bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Individuals
Authors: MacLeod John F. , Grove Peter G. , Farrington David P.
Published: January 2014

Analysis of data from the Offender Assessment System (OASys) database and the Police National Computer is used to demonstrate a link between psychological-assessment scores and the risk/rate categories of the theory proposed in this book. Two analyses are presented: the first of 1600 male offenders from the OASys pilot study; and the second using data from 154,000 offenders from the operational database. Using the psychological data from OASys the majority (65%) of high risk category offenders were identified using a simple dichotomy on total score. A principal component analysis improved this figure to 90%. Using the OASys data to identify the risk categories, together with conviction data from the PNC, the number of offenders reconvicted within 15 months of conviction in April 2004 was predicted to within 1%.
Mapping Faith on the Avenue
Authors: Day Katie , Conboy Edd
Published: January 2014

This chapter introduces Germantown Avenue, a historic street which cuts through Philadelphia, from the most affluent to the most impoverished neighborhoods. There are about 85 congregations on the Avenue representing historic Protestant churches, mosques, “mega churches,” storefront churches (Latino and African American), Peace churches and unique syncretist faiths. The diversity is captured through narrative and photography. The research presented in the book analyses the agency of these religious communities in their urban ecologies, or contexts.
Use of Probiotics for Management of Acute Gastroenteritis
Authors: Szajewska Hania , Guarino Alfredo , Hojsak Iva , Indrio Flavia , Kolacek Sanja , Shamir Raanan , Vandenplas Yvan , Weizman Zvi
Published: January 2014

The use of probiotics has been suggested in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in addition to early rehydration and avoidance of dietary restrictions. This document provides recommendations for the use of probiotics for the treatment of AGE in previously healthy infants and children based on a systematic review of previously completed systematic reviews and of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published subsequently to these reviews. The recommendations were formulated only if at least 2 RCTs that used a given probiotic (with strain specification) were available. The GRADE system developed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations Working Group, was used to grade the strength of evidence and grades of recommendations used in these guidelines. It offers 4 categories of the quality of the evidence (high, moderate, low, and very low) and 2 categories of the strength of recommendation (strong or weak). The use of the following probiotics (in alphabetical order) may be considered in the management of children with AGE in addition to rehydration therapy: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (low quality of evidence, strong recommendation) and Saccharomyces boulardii (low quality of evidence, strong recommendation). Less compelling evidence is available for Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (very low quality of evidence, weak recommendation) and heat‐inactivated Lactobacillus acidophilus LB (very low quality of evidence, weak recommendation). The latter, although traditionally discussed with other probiotics, does not fit with the definition of probiotics. Other strains or combinations of strains have been tested, but evidence of their efficacy is weak or preliminary.
Economic Inequality and the Social Capital Gap in the United States across Time and Space
Authors: Wright Matthew
Published: January 2014

Although researchers have demonstrated that economic inequality and social capital are inversely related in an aggregate sense across time and space, to date little is known about the relationship between inequality and the socio-economic disparity in social capital outcomes. Using yearly cross-sectional surveys of American twelfth graders fielded during 1976–2009, I show that social capital is strongly related to parental socio-economic status, and that this relationship grows in strength as economic inequality increases. This relationship is confirmed both over time and cross-sectionally. Finally, I argue that, between resource-based and psychological accounts of why this relationship exists, the former appears more promising.
Kinase inhibitors: The next generation of therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: MacFarlane Lindsey A. , Todd Derrick J.
Published: January 2014

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be the source of significant pain and functional limitation. The past 20 years have seen a transition in treatment goals away from mere pain management toward disease modification through the suppression of autoimmunity. Disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate and biologic agents, impair disease progression and joint destruction. However, despite these achievements, a substantial subset of RA patients does not respond to or cannot tolerate current treatments for RA. Scientific insight into the cellular pathways of inflammation has revealed new therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like RA. Attention has focused on pathways mediated by Janus kinase (JAK), mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). This review article summarizes the evidence supporting the use of various kinase inhibitors, including the newly approved JAK inhibitor tofacitinib, in the treatment of RA.
Incidence and complications of peptic ulcer disease requiring hospitalisation have markedly decreased in Finland
Authors: Malmi H. , Kautiainen H. , Virta L. J. , Färkkilä N. , Koskenpato J. , Färkkilä M. A.
Published: January 2014

Background

The characteristics of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are changing.

Aim

To evaluate time trends in the incidence of PUD and its complications in hospitalised patients at the beginning of the 21st century, drug therapies in out‐patient care as a risk factor for recurrent PUD, and medication used by PUD patients compared with the background population.

Methods

In this retrospective epidemiologic cohort study, data from the years 2000–2008 came from The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, and the Finnish Care Register. All hospitalised adult patients with PUD in the capital region of Finland were included. The data were linked with nationwide Prescription Register of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution allowing detailed individual medicine purchase data.

