‐thalassaemia trait (BTT) subjects carrying common Mediterranean mutations were assessed.

Methods

Eighty BTT subjects carrying common Mediterranean mutations (β+, n = 53 and β0, n = 27) and sixty healthy subjects served as controls were studied. Plasma prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), percentage of PS expression on RBCs membrane, clotting times of modified thromboplastin generation test (MTGT) and modified partial thromboplastin with kaolin (MPTTK) were estimated.

Results

The percentage of annexin V positive RBCs and plasma F1+2 had a significant increase and MTGT had a significant decrease in BTT subjects versus controls and in β0 group versus β+ group. MPTTK was significantly shorter in BTT subjects than controls, but no significant deference between BTT subjects. The percentage of annexin V positive RBCs showed a significant negative correlation with haemoglobin level, MTGT and MPTTK, and a significant positive correlation with plasma F1+2.

Conclusion

BTT subjects may have a risk of hypercoagulable state particularly in β0 genotype. Measurement of PS exposure on RBCs and the plasma F1+2 is useful to evaluate hypercoagulability state.
Differential diagnosis of microcytic anemia: the role of microcytic and hypochromic erythrocytes
Authors: Urrechaga E. , Hoffmann J. J. M. L. , Izquierdo S. , Escanero J. F.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Various indices derived from red blood cell (RBC) parameters have been described for distinguishing thalassemia and iron deficiency. We studied the microcytic to hypochromic RBC ratio as a discriminant index in microcytic anemia and compared it to traditional indices in a learning set and confirmed our findings in a validation set.

Methods

The learning set comprised samples from 371 patients with microcytic anemia mean cell volume (MCV < 80 fL), which were measured on a CELL‐DYN Sapphire analyzer and various discriminant functions calculated. Optimal cutoff values were established using ROC analysis. These values were used in the validation set of 338 patients.

Results

In the learning set, a microcytic to hypochromic RBC ratio >6.4 was strongly indicative of thalassemia (area under the curve 0.948). Green‐King and England‐Fraser indices showed comparable area under the ROC curve. However, the microcytic to hypochromic ratio had the highest sensitivity (0.964). In the validation set, 91.1% of microcytic patients were correctly classified using the M/H ratio.

Conclusions

Overall, the microcytic to hypochromic ratio as measured in CELL‐DYN Sapphire performed equally well as the Green‐King index in identifying thalassemia carriers, but with higher sensitivity, making it a quick and inexpensive screening tool.
Carbon monoxide down‐modulates Toll‐like receptor 4/MD2 expression on innate immune cells and reduces endotoxic shock susceptibility
Authors: Riquelme Sebastián A. , Bueno Susan M. , Kalergis Alexis M.
Published: September 2014

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been recently reported as the main anti‐inflammatory mediator of the haem‐degrading enzyme haem‐oxygenase 1 (HO‐1). It has been shown that either HO‐1 induction or CO treatment reduces the ability of monocytes to respond to inflammatory stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), due to an inhibition of the signalling pathways leading to nuclear factor‐κB, mitogen‐activated protein kinases and interferon regulatory factor 3 activation. Hence, it has been suggested that CO impairs the stimulation of the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor‐2 (MD2) complex located on the surface of immune cells. However, whether CO can negatively modulate the surface expression of the TLR4/MD2 complex in immune cells remains unknown. Here we report that either HO‐1 induction or treatment with CO decreases the surface expression of TLR4/MD2 in dendritic cells (DC) and neutrophils. In addition, in a septic shock model of mice intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), prophylactic treatment with CO protected animals from hypothermia, weight loss, mobility loss and death. Further, mice pre‐treated with CO and challenged with LPS showed reduced recruitment of DC and neutrophils to peripheral blood, suggesting that this gas causes a systemic tolerance to endotoxin challenge. No differences in the amount of innate cells in lymphoid tissues were observed in CO‐treated mice. Our results suggest that CO treatment reduces the expression of the TLR4/MD2 complex on the surface of myeloid cells, which renders them resistant to LPS priming in vitro, as well as in vivo in a model of endotoxic shock.
The Fertility of Married Immigrant Women to Canada
Authors: Adserà Alícia , Ferrer Ana
Published: September 2014

