bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide synthase during early embryonic development in silkworm Bombyx mori: Gene expression, enzyme activity, and tissue distribution
Authors: Kitta Ryo , Kuwamoto Marina , Yamahama Yumi , Mase Keisuke , Sawada Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

To elucidate the mechanism for embryonic diapause or the breakdown of diapause in Bombyx mori, we biochemically analyzed nitric oxide synthase (NOS) during the embryogenesis of B. mori. The gene expression and enzyme activity of B. mori NOS (BmNOS) were examined in diapause, non‐diapause, and HCl‐treated diapause eggs. In the case of HCl‐treated diapause eggs, the gene expression and enzyme activity of BmNOS were induced by HCl treatment. However, in the case of diapause and non‐diapause eggs during embryogenesis, changes in the BmNOS activity and gene expressions did not coincide except 48–60 h after oviposition in diapause eggs. The results imply that changes in BmNOS activity during the embryogenesis of diapause and non‐diapause eggs are regulated not only at the level of transcription but also post‐transcription. The distribution and localization of BmNOS were also investigated with an immunohistochemical technique using antibodies against the universal NOS; the localization of BmNOS was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of yolk cells in diapause eggs and HCl‐treated diapause eggs. These data suggest that BmNOS has an important role in the early embryonic development of the B. mori.
Antiepileptic drugs and hyponatremia in older adults: Two population‐based cohort studies
Authors: Gandhi Sonja , McArthur Eric , Mamdani Muhammad M. , Hackam Daniel G. , McLachlan Richard S. , Weir Matthew A. , Burneo Jorge G. , Garg Amit X.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To examine the 30‐day risk of hospitalization with hyponatremia associated with carbamazepine, valproic acid (V), phenytoin (P), or topiramate (T) use compared to nonuse in the outpatient setting among older adults.

Methods

We conducted two population‐based, retrospective cohort studies in Ontario, Canada, between 2003 and 2015 using administrative health care databases of older adults. The first study compared carbamazepine users to a propensity‐score matched group of antiepileptic drug nonusers, whereas the second compared V‐P‐T users to a propensity‐score matched group of antiepileptic nonusers. The primary outcome was hospitalization with hyponatremia within 30 days of an antiepileptic prescription.

Results

The baseline characteristics between matched groups were similar in both cohorts. Carbamazepine use versus nonuse was associated with a higher 30‐day risk of hospitalization with hyponatremia (82/21,191 [0.39%] versus 30/63,573 [0.05%]; relative risk [RR] 8.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.40–12.46). Similarly, V‐P‐T use versus nonuse was associated with a higher 30‐day risk of hospitalization with hyponatremia (34/20,155 [0.17%] versus 26/40,310 [0.06%]; RR 2.62, 95% CI 1.57–4.36).

Significance

Older adults prescribed carbamazepine and V‐P‐T have a higher risk of being hospitalized with hyponatremia compared to other adults with similar indicators of baseline health who were not prescribed antiepileptic drugs. Physicians should be mindful of this risk; when a patient presents to a hospital with symptomatic hyponatremia these drugs should be considered as potential causes.
Your evidence or mine? Systematic evaluation of reviews of marine protected area effectiveness
Authors: Woodcock Paul , O'Leary Bethan C , Kaiser Michel J , Pullin Andrew S
Published: November 2016

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a key strategy for mitigating the impacts of fisheries, but their designation can be controversial, and there is uncertainty surrounding when and where MPAs are most effective. Evidence synthesis that collates primary research on MPA effectiveness can provide a crucial bridge between research, policy and practice. However, reviews vary in scope and rigour, meaning decision‐makers face the challenge of identifying appropriate reviews. Documenting differences amongst reviews can therefore support nonspecialists in locating the most relevant and rigorous reviews and can also assist researchers in targeting evidence gaps. We addressed these priorities by systematically searching for reviews examining effectiveness of MPAs for biodiversity, critically appraising methods used and categorizing review scope. The 27 reviews assessed overlapped in scope (suggesting some redundancy) and differed substantially in reliability. Key strengths related to the effects of MPAs on fish abundance and the influence of MPA size and age on effectiveness. However, several gaps were noted, with some questions not addressed and others lacking highly reliable syntheses – importantly, the latter may create the perception that particular questions have been adequately addressed, potentially deterring new syntheses. Our findings indicate key aspects of review conduct that could be improved (e.g. documenting critical appraisal of primary research, evaluating potential publication bias) and can facilitate evidence‐based policy by guiding nonspecialists to the most reliable and relevant reviews. Lastly, we suggest that future reviews with broader taxonomic coverage and considering the influence of a wider range of MPA characteristics on effectiveness would be beneficial.
Evaluating J‐integral and Q parameter in high‐density polyethylene using a combined experimental finite element method
Authors: Sahlabadi M , Valiollahi A , Konh B , Soltani N
Published: November 2016