Results

A total of 9951 peptic ulcers were detected among 8146 individual patients during the study period. The mean annual incidence of all peptic ulcers decreased from 121/100 000 (95% CI: 117–125) in 2000–2002, to 79 (95% CI: 76–82) in 2006–2008 [Incidence rate ratio = 0.62 (95% CI: 0.58–0.64), P < 0.001 after age and sex adjustment]. Decrease in incidence was seen in all age groups and in both sexes. The overall rate of severe complications of PUD was reduced. One‐year cumulative incidence of recurrent ulcers was 13%. Use of several drugs was associated with increased risk for recurrence. The purchases of various drugs were more common among PUD patients compared with background population.

Conclusions

Both the incidence and complication rates have markedly decreased during the study period. Recurrent peptic ulcer disease was associated with polypharmacy.
Induction of Neurotrophic and Differentiation Factors in Neural Stem Cells by Valproic Acid
Authors: Almutawaa Walaa , Kang Na Hyea , Pan Yi , Niles Lennard P.
Published: January 2014

Valproic acid (VPA), a short‐chain fatty acid, is used clinically as an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. Valproic acid also inhibits histone deacetylase activity, which is associated with histone hyperacetylation and changes in gene expression. In this study, we examined the effects of VPA on the expression of selected neurotrophic and differentiation factors in C17.2 neural stem cells. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed a significant increase in conserved dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression, after treatment with clinically relevant concentrations of VPA (0.5 or 1.0 mM) for 24 hr. Increases in the protein expression of CDNF and mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor were also observed, after similar treatment with VPA. In addition, significant increases in the mRNA levels of the early dopaminergic neuron marker, nuclear receptor‐related protein 1(Nurr1), and the transcriptional regulator, early growth response protein 1 (Egr1), were observed after treatment with VPA for 24 hr. C17.2 neural stem cells exhibited high basal mRNA expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and SRY (sex determining region Y)‐box 2 (Sox2), which was not altered by VPA treatment. Western analysis revealed hyperacetylation of histone H3 proteins in C17.2 cells after VPA treatment for 24 hr or 48 hr, suggesting involvement of an epigenetic mechanism in the observed gene induction by this drug. These findings support a role for VPA in modulating neurotrophic and differentiation factor expression, in keeping with its reported neuroprotective and neurodevelopmental effects.
Inference for reaction networks using the linear noise approximation
Authors: Fearnhead Paul , Giagos Vasilieos , Sherlock Chris
Published: January 2014

We consider inference for the reaction rates in discretely observed networks such as those found in models for systems biology, population ecology, and epidemics. Most such networks are neither slow enough nor small enough for inference via the true state‐dependent Markov jump process to be feasible. Typically, inference is conducted by approximating the dynamics through an ordinary differential equation (ODE) or a stochastic differential equation (SDE). The former ignores the stochasticity in the true model and can lead to inaccurate inferences. The latter is more accurate but is harder to implement as the transition density of the SDE model is generally unknown. The linear noise approximation (LNA) arises from a first‐order Taylor expansion of the approximating SDE about a deterministic solution and can be viewed as a compromise between the ODE and SDE models. It is a stochastic model, but discrete time transition probabilities for the LNA are available through the solution of a series of ordinary differential equations. We describe how a restarting LNA can be efficiently used to perform inference for a general class of reaction networks; evaluate the accuracy of such an approach; and show how and when this approach is either statistically or computationally more efficient than ODE or SDE methods. We apply the LNA to analyze Google Flu Trends data from the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and are able to obtain more accurate short‐term forecasts of new flu cases than another recently proposed method, although at a greater computational cost.
Researchers and teachers learning together and from each other using video‐based multimodal analysis
Authors: Davidsen Jacob , Vanderlinde Ruben
Published: January 2014

This paper discusses a year‐long technology integration project during which teachers and researchers joined forces to explore children's collaborative activities through the use of touch screens. In the research project discussed in this paper, 16 touch screens were integrated into teaching and learning activities in two separate classrooms; the learning and collaborative processes were captured by using a video, collecting over 150 hours of footage. By using digital research technologies and a longitudinal design, the authors of the research project studied how teachers and children gradually integrated touch screens into their teaching and learning. This paper examines the methodological usefulness of video‐based multimodal analysis. Through reflection on the research project, we discuss how, by using video‐based multimodal analysis, researchers and teachers can study children's touch‐screen supported collaboration and how researchers and teachers can learn together.
A multicentre study of primary breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the rituximab era
Authors: Hosein Peter J. , Maragulia Jocelyn C. , Salzberg Matthew P. , Press Oliver W. , Habermann Thomas M. , Vose Julie M. , Bast Martin , Advani Ranjana H. , Tibshirani Robert , Evens Andrew M. , Islam Nahida , Leonard John P. , Martin Peter , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Lossos Izidore S.
Published: January 2014

