bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A window on the past: male ornamental plumage reveals the quality of their early-life environment
Authors: Walker Leila K. , Stevens Martin , Karadaş Filiz , Kilner Rebecca M. , Ewen John G.
Published: February 2013

It is well established that the expression of many ornamental traits is dependent on the current condition of the bearer. However, conditions experienced in early life are also known to be important for an individual's subsequent fitness and therefore, directly or indirectly, for the fitness of their mate. Specifically, a recent hypothesis suggests that sexually selected traits might be sensitive to conditions experienced during early-life development and thereby function as honest indicators of developmental history. Whether this applies to colourful male plumage, however, is largely unknown. We tested this idea with a field experiment by manipulating neonatal nutrition in a sexually dichromatic passerine, the hihi (Notymystis cincta). We found that carotenoid supplementation increased nestling plasma carotenoid concentration, which was in turn correlated with increased yellow saturation in male breeding plumage after moulting. We also found that the post-moult luminance (lightness) of the white ear-tufts tended to be reduced in males that had received an all-round nutritional supplement as nestlings. Black breeding plumage was not affected by neonatal nutritional treatment. Although the mechanisms that generate colourful plumage are evidently diverse, our results show that at least some parts of this display are accurate indicators of environmental conditions during development.
Do unattractive friends make you look better? Context-dependent male mating preferences in the guppy
Authors: Gasparini Clelia , Serena Giovanna , Pilastro Andrea
Published: February 2013

Recent theory predicts that in species where females tend to mate with the relatively most ornamented males, males may increase their attractiveness to females, and hence mating success, by preferentially associating with females that are surrounded by less ornamented competitors. Despite this prediction, we still lack explicit experimental evidence that males strategically prefer females surrounded by less attractive competitors to maximize their relative attractiveness. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive test of this hypothesis in the guppy (
Poecilia reticulata
), a species where a female's perception of a male's attractiveness depends on his coloration relative to that of surrounding males. We found that males preferentially associated with females that were surrounded by relatively drab competitors, and that the strength of an individual male's preference was negatively correlated with his level of ornamentation. A series of control experiments made it possible to exclude the potentially confounding effects of male–male competition or social motivations when drawing these conclusions. The ability of males to choose social context to increase their relative attractiveness has important evolutionary consequences, for example, by contributing towards the maintenance of variability in male sexual ornamentation despite the strong directional selection exerted by female preferences.
Quantifying the cost of thermoregulation: thermal and energetic constraints on growth rates in hatchling lizards
Authors: Brewster Casey L. , Sikes Robert S. , Gifford Matthew E.
Published: February 2013

The optimality model of thermoregulation predicts that as the cost of thermoregulation increases, thermoregulation effort will decrease.

We designed a manipulative experiment to quantify the energetic cost of thermoregulation on growth rates in eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) by comparing growth of hatchling lizards from high‐ and low energetic cost of thermoregulation treatments.

We designed treatments to mimic restricted thermal microenvironments (which require lizards to devote more time and energy to maintain preferred body temperatures) and unrestricted thermal micro‐environments (which minimize time and energy needed to maintain body temperature).

Lizards maintained similar body temperature between treatments – contradicting predictions of the optimality model of thermoregulation – but grew more slowly in the high‐cost thermoregulation treatment than in the low‐cost thermoregulation treatment.

The reduction in growth rates in the high energetic cost thermoregulation treatment was most consistent with animals diverting energy from growth to locomotion for thermoregulation.
Survival of the weakest: increased frond mechanical strength in a wave‐swept kelp inhibits self‐pruning and increases whole‐plant mortality
Authors: Demes Kyle W. , Pruitt Jonathan N. , Harley Christopher D.G. , Carrington Emily
Published: February 2013

Organisms' ability to withstand the physical forces of their environment is a key determinant of their success. Mechanical performance of organisms is often associated with the properties of the tissues that compose them. In mechanically stressful habitats, intraspecific variation in tissue properties may result in differential survivorship and enable natural selection to act on material performance.

We tested the hypothesis that tissue mechanical properties affect survivorship (a fitness component) of the perennial kelp, Egregia menziesii, in a mechanically stressful, wave‐swept intertidal habitat.

We measured intraspecific variation in strength and flexibility in 38 E. menziesii and tracked their survivorship in the field over the winter storm season to determine whether variation in mechanical properties led to differential survivorship.

Significant interindividual variation was found in most mechanical properties, including strength and flexibility. Individuals with increased flexibility and decreased strength were more likely to survive the duration of our study, although this effect was more pronounced in individuals with smaller holdfasts. Increased frond strength was also associated with a reduction in self‐thinning, potentially explaining the observed increase in whole‐plant mortality with increasing frond strength.