This paper uses the confidential files of the Canadian Census 1991–2006 to examine the fertility of married immigrant women (the presence of infants and preschool children in the household) around the time of migration. Then it estimates a proportional hazards model of first-birth risks of migrants relative to natives from two years before to five years after arrival to Canada. While immigrants have relatively fewer births during the two years preceding migration, these rise after one year in Canada, consistent with both catchup and with concurrent events such as marriage happening during migration. Consistent with the socialization hypothesis, fertility levels vary across origins.
Thinking and Learning in the Tax Evasion Game
Authors: O'Doherty Mike
Published: September 2014

Equilibrium behaviour is one of the fundamental concepts of economics: that each player's strategy is a best response to their beliefs about other players' strategies (and that these beliefs are realised). It is therefore striking that one of the most utilised economic models of tax compliance (Allingham and Sandmo, 1972) lacks this property as random audit selection is not a best response for the tax administration. The game theory literature of tax compliance has solved the equilibrium under assumptions of perfect information, full rationality and representative agents (Reinganum and Wilde, 1986; Erard and Feinstein, 1994). The recent application of behavioural economics to tax compliance (Hashimzade et al., 2014) allows richer assumptions such as heterogeneity and asymmetric information to be included in agent‐based models. This paper investigates the tax administration's best‐response audit strategy with heterogeneous taxpayers, imperfect information and evolutionary survival of taxpayers. It finds that, under these conditions, the tax administration's best‐response audit strategy is an adaptive learning approach and not a well‐defined audit function. This fits with actual practice of ‘predictive analytics’ by OECD tax administrations. Behavioural game theory also predicts that when actors are information rich, adaptive learning will dominate abstract thinking.
The Role of the External Personal Assistants for Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities Working in the Children's Home
Authors: Axelsson Anna Karin
Published: September 2014

Background

Children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities need support to function in an optimal way. However, there is a limited knowledge about the role of external personal assistants working in the children's home.

Materials and Methods

A mixed method study was performed including qualitative data from interviews with 11 Swedish parents and nine external personal assistants and quantitative data from questionnaires answered by 60 families.

Results

For the child, the assistant's role was one of reinforcing, meaning supportive and empowering, and the child needed a high level of assistance. For the family, the role was one of balancing and the external personal assistant was more often found to assist in activities away from home while parents tended to assist within home and in family unit activities.

Conclusion

In planning and implementation of external assistance, the child's needs as well as considerations of the whole family should be regarded.
Performance of the herb Verbascum thapsus along environmental gradients in its native and non‐native ranges
Authors: Seipel Tim , Alexander Jake M. , Daehler Curtis C. , Rew Lisa J. , Edwards Peter J. , Dar Pervaiz A. , McDougall Keith , Naylor Bridgett , Parks Catherine , Pollnac Fredric W. , Reshi Zafar A. , Schroder Mel , Kueffer Christoph
Published: September 2014

Aim

We evaluated whether the performance of individuals and populations of the invasive plant Verbascum thapsus differs between its native and non‐native ranges, across climate gradients, and in response to its position in a global‐scaled niche model.

Location

India (Kashmir) and Switzerland (native range) and Australia and USA (Hawaii, Montana and Oregon) (non‐native range).

Methods

We measured population characteristics (density of flowering individuals, population size), plant traits (plant height, number of flowering branches) and seed germination for 50 populations of V. thapsus growing along elevational gradients in six mountain regions around the world (two in the native range, and four in the non‐native range). We fitted linear regression models to determine the relationship of plant and population level performance variables to range, region, climate and probability of occurrence from a global niche model.

Results

Plant height, number of flowering branches and population density of V. thapsus did not differ consistently between the native and non‐native ranges, but the area covered by populations in the non‐native range was on average two orders of magnitude larger than the area of native populations. Within and among regions, individual plant performance traits responded variably to precipitation and mean annual temperature, depending on the climatic range of the observed populations; however, performance was greater for populations that had a greater modelled probability of occurrence. Seed germination under controlled conditions was highest between 20 and 35 °C and consistent across populations, although germination at low temperatures was substantially higher for native populations from Kashmir.

