bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability and investment appraisal for housing regeneration projects
Authors: Higham Anthony Paul , Fortune Chris , Boothman J.C.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the selection and use, in practice, of appraisal frameworks regarding sustainability evaluation in UK social housing sector projects, which have been advocated by academics as a means of ensuring that business decisions related to potential built environment projects are driven by best value rather than lowest cost. It also seeks to identity the key features of sustainability as assessed at the project feasibility stage. The research context is housing regeneration projects undertaken by UK social housing providers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted of 481 built environment professionals working within the UK social housing sector, which generated an overall response rate of 24 per cent.

Findings

– The survey results revealed that few toolkits and models developed by academe to facilitate the development and evaluation of sustainability-led building projects have so far been adopted. The impact of organisational factors such as size, denomination, and maturity on the frameworks was analysed and, in general, no statistically significant relationship was found between organisational features and the models in use. The principal features of sustainability were found to be related to energy efficiency and asset life expectancy. These findings have implications for the UK construction industry’s commitment to enhancing the built environment’s sustainability and thereby stakeholder prosperity.

Research limitations/implications

– The methodological approach adopted failed to uncover fully the reasons why practitioners selected particular types of sustainability appraisal toolkits.

Practical implications

– This paper focuses on the current use of sustainability-led project appraisal models and the key features of sustainability whilst also providing directions for further research. It explores the adoption of sustainability-focused project evaluation practices in the UK social housing sector and outlines potential areas for further research, focused on developing a usable, holistic framework for evaluating sustainability during the early stages of project development to help to create a more sustainable built environment.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the body of knowledge available on the adoption of sustainability-focused project evaluation practice in the UK social housing sector, outlining potential areas for further research, focused on developing a usable, holistic framework for evaluating sustainability during the early stages of project development to help to create a more sustainable built environment.
Parenting work and autism trajectories of care
Authors: Singh Jennifer S.
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the work and care associated with raising a child with disabilities in the United States. Based on in‐depth interviews with parents who have a child with autism, it develops the notion of parenting work and trajectories of care to investigate how parents navigate and coordinate the challenges of getting an autism diagnosis, obtaining educational services, and re‐contextualising the possibilities for the future. I argue that parents embody a complex mix of love, hope, and responsibility in parenting work and trajectories of care that expands temporal and social elements of illness work and trajectories initially developed by Anselm Strauss and colleagues. This type of parenting work changes over time and is influenced by social structural forces and relationships in which the care takes place. The re‐articulation of these analytic tools also begins to untangle the intricate mix of both medical and social models of disability that parents embrace and continuously negotiate. This study demonstrates how parents accept the medical model of disability by seeking and pushing for a clinical autism diagnosis and subsequent treatments, while at the same time challenge the limits placed on their children by providing them with opportunities, possible futures, and a sense of personhood.

A Virtual Abstract of this paper can be accessed at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0UmGvpcjeQ
Conservation Practices and the Growth of US Cash Rent Leases
Authors: Allen Douglas W. , Borchers Allison
Published: April 2016

Over the past 20 years the ratio of cash rent to cropshare land leases across the US has more than doubled. We test different theories that might explain this, and conclude that the shift is mostly the result of revolutionary changes in cultivation practices. The switch from conventional to conservation tillage brought about by changes in herbicide technologies, genetically modified seeds, increased fuel costs, and knowledge of the benefits of soil micro‐organisms, has reduced a tenant‐farmer's ability to exploit a landowner's soil. This removes a major incentive to cropshare and makes cash renting more attractive. Using USDA field‐level data from across the US, we find strong support for this hypothesis, and some evidence that increased corporate structure also influences cash renting. Alternatively, we cannot find evidence that changes in risk, risk‐aversion or insurance coverage explain the growth in cash renting.
Management of gastroparesis‐associated malnutrition
Authors: Bharadwaj Shishira , Meka Krishna , Tandon Parul , Rathur Abdullah , Rivas John M. , Vallabh Hiren , Jevenn Andrea , Guirguis John , Sunesara Imran , Nischnick Amy , Ukleja Andrew
Published: April 2016

Gastroparesis (GP) is a chronic debilitating dysmotility characterized by unrelenting nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, postprandial fullness and abdominal pain. Patients with GP experience other associated conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric bezoars and small bowel bacterial overgrowth. Furthermore, GP is associated with poor quality of life, increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations and subsequent increased healthcare costs. Currently, the managements of GP consist of glycemic control, antiemetics, prokinetics and the use of gastric electrical stimulation. However, most GP patients are at risk for significant nutritional abnormalities. As such, it is essential to screen and diagnose malnutrition in these patients. Poor oral intake in such patients could be supplemented by enteral tube feeding. Parenteral nutrition, although a last resort, is associated with a number of complications and should be used only for the short term. In summary, a systematic approach including initial nutritional screening, diet recommendations, medical therapy, nutritional re‐evaluation and enteral and parental nutrition should be considered in complex GP patients.
Thrombin Augments LPS‐Induced Human Endometrial Endothelial Cell Inflammation via PAR1 Activation
Authors: Mhatre Mohak V. , Potter Julie A. , Lockwood Charles J. , Krikun Graciela , Abrahams Vikki M.
Published: April 2016

Problem

Risk factors for preterm birth include placental abruption, giving rise to excessive decidual thrombin, and intrauterine bacterial infection. Human endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) express Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), and infection‐derived agonists trigger HEECs to generate specific inflammatory responses. As thrombin, in addition to inducing coagulation, can contribute to inflammation, its effect on HEEC inflammatory responses to the TLR4 agonist, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was investigated.