Results from this study demonstrate that variation in tissue mechanical properties among conspecifics can influence survivorship and this may have important evolutionary implications.
Caught in the middle: Tensions around the emergency department care of people with advanced cancer
Authors: Jelinek George A , Marck Claudia H , Weiland Tracey J , Philip Jennifer , Boughey Mark , Weil Jennifer , Lane Heather
Published: February 2013

Background:

People with advanced cancer frequently present to hospital EDs. International studies report conflicting attitudes towards providing such care and difficulties with communication. The experience of Australian clinicians, however, is not described.

Objective:

The present study aims to identify issues important to emergency, palliative care (PC) and oncology clinical staff in managing people with advanced cancer presenting to EDs.

Methods:

We qualitatively explored views of Australian clinicians working in emergency medicine, PC and oncology, via focus groups at two major hospitals and two community PC services in Melbourne, Victoria, and emergency clinicians from all other Australian states and territories via semi‐structured telephone interviews. Purposive sampling for both groups ensured representation of experience, discipline and region of work. The focus groups and interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis identified issues important to participants.

Results:

The overarching theme was EDs being ‘caught in the middle’ when providing care to patients with advanced cancer in the physical environment (privacy, noise, lack of information and delay and lack of defined pathways), the available resources (access block and overcrowding, time pressures, competition with other emergencies, lack of alternatives) and the roles and expectations of the staff providing care (seniority and comfort with dying, views of dying in the ED, expertise and comfort in caring for those with advanced illness).

Conclusion:

Despite limitations in the ED environment and resources, clinicians in oncology, PC and emergency medicine support the important role the ED plays in providing the necessary access and expertise for people with advanced cancer.
Exploring the Personal Histories of the Top Executives ofUSFirms Using a Quantitative Approach: Is There a Geographical Relationship with Corporate Headquarters, and Does It Influence Firm Performance?
Authors: O'HAGAN SEAN B. , RICE MURRAY
Published: February 2013

This paper analyses where top executives were born and where they attended university to uncover regional groupings of the most influential executives that shape corporate culture and strategy in theUnitedStates. Within the context of this paper, it is argued that the personal histories of top executives influence their decision‐making abilities, and thus corporate culture. It was found that intra‐regional, intra‐state, and intra‐city links were noteworthy factors in executive selection. Distances were higher, and percentages of intra‐regional links were lower for more profitable and higher growth firms. This indicates that more competitive firms acquire executives that have experienced different institutions during their lives and university educations. On the other hand, less profitable and lower growth firms are more likely to obtain executives embedded in similar institutions that already exist within the firm. The results suggest that key choices made by corporate America are influenced in part by geography far more complex than its own operations.
Assessing functional connectivity: a landscape approach for handling multiple ecological requirements
Authors: Mimet Anne , Houet Thomas , Julliard Romain , Simon Laurent
Published: February 2013

The improvement of tools for protecting biodiversity requires integrating habitat connectivity to build efficient ecological networks that facilitate the movement of species under pressure from global change. Several methodological and scientific challenges are faced in constructing such networks. First, ecological networks need to incorporate habitat connectivity for species with different ecological requirements. Secondly, the networks should be based on functional connectivity rather than on structural connectivity alone. Thirdly, connectivity needs to be treated as a continuous variable.

We propose a non‐oriented approach of landscape description to identify favourable areas and measure functional connectivity for multi‐specific applications, using three groups of common bird species (farmland specialists, forest specialists and generalists) as indicators of biodiversity.

In the highly anthropized region of Seine‐et‐Marne, we defined 20 landscape types based on composition and configuration. We used statistical modelling to obtain a value of favourability for each landscape type for each bird group. We then mapped landscape favourability, for the three groups in 1982 and 2003 to identify favourable entities (adjacent favourable landscape units) and determine connectivity. We then examined temporal changes in the favourable areas and their connectivity and determined the sensitivity of the favourable landscape types to land cover change.

Composition and configuration both influenced landscape favourability. Some landscape types were favourable for several groups of species and could potentially serve as junction landscapes in ecological networks that accommodate a variety of ecological requirements. Increasing urbanization and fragmentation between 1982 and 2003 resulted in a decrease in favourable landscape units, as well as consequent decreases in favourable areas and connectivity, for the three species groups. Connectivity loss was greatest for farmland and generalist species, as it was already high for forest species in 1982.

Such a non‐oriented landscape description could be used to delineate multi‐specific ecological networks at regional and national scales and could be further developed to study the connectivity of communities. The maps of favourability produced here could also be used in combination with other methods, such as graphs or circuits, to detect ecological corridors and stepping stones to habitat connectivity.
The Innervation of Canine Hip Joint Capsule: An Anatomic Study
Authors: Huang C. H. , Hou S. M. , Yeh L. S.
Published: February 2013