Main conclusions

The introduction of V. thapsus to its non‐native range is not associated with consistent increases in plant performance. Instead, plant performance is more strongly influenced by position within the climate niche of the species, position along environmental gradients, and climatic or other differences among regions. We demonstrate that individual‐level and population‐level performance traits can yield different predictors of plant performance. Therefore, future studies comparing plant performance in native and non‐native ranges should include both plant and population characteristics and should also sample the target species from multiple regions in both ranges and along environmental gradients that comprehensively represent the niche of the species.
A Primer on Juvenile Protective Legislation
Authors: Abrams Douglas E.
Published: September 2014

The parens patriae doctrine is grounded in the proposition that children sometimes need the law's protection from their own improvidence or immaturity, and sometimes even from the conduct of their parents or other caretakers. Parens patriae underlies much state and federal regulation in such areas as abuse, neglect, foster care, adoption, medical decisionmaking, support, and delinquency. The doctrine also underlies the wide range of protective legislation that regulates children's conduct, the subject of this article.
The Carbon Footprint of Games Distribution
Authors: Mayers Kieren , Koomey Jonathan , Hall Rebecca , Bauer Maria , France Chris , Webb Amanda
Published: September 2014

This research investigates the carbon footprint of the lifecycle of console games, using the example of PlayStation®3 distribution in the UK. We estimate total carbon equivalent emissions for an average 8.8‐gigabyte (GB) game based on data for 2010. The bulk of emissions are accounted for by game play, followed by production and distribution. Two delivery scenarios are compared: The first examines Blu‐ray discs (BDs) delivered by retail stores, and the second, games files downloaded over broadband Internet. Contrary to findings in previous research on music distribution, distribution of games by physical BDs results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than by Internet download. The estimated carbon emissions from downloading only fall definitively below that of BDs for games smaller than 1.3 GB. Sensitivity analysis indicates that as average game file sizes increase, and the energy intensity of the Internet falls, the file size at which BDs would result in lower emissions than downloads could shift either up‐ or downward over the next few years. Overall, the results appear to be broadly applicable to title games within the European Union (EU), and for larger‐than‐average sized games in the United States. Further research would be needed to confirm whether similar findings would apply in future years with changes in game size and Internet efficiency. The study findings serve to illustrate why it is not always true that digital distribution of media will have lower carbon emissions than distribution by physical means when file sizes are large.
From Wall Street to Main Street: The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Consumer Credit Supply
Authors: RAMCHARAN RODNEY , VERANI STÉPHANE , VAN DEN HEUVEL SKANDER J.
Published: September 2014

How did the collapse of the asset‐backed securities (ABS) market during the 2007 to 2009 financial crisis affect the supply of credit to the broader economy? Using new data on the U.S. credit union industry, we find that ABS‐related losses are associated with a large contraction in the supply of credit to consumers, especially among those credit unions that began the crisis with weaker capitalization. We also find that this credit supply shock restricted the availability of mortgage and automobile credit. These results show how movements in the prices of financial assets can affect the real economy.
Review of 103 Swedish Healthcare Quality Registries
Authors: Emilsson L. , Lindahl B. , Köster M. , Lambe M. , Ludvigsson J. F.
Published: September 2014

Background and objectives

In the past two decades, an increasing number of nationwide, Swedish Healthcare Quality Registries (QRs) focusing on specific disorders have been initiated, mostly by physicians. Here, we describe the purpose, organization, variables, coverage and completeness of 103 Swedish QRs.

Methods

From March to September 2013, we examined the 2012 applications of 103 QRs to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and also studied the annual reports from the same QRs. After initial data abstraction, the coordinator of each QR was contacted at least twice between June and October 2013 and asked to confirm the accuracy of the data retrieved from the applications and reports.

Results

About 60% of the QRs covered ≥80% of their target population (completeness). Data recorded in Swedish QRs include aspects of disease management (diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment and lead times). In addition, some QRs retrieve data on self‐reported quality of life (EQ5D, SF‐36 and disease‐specific measures), lifestyle (smoking) and general health status (World Health Organization performance status, body mass index and blood pressure).