Primary breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with limited data on pathology and outcome. A multicentre retrospective study was undertaken to determine prognostic factors and the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) relapses. Data was retrospectively collected on patients from 8 US academic centres. Only patients with stage I/II disease (involvement of breast and localized lymph nodes) were included. Histologies apart from primary DLBCL were excluded. Between 1992 and 2012, 76 patients met the eligibility criteria. Most patients (86%) received chemotherapy, and 69% received immunochemotherapy with rituximab; 65% received radiation therapy and 9% received prophylactic CNS chemotherapy. After a median follow‐up of 4·5 years (range 0·6–20·6 years), the Kaplan–Meier estimated median progression‐free survival was 10·4 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 5·8–14·9 years), and the median overall survival was 14·6 years (95% CI 10·2–19 years). Twelve patients (16%) had CNS relapse. A low stage‐modified International Prognostic Index (IPI) was associated with longer overall survival. Rituximab use was not associated with a survival advantage. Primary breast DLBCL has a high rate of CNS relapse. The stage‐modified IPI score is associated with survival.
Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk among long‐term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ‐ From the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort
Authors: Nottage Kerri A. , Ness Kirsten K. , Li Chenghong , Srivastava Deokumar , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M.
Published: January 2014

Adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have a four‐fold excess risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. This cardiovascular risk has not been fully characterized. ALL survivors [n = 784, median age 31·7 years (18·9–59·1)] in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study underwent evaluation for cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Comparisons were made to 777 age‐, sex‐, and race‐matched controls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). MetS was identified in 259 survivors (33·6%) and associated with older age in 5‐year increments (relative risk [RR] 1·13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·06–1·19) and prior cranial radiotherapy (CRT) (with craniospinal radiation: RR 1·88, 95%CI 1·32–2·67; without: RR 1·67, 95%CI 1·26–2·23). Measures of obesity were highly prevalent among female survivors and CRT recipients. Compared to NHANES controls, ALL survivors had a higher risk of MetS (RR 1·43, 95%CI 1·22–1·69), hypertension (RR 2·43, 95%CI 2·06–2·86), low high‐density lipoprotein (RR 1·40, 95%CI 1·23–1·59), obesity (RR 1·47, 95%CI 1·29–1·68) and insulin resistance (1·64, 95%CI 1·44–1·86). This large study of clinically evaluated ALL survivors identified a high prevalence of MetS, obesity and cardiovascular risk, particularly in CRT recipients, underscoring the need for screening and aggressive reduction of modifiable risks.
Evolution of the Southampton Enhanced Recovery Programme for radical cystectomy and the aggregation of marginal gains
Authors: Smith Julian , Meng Zhao Wu , Lockyer Richard , Dudderidge Tim , McGrath John , Hayes Matthew , Birch Brian
Published: January 2014

Objective

To describe and assess the evolution of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) for open radical cystectomy.

Patients and Methods

We introduced a mentored ERP for radical cystectomy in January 2011. The programme underwent service evaluation and multiple changes in August 2012 that we define as marginal gains. We present a retrospective review of 133 consecutive patients undergoing open radical cystectomy, grouped according to the three stages of the ERP from October 2008 to April 2013: (1) non‐ERP group (October 2008 to December 2010): n = 69; (2) ERP‐1 group (January 2011 to July 2012): n = 37; and (3) ERP‐2 group (August 2012 to April 2013): n = 27. Primary outcomes were length of hospital stay (LOS), readmission, morbidity at 90 days using the Clavien classification system and mortality. Secondary outcomes were time to flatus, ileus rates, re‐operation rates and oncological outcomes.

Results

There were no differences in patient demographics among any of the groups for: age, gender, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There were no differences in readmission, morbidity and mortality rates. The overall 90‐day mortality was six patients (4.5%). There were significant differences in ileus rates between the non‐ERP, the ERP‐1 and the ERP‐2 groups: 44.9% (31 patients), 29.7% (11 patients) and 14.8% (four patients), respectively (P = 0.017). There was a significant difference in the presence of pathological lymphadenopathy in the ERP‐2 group: non‐ERP group, 10.1%; ERP‐1 group, 16.2%; and ERP‐2 group, 44.4%; P = 0.002. There was also a difference in the mean (sd) lymph node yield in ERP‐2: non‐ERP group, 8.4 (5.4) nodes; ERP‐1, 8.2 (6.4) nodes; and ERP‐2, 16.7 (5.4) nodes (P < 0.001). The median (range) LOS was 14 (7–91) days, 10 (6–55) days and 7 (3–99) days in the non‐ERP, ERP‐1 and ERP‐2 groups, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Auditing an already successful ERP and implementing a number of marginal gains has led to a significant decrease in the median LOS for radical cystectomy. The LOS for open radical cystectomy at University Hospital Southampton has halved. In the second phase of our ERP, our median LOS is 7 days.
Positive allosteric modulators of the μ‐opioid receptor: a novel approach for future pain medications
Authors: Burford N T , Traynor J R , Alt A
Published: January 2014

