bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women's understandings of sexual problems: findings from an in‐depth interview study
Authors: Bellamy Gary , Gott Merryn , Hinchliff Sharron 
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore women's understandings of sexual problems.BackgroundPrevailing knowledge about women's sexual problems has prioritised the material body. Particular attention is given to the importance of penetrative sexual intercourse, orgasm and the reproductive imperative, which fail to take account of contextual factors that contribute to women's experiences of sexual problems.DesignQualitative in‐depth interview study.MethodsIndividual in‐depth interviews conducted with 23 women aged 23–72 years, recruited from members of the general public and a psychosexual clinic.ResultsThe findings suggest that sexual problems are bodily experienced and socially and psychologically mediated. Women's views were influenced by the relational context of their experiences. At the same time, their views were deeply embedded within a patriarchal framework to make sense of their own sexual functioning and satisfaction.ConclusionThis study presents a challenge in the drive to medicalise women's sexual problems via the female sexual dysfunction label. It problematises the current diagnostic criteria for sexual problems outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which presupposes a highly individualised framework and favours a more nuanced approach.Relevance to clinical practiceRather than adopting or eschewing an entirely medical or psychosocial model, women presenting with sexual problems should be seen by a clinician whose assessment is holistic and takes into account relational, cultural, psychosocial and health‐related concerns.
Effects of self‐regulation protocol on physiological and psychological measures in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kuo Chia‐Chi , Lin Chiu‐Chu , Lin Shu‐Yuan , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Chang Chao‐Sung , Chen Ching‐Huey 
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectivesThis study presents a discussion of the physiological and psychological efficacy of a self‐regulation protocol in lowering acute exacerbation symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.BackgroundPatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often troubled by acute exacerbation and must learn how to prevent this.DesignA two‐group, pretest–post‐test experimental design was used in this study.MethodsData were collected between January–July 2008. Sixty‐four participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention (n = 33) or to a comparison (n = 31) group. Both groups were assessed on four separate occasions, namely pretest, post‐test 1 (5th week), post‐test 2 (9th week) and post‐test 3 (13th week). The intervention group received a four‐week self‐regulation protocol. The comparison group received the self‐regulation guidebook only. The Borg Dyspnea Scale, the Symptom Distress Scale, the Pulmonary Functional Status Scale, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Self‐Efficacy Scale and the peak expiratory flow were used to measure differences between pretest and post‐test values.ResultsOn the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after the self‐regulation protocol intervention, we found significantly better scores in the four scales in the intervention group compared to those in the comparison group. On the 9th and 13th weeks, there was a significantly greater peak expiratory flow in the intervention group. The intervention group also showed a lower rate of unscheduled physician visits because of acute exacerbation than the comparison group.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the self‐regulation protocol developed in this study could significantly assist participants to control their individual symptoms and avoid acute exacerbation.Relevance to clinical practiceHealthcare professionals could apply the protocol developed in this study to assist patients to learn the strategies of self‐regulation to prevent their acute exacerbation symptoms.
How Wise Are Crowds? Insights from Retail Orders and Stock Returns
Authors: KELLEY ERIC K. , TETLOCK PAUL C. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTWe analyze the role of retail investors in stock pricing using a database uniquely suited for this purpose. The data allow us to address selection bias concerns and to separately examine aggressive (market) and passive (limit) orders. Both aggressive and passive net buying positively predict firms’ monthly stock returns with no evidence of return reversal. Only aggressive orders correctly predict firm news, including earnings surprises, suggesting they convey novel cash flow information. Only passive net buying follows negative returns, consistent with traders providing liquidity and benefiting from the reversal of transitory price movements. These actions contribute to market efficiency.