Conclusion

Detailed clinical data available in Swedish QRs complement information from government‐administered registries and provide an important source not only for assessment and development of quality of care but also for research.
Divorce in Norwegian Same‐Sex Marriages and Registered Partnerships: The Role of Children
Authors: Aarskaug Wiik Kenneth , Seierstad Ane , Noack Turid
Published: September 2014

Using Norwegian register data on the total population of same‐sex couples who formalized their unions from 1993 through 2010 (N = 3,422, 52% male), this study addressed the level and correlates of divorce among these couples as compared with all opposite‐sex marriages in the same period (N = 407,495). In particular, the authors investigated the role of same‐sex parenting, which has received little study so far. Multivariate results confirmed that same‐sex couples had a higher divorce risk compared with opposite‐sex couples and that female couples were more divorce prone than male couples. Furthermore, having children was negatively related to divorce among female couples, whereas male couples with common children were more divorce prone than their childless counterparts. No evidence was found that the gender gap in divorce or the difference between same‐sex and opposite‐sex couples narrowed over the study period.
How Ideation Portfolio Management Influences Front‐End Success
Authors: Kock Alexander , Heising Wilderich , Gemünden Hans Georg
Published: September 2014

The front end of innovation is recognized as an important driver for successful new products and business prosperity. On the one hand, companies must generate a sufficient number and variety of high‐quality ideas to obtain a well‐balanced portfolio of potentially successful innovation projects. On the other hand, companies must strictly select and prioritize promising ideas and concepts because resource constraints do not allow for the pursuit of every idea. Therefore, companies must practice ideation portfolio management to simultaneously support the variety and selection of ideas and concepts before they enter the innovation project portfolio. To date, there is no research on how ideation portfolio management affects the performance of the front end and of the eventual project portfolio.

The current study addresses this research gap in an empirical cross‐industry investigation of 175 medium‐sized and large firms in Germany using a double‐informant design. Ideation portfolio management is conceptualized with three elements: ideation strategy, process formalization, and creative encouragement. We find that all three elements independently and significantly contribute to front‐end success. The results also show that front‐end success mediates the relationship between the elements of ideation portfolio management and project portfolio success. More importantly, we find significant interaction effects between creative encouragement and process formalization and between creative encouragement and ideation strategy. The findings suggest that these elements of ideation portfolio management are complementary and should be balanced to maximize the performance of the front end and the eventual innovation project portfolio.
Prognostic value of the combined use of transient elastography and fibrotest in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Park Mi Sung , Kim Seung Up , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Shin Seung Hwan , Kang Wonseok , Moon Chansoo , Han Kwang‐Hyub
Published: September 2014

Background & Aims

Liver stiffness (LS) measurement using transient elastography and the FibroTest (FT) are alternatives to liver biopsy (LB) in assessing liver fibrosis. We investigated the prognostic role of the combined use of LS and FT in predicting liver‐related events (LREs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

Consecutive patients with CHB who underwent LB, along with LS and FT on the same day were recruited. LRE was defined as hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver‐related death.

Results

A total of 151 patients (86 male) were analyzed. During follow‐up (median 59.9 months), overall 18 (11.9%) patients experienced LREs. The areas under receiver‐operating characteristic curves of LS, FT, LS + FT and LS × FT in predicting LRE were 0.701, 0.668, 0.702 and 0.741 respectively. After adjusting for age and histological fibrosis staging, significant variables in univariate analysis (both P < 0.05), LS + FT and LS × FT were independent predictors of LREs with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.080 and 1.126 (all P < 0.05) respectively. When subjects were divided into three groups according to quartile stratification (low quartile, interquartile and high quartile) using LS + FT and LS × FT, cumulative LRE development rate significantly increased with a corresponding increase in value among three groups respectively (log‐rank test, all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The combined use of LS and FT significantly predicted forthcoming LRE development, but with only a slight additional benefit compared to LS or FT alone.
OPTIMAL INVESTMENT IN CREDIT DERIVATIVES PORTFOLIO UNDER CONTAGION RISK
Authors: Bo Lijun , Capponi Agostino
Published: September 2014

We consider the optimal portfolio problem of a power investor who wishes to allocate her wealth between several credit default swaps (CDSs) and a money market account. We model contagion risk among the reference entities in the portfolio using a reduced‐form Markovian model with interacting default intensities. Using the dynamic programming principle, we establish a lattice dependence structure between the Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equations associated with the default states of the portfolio. We show existence and uniqueness of a classical solution to each equation and characterize them in terms of solutions to inhomogeneous Bernoulli type ordinary differential equations. We provide a precise characterization for the directionality of the CDS investment strategy and perform a numerical analysis to assess the impact of default contagion. We find that the increased intensity triggered by default of a very risky entity strongly impacts size and directionality of the investor strategy. Such findings outline the key role played by default contagion when investing in portfolios subject to multiple sources of default risk.
The proton‐motive force is required for translocation of CDI toxins across the inner membrane of target bacteria
Authors: Ruhe Zachary C. , Nguyen Josephine Y. , Beck Christina M. , Low David A. , Hayes Christopher S.
Published: September 2014