Morphine and other agonists of the μ‐opioid receptor are used clinically for acute and chronic pain relief and are considered to be the gold standard for pain medication. However, these opioids also have significant side effects, which are also mediated via activation of the μ‐opioid receptor. Since the latter half of the twentieth century, researchers have sought to tease apart the mechanisms underlying analgesia, tolerance and dependence, with the hope of designing drugs with fewer side effects. These efforts have revolved around the design of orthosteric agonists with differing pharmacokinetic properties and/or selectivity profiles for the different opioid receptor types. Recently, μ‐opioid receptor‐positive allosteric modulators (μ‐PAMs) were identified, which bind to a (allosteric) site on the μ‐opioid receptor separate from the orthosteric site that binds an endogenous agonist. These allosteric modulators have little or no detectable functional activity when bound to the receptor in the absence of orthosteric agonist, but can potentiate the activity of bound orthosteric agonist, seen as an increase in apparent potency and/or efficacy of the orthosteric agonist. In this review, we describe the potential advantages that a μ‐PAM approach might bring to the design of novel therapeutics for pain that may lack the side effects currently associated with opioid therapy.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Exploring Relationships among Proactiveness, Risk‐Taking and Innovation Output in Family and Non‐Family Firms
Authors: Craig Justin B. , Pohjola Mikko , Kraus Sascha , Jensen Søren H.
Published: January 2014

In an empirical investigation of 532 Finnish firms, and using the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) literature to frame our arguments, we demonstrate that relationships among proactivity, risk‐taking and innovation output differ in family and non‐family firms. Specifically, we find evidence that risk‐taking does not affect innovation output in family firms, whereas in non‐family firms, innovation output is increased through risk‐taking. Also, proactive family firms influence their innovation output more positively than proactive non‐family firms do. This study adds important new insights to the growing knowledge of EO, which are discussed in the following for both academic and business audiences.
Tariff Structure, Trade Expansion, and Canadian Protectionism, 1870–1910
Authors: Beaulieu Eugene , Cherniwchan Jevan
Published: January 2014

Canada's trade policy at the end of the 19th century is commonly viewed as protectionist and extremely costly. In this paper, we employ the Anderson‐Neary Trade Restrictiveness Index to re‐examine this view. Based on product‐level customs data, we show that Canadian trade policy between 1870 and 1910 was more restrictive than previously understood, but created smaller welfare losses than previously believed. These results are primarily driven by high tariffs on inelastic, non‐competing import goods. Although Canada's tariff structure becomes more restrictive over the period, our findings indicate it was not as protectionist or as costly as once thought.
How Would One Extra Year of High School Affect Academic Performance in University? Evidence from an Educational Policy Change
Authors: Krashinsky Harry
Published: January 2014

This paper uses a unique policy change in Ontario, Canada, to provide direct evidence on how reducing the length of high school would impact student performance in university. After a five‐year educational program was eliminated from Ontario high schools and replaced with a four‐year program, two graduating cohorts with different amounts of high school education simultaneously entered university. The results demonstrate that students who receive one less year of high school education perform significantly worse than their counterparts in all subjects, even after the age difference between the cohorts is accounted for.
Social Security and Family Support
Authors: Leroux M.‐L. , Pestieau P.
Published: January 2014

This paper shows how the role of the market, the state and the family in providing old‐age support has evolved over time with changes in factors such as the reliability and the effectiveness of family support, the interest rate, the cost of public funds, and earning inequality. Agents with different productivity vote over the size of a Beveridgian pension system. When children assistance is certain, agents may rely exclusively on family and prefer no pension. However, when the size and the probability of family generosity decrease, social security is more likely to emerge.
Viewpoint: Boosting Recessions
Authors: Ng Serena
Published: January 2014

This paper explores the effectiveness of boosting, often regarded as the state of the art classification tool, in giving warning signals of recessions 3, 6, and 12 months ahead. Boosting is used to screen as many as 1,500 potentially relevant predictors consisting of 132 real and financial time series and their lags. Estimation over the full sample 1961:1–2011:12 finds that there are fewer than 10 important predictors and the identity of these variables changes with the forecast horizon. There is a distinct difference in the size and composition of the relevant predictor set before and after mid‐1980. Rolling window estimation reveals that the importance of the term and default spreads are recession specific. The Aaa spread is the most robust predictor of recessions three and 6 months ahead, while the risky bond and 5‐year spreads are important for 12 months ahead predictions. Certain employment variables have predictive power for the two most recent recessions when the interest rate spreads were uninformative. Warning signals for the post‐1990 recessions have been sporadic and easy to miss. The results underscore the challenge that changing characteristics of business cycles pose for predicting recessions.
Managerial versus Production Wages: Offshoring, Country Size, and Endowments
Authors: Benz Sebastian , Kohler Wilhelm
Published: January 2014