This work introduces a combined experimental finite element method (FEM) to calculate J‐integral and Q parameter for centre‐crack tension of high‐density polyethylene specimens. In the majority of the studies to date, mostly a pure FEM has been used. However, the several simplified assumptions that are included in such models could result in imperfect predictions. This study aims to overcome this issue by suggesting a novel method that privileges from the displacement fields on specimens' surface that is provided for our finite element model. The method introduced in this work has a merit in presenting Q results for a softening material. The results of our proposed method were in a satisfactory agreement with the pure FEM results of similar models, and thereby validating our approach. Using this model, the effects of parameters like crack length and thickness were also investigated. This method could be utilized in health monitoring of structures.
DryCO2–COfluid as an important potential deep Earth solvent
Authors: Simakin A. G. , Salova T. P. , Gabitov R. I. , Isaenko S. I.
Published: November 2016

Transport properties of reduced carbonic fluid have been studied experimentally at P = 2 kbar andT = 700–1000°C in internally heated pressure vessel (IHPV). Synthetic FeCO3and natural siderite were used to generate fluid during experiments using a platinum double‐capsule technique. A natural CaTiSiO5aggregate was placed into the inner capsule as an additional source of trace elements. The outer capsule was loaded with albite glass. No water was introduced to the system and oxygen fugacity was established near to graphite–oxygen (CCO) buffer due to transformation of FeCO3into a magnetite aggregate during decarbonation to yieldCOandCO2. The carbonates decomposed during initial heating of the experiments, causing their some constituent components to be dissolved in and transferred by the fluid to the pore space of the albite glass matrix. After temperature reached 1000°C glass, the shards annealed and then melted, as evidenced by a vesiculated glass in the quench products. Micro‐Raman investigation of the fluid in bubbles in the albite glass in experiments with decomposition of natural siderite yieldedCO–CO2mixture whereCOmole fraction was 0.15–0.16. We observe significant concentrations of Pt, Mn, P, andREEin the albite glass; in contrast, no Fe or Mg transfer was detected.LA‐ICP‐MSanalysis of the albite glass product yielded the average Pt content of 2 ppm. Such high Pt signal came from Pt particles (100–500 nm in size), which were observed on the walls of the bubbles embedded in the glass. Olivines and aluminous spinel were observed in the Fe‐oxide aggregate, demonstrating transfer of SiO2and Al2O3from the albite melt by the reduced carbonic fluid from the albite glass (large capsule). Our results demonstrate that dryCO–CO2 fluid can be important agents of dissolution and transport, especially for Pt and other metals. The data imply that metals are chiefly dissolved as carbonyl complexes.
A volcano under China's Great Wall
Authors: Mason Roger
Published: November 2016

Cone sheets are rare in China but are found in the Houshihushan sub‐volcanic Ring Complex (HRC) near the town of Shanhaiguan, Hebei Province. The HRC rises above a narrow coastal plain as the Houshihushan mountain massif (Fig. ) in a scenic region about 400 km ENE of Beijing by the Bohai Gulf, where the Great Wall reaches the sea. It has a discontinuous outer ring‐dyke of porphyritic quartz syenite, separated from an inner stock of alkaline granite by a discontinuous screen of pyroclastic rocks down‐faulted to the present erosion level by caldera subsidence. The pyroclastic rocks, which have similar petrographic and geochemical characteristics to intrusive rocks of the ring‐dyke, cone‐sheets and central stock, were erupted from the same volcano and subsequently foundered during caldera subsidence.
Glacier‐fed lakes as palaeoenvironmental archives
Authors: van der Bilt Willem G.M. , Bakke Jostein , Vasskog Kristian , Røthe Torgeir , Støren Eivind W. N.
Published: November 2016

Glaciers show a sensitive and rapid response to climate shifts. Associated changes in ice extent drive variations in the production of rock flour, the suspended product of glacial erosion. These glacigenic sediments may accumulate in downstream lakes, continuously recording glacier history. Consequently, the lacustrine sediment records of such glacier‐fed lakes represent valuable palaeoenvironmental archives that help constrain past climate variability. In this paper, we discuss the multi‐disciplinary methodological toolbox that is applied to fingerprint a glacier signal from such lake sediments. Special emphasis is placed on dating methods, which transform stratigraphical data into climate time series, allowing us to distinguish leads and lags between archives. We also elaborate on techniques that are used to validate sediment‐based glacier signals and resolve their climate signature. Finally, we conclude with a brief outlook on new research avenues such as proxy data–climate model comparisons.
Prehistory as sonic inspiration: palaeontological heritage in popular music
Authors: Eriksson Mats E.
Published: November 2016

Apparently palaeontology is deeply rooted in popular music. Just take bands like T. Rex, Mastodon, Dinosaur Jr, The Ammonites, Mammoth, and Novi Fosili (the new fossils), and you get the picture. Digging into this subject matter it turns out that the extinct residents of prehistoric times have inspired not only band names, but also record and song titles and album cover artwork. In this paper I explore fossils as sonic inspiration or, if you wish, music for the extinct.
Earthlearningidea—two million and counting: bringing Earth science ideas to teachers across the world
Authors: Kennett Peter , King Chris , Devon Elizabeth
Published: November 2016