‘The Substitution of One Piece of Nonsense for Another’: Reflections on Resistance, Gaming, and Subjugation
Authors: Willmott Hugh 
Published: February 2013

Abstract This article reflects upon Willmott's 1993 article (‘Strength is ignorance; slavery is freedom: managing culture in modern organizations’) by revisiting the idea of ‘Corporate Culturism’ and its relevance for contemporary developments in management and organization, including higher education. It incorporates a commentary on how 1984 and ‘Strength is ignorance’ have been read and some reflections on the genesis of the original 1993 article. It then expands on themes in ‘Strength is ignorance’ which are of continuing relevance, and draws out implications for our research and professional lives, as scholars, working in business schools.
Long‐term outcome of hepatitis B virus‐related Chronic Hepatitis under protracted nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Niro G. A. , Ippolito A. M. , Fontana R. , Valvano M. R. , Gioffreda D. , Iacobellis A. , Merla A. , Durazzo M. , Lotti G. , Di Mauro L. , Andriulli A. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryLong‐term outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under continuous nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) has been poorly elucidated. We enrolled 121 anti‐HBe‐positive patients into a prospective surveillance programme while on (>36 months) NUCs therapy. HBV‐DNA clearance, add‐on therapy and safety were evaluated. Development of cirrhosis, events of liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during the follow‐up were the main endpoints, as the complication‐free survival. At baseline, 74 patients (61%) had chronic hepatitis, the remainders a cirrhotic liver. HBV‐DNA levels >38 000 IU/mL were discovered in 103 patients. At enrolment, 79 patients were naïve to NUCs treatment. Lamivudine monotherapy (n = 70) or a different NUC (n = 51) was administered. At month 6 of therapy, HBV‐DNA clearance was documented in 88 patients (73%). Treatment schedule was modified in 52 patients due to breakthrough or suboptimal response. During a mean follow‐up of 6 ± 3 years, viral clearance was achieved in the majority of patients. Ten of 74 patients (13.5%) with chronic hepatitis progressed to cirrhosis, 1 patient developed a HCC. In the 47 patients with cirrhosis at presentation, HCC occurred in 14 (30%) and liver decompensation in 5 (11%). The 5 and 10‐year event‐free survivals were, respectively, 89.3% (95% CI, 81.7 −96.9) and 75.6% (95% CI, 61.5 −89.7) for patients with chronic hepatitis, and 70.2% (95% CI, 56.3 −84.1) and 40.4% (95% CI, 16.9 −63.9) for those with cirrhosis. Protracted, effective treatment with oral NUCs affects the natural history of chronic HBV infection by reducing the incidence of cirrhosis and risk of complications, but does not guarantee against the development of HCC in cirrhosis at presentation.
How to model species responses along ecological gradients – Huisman–Olff–Fresco models revisited
Authors: Jansen Florian , Oksanen Jari 
Published: February 2013

AbstractQuestionsIn species response modelling, can a hierarchical logistic regression framework compete against GAM in terms of statistical inference? Are bimodal shapes useful to model species responses along ecological gradients?LocationGermany.MethodsIn hierarchical logistic regression modelling [also known as Huisman, Olff, Fresco (HOF) models], the best model is chosen from a set of predetermined models using statistical information criteria, i.e. a balance between model fit to the data and simplicity of the model. We extended the classical five model types with two bimodal shapes. We improved the model optimization process to inhibit unrealistically steep slopes and abrupt changes. The stability of model choices is safeguarded through bootstrapping. The framework was tested on a data set of 547 vegetation plots of arable land with measured soil pHKCL. The ability to reproduce known shapes was tested with artificial data sets. Shape parameters, e.g. niche width and range, slope (turnover) and species optima, can be calculated from the models and used for further analyses. The model framework together with advanced plot functions is included in the package eHOF for the statistical software environment R.ResultsBased on the AIC, 66 out of 131 species are modelled with a better compromise between model fit and model complexity by one of the logistic regression models as compared to GAM with automatic smoother selection. Within the model framework, 17 species (13%) are best modelled with one of the new bimodal types. The test with artificial data of known shape reveals good reliability of eHOF models for unimodal responses in areas with homogeneous information, but increasing uncertainty if the sampling is uneven or if only a part of the response is covered within the observed gradient range.ConclusionsHierarchical logistic regression models offer a flexible way to efficiently fit species response data. They propose a sound theoretical background for ecological interpretation. Extended HOF models as presented here are judged as an effective tool for univariate species response modelling.