Contact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a mode of bacterial competition orchestrated by the CdiB/CdiA family of two‐partner secretion proteins. The CdiA effector extends from the surface of CDI+ inhibitor cells, binds to receptors on neighbouring bacteria and delivers a toxin domain derived from its C‐terminal region (CdiA‐CT). Here, we show that CdiA‐CT toxin translocation requires the proton‐motive force (pmf) within target bacteria. The pmf is also critical for the translocation of colicin toxins, which exploit the energized Ton and Tol systems to cross the outer membrane. However, CdiA‐CT translocation is clearly distinct from known colicin‐import pathways because ΔtolA ΔtonB target cells are fully sensitive to CDI. Moreover, we provide evidence that CdiA‐CT toxins can be transferred into the periplasm of de‐energized target bacteria, indicating that transport across the outer membrane is independent of the pmf. Remarkably, CDI toxins transferred under de‐energized conditions remain competent to enter the target‐cell cytoplasm once the pmf is restored. Collectively, these results indicate that outer‐ and inner‐membrane translocation steps can be uncoupled, and that the pmf is required for CDI toxin transport from the periplasm to the target‐cell cytoplasm.
Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management
Authors: Pavez Guido , Muñoz Lily , Barilari Fernanda , Sepúlveda Maritza
Published: September 2014

Due to the highly predictable patterns of occupancy on land, pinnipeds are one of the main marine resources observed by tourists, which, in turn, could strongly perturb their behavior. We analyzed the behavioral responses of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) to the presence of tourists and its variation according to temporal (2012 vs. 2013 austral summer months), spatial (breeding vs. nonbreeding sites of the colony), and age/sex class (adult males vs. subadult males vs. females) factors, and determined the relationship between the degree of responses by sea lions and the distance of the vessel to the colony, visitation time, and tourist behavior. We recorded 1,232 boat visits during 2012 and 2013. Subadult males were the age/sex class most affected in the breeding site, followed by adult females at the nonbreeding site. More disturbing conduct by tourists, longer visitation time, and vessels closer to the colony caused greater responses by sea lions. The established minimum distance from the colony is not enforced, generating an adverse response by sea lions. We recommend the development of management plans with the local coastal communities to decrease the impact of ecotourism on the species and enhance the sustainability of this industry.
Mucormycosis in children: a study of 22 cases in a Mexican hospital
Authors: Bonifaz Alexandro , Tirado‐Sánchez Andrés , Calderón Luz , Romero‐Cabello Raúl , Kassack Juan , Ponce Rosa María , Mena Carlos , Stchigel Alberto , Cano Josep , Guarro Josep
Published: September 2014

We present a single‐centre, retrospective study (1985–2012) of 22 cases of mucormycosis in children. A total of 158 mucormycosis cases were identified, of which 22 (13.96%) were children. The mean age of the children was 10.3 years (range: 6 months–18 years), and 59% of the infections occurred in males. The rhinocerebral form was the main clinical presentation (77.27%), followed by the primary cutaneous and pulmonary patterns. The major underlying predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus in 68.18% of the patients and haematologic diseases in 27.7% of the patients. The cases were diagnosed by mycological tests, with positive cultures in 95.4% of the patients. Rhizopus arrhizus was the foremost aetiologic agent in 13/22 cases (59.1%). In 21 cultures, the aetiologic agents were identified morphologically and by molecular identification. In 10 cultures, the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA was sequenced. Clinical cure and mycological cure were achieved in 27.3% cases, which were managed with amphotericin B deoxycholate and by treatment of the underlying conditions.
Pathogenesis and host defence against Mucorales: the role of cytokines and interaction with antifungal drugs
Authors: Roilides Emmanuel , Antachopoulos Charalampos , Simitsopoulou Maria
Published: September 2014