As one door closes, another one opens—sometimes. This is certainly true in the history of the development of the Earth science education website, http://www.earthlearningidea.com. In the expectation that funding would be available to help teachers in a range of developing countries during the UN's International Year of Planet Earth in 2008, a series of overseas workshops in Earth science was proposed. Undeterred by the probable absence of funding, Chris King, of Keele University, co‐opted Elizabeth Devon and Peter Kennett to initiate a web‐based series of Earth science activities, which could be freely accessed by anyone in the world. This was, and is, run on a purely voluntary basis. Up until 2014, the website was generously hosted, free of charge, by the Applied and Environmental Geophysics Research Group at Keele University, but the site now runs on a FreeBSD server situated in the London Telehouse and managed by Martin Devon. The minimal monthly costs of this are covered by a grant from the Geologists' Association's Curry Fund.
Recent advances in CKD and ESRD: A literature update
Authors: Chopra Tushar , Rosner Mitchell H.
Published: November 2016

The past year has seen interesting publications in the fields of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. This review highlights some of these important papers and places their findings in the context of clinical care.
Homeless patients’ perceptions about using cell phones to manage medications and attend appointments
Authors: Moczygemba Leticia R , Cox Lauren S , Marks Samantha A , Robinson Margaret A , Goode Jean-Venable R , Jafari Nellie
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to (1) describe homeless persons’ access and use of cell phones and their perceptions about using cell phone alerts to help manage medications and attend health care appointments and (2) identify demographic characteristics, medication use and appointment history and perceptions associated with interest in receiving cell phone alerts to manage medications and appointments.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2013 at a homeless clinic in Virginia. The questionnaire comprised items about cell phone usage, ownership and functions such as text messaging. Participants reported medication use and appointment history, perceptions about cell phone alerts and interest in receiving alerts to manage medications and appointments. Descriptive statistics for all variables are reported. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of interest in using a cell phone to manage medications and appointments.

Key findings

A total of 290 participants completed the survey; 89% had a cell phone. Seventy-seven percent were interested in appointment reminders, whereas 66%, 60% and 54% were interested in refill reminders, medication taking reminders and medication information messages respectively. Those who believed reminders were helpful were more likely to be interested in medication taking, refill and appointment reminder messages compared to those who did not believe reminders were helpful. A history of running out of medicine and forgetting appointments were predictors of interest in refill and appointment reminders.

Conclusions

Mobile technology is a feasible method for communicating medication and appointment information to those experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
Perspectives of resettled African refugees on accessing medicines and pharmacy services in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bellamy Kim , Ostini Remo , Martini Nataly , Kairuz Therese
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to accessing medicines and pharmacy services among refugees in Queensland, Australia, from the perspectives of resettled African refugees.

Methods

A generic qualitative approach was used in this study. Resettled African refugees were recruited via a purposive snowball sampling method. The researcher collected data from different African refugee communities, specifically those from Sudanese, Congolese and Somalian communities. Participants were invited by a community health leader to participate in the study; a community health leader is a trained member of the refugee community who acts as a ‘health information conduit’ between refugees and the health system. Invitations were done either face-to-face, telephonically or by email. The focus groups were digitally recorded in English and transcribed verbatim by the researcher. Transcripts were entered into NVIVO© 11 and the data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Key findings

Four focus groups were conducted between October and November 2014 in the city of Brisbane with African refugees, one with five Somali refugees, one with five Congolese refugees, one with three refugee community health leaders from South Sudan, Liberia and Eritrea and one with three refugee community health leaders from Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan. Eleven sub-themes emerged through the coding process, which resulted in four overarching themes: health system differences, navigating the Australian health system, communication barriers and health care-seeking behaviour. With regard to accessing medicines and pharmacy services, this study has shown that there is a gap between resettled refugees’ expectations of health services and the reality of the Australian health system. Access barriers identified included language barriers, issues with the Translating and Interpreter Service, a lack of professional communication and cultural beliefs affecting health care-seeking behaviour.

Conclusions

This exploratory study has established a foundation for further research into the barriers to accessing medicines and pharmacy services for resettled refugees. The findings are likely to be applicable to a wider population.
Quality of claims and references found in Australian pharmacy journal advertisements
Authors: Mandoh Mona , Curtain Colin Michael
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the quality of pharmaceutical advertisement claims and supporting references in Australian pharmacy journals that target community pharmacists.

Methods

All full-page advertisements for a medicinal product, found in two Australian pharmacy journals from the year 2012 to 2015 were included. Advertisement claims and references were evaluated by claim type (unambiguous to immeasurable) and level of evidence (strong to irrelevant) in supporting references.