Large spinel grains in a CM chondrite (Acfer 331): Implications for reconstructions of ancient meteorite fluxes
Authors: Bjärnborg Karolina , Schmitz Birger 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBy dissolving 30–400 kg of marine limestone in HCl and HF acid, our group has previously recovered common relict chromite grains (approximately 63–250 μm) from ordinary chondritic micrometeorites that fell on ancient sea floors, up to 500 Myr old. Here, we evaluate if CM group carbonaceous chondritic material, which makes up an important fraction of the micrometeorite flux today, contains analogous grains that can be searched for in acid residues. We dissolved 8 g of CM2 meteorite Acfer 331 in HF, which yielded a characteristic assemblage of both transparent Mg‐Al‐ and opaque Cr‐spinels >28 μm. We find on average 4.6 and 130 Mg‐Al‐spinel grains per gram in the 63–250 and 28–63 μm size fractions, respectively. These grains are mostly pink or colorless, and often characterized by heterogeneous Cr‐content. Black, opaque Cr‐spinel grains are absent from the >63 μm fraction, but in the 28–63 μm fraction we find approximately 65 such grains per gram meteorite. The individual grains have a characteristic composition, with heterogeneous major element compositions (e.g., 44.4–61.7 wt% Cr2O3), but narrow ranges for maximum TiO2 (0.6–1.6 wt%) and V2O3 (0.5–1.0 wt%) concentrations. The content of spinel grains in the 28–63 μm fraction of CM meteorites appears comparable at the order of magnitude level with the content of >63 μm sized chromite grains in fossil L‐chondrites from Ordovician limestone. Our approach of recovering meteoritic spinel from sediment may thus be extended to include CM meteorites, but the smaller size fraction of the acid residues should be searched.
The role of biogeography in shaping diversity of the intestinal microbiota in house mice
Authors: Linnenbrink Miriam , Wang Jun , Hardouin Emilie A. , Künzel Sven , Metzler Dirk , Baines John F. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe microbial communities inhabiting the mammalian intestinal tract play an important role in diverse aspects of host biology. However, little is known regarding the forces shaping variation in these communities and their influence on host fitness. To shed light on the contributions of host genetics, transmission and geography to diversity in microbial communities between individuals, we performed a survey of intestinal microbial communities in a panel of 121 house mice derived from eight locations across Western Europe using pyrosequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The host factors studied included population structure estimated by microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA, genetic distance and geography. To determine whether host tissue (mucosa)‐associated communities display properties distinct from those of the lumen, both the caecal mucosa and contents were examined. We identified Bacteroides, Robinsoniella and Helicobacter as the most abundant genera in both the caecal content and mucosa‐associated communities of wild house mice. Overall, we found geography to be the most significant factor explaining patterns of diversity in the intestinal microbiota, with a comparatively weaker influence of host population structure and genetic distance. Furthermore, the influence of host genetic distance was limited to the mucosa communities, consistent with this environment being more intimately coupled to the host.
Profligate biotin synthesis in α‐proteobacteria – a developing or degenerating regulatory system?