Method of study

HEECs were pre‐treated with or without thrombin or specific protease‐activated receptor (PAR) agonists, followed by treatment with or without LPS. Supernatants were measured for cytokines and chemokines by ELISA and multiplex analysis.

Results

Thrombin significantly and synergistically augmented LPS‐induced HEEC secretion of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), and growth‐regulated oncogene‐alpha (GRO‐α), and significantly augmented monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)‐1, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion additively. Similar to thrombin, a PAR1 agonist synergistically augmented the LPS‐induced HEEC secretion of inflammatory IL‐6, IL‐8, G‐CSF, and GRO‐α.

Conclusion

Thrombin, via PAR1 activation, synergistically augments LPS‐induced HEEC production of chemokines involved in immune cell recruitment and survival, suggesting a mechanism by which intrauterine abruption and bacterial infection may together be associated with an aggravated uterine inflammatory response.
Impact of parenchymal preserving surgery on survival and recurrence after liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis
Authors: Pandanaboyana Sanjay , Bell Richard , White Alan , Pathak Samir , Hidalgo Ernest , Lodge Peter , Prasad Raj , Toogood Giles
Published: April 2016

Background

This study aimed to investigate the impact of non‐anatomical liver resection (NAR) versus anatomical resection (AR) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), with regard to perioperative and long‐term outcomes.

Methods

Analysis of prospectively collected data for patients with CRLM who underwent either AR or NAR between January 1993 and August 2011 was performed. The impact of AR and NAR on morbidity, mortality, margin positivity, redo liver resections, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) was analysed.

Results

A total of 1574 resections for CRLM were performed. A total of 249 were redo resections and 334 patients underwent combined AR and NAR, hence, 583 were excluded. In total, 582 AR and 409 NAR were performed. The median age was 66 years (range 23.8–91.8). Median follow up was 32.2 months (interquartile range 17.5–56.9). The need for postoperative transfusion (11.6% versus 2.2%, P = <0.0001), overall complications (25% versus 10.7%, P < 0.0001) and 90‐day mortality (4.9% versus 1.2%, P < 0.0001) was higher in the AR group. R0 and R1 resection rates (AR 26.2% NAR 25%, P = 0.69) and number of patients with intrahepatic recurrence was similar between the two groups (AR 17.5% NAR 22%, P = 0.08). However, the need for redo liver surgery was higher in NAR group 15.4% versus 8.7% (P < 0.001). The OS (NAR 34.1 months versus AR 31.4 months, P = 0.002) and DFS were longer in the NAR group (NAR 18.8 months versus AR 16.9 months, P = 0.031).

Conclusions

A parenchymal preserving surgery (NAR) is associated with lower complication rates and better OS and DFS when compared with AR without compromising margin status. However, NAR increases the need for repeat liver resections.
Pain in pancreatic cancer: review of medical and surgical remedies
Authors: Dobosz Łukasz , Kaczor Maciej , Stefaniak Tomasz J.
Published: April 2016

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumour with very poor prognosis and a chance for 5‐year survival is approximately 6%. One of the main symptoms of this neoplasm is pain, mostly of neuropathic origin, which significantly decreases the quality of life and impairs the functional activity of patients. The most common treatment of pain in pancreatic cancer is conservative therapy which is based on analgesic ladder rules established by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, it is not always effective and it has many side effects that also can diminish patients’ quality of life. Invasive treatment of pain in pancreatic cancer includes mainly coeliac plexus block and sympathectomy, and both of them significantly reduce levels of pain and help to improve the quality of life. It is postulated that the place of those two invasive methods should not be at the final stage of treatment, but they can provide significantly better improvement of pain once instituted earlier (such as the first or second step of analgesic World Health Organization's ladder). The aim of this article is to review and assess the conservative as well as the invasive therapy in the management of pain in pancreatic cancer. It also presents brief insight into non‐medical methods of pain reduction, which can be supplementary to conservative and/or invasive treatment.
The Relation Between Variability of Intact Parathyroid Hormone, Calcium, and Cardiac Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ulusoy Sukru , Ozkan Gulsum , Guvercin Beyhan , Yavuz Adnan
Published: April 2016