Key findings

Two hundred and ninety distinct advertisements and 598 claims were identified, with a median of 2 claims per advertisement. Twenty-seven percent of claims were unambiguous, 40% were vague, 16% were emotive/immeasurable and 17% were non-clinical or other marketing claims. Half of all claims were referenced. Although 68% of unambiguous claims were referenced, 63% of those were supported by studies that were funded directly or indirectly by pharmaceutical companies. Only 13% of claims were supported with strong or moderate independent evidence.

Conclusions

Pharmaceutical advertisements continue to present vague and emotive claims with little independent supporting evidence. Pharmacists need to be aware of these limitations when providing patient care. Increased awareness of this issue among pharmaceutical companies, Australian pharmaceutical journal publishers, regulators and pharmacists will assist in promoting optimised healthcare outcomes for the Australian public.
A community-based cross-sectional survey of medication utilization among chronic disease patients in China
Authors: Strand Mark A , Gramith Kirstin , Royston Macy , Wang Xiaoxi , Perry Judith , Elliott Curt
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To determine medication use patterns and associated health outcomes in Chinese individuals with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia.

Methods

This community-based cross-sectional study was done in a north China city of 300 000 people. Participants were recruited by poster and phone call through Community Health Centres. Data were collected on 638 Chinese individuals. Interviews were done to screen for disease and health behaviours. Fasting blood was collected and analyzed.

Key findings

Participants’ average age was 52 years. Self-reported prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia was 9.6, 29.9 and 20.5% respectively. Medication adherence was found among 88, 60 and 81.5% of individuals with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia respectively. Treatment success, as defined by medication adherence and treatment to goal was achieved by 21, 23 and 10% of diabetic, hypertensive and hyperlipidaemic patients.

Conclusions

A large proportion of individuals with chronic disease in this China-based study were not being successfully treated, putting them at high risk for poor health outcomes. In this urban China setting, healthcare services need to be strengthened in order to achieve better treatment outcomes among chronic disease patients. It is recommended that community pharmacists contribute to improving these outcomes through participation in patient education, medication reconciliation and disease state management.
Liquid advocacy: Social welfare advocacy in neoliberal times
Authors: Feldman Guy , Strier Roni , Koreh Michal
Published: November 2016

This article examines current inconsistent trends in social welfare advocacy literature. Some studies show evidence of widespread engagement in advocacy by nonprofit organisations, while other studies conversely offer evidence of limited advocacy activities. Another controversial aspect stems from the question whether governmental funding undermines the extent to which nonprofits engage in advocacy. We argue that these findings reflect the contradictory impact of neoliberal governance on social welfare advocacy. The article highlights and discusses three interrelated components of neoliberalism and their impact on current social welfare advocacy: marketisation, precariousness and commodification. Neoliberalism has propelled a model of market‐driven civil society that has remade the practice of social welfare advocacy in contradictory ways. With its complex rationales, neoliberalism has simultaneously undermined the ability of nonprofits to engage in advocacy but in a paradoxical way has also created conditions that induce these organisations to practice advocacy. Implications for practice and research on social welfare advocacy are discussed.
Diffusion of knowledge in social media networks: effects of reputation mechanisms and distribution of knowledge roles
Authors: Havakhor Taha , Soror Amr A. , Sabherwal Rajiv
Published: November 2016

Social media platforms serve as important tools for diffusing knowledge within organizations. The factors affecting knowledge diffusion through social media networks (SMNs) need to therefore be better understood. Accordingly, this paper focuses on two SMN‐specific characteristics – reputation mechanisms and the distribution of knowledge roles – which are argued to enhance and enable, respectively, the smooth transfer of knowledge in a SMN. To examine their effects, we distinguish between two types of reputation mechanisms – adaptive and objective – and across three distinct knowledge roles in SMNs: seekers, contributors and brokers. We argue that the extent of knowledge diffusion in the SMN depends on the type of mechanism and the relative distribution of these three roles. Using data collected through an agent‐based simulation, we find that (a) the distribution of knowledge roles affects knowledge diffusion, with distributions consisted of more brokers outperforming others and (b) objective reputation mechanisms outperform adaptive mechanisms. Furthermore, we find that reputation mechanisms and distribution of knowledge roles interact to influence knowledge diffusion. The study's implications for future research and practice are discussed in the light of its limitations. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Driving business transformation toward sustainability: exploring the impact of supporting IS on the performance contribution of eco‐innovations
Authors: Hanelt Andre , Busse Sebastian , Kolbe Lutz M.
Published: November 2016