Innate immune response, including macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells and their respective receptors, plays an important role in host defences against Mucorales with differential activity against specific fungal species, while adaptive immunity is not the first line of defence. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors, such as cytokines and growth factors as well as certain antifungal agents have been found that they influence innate immune response to these organisms. Used alone or especially in combination have been shown to exert antifungal effects against Mucorales species. These findings suggest novel ways of adjunctive therapy for patients with invasive mucormycosis.
Outbreak of Microsporum audouinii in Munich – the return of infectious fungi in Germany
Authors: Zink Alexander , Papanagiotou Vasileios , Todorova Antonia , Seidl Hans‐Peter , Niedermeier Andrea , Ring Johannes , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia
Published: September 2014

After experiencing an unusually high number of Microsporum (M.) audouinii infections at our hospital within only a few weeks, we began to investigate and control an outbreak in Munich, Germany. Main goals of our health management were to treat infected persons, identify extent and form of transmission and to prevent new infections. We analysed data from structured interviews with patients and mycological cultures of swabs taken of patients and investigated involved public facilities. Outbreak management included antifungal treatment of patients, decontamination of affected facilities, the introduction of a temporary kindergarten ban for M. audouinii positive children and the organisation of educational meetings. Between March and August 2011, 16 children and 4 adults were identified with M. audouinii infections. The fungus was brought to Munich by the index patients from a family vacation in Africa and then spread to fellow children in kindergarten and subsequently to their families. All patients were treated successfully and the epidemic was declared ceased after 40 weeks but causing considerable financial damage. Due to travelling and migration, M. audouinii infections will rise in Germany and Europe. Sufficient and sustainable strategies are needed for the management of future outbreaks of highly contagious fungi.
A Critique Of Reason For Anglican Eucharistic Theology: Dialogue Approach
Authors: Douglas Brian
Published: September 2014

This article provides a critique of reason for Anglican eucharistic theology. It examines the mutliformity of theological and philosophical assumptions underlying that theology and recognises the difficulty created in the discourse of the Anglican eucharistic tradition where hermeneutic idealism operates in an exclusive manner. Further, the article uses the insights of Habermas, arguing for a critique of reason for the tradition through a dialogue approach based on the intersubjectivity of communicative action where there is distinction between ‘lifeworld’ and ‘system paradigm’ and where there is subject-subject relationship.
Realism and Uncertainty of Unobservable Common Causes in Factor Analysis
Authors: Johnson Kent
Published: September 2014

Famously, scientific theories are underdetermined by their evidence. This occurs in the factor analytic model (FA), which is often used to connect concrete data (e.g. test scores) to hypothetical notions (e.g. intelligence). After introducing FA, three general topics are addressed. (i) Underdetermination: the precise reasons why FA is underdetermined illuminates various claims about underdetermination, abduction, and theoretical terms. (ii) Uncertainties: FA helps distinguish at least four kinds of uncertainties. The prevailing practice, often encoded in statistical software, is to ignore the most difficult kinds, which are essential to FA's underdetermination. (iii) What to do: some suggestions for dealing with these hardest types of uncertainty are offered.
Skeptical notes on a physics of passage
Authors: Huggett Nick
Published: September 2014

This paper investigates the mathematical representation of time in physics. In existing theories, time is represented by the real numbers, hence their formal properties represent properties of time: these are surveyed. The central question of the paper is whether the existing representation of time is adequate, or whether it can or should be supplemented: especially, do we need a physics incorporating some kind of “dynamical passage” of time? The paper argues that the existing mathematical framework is resistant to such changes, and might have to be rejected by anyone seeking a physics of passage. Then it rebuts two common arguments for incorporating passage into physics, especially the claim that it is an element of experience. Finally, the paper investigates whether, as has been claimed, causal set theory provides a physics of passage.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Bone Tissue Regeneration: New Insight and Perspectives
Authors: Aryal Rajendra , Chen Xiao‐peng , Fang Cheng , Hu Yong‐cheng
Published: September 2014

The study of bone tissue regeneration in orthopaedic diseases has stimulated great interest among bone tissue engineering specialists and orthopaedic surgeons. Combinations of biomaterials, growth factors and stem cells for repairing bone have been much studied and researched, yet remain a challenge for both scientists and clinicians pursuing regenerative medicine. The purpose of this review was to elucidate the role of sequential release of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in producing better outcomes in the field of bone tissue regeneration.
Magnetic Resonance Neurography in Analysis of Operative Safety of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Chinese Subjects
Authors: Wang Hong‐li , Jiang Jian‐yuan , Lv Fei‐zhou , Yang Sheng‐da , Ma Xin , Chen Wen‐jun , Ma Xiao‐sheng , Xia Xin‐lei , Wang Li‐xun
Published: September 2014

Objective

To measure relevant anatomical variables of lumbosacral nerve root and adjacent structures by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and analyze operative safety of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in Chinese subjects.