We explore the role of trade in differentiated final goods as well as offshoring of tasks for inequality both within and between countries, emphasizing the distinction between managerial and production labour. We extend Grossman and Rossi‐Hansberg (2012), where task trade is driven by external economies of scale, by considering asymmetric endowments. Identifying possible equilibrium patterns of task trade, we find little scope for two‐way trade if endowments are asymmetric. Our numerical simulations identify non‐monotonicities between the level of offshoring and measures of within‐country as well as between‐country inequality.
Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: comparison of stapled and manual coloanal anastomosis
Authors: Cong J. C. , Chen C. S. , Ma M. X. , Xia Z. X. , Liu D. S. , Zhang F. Y.
Published: January 2014

Aim

The study aim was to analyse the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with stapled coloanal anastomosis for low rectal cancer.

Method

Between March 2009 and August 2010, 22 patients underwent laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with a stapled coloanal anastomosis without a diverting ileostomy. The results were compared retrospectively with hand‐sewn coloanal anastomoses performed between January 2001 and May 2009, which included 55 open and 38 laparoscopic intersphincteric resections. The morbidity comparison only included data relevant to the anastomosis. Function was compared using the Saito function questionnaire and the Wexner score and only involved data relevant to the laparoscopy.

Results

The anastomotic complication rates were similar for fistula, bleeding and neorectal mucosal prolapse (P = 0.526, P = 0.653 and P = 0.411, respectively). Anastomotic leakage and stricture formation of the stapled coloanal anastomosis were significantly lower than those of the hand‐sewn coloanal anastomosis (P = 0.037 and P = 0.028, respectively). There were no significant differences in the Saito function questionnaire and the Wexner score between the stapled and hand‐sewn coloanal anastomotic groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with a stapled coloanal anastomosis is technically feasible and is less likely to result in anastomotic leakage and stricture formation than a hand‐sewn anastomosis.
Transanal dearterialization with targeted mucopexy is effective for advanced haemorrhoids
Authors: Giordano P. , Tomasi I. , Pascariello A. , Mills E. , Elahi S.
Published: January 2014

Aim

Transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) has become well established for the treatment of haemorrhoids. In this study we describe a technical modification of this technique, targeted mucopexy (THD TM), and report the results for advanced haemorrhoids.

Method

The study included a prospective evaluation of patients with Grade IV (fourth‐degree) haemorrhoids operated on with the THD TM technique. This consisted of an initial dearterialization when the haemorrhoidal arteries were transfixed and a second phase of mucopexy, using a different needle from that usually used in the original technique.

Results

From January 2007 to December 2011, 31 consecutive patients with Grade IV haemorrhoids were operated on using the THD TM technique. Postoperative pain was reported by 22 (70%) patients on day 1 and 19 (61%) on day 7, while nine (30%) did not experience any pain at all. Severe pain was reported by only nine (16%) patients. At a mean follow‐up of 32 months, two (6.4%) patients required a further intervention for on‐going symptoms.

Conclusion

Transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization TM is effective for advanced haemorrhoids.
Metapopulation persistence and species spread in river networks
Authors: Mari Lorenzo , Casagrandi Renato , Bertuzzo Enrico , Rinaldo Andrea , Gatto Marino
Published: January 2014

River networks define ecological corridors characterised by unidirectional streamflow, which may impose downstream drift to aquatic organisms or affect their movement. Animals and plants manage to persist in riverine ecosystems, though, which in fact harbour high biological diversity. Here, we study metapopulation persistence in river networks analysing stage‐structured populations that exploit different dispersal pathways, both along‐stream and overland. Using stability analysis, we derive a novel criterion for metapopulation persistence in arbitrarily complex landscapes described as spatial networks. We show how dendritic geometry and overland dispersal can promote population persistence, and that their synergism provides an explanation of the so‐called `drift paradox’. We also study the geography of the initial spread of a species and place it in the context of biological invasions. Applications concerning the persistence of stream salamanders in the Shenandoah river, and the spread of two invasive species in the Mississippi‐Missouri are also discussed.
A crystal plasticity based methodology for fatigue crack initiation life prediction in polycrystalline copper
Authors: Voothaluru R. , Liu C. Richard
Published: January 2014