To clarify the contributions of the nerves supplying the canine hip joint capsule for clinical application, cadaver study of six healthy mongrel dogs was performed. The pelvises and hindlimbs of cadavers were dissected and fixed in formaldehyde. Innervation of the joint capsule was investigated with the aid of an operative microscope. As a result, the canine hip joint capsule receives multiple innervations from articular branches of four nerves. They are articular nerve fibres of femoral, obturator, cranial gluteal and sciatic nerves from the cranioventral, caudoventral, craniolateral and dorsolateral directions of the joint, respectively. No branch originating from the caudal gluteal nerve was observed innervating the hip joint capsule. Our data provides useful information for research on the canine hip joint, including pain analysis with hip disorders and surgical nerve blockade to relieve pain.
GP obstetricians' views of the model of maternity care in New Zealand
Authors: Miller Dawn L. , Mason Zara , Jaye Chrystal
Published: February 2013

Background

The Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) model of maternity care, and independent midwifery practice, was introduced to New Zealand in the 1990s. The LMC midwife or general practitioner obstetrician (GPO) has clinical and budgetary responsibility for women's primary maternity care.

Aims

To determine views of practising GPOs and former GPOs about the LMC model of care, its impact on maternity care in general practice, and future of maternity care in general practice.

Methods

10 GPOs and 13 former GPOs were interviewed: one focus group (n = 3), 20 semi‐structured interviews. The qualitative data analysis program ATLAS.ti assisted thematic analysis.

Results

Participants thought the LMC model isolates the LMC – particularly concerning during intrapartum care, in rural practice, and covering 24‐hour call; Is not compatible with or adequately funded for GP participation; Excludes the GP from caring for their pregnant patients. Participants would like a flexible, locally adaptable, adequately funded maternity model, supporting shared care. Some thought work‐life balance and low GPO numbers could deter future GPs from maternity practice. Others felt with political will, support of universities, and Royal New Zealand College of General Practice and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GPs could become more involved in maternity care again.

Conclusions

Participants thought the LMC model isolates maternity practitioners, is incompatible with general practice and causes loss of continuity of general practice care. They support provision of maternity care in general practice; however, for more GPs to become involved, the LMC model needs review.
Long‐term treatment outcomes of transvaginal mesh surgery versus anterior–posterior colporrhaphy for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Cao Qi , Chen Yi‐Song , Ding Jing‐Xin , Hu Chang‐Dong , Feng Wei‐Wei , Hu Wei‐Guo , Hua Ke‐Qin
Published: February 2013

Background

In spite of rapid growth in the use of vaginally placed mesh in pelvic reconstructive surgery, there are few reports on the long‐term efficacy and safety of mesh‐augmented repairs.

Aims

To compare the long‐term outcomes of modified pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with mesh (MPFR) versus traditional anterior–posterior colporrhaphy (APC) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study involved 158 women who underwent surgical management of prolapse with MPFR (n = 84) or APC (n = 74) in the period between January 2007 and June 2008. Main outcome measures included pelvic organ prolapse quantification measurement, Short Form‐20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI‐20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) questionnaires, perioperative outcomes, complications and a personal interview about urinary and sexual symptoms. Statistical analysis included comparison of means (Wilcoxon test or Student's t‐test) and proportions (χ2 test).

Results

Anatomical success rate for MPFR and APC was 88.1 versus 64.9% (P = 0.001), with a median follow‐up of 55 versus 56 months (range 49–66 months, P = 0.341). Both operations significantly improved quality of life, and a greater improvement was seen in MPFR group than in APC group (P = 0.013). Complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. The mesh erosion rate was 3.6%.

Conclusion

Modified pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with mesh had better anatomical and functional outcomes than APC at 4–5 years postoperation, as an alternative, cheap and effective treatment option to mesh kits for the management of POP.
A novel technique for modified B‐Lynch suture for the control of atonic postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Ali Mohammed K. , Badee Ahmed Y. A. , Abbas Ahmed M. , Shazly Sherif A.‐E. M.
Published: February 2013

The B‐Lynch brace suture technique is a life‐saving procedure. It is a simple and safe alternative to hysterectomy. Thus, it preserves fertility with less surgical morbidity. In this case series, we evaluated the use of a novel modification of the B‐Lynch brace suture to minimise its potential reported complications. Five women with intractable primary atonic postpartum haemorrhage were reported. They were initially managed with bilateral uterine artery ligation. The procedure was resorted to women who did not respond to ligation. The procedure is efficient. Women were followed up for up to 24 months to report any complications.
Intraocular pressure reduction with topical medications and progression of normal‐tension glaucoma: a 12‐year mean follow‐up study
Authors: Kim Martha , Kim Dong Myung , Park Ki Ho , Kim Tae‐Woo , Jeoung Jin Wook , Kim Seok Hwan
Published: February 2013

Purpose:  To investigate whether the amount of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction with topical medications is associated with the progression of normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG) and to identify risk factors for NTG progression.