Chronic kidney disease‐mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐BMD) is a condition known to be associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The relation between calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) variability in HD patients and cardiac mortality is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between variability in these parameters and cardiac mortality. Baseline demographic and biochemical parameters of 218 HD patients together with Ca values corrected with albumin and P values measured on a monthly basis and iPTH levels measured at 3‐monthly intervals were recorded over 2 years. Standard deviation (SD) and smoothness index (SI) for each parameter were calculated to assess Ca, P, and iPTH variability. The relations between all parameters and cardiac mortality were then analyzed. Cardiac mortality was observed in 38 patients in the 2‐year study period. Nonsurviving patients' ages, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (HsCRP) levels, mean iPTH, and SD iPTH were significantly higher than those of surviving patients, while albumin levels, SI iPTH and SI Ca were significantly lower. Age, low albumin, high DBP, SI iPTH, and SI Ca were identified as independent predictors of cardiac mortality at multivariate analysis. Our study shows that Ca and iPTH variability affect cardiac mortality independently of mean and baseline values. When supported by further studies, the relation between Ca and iPTH variability and cardiac mortality in HD patients can lead to a new perspective in terms of prognosis and treatment planning.
The role of emotion knowledge in the links between shyness and children's socio‐emotional functioning at preschool
Authors: Sette Stefania , Baumgartner Emma , Laghi Fiorenzo , Coplan Robert J.
Published: April 2016

The present study investigated the potential protective role of components of emotion knowledge (i.e., emotion recognition, situation knowledge) in the links between young children's shyness and indices of socio‐emotional functioning. Participants were n = 163 children (82 boys and 81 girls) aged 23–77 months (M = 53.29, SD = 14.48), recruited from preschools in Italy. Parents provided ratings of child shyness and teachers rated children's socio‐emotional functioning at preschool (i.e., social competence, anxiety‐withdrawal, peer rejection). Children were also interviewed to assess their abilities to recognize facial emotional expressions and identify situations that affect emotions. Among the results, shyness was positively related to anxiety‐withdrawal and peer rejection. In addition, emotion recognition was found to significantly moderate the links between shyness and preschool socio‐emotional functioning, appearing to serve a buffering role. For example, at lower levels of emotion recognition, shyness was positively associated with both anxiety‐withdrawal and rejection by peers, but at higher levels of emotion recognition, these associations were attenuated. Results are discussed in terms of the protective role of emotion recognition in promoting shy children's positive socio‐emotional functioning within the classroom context.
F16357, a novel protease‐activated receptor 1 antagonist, improves urodynamic parameters in a rat model of interstitial cystitis
Authors: Monjotin N , Gillespie J , Farrié M , Le Grand B , Junquero D , Vergnolle N
Published: April 2016

Background and Purpose

The aims of the present study were to characterize the role of PAR1 in rat bladder under inflammatory conditions and determine whether a selective PAR1 antagonist, F16357, can prevent the pathophysiological symptoms of cyclophosphamide‐induced interstitial cystitis (IC).

Experimental Approach

Immunohistochemistry, contractile activity in isolated bladder and urodynamics were determined before and after cyclophosphamide treatment. F16357 was administered intravesically during the acute phase of inflammation, and effects on PAR1 and PAR1‐related bladder contraction evaluated 24 h after cyclophosphamide injection. Urodynamics and associated voided volumes were recorded 7 and 24 h after cyclophosphamide.

Key Results

In control conditions, PAR1 was present only in some umbrella cells. Cyclophosphamide disrupted the urothelium and expression of PAR1 by all remaining urothelial cells. After F16357 treatment, urothelial damage was absent and PAR1 immunoreactivity similar to control tissues. Thrombin and TFLLR‐NH2 induced bladder contractions. These were increased in inflammatory conditions and antagonized by F16357 in a concentration‐dependent manner. In telemetric experiments, furosemide increased urine production and voiding frequency for 60 min, 7 h after cyclophosphamide injection. Intravesical administration of F16357 blocked these changes with a return to a physiological profile; 24 h after cyclophosphamide, the volume of micturition was still lower with no increase in number of micturitions. F16357 30 μM reduced the number of micturitions and improved bladder capacity, but did not affect diuresis. Under similar experimental conditions, lidocaine 2% induced comparable effects.

Conclusions and Implications

PAR1 is expressed in rat bladder, overactivated in inflammatory conditions and involved in bladder function and sensation. F16357 could represent an interesting candidate for IC treatment.
Obestatin as a key regulator of metabolism and cardiovascular function with emerging therapeutic potential for diabetes
Authors: Cowan Elaine , Burch Kerry J , Green Brian D , Grieve David J
Published: April 2016

Obestatin is a 23‐amino acid C‐terminally amidated gastrointestinal peptide derived from preproghrelin and which forms an α helix. Although obestatin has a short biological half‐life and is rapidly degraded, it is proposed to exert wide‐ranging pathophysiological actions. Whilst the precise nature of many of its effects is unclear, accumulating evidence supports positive actions on both metabolism and cardiovascular function. For example, obestatin has been reported to inhibit food and water intake, body weight gain and gastrointestinal motility and also to mediate promotion of cell survival and prevention of apoptosis. Obestatin‐induced increases in beta cell mass, enhanced adipogenesis and improved lipid metabolism have been noted along with up‐regulation of genes associated with beta cell regeneration, insulin production and adipogenesis. Furthermore, human circulating obestatin levels generally demonstrate an inverse association with obesity and diabetes, whilst the peptide has been shown to confer protective metabolic effects in experimental diabetes, suggesting that it may hold therapeutic potential in this setting. Obestatin also appears to be involved in blood pressure regulation and to exert beneficial effects on endothelial function, with experimental studies indicating that it may also promote cardioprotective actions against, for example, ischaemia–reperfusion injury. This review will present a critical appraisal of the expanding obestatin research area and discuss the emerging therapeutic potential of this peptide for both metabolic and cardiovascular complications of diabetes.
Causal inference from observational data
Authors: Listl Stefan , Jürges Hendrik , Watt Richard G.
Published: April 2016