Fatigue failure is the dominant mechanism that governs the failure of components and structures in many engineering applications. In conventional engineering applications due to the design specifications, a significant proportion of the fatigue life is spent in the crack initiation phase. In spite of the large number of works addressing fatigue life modelling, the problem of modelling crack initiation life still remains a major challenge in the scientific and engineering community. In the present work, we present a methodology for estimating fatigue crack initiation life using macroscale loading conditions and the microstructural phenomenon causing crack initiation. Microstructure sensitive modelling is used for predicting potential crack initiation life by employing randomly generated representative microstructures. The microstructural parameters contributing to crack initiation life are identified and accounted for by computing lattice level energy dissipation during fatigue crack initiation. This model is coupled with experimental results to improve the predictive capabilities and identification of potentially damaging weak points in the microstructures. The estimated values for crack initiation life were found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed values of initiation life. The results have shown that this kind of approach could be successfully used to predict crack initiation life in polycrystalline materials. This work successfully provides an approach for estimating crack initiation life based upon numerical computations accounting for the microstructural phenomenon.
The Police, Sex Work, and Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009
Authors: Kingston Sarah , Thomas Terry
Published: January 2014

This article considers the origins and aims of Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 and the offence of paying for the sexual services of a prostitute who has been subject to exploitative conduct; this offence is one of ‘strict liability’. Section 14 was implemented on 1 April 2010 and using the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the authors have attempted to show the number of times Section 14 has been used by the police in England and Wales since the Act became law; how the Act has been used and the outcome of the use of this section.
Bidirectional Energy Transfer in Bi‐Tm‐Codoped Glasses
Authors: Li Yang , Ma Zhijun , Sharafudeen Kaniyarakkal , Dong Guoping , Qiu Jianrong
Published: January 2014

In this manuscript, we report an ultrabroadband luminescence covering the whole 1000–1800 nm in singly doping glass, and a superbroadband emission from 1000 to 2000 nm in ‐Tm3+‐codoped glasses excited at 808, 980 nm, respectively. We also confirm a bidirectional energy transfer mechanism between and Tm3+. Broadband luminescence is used to realize 1–2 μm optical amplifier and tunable laser. Luminescent properties of glasses are investigated systematically. Peak position and intensity of the near‐infrared emission depend strongly on excitation wavelength. Based on a collaborative investigation of the photoluminescence and luminescence decay, a plausible bidirectional energy transfer mechanism between and Tm3+ is confirmed.
Comparison of flavonoids profile in sprouts of common buckwheat cultivars and wild tartary buckwheat
Authors: Wiczkowski Wiesław , Szawara‐Nowak Dorota , Dębski Henryk , Mitrus Joanna , Horbowicz Marcin
Published: January 2014

In this study, major types of flavonoids in 7‐day sprouts of five common buckwheat cultivars grown in Poland (Hruszowska, Kora, Panda, Luba and Emka) and wild tartary buckwheat were investigated. Results demonstrated that sprouts of common buckwheat cultivars and wild tartary buckwheat contained both known and a newly discovered flavonol: quercetin 3‐O‐galactosyl‐rhamnoside. An exceptionally high content of this flavonoid was found in cotyledons of wild tartary buckwheat (30.79 ± 0.14 mg g−1 DW), exceeding about 10 times level of rutin (3.16 ± 0.07 mg g−1 DW). The results are not consistent with the data published so far on the content of flavonoids in sprouts of tartary buckwheat. Higher levels of flavonoids were measured in cotyledons than in hypocotyls with the exception of anthocyanins, which were present in higher amounts in hypocotyls. Cotyledons of common buckwheat sprouts were rich in C‐glycosides of luteolin and apigenin, the total content of which exceeded ca. 5 times the concentration of rutin.
Connectedness and its consequences: a study of relationships with the natural environment
Authors: Sparks Paul , Hinds Joe , Curnock Susan , Pavey Louisa
Published: January 2014

Recent interest in people's engagement with the natural environment has resulted in a series of empirical measures and important research findings. Two studies reported here complement this literature in producing a concise measure of connectedness to the natural environment and assessing its independent predictive impact within the structure of the theory of planned behavior. In Study 1 (n = 71), new measures of connectedness and caring were constructed; in Study 2 (n = 163), the connectedness measure was shown to be an independent predictor of people's intentions to reduce personal energy consumption levels. It is suggested that the measure of connectedness may capture some identity‐related and/or affective experience that impacts (independently of more cognitive predictors) upon people's motivation in this domain.
Divorce, conflict, and mental health: how the quality of intimate relationships is linked to post‐divorce well‐being
Authors: Symoens Sara , Colman Elien , Bracke Piet
Published: January 2014