Information systems (IS) can foster business transformation toward sustainability on a large scale by supporting green technologies, thereby creating hybrid physical–digital solutions that are able to fulfil organizational performance requirements and contribute to sustainable business practices. These supporting IS provide an alternative path to corporate sustainability rather than just contributing to the ‘greening’ of business practices by aiming to improve the organizational performance impact of environmental advantageous innovations, which in turn fosters their adoption. Employing a multiple case study comprising eight companies that have implemented such eco‐innovations (specifically electric vehicles) in their business processes, our findings indicate that the organizational performance contribution of eco‐innovations is improved when complemented by supporting IS. This effect is achieved by (1) enhancing the efficiency of the business processes in which the eco‐innovations are deployed, thus increasing eco‐efficiency, and (2) enabling new functionalities, processes and business models that help achieve organizational sustainability goals, thereby driving eco‐effectiveness. With these two aspects, we add two functional affordances – technological flexibility and digital eco‐innovation – to the existing knowledge base of Green IS and point to an elaborated role of IS in sustainability transformation.
Minimum sample size estimation in PLS‐SEM: The inverse square root and gamma‐exponential methods
Authors: Kock Ned , Hadaya Pierre
Published: November 2016

Partial least squares‐based structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) is extensively used in the field of information systems, as well as in many other fields where multivariate statistical methods are used. One of the most fundamental issues in PLS‐SEM is that of minimum sample size estimation. The ‘10‐times rule’ has been a favourite because of its simplicity of application, even though it tends to yield imprecise estimates. We propose two related methods, based on mathematical equations, as alternatives for minimum sample size estimation in PLS‐SEM: the inverse square root method, and the gamma‐exponential method. Based on three Monte Carlo experiments, we demonstrate that both methods are fairly accurate. The inverse square root method is particularly attractive in terms of its simplicity of application. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Private Equity, the Rise of Unicorns, and the Reincarnation of Control‐based Accounting
Authors: Zimmerman Jerold L.
Published: November 2016

This article discusses the rise of intangibles‐intensive companies and private equity (PE) since the late 1970s, and the role of both in bringing about the creation of a streamlined, more flexible set of accounting rules that, since their approval by the IASB and FASB in 2009, have been used by private companies and their investors.

The PE industry comprises both venture capital (VC) firms that fund high‐growth enterprises and leveraged buyout (LBO) firms that fund more traditional, cash‐generating operations. Mainly because of the greater risks associated with both VC‐backed firms and LBOs—risks that make them ill‐suited for most public investors—such companies tend to require the more direct and active oversight provided by PE investors.

And as the author goes on to argue, the more direct and active ownership of PE investors, as compared to the governance provided by most public‐company boards, suggests that financial accounting and reporting play a fundamentally different role in private than in public companies. Whereas the primary role of public‐company GAAP has increasingly (since the creation of the SEC in 1933) been to provide information for outside investors when valuing companies, the most important function of accounting reports in private companies is internal control—more specifically, ensuring that the interests of the managers of their portfolio companies are aligned with those of all the providers of capital. And recognizing this difference in the role of accounting, both the IASB and FASB responded to the requests of various parties (including private companies) by approving in 2009 the use by private companies of a streamlined and more flexible set of accounting standards.

To the extent that the workings of PE markets continue to reduce the numbers of U.S. public companies, the author predicts that the resulting increase in the use of private‐company GAAP will continue to shift the primary role of accounting away from valuation and back toward its traditional roots in internal control and corporate governance.
What Cost of Capital Should You Use? The Market Has an Answer
Authors: Zolotoy Leon , John Andrew
Published: November 2016

The most widely used means of estimating a company's cost of equity capital is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). But as a growing number of academics and practitioners have suggested, use of the CAPM produces estimates that often fail to reflect the risks of the companies as perceived by current and potential investors. The authors' work, together with other research, also suggests that the cost of equity produced by the CAPM is often too high. To the extent this is so, companies are discounting investment projects at rates of return that may be leading them to pass up value‐adding opportunities.

The authors advocate the use of a simple and practical alternative to the CAPM that does not use either an assumed market risk premium or a beta. It uses instead an equity premium that is implied by the current market price of a company's stock and, as such, is implicitly derived from investors' assessments of the firm's risk that are reflected in that price. More specifically, the alternative approach solves for the internal rate of return that equates the present value of expected future cash flows to the current market price. In support of this approach, studies have shown that such market‐implied measures are better predictors than CAPM‐based estimates of future stock returns, both at the individual‐firm and aggregate market levels.
Valuation of a Developmental Drug as a Real Option
Authors: Lynch John , Shockley Richard
Published: November 2016

Valuing a capital investment as a real option (or series of options) has advantages over standard DCF valuation when the investment creates the future flexibility to delay, abandon, or expand an element of the project based on the resolution of a major source of uncertainty. The uncertainty is generally dealt with using a “volatility” term that aims to reflect the variability in the future value of the underlying asset. But there are certain situations in which the uncertainty has a second dimension. For example, drugs in development can be abandoned either because of bad technical outcomes (the drug doesn't work) or unfavorable resolutions of market risk (though the drug works, its market potential turns out to be too limited).