Authors: Feng Youjun , Zhang Huimin , Cronan John E. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryBiotin (vitamin H) is a key enzyme cofactor required in all three domains of life. Although this cofactor was discovered over 70 years ago and has long been recognized as an essential nutrient for animals, our knowledge of the strategies bacteria use to sense biotin demand is very limited. The paradigm mechanism is that of Escherichia coli in which BirA protein, the prototypical bi‐functional biotin protein ligase, both covalently attaches biotin to the acceptor proteins of central metabolism and represses transcription of the biotin biosynthetic pathway in response to biotin demand. However, in other bacteria the biotin protein ligase lacks a DNA‐binding domain which raises the question of how these bacteria regulate the synthesis of biotin, an energetically expensive molecule. A bioinformatic study by Rodionov and Gelfand identified a protein termed BioR in α‐proteobacteria and predicted that BioR would have the biotin operon regulatory role that in most other bacteria is fulfilled by the BirA DNA‐binding domain. We have now tested this prediction in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens. As predicted the A. tumefaciens biotin protein ligase is a fully functional ligase that has no role in regulation of biotin synthesis whereas BioR represses transcription of the biotin synthesis genes. Moreover, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, BioR binds the predicted operator site, which is located downstream of the mapped transcription start site. qPCR measurements indicated that deletion of BioR resulted in a c. 15‐fold increase of bio operon transcription in the presence of high biotin levels. Effective repression of a plasmid‐borne bioB‐lacZ reporter was seen only upon the overproduction of BioR. In contrast to E. coli and Bacillus subtilis where biotin synthesis is tightly controlled, A. tumefaciens synthesizes much more biotin than needed for modification of the biotin‐requiring enzymes. Protein‐bound biotin constitutes only about 0.5% of the total biotin, most of which is found in the culture medium. To the best of our knowledge, A. tumefaciens represents the first example of profligate biotin synthesis by a wild type bacterium.
Changing eating behaviour: What can we learn from behavioural science?
Authors: Atkins L. , Michie S. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryDesigning effective behaviour change interventions is key to promoting healthy eating. This paper takes a theoretical perspective to consider why people do not behave in ways that promote health and summarises evidence‐based principles and strategies for behaviour change. We present a theoretically driven, comprehensive method for intervention design using several tools recently developed in behavioural science.
A perspective on the strategic approach to the complexity and challenges of behaviour change in relation to dietary health
Authors: Bestwick C. S. , Douglas F. C. G. , Allan J. L , Macdiarmid J. I. , Ludbrook A. , Carlisle S. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryUnderstanding the drivers for improving Scotland's dietary health is one of the key objectives within the ‘Food, Land and People’ component of the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme (SRP). Food producer, processor, retailer and consumer behaviour relative to diet and health are investigated through the programme's ‘Healthy Safe Diets’ theme. The research recognizes both the importance of food to Scotland's economy, health and wellbeing, as well as the challenges faced by the burden of obesity and dietary‐related illness. The Healthy Safe Diets theme's analysis of diet and behaviour has a focus on the interplay of the social, biological, behavioural and environmental determinants of nutritional health and aims to develop and test prototype policy interventions relevant to improving the health of Scotland's population. Here, we argue the necessity for concerted and coordinated multidisciplinary approaches to understand and influence dietary behaviour within the changing technological, economic, social and cultural context of individuals within society. The SRP's structure encourages and is developing such interdisciplinary links. Inherent to this is the combining of qualitative and quantitative approaches; using the insights gained from in depth study of small numbers of people, both to provide a better understanding of the results of quantitative analysis and to inform new research questions. Placed in context with the SRP's wider research objectives (such as on physical activity, the role of ‘urban green space’, enhancing the health‐beneficial properties of foods and the environmental sustainability of food production and supply), SRP interconnection offers significant opportunity to develop synergies and reconcile conflicts between research areas to create cohesive policy advice and enhance health and wellbeing outcomes.