Methods:  The medical records of 121 eyes of 121 NTG patients, who were treated with topical medications for more than 7 years, were reviewed. NTG progression was defined by either structural (optic disc or retinal nerve fibre layer) or functional (visual field) deterioration. Patients were divided into tertile groups according to the percentage IOP reduction from baseline, and the cumulative probability of NTG progression between upper and lower tertile group was compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Multivariate analysis with Cox’s proportional hazard model was performed to identify the hazard ratio (HR) of clinical factors for NTG progression.

Results:  The average follow‐up period was 12.2 years, and 56 of 121 eyes (46.3%) showed the NTG progression. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that upper tertile group (percentage IOP reduction >22.1%) showed a greater cumulative probability of non‐progression than lower tertile group (percentage IOP reduction < 13.3%; p = 0.012). Multivariate Cox’s proportional hazard model indicated that percentage reduction of IOP (HR = 0.964; p = 0.007) and the occurrence of disc haemorrhage (HR = 2.410; p = 0.008) were significantly associated with NTG progression.

Conclusions:  The amount of IOP reduction using topical medications was related to NTG progression, and lower percentage reduction in IOP was a consistent risk factor for progression.
Covariate Adjustment in Estimating the Area Under ROC Curve with Partially Missing Gold Standard
Authors: Liu Danping , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: February 2013

In ROC analysis, covariate adjustment is advocated when the covariates impact the magnitude or accuracy of the test under study. Meanwhile, for many large scale screening tests, the true condition status may be subject to missingness because it is expensive and/or invasive to ascertain the disease status. The complete‐case analysis may end up with a biased inference, also known as “verification bias.” To address the issue of covariate adjustment with verification bias in ROC analysis, we propose several estimators for the area under the covariate‐specific and covariate‐adjusted ROC curves (AUCx and AAUC). The AUCx is directly modeled in the form of binary regression, and the estimating equations are based on the U statistics. The AAUC is estimated from the weighted average of AUCx over the covariate distribution of the diseased subjects. We employ reweighting and imputation techniques to overcome the verification bias problem. Our proposed estimators are initially derived assuming that the true disease status is missing at random (MAR), and then with some modification, the estimators can be extended to the not missing at random (NMAR) situation. The asymptotic distributions are derived for the proposed estimators. The finite sample performance is evaluated by a series of simulation studies. Our method is applied to a data set in Alzheimer's disease research.
Estimating Time to Disease Progression Comparing Transition Models and Survival Methods—An Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis Data
Authors: Mandel Micha , Mercier Francois , Eckert Benjamin , Chin Peter , Betensky Rebecca A.
Published: February 2013

This article reports an analysis that aims to quantify the effect of fingolimod, an oral treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), on disability progression. The standard approach utilizes survival analysis methods, which may be problematic for MS studies that assess disability at only a few time points and include as a cardinal feature both relapses and remissions. Instead, a Markov transition model, originally developed in the framework of longitudinal data, is fit, and its special probabilistic properties are used to estimate survival curves for time to disability progression. The transition approach models the whole disability process and uses all available transition data for inference, while survival methods concentrate on a single event of interest and use only time to event data. This article compares the transition model approach to survival analysis methods, and discusses the differences in the interpretations of the estimated parameters. It applies both models to data obtained from two phase 3 clinical trials and finds that both yield positive effects for the new treatment compared to placebo, and provide similar estimates for the probability of disability progression over time. The transition model enables calculation of covariate‐specific transition matrices that describe the short‐term effect of treatment and other covariates on the disability process.
Gaussian Process‐Based Bayesian Nonparametric Inference of Population Size Trajectories from Gene Genealogies
Authors: Palacios Julia A. , Minin Vladimir N.
Published: February 2013

Changes in population size influence genetic diversity of the population and, as a result, leave a signature of these changes in individual genomes in the population. We are interested in the inverse problem of reconstructing past population dynamics from genomic data. We start with a standard framework based on the coalescent, a stochastic process that generates genealogies connecting randomly sampled individuals from the population of interest. These genealogies serve as a glue between the population demographic history and genomic sequences. It turns out that only the times of genealogical lineage coalescences contain information about population size dynamics. Viewing these coalescent times as a point process, estimating population size trajectories is equivalent to estimating a conditional intensity of this point process. Therefore, our inverse problem is similar to estimating an inhomogeneous Poisson process intensity function. We demonstrate how recent advances in Gaussian process‐based nonparametric inference for Poisson processes can be extended to Bayesian nonparametric estimation of population size dynamics under the coalescent. We compare our Gaussian process (GP) approach to one of the state‐of‐the‐art Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) methods for estimating population trajectories. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that our method has better accuracy and precision. Next, we analyze two genealogies reconstructed from real sequences of hepatitis C and human Influenza A viruses. In both cases, we recover more believed aspects of the viral demographic histories than the GMRF approach. We also find that our GP method produces more reasonable uncertainty estimates than the GMRF method.
Recovering Gradients from Sparsely Observed Functional Data
Authors: López‐Pintado Sara , McKeague Ian W.
Published: February 2013