In an article published earlier in this journal, the authors illustrated the valuation of an early‐stage pharma R&D investment using a real options approach in which the market and technical risks were folded together into the volatility parameter. In this article, the authors explain why they have concluded that this is an incorrect approach and then show how to handle market and technical risk as two separate dimensions of risk in valuing an R&D program. The potential use of this technique extends beyond pharma and biotech R&D to any situation in which the outcome of an important uncertainty is independent of the resolution of market risk associated with the underlying asset.
Finding the Right Assessment Measures for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities Who Display Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Authors: Malovic A. , Murphy G. , Coulton S.
Published: November 2016

Background

Previous studies and national reports have all noted that a significant proportion of the young people who display harmful sexual behaviours have intellectual disabilities. However, research on the topic has been scarce. This study presents a systematic review of the literature relating to clinical instruments specifically developed or adapted for adolescents with intellectual disabilities who display harmful sexual behaviours.

Method

An electronic search of databases was completed for published articles in English from the earliest possible date to the end of 2013.

Results

No published articles met the full search criteria. This confirmed the lack of published clinical measures, apart from two risk assessment instruments.

Conclusions

Given the lack of measures, it is recommended that the focus of future research needs to be on developing or adapting instruments that will offer researchers’ and clinicians’ empirical as well as clinical data on this all‐too‐often‐overlooked population of vulnerable youth.
The Role of Law in EU Foreign Policy‐making: Legal Integrity, Legal Spillover, and the EU Policy of Differentiation towards Israel
Authors: Müller Patrick , Slominski Peter
Published: November 2016

Little systematic effort has been made to examine the role of law and its implications for EU foreign policy‐making. Addressing this research gap, we identify key legal dynamics that operate in supranational policies, but have increasingly led to legal ‘spillovers’, both institutionally and discursively, into the Common Foreign and Security Policy. We illustrate the relevance of these dynamics for the case of EU–Israeli relations. Since the late 1990s, legal inconsistencies in EU–Israeli co‐operation have been addressed by the Commission via soft law, by various MEPs via parliamentary questions, and by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Simultaneously, external actors like NGOs and corporations have used the EU's legal infrastructure to confront the EU with the fact that its de facto relations have not lived up its de jure position. Over time and also as a consequence of the Lisbon Treaty, even the Council found it difficult to ignore non‐compliance with its own legal position.
Melanomas vs. nevi in high‐risk patients under long‐term monitoring with digital dermatoscopy: do melanomas and nevi already differ at baseline?
Authors: Tschandl P. , Hofmann L. , Fink C. , Kittler H. , Haenssle H. A.
Published: November 2016

Background

What lesions to select for a most efficient dermatoscopic monitoring of patients with multiple nevi remains an unresolved issue.

Objective

To compare the grade of atypia of melanomas and nevi of the same patient at baseline.

Methods

Prospective observational study using 236 dermatoscopic baseline images (59 quartets from 59 patients, each including one melanoma detected during follow‐up and three nevi). Dermatologists (n = 26) were asked to assess the ‘grade of dermatoscopic atypia’ on a numerical scale and to identify the melanomas.

Results

On average, each dermatologist identified 24 of 59 melanomas (40%, range: 11–37). The number of correct picks was greater for dermatologists with moderate (mean: 28) or high (mean: 28) experience compared to beginners (mean 17; P < 0.001). In three of the 59 sets, none of the 26 dermatologists identified the melanoma. The mean grade of dermatoscopic atypia was 2.5 for nevi (95% CI: 2.4–2.6) and 3.0 for melanomas (95% CI: 2.9–3.1, P < 0.001).

Limitations

Rating dermatologists were informed that each quartet of images included one melanoma creating substantial deviation from a real‐life situation.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of melanomas detected during follow‐up cannot be differentiated from nevi at baseline. This necessitates the additional inclusion of less atypical lesions for monitoring.
Cyclosporine A for severe atopic dermatitis in children. efficacy and safety in a retrospective study of 63 patients
Authors: Hernández‐Martín A. , Noguera‐Morel L. , Bernardino‐Cuesta B. , Torrelo A. , Pérez‐Martin M.A. , Aparicio‐López C. , de Lucas‐Collantes C.
Published: November 2016

Background

Cyclosporine A (CSA) is an immunosuppressant agent widely used in severe atopic dermatitis (AD). However, experience in children is limited.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and adverse events of CSA therapy in children.

Methods

Retrospective study of children with severe AD treated with CSA between January 2009 and December 2015.

Results

Data from 63 patients were collected. Mean age at the beginning of treatment was 8.4 years (±3.6). The median starting dose was 4.27 (±0.61) mg/kg/day. After 4 weeks of treatment, the outcome was excellent in 35% of cases, good in 29% and poor in 36% of the patients. The response was better in patients without eosinophilia (P < 0.05). The median duration of treatment was 4.6 months (range 1.5–21.6). Side‐effects were frequent but mild, being more common in patients after longer treatment periods (P < 0.05). Mean time of follow‐up was 19.4 months (±12.7). Prolonged remission (>6 months) was observed in 13 patients (20%).

Limits

This is a retrospective review. The follow‐up period is limited.