Randomized controlled trials have long been considered the ‘gold standard’ for causal inference in clinical research. In the absence of randomized experiments, identification of reliable intervention points to improve oral health is often perceived as a challenge. But other fields of science, such as social science, have always been challenged by ethical constraints to conducting randomized controlled trials. Methods have been established to make causal inference using observational data, and these methods are becoming increasingly relevant in clinical medicine, health policy and public health research. This study provides an overview of state‐of‐the‐art methods specifically designed for causal inference in observational data, including difference‐in‐differences (DiD) analyses, instrumental variables (IV), regression discontinuity designs (RDD) and fixed‐effects panel data analysis. The described methods may be particularly useful in dental research, not least because of the increasing availability of routinely collected administrative data and electronic health records (‘big data’).
Disentangling the causes of protected‐species bycatch in gillnet fisheries
Authors: Northridge Simon , Coram Alex , Kingston Al , Crawford Rory
Published: April 2016

Gillnet fisheries are widely thought to pose a conservation threat to many populations of marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles. Gillnet fisheries also support a significant proportion of small‐scale fishing communities worldwide. Despite a large number of studies on protected‐species bycatch in recent decades, relatively few have examined the underlying causes of bycatch and fewer still have considered the issue from a multitaxon perspective. We used 3 bibliographic databases and one search engine to identify studies by year of publication and taxon. The majority of studies on the mechanisms of gillnet bycatch are not accessible through the mainstream published literature. Many are reported in technical papers, government reports, and university theses. We reviewed over 600 published and unpublished studies of bycatch in which causal or correlative factors were considered and identified therein 28 environmental, operational, technical, and behavioral factors that may be associated with high or low bycatch rates of the taxa. Of the factors considered, 11 were associated with potential bycatch reduction in 2 out of the 3 taxa, and 3 factors (water depth, mesh size, and net height) were associated with trends in bycatch rate for all 3 taxa. These findings provide a basis to guide further experimental work to test hypotheses about which factors most influence bycatch rates and to explore ways of managing fishing activities and improving gear design to minimize the incidental capture of species of conservation concern while ensuring the viability of the fisheries concerned.
Establishment and adipocyte differentiation of polycystic ovary syndrome‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Yang Sheng , Ding Shufang , Jiang Xianglong , Sun Bolan , Xu Qianhua
Published: April 2016

Objective

To establish a new biological cell model and approach to mimic abnormal lipid metabolism of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in vitro.

Materials and methods

Epithelial cells from PCOS patients were reprogrammed to pluripotency by retroviral transduction using defined factors. Morphology, growth characteristics, karyotype, gene expression and differentiation in vitro and in vivo were detected by identification protocol of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). PCOS‐induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were then induced to differentiate into adipocytes. Ability of the adipocytes for glucose consumption was compared with those from non‐PCOS‐iPSCs.

Results

iPSCs were successfully generated from PCOS patients' adult cells. Formed iPSC clones had the same characteristics of human ESCs. PCOS‐iPSCs were induced to differentiation into normal karyotype adipocytes. Compared to non‐PCOS‐iPSCs, PCOS‐iPSCs had more glucose consumption ability during adipocyte differentiation and development in vitro.

Conclusions

This protocol provides a new biological cell model and approach for studying pathogenesis of PCOS and discovering potential drugs to treat it.
Inter‐observer reproducibility of endometrial cytology by the Osaki Study Group method: utilising the Becton Dickinson SurePath™liquid‐based cytology
Authors: Norimatsu Y. , Yamaguchi T. , Taira T. , Abe H. , Sakamoto H. , Takenaka M. , Yanoh K. , Yoshinobu M. , Irino S. , Hirai Y. , Kobayashi T. K.
Published: April 2016

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the cytological diagnosis of endometrial lesions by the Osaki Study Group (OSG) method of new cytological diagnostic criteria using BD SurePath™(SP)‐liquid‐based cytology (LBC).

Methods

This cytological classification using the OSG method consists of six categories: (i) normal endometrium (NE), (ii) endometrial glandular and stromal breakdown (EGBD), (iii) atypical endometrial cells, cannot exclude atypical endometrial hyperplasia or more (ATEC‐A), (iv) adenocarcinoma including atypical endometrial hyperplasia or malignant tumour (Malignancy), (v) endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (EH) and (vi) atypical endometrial cells of undetermined significance (ATEC‐US). For this study, a total 244 endometrial samplings were classified by two academic cytopathologists as follows: 147 NE cases , 36 EGBD cases , 47 Malignant cases, eight ATEC‐A cases, two EH cases and four ATEC‐US cases. To confirm the reproducibility of the diagnosis and to study the inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement further, a second review round followed at 3‐month intervals, which included three additional cytopathologists.