The recovery of gradients of sparsely observed functional data is a challenging ill‐posed inverse problem. Given observations of smooth curves (e.g., growth curves) at isolated time points, the aim is to provide estimates of the underlying gradients (or growth velocities). To address this problem, we develop a Bayesian inversion approach that models the gradient in the gaps between the observation times by a tied‐down Brownian motion, conditionally on its values at the observation times. The posterior mean and covariance kernel of the growth velocities are then found to have explicit and computationally tractable representations in terms of quadratic splines. The hyperparameters in the prior are specified via nonparametric empirical Bayes, with the prior precision matrix at the observation times estimated by constrained ℓ1 minimization. The infinitessimal variance of the Brownian motion prior is selected by cross‐validation. The approach is illustrated using both simulated and real data examples.
Outcome Vector Dependent Sampling with Longitudinal Continuous Response Data: Stratified Sampling Based on Summary Statistics
Authors: Schildcrout Jonathan S. , Garbett Shawn P. , Heagerty Patrick J.
Published: February 2013

The analysis of longitudinal trajectories usually focuses on evaluation of explanatory factors that are either associated with rates of change, or with overall mean levels of a continuous outcome variable. In this article, we introduce valid design and analysis methods that permit outcome dependent sampling of longitudinal data for scenarios where all outcome data currently exist, but a targeted substudy is being planned in order to collect additional key exposure information on a limited number of subjects. We propose a stratified sampling based on specific summaries of individual longitudinal trajectories, and we detail an ascertainment corrected maximum likelihood approach for estimation using the resulting biased sample of subjects. In addition, we demonstrate that the efficiency of an outcome‐based sampling design relative to use of a simple random sample depends highly on the choice of outcome summary statistic used to direct sampling, and we show a natural link between the goals of the longitudinal regression model and corresponding desirable designs. Using data from the Childhood Asthma Management Program, where genetic information required retrospective ascertainment, we study a range of designs that examine lung function profiles over 4 years of follow‐up for children classified according to their genotype for the IL 13 cytokine.
Genetic determinants of haemolysis in sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Milton Jacqueline N. , Rooks Helen , Drasar Emma , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Baldwin Clinton T. , Melista Efi , Gordeuk Victor R. , Nouraie Mehdi , Kato Gregory R. , Minniti Caterina , Taylor James , Campbell Andrew , Luchtman‐Jones Lori , Rana Sohail , Castro Oswaldo , Zhang Yingze , Thein Swee Lay , Sebastiani Paola , Gladwin Mark T. ,   the Walk‐PHAAST Investigators, Steinberg Martin H.
Published: February 2013

Haemolytic anaemia is variable among patients with sickle cell anaemia and can be estimated by reticulocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin levels. Using principal component analysis of these measurements we computed a haemolytic score that we used as a subphenotype in a genome‐wide association study. We identified in one cohort and replicated in two additional cohorts the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in NPRL3 (rs7203560; chr16p13·3) (P = 6·04 × 10−07). This association was validated by targeted genotyping in a fourth independent cohort. The HBA1/HBA2 regulatory elements, hypersensitive sites (HS)‐33, HS‐40 and HS‐48 are located in introns of NPRL3. Rs7203560 was in perfect linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs9926112 (r2 = 1) and in strong LD with rs7197554 (r2 = 0·75) and rs13336641 (r2 = 0·77); the latter is located between HS‐33 and HS‐40 sites and next to a CTCF binding site. The minor allele for rs7203560 was associated with the −∝3·7thalassaemia gene deletion. When adjusting for HbF and ∝ thalassaemia, the association of NPRL3 with the haemolytic score was significant (P = 0·00375) and remained significant when examining only cases without gene deletion∝ thalassaemia (P = 0·02463). Perhaps by independently down‐regulating expression of the HBA1/HBA2 genes, variants of the HBA1/HBA2 gene regulatory loci, tagged by rs7203560, reduce haemolysis in sickle cell anaemia.
Practitioner's Insight: Learning to Manage Emerging Technologies
Authors: Martinez J. Leonard
Published: February 2013

New management techniques and policies need to be developed in order for more effective commercialization of emerging technologies.
Innovation Mechanisms and Knowledge Communities for Corporate CentralR&D
Authors: Wu Feng‐Shang , Haak Robert
Published: February 2013

An important method of enhancing or developing new corporate differentiating emerging technological competences is to establish corporate centralR&D. This practice is centred on the competency‐based view of the firm and has been implemented by companies in numerous developed countries. CorporateR&Dcentres are now becoming important to newly industrialized smaller nations such asTaiwan. Yet few studies have investigated theR&Dmanagement practices of effective corporate centralR&Dcentres in emerging countries. Here the case study method is used to review nineR&Dcentres from each of three countries: theUSA,Japan, andTaiwan. Seven findings are provided regarding effective management ofR&Dcentres.
Speed of Venture Financing for Emerging Technology‐Based Entrepreneurial Firms as a Function of Founder Reputation
Authors: Mahto Raj V. , Khanin Dmitry
Published: February 2013