Conclusions

Our data confirm that CSA is efficacious and acts rapidly in the majority of children with severe AD. CSA therapy can provide sustained remission in some patients. CSA seems to be well tolerated in children, but strict monitoring is mandatory.
Substantial reduction in hospital stay of children and adolescents with diabetic ketoacidosis after implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Nemri Abdulrahman , Amer Yasser Sami , Gasim Hala , Osman Mohamed Elfaki , Aleyadhy Ayman , AL Otaibi Hessah , Iqbal Shaikh Mohammed , Aljurayyan Nasir Abdullah , Assiri Asaad M. , Babiker Amir , Mohamed Sarar
Published: November 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

We aimed to determine the effect of Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) implementation on length of hospital stay of children and adolescents with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Methods

This was a 6‐year (2008‐2014) case‐control retrospective study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, that compared patients with DKA managed using CPG with those treated before CPG implementation.

Results

There were 63 episodes of DKA in 41 patients managed using CPG compared with 40 episodes in 33 patients treated before implementation of CPG. Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were similar (age, sex, newly diagnosed patients, recurrent DKA, DKA severity, and mean glycosylated hemoglobin). The mean length of hospital stay (±SD) was 68.6 ± 53.1 hours after implementation of CPG compared with 107.4 ± 65.6 hours before implementation (P < .001). The reduction in length of hospital stay equals to 1700 bed days saved per year per 1000 patients.

Conclusions

Implementation of CPG for DKA decreased the length of hospital stay.
Evaluation of swimming performance for fish passage of longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae using an experimental flume
Authors: Dockery D. R. , McMahon T. E. , Kappenman K. M. , Blank M.
Published: November 2016

The swimming performance of longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae, the most widely distributed minnow (Cyprinidae) in North America, was assessed in relation to potential passage barriers. The study estimated passage success, maximum ascent distances and maximum sprint speed in an open‐channel flume over a range of water velocities and temperatures (10·7, 15·3 and 19·3° C). Rhinichthys cataractae had high passage success (95%) in a 9·2 m flume section at mean test velocities of 39 and 64 cm s–1, but success rate dropped to 66% at 78 cm s–1. Only 20% of fish were able to ascend a 2·7 m section with a mean velocity of 122 cm s–1. Rhinichthys cataractae actively selected low‐velocity pathways located along the bottom and corners of the flume at all test velocities and adopted position‐holding behaviour at higher water velocities. Mean volitional sprint speed was 174 cm s–1 when fish volitionally sprinted in areas of high water velocities. Swimming performance generally increased with water temperature and fish length. Based on these results, fishways with mean velocities <64 cm s–1 should allow passage of most R. cataractae. Water velocities >100 cm s–1 within structures should be limited to short distance (<1 m) and structures with velocities ≥158 cm s–1 would probably represent movement barriers. Study results highlighted the advantages of evaluating a multitude of swimming performance metrics in an open‐channel flume, which can simulate the hydraulic features of fishways and allow for behavioural observations that can facilitate the design of effective passage structures.
Prognostic durability of liver fibrosis tests and improvement in predictive performance for mortality by combining tests
Authors: Bertrais Sandrine , Boursier Jérôme , Ducancelle Alexandra , Oberti Frédéric , Fouchard‐Hubert Isabelle , Moal Valérie , Calès Paul
Published: November 2016

Background and Aim

There is currently no recommended time interval between noninvasive fibrosis measurements for monitoring chronic liver diseases. We determined how long a single liver fibrosis evaluation may accurately predict mortality, and assessed whether combining tests improves prognostic performance.

Methods

We included 1559 patients with chronic liver disease and available baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by Fibroscan, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB‐4, Hepascore, and FibroMeterV2G.

Results

Median follow‐up was 2.8 years during which 262 (16.8%) patients died, with 115 liver‐related deaths. All fibrosis tests were able to predict mortality, although APRI (and FIB‐4 for liver‐related mortality) showed lower overall discriminative ability than the other tests (differences in Harrell's C‐index: P < 0.050). According to time‐dependent AUROCs, the time period with optimal predictive performance was 2–3 years in patients with no/mild fibrosis, 1 year in patients with significant fibrosis, and <6 months in cirrhotic patients even in those with a model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score <15. Patients were then randomly split in training/testing sets. In the training set, blood tests and LSM were independent predictors of all‐cause mortality. The best‐fit multivariate model included age, sex, LSM, and FibroMeterV2G with C‐index = 0.834 (95% confidence interval, 0.803–0.862). The prognostic model for liver‐related mortality included the same covariates with C‐index = 0.868 (0.831–0.902). In the testing set, the multivariate models had higher prognostic accuracy than FibroMeterV2G or LSM alone for all‐cause mortality and FibroMeterV2G alone for liver‐related mortality.