Methods

Twelve normal healthy volunteers (six men, six women) underwent MRN of lumbosacral nerve roots at 3.0 T. Three‐dimensional imaging was reconstructed with Osirix software and the following anatomic variables measured: (i) distance between nerve root and upper pedicle; (ii) distance between nerve root and lower pedicle; (iii) angle between nerve root and sagittal plane; (iv) distance between upper and lower nerve roots; and (v) distance between upper and lower pedicles.

Results

Good images of the L1‐L5 nerve roots were obtained by MRN technology in all 12 volunteers. The distance between nerve root and upper pedicle and the angle between nerve roots and the sagittal plane gradually diminished from L1 to L5. However, there were no significant variations in the distance between nerve root and lower pedicle or between upper and lower pedicles. From L1–2 to L4–5, the distances between upper and lower pedicles, which are closely related to the operating space for TLIF in Chinese men and women, were less than 10 mm in most subjects and were significantly smaller in women than in men. The variables did not differ significantly between the left and right sides of the same segment.

Conclusion

Based on the above anatomical study and measurement analysis, we believe that TLIF puts the upper nerve root at risk in some Chinese patients. However, this conclusion requires confirmation by anatomical study of large samples and clinical validation.
Challenge of Managing Distal Femur Fractures with Long‐stemmed Total Knee Implants
Authors: Ebraheim Nabil A , Carroll Trevor , Bonaventura Bridget , Moral Muhammad Z , Jabaly Youssef G , Liu Jiayong
Published: September 2014

Objective

Treatment of distal femur fractures by long‐stemmed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging, because of poor bone stock, decreased blood supply, history of multiple knee surgeries and an absence of standard treatment. Few published studies are available concerning this. The purpose of this study was to share surgical technique and better describe our patients' comorbidities, which add to the challenge of managing individuals with these fractures.

Methods

Between August 2008 and September 2013, seven patients presented to our level I trauma center with distal femoral fractures associated with long‐stemmed TKA implants. Their average age was 68.71 years (range, 52–81 years).The most common mechanism of injury was fall (five patients), followed by a traumatic fracture of the femur while walking (one patient), and being lifted out of bed (the one nonambulatory patient). This retrospective study reports a treatment protocol, including surgical technique, and short‐term outcome in seven patients in whom locking compression plates (LCP) were used.

Results

Six fractures were classified as Rorabeck type II, and one as type III. The average time to full‐weight‐bearing was 5.5 months. At this institution, good short‐term results have been achieved by using an LCP with screws placed proximal to the long‐stem and distal to the fracture. The six patients all achieved full‐weight‐bearing,taking an average of 5.5 months (range, 3–7 months).

Conclusions

LCP is an effective form of management of distal femur fractures around long stem TKAs. An individualized operative approach possibly incorporating bone‐graft substitutes, cerclage wire and a post‐operative bone stimulator is recommended.
BUREAUCRATIC RESPONSIVENESS: EFFECTS OF ELECTED GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC AGENDAS AND EUROPEAN ATTENTION ON THE UK BUREAUCRACY
Authors: BEVAN SHAUN
Published: September 2014

What determines the bureaucratic agenda? This article combines insights from models of bureaucratic behaviour with agenda‐setting models of government attention to test the effects of elected government, public, and EU agendas on the bureaucratic agenda. Using time series cross‐sectional analyses of subject and ministry coded data on UK statutory instruments from 1987 to 2008, I find strong effects for both the elected government and EU legislative agendas on UK statutory instruments. Furthermore, by breaking the data into different sets based on their relationship with the EU, several logical differences in these effects are found. These results include the EU agenda having exclusive influence on instruments implementing EU directives, and the UK agenda being the sole driver of bureaucratic attention on those instruments that mention the EU but do not implement EU legislation. This article opens a new avenue for research on bureaucracy by approaching it as a unique policy‐making institution.
Tissue‐specific hormonal profiling during dormancy release in macaw palm seeds
Authors: Ribeiro Leonardo M. , Garcia Queila S. , Müller Maren , Munné‐Bosch Sergi
Published: September 2014