Results

The inter‐observer agreement of NE classes improved progressively from ‘good to fair’ to ‘excellent’, with values increasing from 0.70 to 0.81. Both EGBD and Malignancy classes improved progressively from ‘good to fair’ to ‘excellent’, with values increasing from 0.62–0.63 to 0.84–0.95, respectively. The overall intra‐observer agreement between the first and the second rounds was ‘good to fair’ to ‘excellent’, with values changing from 0.79 to 0.85. All kappa improvements were significant (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In this study, it seemed that the use of the OSG method as the new diagnostic criteria for SP‐LBC preparation, may be a valid method to improve the precision (reproducibility) of endometrial cytology.
Effects of obeticholic acid on lipoprotein metabolism in healthy volunteers
Authors: Pencek R. , Marmon T. , Roth J. D. , Liberman A. , Hooshmand‐Rad R. , Young M. A.
Published: April 2016

The bile acid analogue obeticholic acid (OCA) is a selective farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist in development for treatment of several chronic liver diseases. FXR activation regulates lipoprotein homeostasis. The effects of OCA on cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in healthy individuals were assessed. Two phase I studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of repeated oral doses of 5, 10 or 25 mg OCA on lipid variables after 14 or 20 days of consecutive administration in 68 healthy adults. Changes in HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were examined, in addition to nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of particle sizes and sub‐fraction concentrations. OCA elicited changes in circulating cholesterol and particle size of LDL and HDL. OCA decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL cholesterol, independently of dose. HDL particle concentrations declined as a result of a reduction in medium and small HDL. Total LDL particle concentrations increased because of an increase in large LDL particles. Changes in lipoprotein metabolism attributable to OCA in healthy individuals were found to be consistent with previously reported changes in patients receiving OCA with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease or non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Right Ventricle Metastasis of Pleomorfic Undifferentiated Sarcoma Detected by FDG PET/CT and Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Vatankulu Betül , Dirlik Serim Burcu , Sonmezoglu Kerim , Vatankulu Mehmet A.
Published: April 2016

Mini‐Abstract

High‐grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas are rare disease with poor prognosis. The most commonly metastasis sites of pleomorphic sarcomas are lungs, liver, and bone. Cardiac metastasis of these tumors is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case with cardiac metastasis of pleomorphic sarcoma detected by FDG PET/CT and three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
What Is the Effect of Metabolic Syndrome without Hypertension on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy?
Authors: Al‐Daydamony Mohammad M. , El‐Tahlawi Mohammad
Published: April 2016

Background

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. There is a strong association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and LVH in hypertensive patients. However, the relation between LVH and MetS in the absence of hypertension has not been studied.

Aim of the Work

To study the impact of MetS on LV mass in patients without hypertension.

Subjects and Methods

Fifty MetS patients without hypertension and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Twelve‐lead electrocardiography, laboratory testing, and echocardiography were done with assessment of the left ventricular diastolic (LVEDD) and systolic dimensions (LVESD), fraction of shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF), Doppler‐derived mitral valve flow velocity waves (E‐wave, A‐wave, E/A ratio), left ventricular mass and mass index (LVMI).

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding LVEDD, LVESD, FS, EF, E‐wave velocity, A‐wave velocity, or E/A ratio. However, mean posterior wall thickness, IVST, LV mass, LVMI, and incidence of LVH were significantly higher in MetS patients. There was a significant positive correlation between LVMI and blood glucose level (r = 0.528, P < 0.00001), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (r = 0.416, P < 0.0001), triglycerides level (r = 0.535, P < 0.00001), and obesity (r = 0.307, p = 0.0019). There was a significant negative correlation between LVMI and HDL‐C level (r = −0.377, P < 0.0001). The same parameters were predictors for LVH in a logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Even in the absence of hypertension, MetS patients had significantly higher LV wall thickness, LV mass and LVMI, and incidence of LVH than control subjects.
Right Ventricle before and after Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure
Authors: Akula Vidya Sagar , Durgaprasad Rajasekhar , Velam Vanajakshamma , Kasala Latheef , Rodda Madhavi , Erathi Harsha Vardhan
Published: April 2016

Background

Percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure is a safe and effective means of reducing or eliminating interatrial shunting. The response of the right heart to device closure is incompletely understood.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of transcatheter closure of secundum ASD on right ventricle size and function, that is, both systolic and diastolic by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) over a 6‐month period.

Methods

Seventy‐three patients had 73 device implantations. The patients were assessed with echocardiography before and at 1 and 6 months after procedure.