One of the major commercialization hurdles for technology‐based entrepreneurial enterprises is financing and the speed of its acquisition. This is compounded in the case of emerging technology‐based enterprises by the nature of their technology acquisition and founding team structure. Many of these firms do not have founders with extensive reputations in the financial community. If founder reputation is important to funding sources with regard to speed and access, and emerging technology commercial development is important for solving twenty‐first‐century problems and generating economic growth, then there is cause for concern. Here we build on prior research and data from 140 Internet‐based firms to examine the effect that founder reputation has on the ability of an enterprise to swiftly obtain financing. Our results suggest that founder reputation expedites ventures' quick access to public but not to private financing. In addition, our results demonstrate that venture capital financing obtained early on and financing by large venture capital syndicates delay access to public financing for founders with extensive reputations.
Allergological in vitro and in vivo evaluation of patients with hypersensitivity reactions to infliximab
Authors: Matucci A. , Pratesi S. , Petroni G. , Nencini F. , Virgili G. , Milla M. , Maggi E. , Vultaggio A.
Published: February 2013

Background

The administration of biological agents is potentially affected by IgE‐mediated infusion reactions.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of skin testing in patients who have experienced infliximab (IFX)‐related reactions.

Methods

Thirty patients with previous immediate hypersensitivity reaction to IFX, 20 disease‐matched non exposed subjects, 15 IFX‐treated disease‐matched tolerant patients and 15 IFX non‐responder patients were enrolled. Non‐isotype‐specific and IgE anti‐drug antibodies (ADAs) were measured by a double‐capture ELISA kit and ImmunoCAP assay, respectively. Prick and intra‐dermal tests were carried out with the commercial IFX preparation serially diluted.

Results

Skin testing, performed in 23 of 30 reactive patients, resulted positive in 7 of them (30.4%), whereas no positivity was found in other groups of patients. The majority of reactive patients displayed non‐isotype‐specific ADAs (23/30, 76.6%) and the presence of anti‐IFX IgE antibodies was detected in 6 of them (26%). All 6 IgE‐positive reactive patients showed skin testing positivity. One reactive ADAs‐positive patient who resulted skin test positive, with no detectable serum IFX‐specific IgE ADAs, was also found. Skin testing positivity was associated with severe and early reactions (within the 3rd dose). No unexpected adverse reactions to skin testing were recorded.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

This study shows that about 30% of reactive patients display skin testing positivity. They usually develop severe reactions, mainly during the first administrations of IFX. The specificity and the safety of skin testing procedure for this biological agent are also confirmed.
Hypersensitivity reactions to fluoroquinolones: analysis of the factors involved
Authors: Blanca‐López N. , Ariza A. , Doña I. , Mayorga C. , Montañez M. I. , Garcia‐Campos J. , Gomez F. , Rondón C. , Blanca M. , Torres M. J.
Published: February 2013

Background

Hypersensitivity reactions to fluoroquinolones seem to be on the increase, especially immediate type reactions.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether several conditions, including gender, age, type of reaction, time interval between the reaction and the study, type of symptoms, the specific fluoroquinolone involved in the reaction and previous confirmed hypersensitivity to betalactams or to other drugs were factors contributing to the development of hypersensitivity to fluoroquinolones.

Method

We analysed retrospectively all patients attending our allergy department between January 2005 and December 2010 because of a reaction associated with fluoroquinolone administration. The diagnosis was confirmed by basophil activation test or drug provocation tests. In accordance with the results, patients were then classified as having hypersensitivity or non‐hypersensitivity to fluoroquinolones.

Results

A group of 218 patients was evaluated; 69 were confirmed as having hypersensitivity, 146 as non‐hypersensitivity and 3 were excluded. Comparisons between groups showed that the allergic patients more often had a previous confirmed hypersensitivity to betalactams (P = 0.029), immediate reactions (P = 0.001) and anaphylaxis (P = 0.000), and moxifloxacin was the fluoroquinolone most frequently involved (P = 0.027). The logistic regression analysis showed three factors associated with the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to fluoroquinolones: previous hypersensitivity to betalactams (OR: 4.571; 95% CI: 0.987–21.171; adjusted OR: 23.654; 95% CI: 1.529–365.853), immediate reactions (OR: 17.333; 95% CI: 4.374–68.691; adjusted OR: 52.493; 95% CI: 6.621–416.200) and reactions induced by moxifloxacin (OR: 3.091; 95% CI: 1.160–8.239; adjusted OR: 13.610; 95% CI: 2.419–76.565).