Conclusions

The prognostic durability of a single baseline fibrosis evaluation depends on the liver fibrosis level. Combining LSM with a blood fibrosis test improves mortality risk assessment.
Is Oil Palm Expansion a Challenge to Agroecology? Smallholders Practising Industrial Farming in Mexico
Authors: Castellanos‐Navarrete Antonio , Jansen Kees
Published: November 2016

Agroecology has become a powerful alternative paradigm for rural development. In contrast to conventional approaches, this paradigm shifts the emphasis from technology and markets to local knowledge, social justice and food sovereignty, to overcome rural poverty and environmental degradation. However, the spread of this approach faces several obstacles. This paper deals with one of these obstacles: the ‘preference’ of smallholders for industrial farming. We specifically analyse the widespread uptake up of oil palm by smallholders in Chiapas. Contrary to agro‐ecological assumptions, oil palm proved favourable to smallholders in Chiapas because of historical and contemporary state–peasant relations and the advantageous economic circumstances within the oil palm sector. Based on this research, we identify four challenges for agroecology: (i) the existence of contradictory interests within the peasantry as a result of social differentiation; (ii) the role of the state in making conventional development models relatively favourable to smallholders; (iii) the prevalence of modernization ideologies in many rural areas; and (iv) the need for this paradigm to acknowledge smallholders' agency also when engaged in industrial farming. These challenges need to be tackled for agroecology to offer viable alternatives in a context of agro‐industrialization.
The Effect of Silica and Prepolymer Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Denture Base Acrylic Resin
Authors: Cevik Pinar , Yildirim‐Bicer Arzu Zeynep
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To evaluate how hydrophobic nanoparticle silica and prepolymer affect the flexural strength, surface hardness, surface roughness, and resilience of a denture base acrylic resin.

Materials and Methods

A total of 40 denture base acrylic resin specimens with dimensions 65 × 10 × 3 mm3 were fabricated in this study. Specimens were divided into five experimental groups (n = 8) according to surface‐treated silica and prepolymer concentration incorporated into the acrylic resin (weight %) prior to polymerization: G1 acted as control, no fillers were used in this group. G2: 1 wt% 12 nm silica nanoparticles; G3: 5 wt% 12 nm silica nanoparticles; G4: 1 wt% 12 nm prepolymer nanoparticles; G5: 5 wt% 12 nm prepolymer nanoparticles were added into the acrylic mixture. Acrylic specimens were polymerized according to the manufacturer's instructions. Three‐point bending test was performed to evaluate the flexural strength and the resilience of the specimens. Then, a digital profilometer was used to determine the surface roughness of the specimens. Surface hardness was conducted by a digital Shore D hardness testing machine. Surface analysis of one specimen in each group was performed with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the fracture surfaces of specimens. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for the statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

Results

Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the groups. All groups showed poor flexural strength as compared with the control (p < 0.05). Regarding resilience, silica 5% showed the highest value whereas silica 1% showed the lowest value. Regarding Shore D hardness, silica 1% had the lowest hardness whereas polymer addition did not significantly influence the hardness of the acrylic resin (p < 0.05). Furthermore, silica 1% presented the highest roughness as compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). SEM images indicated some porosity and voids on fracture surfaces.

Conclusions

Both the silica and prepolymer incorporation into acrylic resin adversely affected the flexural strength of the acrylic resin compared to control group. In all concentrations, prepolymer incorporation resulted in increased flexural strength of acrylic resins compared to silica addition. The greater concentrations of the fillers resulted in increased mechanical properties of the acrylic resin.
Impact of inflammation and oxidative stress on carotid intima‐media thickness in obstructive sleep apnea patients without metabolic syndrome
Authors: Chang Ya‐Ting , Lin Hsin‐Ching , Chang Wen‐Neng , Tsai Nai‐Wen , Huang Chih‐Cheng , Wang Hung‐Chen , Kung Chia‐Te , Su Yu‐Jih , Lin Wei‐Che , Cheng Ben‐Chung , Su Chih‐Min , Chen Ting‐Yao , Chiang Yi‐Fang , Lu Cheng‐Hsien
Published: November 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) is a good indicator of the severity of atherosclerotic disease. This study tested the hypothesis that inflammation and oxidative stress determined carotid IMT in patients with OSA. The carotid IMT, mean systolic and diastolic pressure (night and morning) were significantly higher and the level of thiols and high‐density lipoprotein were significantly lower in our 121 OSA patients than in 27 controls (P < 0.05). The apnea/hypopnea index was correlated positively with E‐selectin (r = 0.222, P = 0.014), total cholesterol (r = 0.185, P = 0.042), low‐density lipoprotein (r = 0.264, P = 0.003) and HbA1c levels (r = 0.304, P = 0.001), but inversely with high‐density lipoprotein level (r = −0.203, P = 0.025) in the 121 patients with OSA. In OSA subjects, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, systolic blood pressure and intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 level associated independently with carotid IMT. Besides both age and systolic blood pressure, our study demonstrated that intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 level was associated significantly with carotid IMT in those patients who had OSA but without metabolic syndrome.