Results

Mean age was 26 ± 17 years. Mean ASD size indexed to body surface area (BSA) was 19.1 ± 8.6 mm/m2. The device size ranged from 12 to 42 mm. One month after closure, there were statistically significant decreases in right ventricular (RV) basal diameter (3.5 ± 0.7 cm vs. 4.2 ± 0.8 cm), RV/LV end‐diastolic diameter ratio (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2), left ventricular eccentricity index (LVEI) (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2), right atrial (RA) major dimension (4.4 ± 0.8 cm vs. 4.8 ± 1.0 cm), RA end‐systolic area (13.2 ± 4.6 cm2 vs. 18.5 ± 6.7 cm2), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (2.2 ± 1.8 cm vs. 2.8 ± 0.5 cm), tricuspid annular systolic velocity (TASV or S′) (13.1 ± 3.0 cm/sec vs. 16.0 ± 2.8 cm/sec), E/A (1.4 ± 0.3 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5), and E/e′ (5.9 ± 5.0 vs. 7.2 ± 2.0) in comparison with baseline. Six months after closure, there were statistically significant decreases in RV major dimension (5.9 ± 1.1 cm vs. 6.3 ± 1.0 cm), RV/LV end‐diastolic diameter ratio (0.8 ± 0.1 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1), RA major dimension (4.1 ± 0.8 cm vs. 4.4 ± 0.8 cm), and RA end‐systolic area (11.4 ± 3.8 cm2 vs. 13.2 ± 4.6 cm2) in comparison with 1 month post–device closure. After 6 months, there was a statistically insignificant increase in both TASV (13.7 ± 2.8 cm/sec vs. 13.1 ± 3.0 cm/sec) and TAPSE (2.5 ± 1.6 cm/sec vs. 2.2 ± 1.8 cm/sec). There was no significant change in tissue Doppler MPI at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after closure (0.38 ± 0.19 vs. 0.35 ± 0.15 vs. 0.38 ± 0.13). There was significant decrease in E/e′ from baseline to 1 month and 1 month to 6 months after closure (7.2 ± 2.0 vs. 5.9 ± 5.0 vs. 4.7 ± 1.5).

Conclusion

RV volumes decreased significantly in the first month after ASD device closure and continued up to 6 months. There was no change in global right ventricular systolic function but a high basal RV systolic function decreased after closure. Some patients had impaired diastolic function before closure of defect, which reversed to normal within 6 months after closure. Diastolic dysfunction in older age‐group may be a cause for long duration taken by right heart chambers to regress and deserves further investigation.
Like Me, Buy Me: The Effect of Soft Power on Exports
Authors: Rose Andrew K.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, I quantify a gain that a country receives when its global influence is considered to be admirable by others. I use a standard gravity model of bilateral exports, a panel of data from 2006 through 2013, and an annual survey conducted for the BBC by GlobeScan which asks people in up to 46 countries about whether each of up to 17 countries were perceived to have “a mainly positive or negative influence in the world.” Holding other things constant, a country's exports are higher if it is perceived by the importer to be exerting a more positive global influence. This effect is statistically and economically significant; a 1% net increase in perceived positive influence raises exports by around .8 percent. Succinctly, countries receive a commercial return on their soft power.
Negative density dependence is stronger in resource‐rich environments and diversifies communities when stronger for common but not rare species
Authors: LaManna Joseph A. , Walton Maranda L. , Turner Benjamin L. , Myers Jonathan A.
Published: April 2016

Conspecific negative density dependence is thought to maintain diversity by limiting abundances of common species. Yet the extent to which this mechanism can explain patterns of species diversity across environmental gradients is largely unknown. We examined density‐dependent recruitment of seedlings and saplings and changes in local species diversity across a soil‐resource gradient for 38 woody‐plant species in a temperate forest. At both life stages, the strength of negative density dependence increased with resource availability, becoming relatively stronger for rare species during seedling recruitment, but stronger for common species during sapling recruitment. Moreover, negative density dependence appeared to reduce diversity when stronger for rare than common species, but increase diversity when stronger for common species. Our results suggest that negative density dependence is stronger in resource‐rich environments and can either decrease or maintain diversity depending on its relative strength among common and rare species.
Momentum, Reversals, and Fund Manager Overconfidence
Authors: Adebambo Biljana N. , Yan Xuemin (Sterling)
Published: April 2016

This paper examines the role of investor overconfidence and self‐attribution bias in explaining the momentum effect. We develop a novel measure of overconfidence based on characteristics and trading patterns of US equity mutual fund managers. Stocks held by more overconfident managers experience greater momentum profits and stronger return reversals than stocks held by less overconfident managers. The difference in momentum profits is not compensation for risk nor is it attributable to stock characteristics that influence momentum. Our results are consistent with Daniel, Hirshleifer, and Subrahmanyam (1998) who argue that momentum results from delayed overreaction caused by overconfidence and biased self‐attribution.
CDKL5 knockout leads to altered inhibitory transmission in the cerebellum of adult mice
Authors: Sivilia S. , Mangano C. , Beggiato S. , Giuliani A. , Torricella R. , Baldassarro V. A. , Fernandez M. , Lorenzini L. , Giardino L. , Borelli A. C. , Ferraro L. , Calzà L.
Published: April 2016