Active travel: Transport policy and practice for health
Authors: Insall P. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryPast transport policies have tended to prioritise private motorised transport above health‐enhancing, low‐emission active travel – walking and cycling. Decision makers, most of whom are drivers themselves, suffer from the ‘windscreen perspective’ and have difficulty seeing the issues around transport policy in a clear way. As a result, policy and investment planning still lean towards the car.However, a range of factors now all point towards active travel for local trips. Climate change, peak oil, security of energy supply, road safety, noise and local air pollution all back up the arguments in favour of active travel as an easy and accessible way to incorporate physical activity into daily life. As forms of physical activity, walking and cycling offer valuable protection against cardiovascular disease, various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression and other forms of mental ill‐health, while also helping to maintain bone strength and fitness. Over the past decade, the evidence has accumulated and public health policy is now firmly in favour of active travel.It is also now clear that there is great potential to shift large numbers of sedentary, motorised trips to active travel, with all the health and other benefits that would bring. Britons are using motorised transport for large numbers of short journeys, many of which could easily be walked or cycled.The move of public health back into local government offers a real opportunity to influence transport policies and practice. Public health teams may be able to develop collaboration with their transport colleagues. The capital budgets of local authority transport departments can be used to improve the walking and cycling environment, while public health revenue funds could support individuals to adapt their behaviour and profit from those physical changes.
Chronobiology, endocrinology, and energy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis
Authors: Gonnissen H. K. J. , Hulshof T. , Westerterp‐Plantenga M. S. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryEnergy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis is the essential component for maintaining energy balance and its disruption may lead to metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Circadian alignment, quality sleep and sleep architecture in relation to energy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis are crucial. A reduced sleep duration, quality sleep and rapid‐eye movement sleep affect substrate oxidation, leptin and ghrelin concentrations, sleeping metabolic rate, appetite, food reward, hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA)‐axis activity, and gut‐peptide concentrations, enhancing a positive energy balance. Circadian misalignment affects sleep architecture and the glucose‐insulin metabolism, substrate oxidation, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index, leptin concentrations and HPA‐axis activity. Mood disorders such as depression occur; reduced dopaminergic neuronal signaling shows decreased food reward.A good sleep hygiene, together with circadian alignment of food intake, a regular meal frequency, and attention for protein intake or diets, contributes in curing sleep abnormalities and overweight/obesity features by preventing overeating; normalizing substrate oxidation, stress, insulin and glucose metabolism including HOMA‐IR index, and leptin, GLP‐1 concentrations, lipid metabolism, appetite, energy expenditure and substrate oxidation; and normalizing food reward.Synchrony between circadian and metabolic processes including meal patterns plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance and body‐weight control.Additive effects of circadian alignment including meal patterns, sleep restoration, and protein diets in the treatment of overweight and obesity are suggested.
The Uk Minimum Wage at 22 Years of Age: A Regression Discontinuity Approach
Authors: Dickens Richard , Riley Rebecca , Wilkinson David 
Published: February 2013

SummaryA regression discontinuity approach is used to analyse the effect of the legislated increase in the UK national minimum wage that occurs at age 22 years on various labour market outcomes. Using data from the Labour Force Survey we find an increase of 3–4 percentage points in the rate of employment of low skilled individuals. Unemployment declines among men and inactivity among women. We find no such effect before the national minimum wage was introduced and no robust impacts at age 21 or 23 years. Our results are robust to a range of specification tests.
Form or Function?: The Effect of New Sports Stadia on Property Prices in London
Authors: Ahlfeldt Gabriel M. , Kavetsos Georgios 
Published: February 2013

SummaryProfessional sports facilities are among the most expensive development projects. Assessing the external effects related to these and the channels through which these effects operate is a challenging task. We propose a strategy to value the external effects that stadia deliver to their neighbourhoods based on the variation in property prices. Our strategy allows for unobserved spatial heterogeneity, anticipation effects, and disentangles the stadium's function as a sports facility from its form as a physical structure that (visually) dominates the neighbourhood. We apply this strategy to two of the largest stadium projects of the recent decade, the New Wembley and the Emirates Stadium in London. Our results suggest that there are positive stadium effects on property prices, which are large compared with construction costs. Notable anticipation effects are found immediately following the announcement of the stadium plans. We further argue that stadium architecture plays a role in promoting positive spillovers to the neighbourhood.