Conclusion

In patients who develop reactions to fluoroquinolones, hypersensitivity is more often confirmed in those with immediate reactions and when moxifloxacin is involved. Moreover, patients with hypersensitivity to betalactams are more prone to develop hypersensitivity reactions to fluoroquinolones.
Peri‐implant bone formation of non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma–treated zirconia implants with different surface roughness in rabbit tibiae
Authors: Shon Won‐Jun , Chung Shin Hye , Kim Hong‐Kyun , Han Geum‐Jun , Cho Byeong‐Hoon , Park Young‐Seok
Published: February 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the osseointegration of powder–injection molded (PIM) zirconia implants in rabbit tibiae with or without He plasma treatment.

Material and methods

Twenty‐five rabbits received 4 types of external hex implants with identical geometry in the tibiae: PIM zirconia implants, roughened PIM zirconia implants, plasma‐treated PIM zirconia implants, and plasma‐treated roughened PIM zirconia implants. The contact angles of the four types of implants were evaluated. Removal torque tests and histomorphometric analyses were performed.

Results

The plasma treatment markedly enhanced the hydrophilicity, but did not seem to change the surface topography of the PIM zirconia implants. There were statistically significant differences in the bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) ratios, bone volume (BV/TV), and removal torque values (RTQ) among the tested implant types (P < 0.001). The plasma‐treated implants exhibited significantly higher BIC and BV/TV values than the untreated implants. However, the removal torque values favored the rough surface.

Conclusions

The He plasma treatments on PIM zirconia implants made the surface more hydrophilic and enhanced the osseointegration of the implants without changing the micro‐topography.
Removal of reactive dyes from wastewater by acrylate polymer beads bearing amino groups: isotherm and kinetic studies
Authors: Bayramoglu Gulay , Arica Mehmet Yakup
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to prepare a novel resin for the removal of reactive dyes from aqueous media. To prepare the resin, poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) beads were grafted with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerisation. Epoxy groups of the grafted polymer were modified with tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine ligand. The modified resin was characterised by swelling studies, FT‐IR and SEM. Three different reactive dyes were selected (CI Reactive Brown 10, CI Reactive Red 120 and CI Reactive Green 5) and used in the removal studies. The effects of pH, temperature, ionic strength and initial dye concentration on the adsorption capacity of the resin were investigated. The adsorption capacity of the resin for Reactive Brown 10, Reactive Red 120 and Reactive Green 5 was 0.029 ± 0.010, 0.032 ± 0.0019 and 0.042 ± 0.0013 mmol/g resin (34.1 ± 1.2, 47.6 ± 2.3 and 69.3 ± 1.7 mg/g resin) respectively. The equilibrium adsorption data were analysed by Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. A good fit was found between the Langmuir isotherm and data for the three dyes on resin. The adsorption kinetic data were modelled using pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic equations. It was found that the pseudo‐second‐order equation could describe the adsorption kinetics. The results indicated that the modified resin is an attractive alternative for removing reactive dyes from wastewater.
Preparation of an ecofriendly chitosan–ZnO composite for chromium complex dye adsorption
Authors: Anandhavelu Shanmugam , Thambidurai Sivalingam
Published: February 2013

Three chitosan‐ZnO composites were prepared by the chitin deacetylation process using zinc chloride as source material and sodium hydroxide as precipitant. The physical characteristics of chitosan‐ZnO composites were studied using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption of a chromium complex dye onto commercial chitosan, prepared chitosan and chitosan‐ZnO composites was investigated in aqueous dye solution. Dye calibration was carried out by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The calculated dye adsorption values for commercial chitosan, prepared chitosan, and chitosan‐ZnO composite samples are 0.0086, 0.0137, and 0.0214 mg/g respectively, indicating that the chitosan‐ZnO composites have better dye adsorption capacity than commercial chitosan and prepared chitosan. The experimental isotherm data for the composites fitted the Langmuir isotherm model well. Thus, the chitosan‐ZnO composites can be used as an effective biosorbent for the removal of anionic dyes.
Heat‐washout – an objective method for diagnosing neuropathy and atherosclerosis in diabetic patients
Authors: Midttun M. , Snorgaard O.
Published: February 2013

Background

The heat‐washout method is an objective method that measures cutaneous blood flow rate (BFR) in ml (100 g. min)−1, previously found useful for measuring toe BFR in non‐diabetic patients with claudication.

Aim

The method is used for evaluating the presence of a veno‐arteriolar reflex (VAR) in the forefoot and signs of atherosclerosis in the first toe in type 2 diabetics.

Methods

Nine type 2 diabetics for +10 years, peripheral neuropathy, median age 62, and 9 healthy subjects without diabetes, median age 52 were examined for the presence of a VAR in the forefoot. A VAR was present when BFR decreased 25% or more with the foot 50 cm below heart level. Examinations for atherosclerosis were made in the pulp of the first toe. An increase in BFR of 50% or more with the foot 50 cm below heart level indicated the presence of atherosclerosis.

Results

The VAR was significantly attenuated in type 2 diabetics with neuropathy compared to controls, (P<0·01). Only one patient with known neuropathy and diabetes showed a reflex compared to eight out of nine controls (P<0·01). The VAR was correlated to the vibration perception threshold measured with biothesiometry (r = −0·661, P = 0·0003). Two patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy without clinical sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD) had an abnormal response similar to that seen in subjects with intermittent claudication.