Partner relationships, including new relationships after divorce, are found to be beneficial for mental health. However, the impact of their quality remains unclear; this uncertainty applies to past and ongoing relationships between ex‐spouses as well. We study the relationship between conflict—in the prior marriage, with the ex‐partner, with a new partner—and both positive and negative mental health. Multilevel linear models are carried out on a subsample of 892 divorcees from the dataset “Divorce in Flanders.” Living together with a new partner, either in marriage or cohabitation, seems beneficial for mental health, even in cases of (high) conflict. Nevertheless, conflict places a burden on well‐being, especially for women in nonmarital relationships. Ongoing conflict with the ex‐spouse is also damaging for mental health. In contrast, prior marital conflict does not relate to lower, but to slightly higher, levels of life satisfaction after divorce.
Attributions for sexual orientation vs. stereotypes: how beliefs about value violations account for attribution effects on anti‐gay discrimination
Authors: Reyna Christine , Wetherell Geoffrey , Yantis Caitlyn , Brandt Mark J.
Published: January 2014

Attributions for sexual orientation strongly predict opposition to gay rights policies; however, we propose that beliefs that gays and lesbians violate important values drive gay rights opposition and account for the relationship between attributions and anti‐gay discrimination. In two studies, we found that beliefs that gays and lesbians violate values accounted for much of the relationship between attributions and anti‐gay discrimination. In addition, these stereotypes were the most powerful predictors of opposition to gay rights when both value violations and attributions were included in the model. Results also demonstrated that violations of specific values predicted opposition to policies relevant to those values. This suggests that attributions of choice over sexual orientation are less relevant for predicting opposition to gay rights than beliefs about choice to uphold or violate values.
Inhibition of spring viraemia of carp virus replication in an Epithelioma papulosum cyprini cell line by RNAi
Authors: Gotesman M , Soliman H , Besch R , El‐Matbouli M
Published: January 2014

Spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) is an aetiological agent of a serious disease affecting carp farms in Europe and is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses. The genome of SVCV codes for five proteins: nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G) and RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (L). RNA‐mediated interference (RNAi) by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a powerful tool to inhibit gene transcription and is used to study genes important for viral replication. In previous studies regarding another member of Rhabdoviridae, siRNA inhibition of the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene provided in vitro and in vivo protection against rabies. In this study, synthetic siRNA molecules were designed to target SVCV‐N and SVCV‐P transcripts to inhibit SVCV replication and were tested in an epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cell line. Inhibition of gene transcription was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR (RT‐qPCR). The efficacy of using siRNA for inhibition of viral replication was analysed by RT‐qPCR measurement of a reporter gene (glycoprotein) expression and by virus endpoint titration. Inhibition of nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein gene expression by siRNA reduced SVCV replication. However, use of tandem siRNAs that target phosphoprotein and nucleoprotein worked best at reducing SVCV replication.
A Conference on Postcrisis Banking
Authors: BECK THORSTEN , DE HAAN JAKOB , DEYOUNG ROBERT
Published: January 2014

This article provides an introduction to the special issue. We focus on four themes that are important for policymakers and researchers alike in view of the experiences of the global financial crisis of 2007–09 and the ensuing sovereign debt crisis in the euro area: the relevance of the banking sector for the real economy, the future structure and regulation of the banking sector, the efficacy of past and current regulatory reforms, and the impact of cross‐border banking on economic stability and financial development.
Sovereign Credit Risk, Banks' Government Support, and Bank Stock Returns around the World
Authors: CORREA RICARDO , LEE KUAN‐HUI , SAPRIZA HORACIO , SUAREZ GUSTAVO A.
Published: January 2014

We explore the joint effect of expected government support to banks and changes in sovereign credit ratings on bank stock returns using data for banks in 37 countries between 1995 and 2011. We find that sovereign credit rating downgrades have a large negative effect on bank stock returns for those banks that are expected to receive stronger support from their governments. This result is stronger for banks in advanced economies where governments are better positioned to provide that support. Our results suggest that stock market investors perceive sovereigns and domestic banks as markedly interconnected, partly through government guarantees.
Does Macro‐Prudential Regulation Leak? Evidence from a UK Policy Experiment
Authors: AIYAR SHEKHAR , CALOMIRIS CHARLES W. , WIELADEK TOMASZ
Published: January 2014

The regulation of bank capital as a means of smoothing the credit cycle is a central element of forthcoming macro‐prudential regimes internationally. For such regulation to be effective in controlling the aggregate supply of credit it must be the case that: (i) changes in capital requirements affect loan supply by regulated banks, and (ii) unregulated substitute sources of credit are unable to offset changes in credit supply by affected banks. This paper examines micro evidence—lacking to date—on both questions, using a unique data set. In the UK, regulators have imposed time‐varying, bank‐specific minimum capital requirements since Basel I. It is found that regulated banks (UK‐owned banks and resident foreign subsidiaries) reduce lending in response to tighter capital requirements. But unregulated banks (resident foreign branches) increase lending in response to tighter capital requirements on a relevant reference group of regulated banks. This “leakage” is substantial, amounting to about one‐third of the initial impulse from the regulatory change.
The application of water soluble, mega‐Stokes‐shifted BODIPY fluorophores to cell and tissue imaging
Authors: MORIARTY R. D. , MARTIN A. , ADAMSON K. , O'REILLY E. , MOLLARD P. , FORSTER R. J. , KEYES T. E.
Published: January 2014