Little is known about the control exerted by hormones in specific tissues during germination and post‐germinative development in monocot seeds, whose embryos have complex structures and can remain dormant for long periods of time. Here the tissue‐specific hormonal profile of macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) seeds overcoming dormancy and seedling during initial development was examined. Endogenous hormonal concentrations were determined in the cotyledonary petiole, haustorium, operculum, endosperm adjacent to the embryo and peripheral endosperm of dry dormant seeds, imbibed seeds trapped in phase I of germination, and germinating (phase 2 and phase 3) seeds 2, 5, 10 and 15 days after sowing. Evaluations were performed on seeds treated for overcoming dormancy by removal of the operculum and by immersion in a gibberellic acid (GA3) solution. Removal of the operculum effectively helped in overcoming dormancy, which was associated with the synthesis of active gibberellins (GAs) and cytokinins (CKs), as well as reductions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the cotyledonary petiole. In imbibed seeds trapped in phase I of germination, exogenous GA3 caused an increase in active GAs in the cotyledonary petiole and operculum and reduction in ABA in the operculum. Initial seedling development was associated with increases in the CK/auxin ratio in the haustorium and GA levels in the endosperm which is possibly related to the mobilization of metabolic reserves. Increases in salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations were associated with the development of the vegetative axis. Hormones play a crucial tissue‐specific role in the control of dormancy, germination and initial development of seedlings in macaw palm, including a central role not only for GAs and ABA, but also for CKs and other hormones.
Formal integration archetypes in ambidextrous organizations
Authors: Chen Rongxin Roger , Kannan‐Narasimhan Rangapriya Priya
Published: September 2014

Research suggests that organizational ambidexterity, an organization's capacity to pursue both exploratory and exploitative activities, is critical to firm innovation and performance. Extant research primarily emphasizes several firm‐level informal integration mechanisms, such as creating a common vision and relying on social integration, for integrating structurally ambidextrous units. Research has largely ignored, however, the formal mechanisms by which organizations have integrated such units. In this inductive study, using archival and interview data from organizations in Silicon Valley, we address this gap by identifying the formal integration archetypes that enable core business units to collaborate with new venture units to incubate new businesses. The four integration archetypes that enable collaboration vary along two key dimensions: who initiates new ventures and when collaboration is solicited. We identify formal administrative and resource mechanisms that enable such collaboration. We combine the disparate literatures of temporal and spatial separation of ambidextrous structures, and demonstrate how these must be combined at the business unit and new venture levels of analysis to achieve integration. The practical contribution of this study lies in identifying suitable contexts in which each of these archetypes can be utilized by practitioners for reintegrating new venture projects developed in separate structures.
On‐the‐job training makes the difference: healthcare assistants' perceived competence and responsibility in the care of patients with home mechanical ventilation
Authors: Swedberg Lena , Michélsen Hans , Hammar Chiriac Eva , Hylander Ingrid
Published: September 2014

Objectives

To describe and analyse perceived competence and perceived responsibility among healthcare assistants (HC assistants), caring for patients with home mechanical ventilation (HMV) and other advanced caring needs, adjusted for socio‐demographic and workplace background factors.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted including 128 HC assistants employed in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Methods

The HC assistants responded to a study‐specific questionnaire on perceived competence and perceived responsibility, provided socio‐demographic and workplace background data, as well as information on the patient characteristics for the understanding of their work situations. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Eighty per cent of the HC assistants rated their perceived competence as high, and fifty‐nine per cent rated their perceived responsibility as high. Fifty‐five per cent lacked formal healthcare training, and only one in five of the HC assistants had a formal training equivalent with a licensed practical nurse (LPN) examination. Males lacked formal training to a greater extent than females and rated their competence accordingly. On‐the‐job training was significantly associated with high ratings on both perceived competence and perceived responsibility, and clinical supervision was associated with high rating on perceived responsibility.

Conclusions

HC assistants with limited formal training self‐reported their competence as high, and on‐the‐job training was found to be important. Also, clinical supervision was found important for their perception of high responsibility. In Sweden, HC assistants have a 24‐hour responsibility for the care and safety of their patient with HMV and other advanced caring needs. The study results point out important issues for further research regarding formal training requirements as well as the needs for standardised workplace training and supervision of HC assistants. The consequences of transfer of responsibility by delegation from healthcare professionals to paraprofessionals within advanced home care also need further study.