Conclusion

The heat‐washout method seems useful as and objective method for evaluating as well the presence of a VAR as atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetics.
Recommended sedation and intraprocedural monitoring for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Sasaki Tohru , Tanabe Satoshi , Ishido Kenji , Azuma Mizutomo , Katada Chikatoshi , Higuchi Katsuhiko , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: February 2013

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with a longer treatment time and a higher risk of patient discomfort than conventional procedures. Adequate, safe sedation is therefore essential. Sedation can cause adverse effects such as hypoxemia and hypotension, requiring continuous intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of blood pressure, use of the electrocardiogram, and arterial blood oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry. A physician and a nurse solely responsible for sedating and monitoring the patient should be present during treatment.A combination of benzodiazepines and analgesics are generally used for sedation, but new sedatives such as propofol and dexmedetomidine hydrochloride are expected to be useful agents. Endoscopists should become more familiar with sedatives, analgesics, and emergency procedures in the future.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Size and Function during Cardiac Surgery. An Intraoperative Evaluation of Six Two‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Methods with Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography as a Reference
Authors: Grossgasteiger Manuel , Hien Maximilian D. , Graser Bastian , Rauch Helmut , Gondan Matthias , Motsch Johann , Rosendal Christian
Published: February 2013

Transesophageal echocardiography is recommended to monitor left ventricular (LV) size and function in various operations. Generally, two‐dimensional (2D) methods are applied intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and feasibility of 6 commonly used 2D methods to assess LV function during surgery. LV function in 120 consecutive patients was evaluated. Real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiograpy (3DTEE) served as reference. End‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes and ejection fraction (EF) were analyzed with Simpson's method of discs (monoplane [MP] and biplane [BP]), eyeball method, Teichholz' method, and speckle tracking (ST) methods. Furthermore, fractional area change (FAC) and peak systolic pressure rise (dP/dt) were determined. Each 2D method was evaluated regarding correlation and agreement with 3DE, intra‐ and interobserver variability and the time required for evaluation. Simpson BP showed the strongest correlation and best agreement with 3DE for EF (limits of agreement 3.7 ± 11.6%) and volumes. Simpson MP showed similar agreement with 3DE compared to ST (2.8 ± 14.5% vs. 2.0 ± 15.3% and 3.8 ± 14.4% vs. 1.9 ± 15.6%, respectively). Both the eyeball method and Teichholz' method showed wide limits of agreement (−1.5 ± 18.2% and 5.2 ± 22.1%, respectively). DP/dt did not correlate with 3DE. FAC and ST FAC showed similar agreement. Application of 3DE (429 ± 108 seconds) took the longest time, and the eyeball method took the shortest time (8 ± 5 seconds) for analysis. Simpson BP is the most accurate intraoperative 2D method to evaluate LV function, followed by long‐axis MP evaluations. Short‐axis views were less accurate but may be suited for monitoring. We do not recommend using dP/dt.
Mitral Arcade in Adults – A Systematic Overview
Authors: Hakim Fayaz A. , Krishnaswamy Chandrasekaran , Mookadam Farouk
Published: February 2013

Mitral arcade (MA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the mitral valve and its tensor apparatus. This condition has been reported primarily in children younger than 3 years of age. MA is characterized by elongated papillary muscles connected to each other and to the tip of anterior mitral leaflet by a bridge of fibrous tissue. Because of progressive mitral regurgitation and/or mitral stenosis, survival into adulthood is rare. Not much is known about MA in the adult population. In this review we address the demographic features, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of this congenital anomaly in adult patients.
The Effect of Age and Sex on Object Exploration and Manipulative Behavior in a Neotropical Raptor, the Chimango Caracara, Milvago chimango
Authors: Biondi Laura Marina , Guido Jorgelina , Madrid Enrique , Bó María Susana , Vassallo Aldo Iván
Published: February 2013

We studied object exploration and manipulative behavior in wild‐caught Chimango Caracaras (Milvago chimango), an opportunistic and generalist raptor species, in relation to age and sex differences. Each bird was presented with six objects. We then recorded the latencies to approach and first contact with the objects, the number of objects explored, and the number of exploration events performed on each object. Age influenced the tendency to explore in M. chimango. Compared with adults, juveniles were more likely to explore the objects, approaching and contacting them more quickly. The number of objects explored was also higher in young than adult birds. Both age classes used a variety of manipulative behaviors to explore the objects, some of which have been described as play in others studies. Sex did not affect an individual's likelihood to explore or the number and frequency of manipulative behaviors used during object exploration. The tendency for both young and adult birds to explore and manipulate objects that not resemble prey is likely to be a distinct advantage for a generalist species like M. chimango which must cope with a high diversity of modified environments.