BODIPY (4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene) fluorophores are widely used in bioimaging to label proteins, lipids and nucleotides, but in spite of their attractive optical properties they tend to be prone to self‐quenching because of their notably small Stokes shift. Herein, we compare two BODIPY compounds from a recently developed family of naphthyridine substituted BODIPY derivatives, one a visible emitting derivative (BODIPY‐VIS) and one a near‐infrared emitting fluorophore with a Stokes shift of approximately 165 nm as contrast reagents for live mammalian cells and murine brain tissue. The compounds were rendered water soluble by their conjugation to polyethylene glycol (PEG). Both PEGylated compounds exhibited good cell uptake compared with their parent compounds and confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed all dyes explored to be nuclear excluding, localizing predominantly within the lipophilic organelles; the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that these BODIPY derivatives are modestly cytotoxic at concentrations exceeding 10 μM where they induce apoptosis and necrosis. Although the quantum yield of emission of the visible emitting fluorophore was over an order of magnitude greater than the Mega‐Stokes shifted probe, the latter showed considerably reduced tendency to self quench and less interference from autofluorescence. The near‐infrared probe also showed good penetrability and staining in live tissue samples. In the latter case similar tendency to exclude the nucleus and to localize in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum was observed as in live cells. This to our knowledge is the first demonstration of such a Mega‐Stokes BODIPY probe applied to cell and tissue imaging.
The impact of shiftwork on health: a literature review
Authors: Matheson Annabel , O'Brien Louise , Reid Jo‐Anne
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectives

To identify the impact of shiftwork on individuals and their lives and to discuss the implications this has for nurses and nursing.

Background

The context of shiftwork in the early 21st century is changing rapidly, and those involved in or required to work shiftwork are now spread over many different sectors of the community. In the Australian community, 16% of workers regularly work shiftwork. Most nurses undertake shiftwork at some time in their career, and health services could not operate without a shiftworking nursing workforce.

Design

Narrative literature review.

Methods

A narrative review of journal articles was conducted. Databases searched were CINAHL, EBSCO Host, JSTOR, Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms used were ‘shiftwork’ and ‘shift work’. Limitations included ‘English language’, ‘published between 1980–2013’ and ‘human’.

Results

Reviewed for this paper were 118 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results were categorised using thematic analysis. Themes that emerged were physical and psychosocial health, and sleep. Findings will be explored under these themes.

Conclusions

Shiftwork research has mainly focussed on the physiological and psychosocial health and sleep effects. Absent from the literature are studies focussing on the personal experience of the shiftworker and how workers mediate the effects of shiftwork and how shiftwork fits into the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is difficult to draw conclusions about how people ‘manage’ their shiftwork, and further research needs to be undertaken in this area.

Relevance to clinical practice

Working shifts for nurses is a reality that comes with the profession. While there is a significant body of research on shiftwork, little of this has been specifically applied to nursing, and the implications for individual nurses needing to care for their own health have not been drawn.
Symptom cluster, healthcare use and mortality in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Park Soo Kyung , Larson Janet L
Published: January 2014

Aims and objectives

To examine how subgroups of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, identified by ratings of symptoms (dyspnoea, anxiety, depression and fatigue), affect healthcare use and mortality.

Background

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often experience multiple symptoms. The importance of multiple symptoms and symptom clusters has received increased attention. However, little is known about symptom clusters and their effect on healthcare use and mortality in this population.

Design

Descriptive cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This secondary data analysis used data from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial. Participants (n = 597) had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data that were drawn from structured interviews, questionnaires and clinical measures.

Results

Three subgroup clusters emerged based on four symptom ratings. Mean age, proportion with higher education, proportion using oxygen, disease severity, exercise capacity and quality of life differed significantly between subgroups. Participants with high levels of symptoms used healthcare services more and were more likely to have died at the five‐year follow‐up than those with low levels of symptoms. Symptom cluster subgroups had more significant relationship with mortality than single symptoms.

Conclusion

Patients with high levels of symptoms require greater clinical attention.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding subgroups of patients, based on symptom ratings and their adverse effect on outcomes, may enable healthcare providers to assess multiple symptoms and identify subgroups of patients at risk of increased healthcare use and mortality. Targeting modifiable symptoms within the cluster may be more beneficial than focusing on a single symptom for certain health‐related outcome.