Mutations in the X‐linked cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 gene (CDKL5) are associated to severe neurodevelopmental alterations including motor symptoms. In order to elucidate the neurobiological substrate of motor symptoms in CDKL5 syndrome, we investigated the motor function, GABA and glutamate pathways in the cerebellum of CDKL5 knockout female mice. Behavioural data indicate that CDKL5‐KO mice displayed impaired motor coordination on the Rotarod test, and altered steps, as measured by the gait analysis using the CatWalk test. A higher reduction in spontaneous GABA efflux, than that in glutamate, was observed in CDKL5‐KO mouse cerebellar synaptosomes, leading to a significant increase of spontaneous glutamate/GABA efflux ratio in these animals. On the contrary, there were no differences between groups in K+‐evoked GABA and glutamate efflux. The anatomical analysis of cerebellar excitatory and inhibitory pathways showed a selective defect of the GABA‐related marker GAD67 in the molecular layer in CDKL5‐KO mice, while the glutamatergic marker VGLUT1 was unchanged in the same area. Fine cerebellar structural abnormalities such as a reduction of the inhibitory basket ‘net’ estimated volume and an increase of the pinceau estimated volume were also observed in CDKL5‐KO mice. Finally, the BDNF mRNA expression level in the cerebellum, but not in the hippocampus, was reduced compared with WT animals. These data suggest that CDKL5 deletion during development more markedly impairs the establishment of a correct GABAergic cerebellar network than that of glutamatergic one, leading to the behavioural symptoms associated with CDKL5 mutation.
Autonomous Agencies, Happy Citizens? Challenging the Satisfaction Claim
Authors: Overman Sjors
Published: April 2016

Is the delegation of public services to semi‐autonomous agencies associated with increased citizen satisfaction? This article assesses three theoretical routes that might link the two: responsiveness, credible commitment, and blame deflection. The article draws on data from the European Social Survey and an expert survey about delegation of tax and police services to semi‐autonomous agencies in 15 countries. No supporting evidence was found for the responsiveness and credible commitment theories. Yet semi‐autonomous agencies sometimes can absorb or deflect blame for bad performance. In the tax case, dissatisfied service users blame the agency, rather than the government. The presence of an agency worked as a scapegoat for dissatisfied service users and resulted in less dissatisfaction with the government in countries where tax services were delegated.
Laser‐Shock‐Induced Spall and the Intrinsic Strength of Glass
Authors: Davis Mark J.
Published: April 2016

High strain‐rate (~107/s), spall‐threshold results obtained via laser‐shock testing are reported for three glasses (fused silica, soda‐lime “float” glass, and a borosilicate); such tests should be immune to the influence of surface flaws as the plane of failure is not localized at a surface. Whereas the measured spall thresholds (1–2 GPa, accounting for wave attenuation) agree reasonably well with conventional, flyer‐plate shock‐wave experiments, they are 5–10 times lower than “intrinsic” strength values obtained from quasi‐static tests. This is speculated due to the rapid compress/decompress loading cycle arising from free‐surface reflection. Attenuation effects associated with the ramp wave inherent to glasses of this study was the likely basis for the difference in spall threshold between 2‐ and 3‐mm‐thick glass samples. Long‐pulse tests (185 ns) with lower peak stresses were decidedly more damaging than those using short pulses (10 ns) but with higher peak stresses, emphasizing the importance of the duration of applied stress in addition to its magnitude. Finally, a surprisingly good correlation in stress–strain relations for fused silica between that obtained via quasi‐static techniques and flyer‐plate testing likely arises from a lack of irreversible processes and minimal heating during compression up to 9 GPa.
Measuring Unobserved Expected Inflation
Authors: Melnick Rafi
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study is to develop an eclectic but robust model that allows for a better measure of expected inflation and facilitates testing for all sorts of biases. Improving the measure of expected inflation is of critical importance for conducting monetary policy. In many circumstances, indicators of expected inflation move in opposite directions, and this divergence may be critical for the setting of the interest rate. I estimate the model for a special set of Israeli data via the Kalman filter methodology and then test for systematic biases, a better normalization of the model, liquidity problems and inflation risk – which could all be present in current measures of expected inflation.
Monetary Policy and Asset Price Booms: A Step Towards a Synthesis
Authors: Fujiki Hiroshi , Kaihatsu Sohei , Kurebayashi Takaaki , Kurozumi Takushi
Published: April 2016

Should a monetary policy maker following a Taylor‐type rule set a higher policy rate than the level suggested by the rule because of a possibility of an asset price bust in the near future? Our answer to this question for monetary policy makers who have two scenarios of ‘boom–bust cycle’ and ‘stable growth’ is yes if the following two conditions are satisfied. First, early warning indicators based on credit and residential investment data show a high probability of a boom–bust cycle occurring. Second, the policy rate path that minimizes the boom–bust probability‐based expected value of a social loss associated with inflation and the output gap over the two scenarios is higher than the rate path by the Taylor‐type rule. Our counterfactual analysis shows that the Fed should have raised the federal funds rate by a small amount over and above the level suggested by a Taylor‐type rule in the early 2000s.
Can Anyone Stop the President? Power Asymmetries and Term Limits in Latin America, 1984–2016
Authors: Corrales Javier
Published: April 2016

Since the late twentieth century, numerous Latin American nations have launched efforts to relax presidential term limits, often successfully. This article discusses the conditions under which countries succeed in relaxing term limits. Drawing from bargaining models and reviewing 36 cases, it makes three arguments. First, actors' preferences are fairly predictable on the basis of officeholding: presidents are the most prominent actors pushing for expansion of term limits; opposition parties lead the resistance. Second, power asymmetry, measured by presidential approval ratings, is the best predictor of success, better than ideology or share of seats in Congress. Third, the only hope for stopping popular presidents rests with ruling parties and the courts, but only when the latter are sufficiently independent.
Informal Sector Work and Evaluations of the Incumbent: The Electoral Effect of Vulnerability on Economic Voting
Authors: Singer Matthew M.
Published: April 2016

Economically vulnerable voters are expected to hold politicians accountable for their management of the economy because these voters are more likely to be personally affected by economic shocks and less able to cope with the resulting dislocation. Evidence from the informal sector in Argentina, where the lack of formal registration increases income volatility and denies unemployment benefits, is consistent with this hypothesis. Data from Argentina from 2005 to 2006 show that the association between evaluations of the economy and evaluations of President Néstor Kirchner was stronger among those working without formal employment guarantees. The implication is that the electoral support of Latin America's many informal workers may very well be fickle and dependent on economic performance.
Diagnostic accuracy of reflectance confocal microscopy for lesions typified by dermoscopic island
Authors: Figueroa‐Silva O. , Cinotti E. , de Almeida Silva T. , Moscarella E. , Lallas A. , Ciardo S. , Argenziano G. , Pellacani G. , Piana S. , Longo C.
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Dermoscopic island (DI) is a dermoscopic clue for the diagnosis of thin melanoma (MM). However, its positive predictive value is about 50% and several naevi with DI are unnecessarily excised. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a second level non‐invasive imaging tool that increases diagnostic accuracy for MM.

Objective

To evaluate diagnostic RCM features of pigmented lesions typified by the presence of DI and calculate RCM diagnostic accuracy for MM diagnosis.

Methods

All lesions with DI were retrieved from a database of 1964 cases. RCM diagnoses were given without being aware of the histopathological diagnoses. The number of MMs among lesions presenting with DI and the sensitivity and specificity of RCM for MM were assessed. The frequencies of dermoscopic and RCM features were calculated to evaluate significant differences in naevi and MMs showing DI (Chi‐square test). Independently significant RCM criteria for MM were identified by discriminant analysis.

Results

Sixty‐three (3.2%) out of 1964 lesions presented DI. Among them, 30.2% were in situ MMs and 12.7% invasive MMs. Sensitivity and specificity of RCM for the diagnosis of MM in case of DI was 88.9%. Pagetoid cells (Wilks' lambda .804, P < 0.001) and atypical cells at dermo‐epidermal junction (Wilks' lambda .762, P < 0.001) were identified to differentiate MM from naevi.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that DI could be a sign of early MMs and underlined that RCM could be a good tool to discriminate MMs and naevi in the presence of DI because it can identify the presence of cytological atypia.
Molecular and morphometric characterization of two dental morphs ofSaccodon dariensis(Parodontidae)
Authors: Restrepo‐Escobar N. , Rangel‐Medrano J. D. , Mancera‐Rodríguez N. J. , Márquez E. J.
Published: April 2016

This study reports for the first time the roles of genetic and body phenotypic variation in twoSaccodon dariensisdental morphs. Results showed a lack of ancient mitochondrial differentiation between morphs and body variations concordant with genetic polymorphism or differential plastic responses to diet quality and foraging strategies ofS. dariensis.
Effects of fish species composition on Diphyllobothrium spp. infections in brown trout – is three‐spined stickleback a key species?
Authors: Kuhn J A , Frainer A , Knudsen R , Kristoffersen R , Amundsen P‐A
Published: April 2016

Subarctic populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) are often heavily infected with cestodes of the genus Diphyllobothrium, assumedly because of their piscivorous behaviour. This study explores possible associations between availability of fish prey and Diphyllobothrium spp. infections in lacustrine trout populations. Trout in (i) allopatry (group T); (ii) sympatry with Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) (group TC); and (iii) sympatry with charr and three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) (group TCS) were contrasted. Mean abundance and intensity of Diphyllobothrium spp. were higher in group TCS compared to groups TC and T. Prevalence, however, was similarly higher in groups TCS and TC compared to group T. Zero‐altered negative binomial modelling identified the lowest probability of infection in group T and similar probabilities of infection in groups TC and TCS, whereas the highest intensity was predicted in group TCS. The most infected trout were from the group co‐occurring with stickleback (TCS), possibly due to a higher availability of fish prey. In conclusion, our study demonstrates elevated Diphyllobothrium spp. infections in lacustrine trout populations where fish prey are available and suggests that highly available and easily caught stickleback prey may play a key role in the transmission of Diphyllobothrium spp. parasite larvae.