bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Central‐Local Relations in French Energy Policy‐Making: Towards a New Pattern of Territorial Governance
Authors: Poupeau François‐Mathieu 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTAfter a long period of centralization, local authorities have been taking a new place in the French energy sector. This revival began in the 1990s with the process of deregulation, which gave them new room for manoeuvre. This continued into the 2000s, when energy efficiency and climate change issues were set on the political agenda. This process led many practitioners and academic researchers to consider these two last decades as a turning point, which initiates a new model of governance, one that is far more decentralized than in the past. Here, we discuss this hypothesis and show that this recent ‘activism’ at local level associated with a change in State intervention has been leading to a new pattern of territorial governance in France that is not at odds with the past but rather is in continuity with it. Using the neo‐institutional approach developed by James Mahoney and Kathleen Thelen, we focus on three main dimensions that play a ‘homeostatic’ role: the production structure, ideas and institutional arrangements. This leads us to develop an interpretation of ongoing changes in terms of an ‘aggiornamento’ of the former pattern of governance, rather than any real breakdown. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Long‐Run and Cyclical Dynamics in the US Stock Market
Authors: Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Gil‐Alana Luis 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper uses fractional integration to examine the long‐run dynamics and cyclical structure of US inflation, real risk‐free rate, real stock returns, equity premium and price/dividend ratio, annually from 1871 to 2000. It implements a procedure which allows consideration of unit roots with possibly fractional orders of integration both at zero (long‐run) and cyclical frequencies. When focusing exclusively on the former, the estimated order of integration varies considerably, and non‐stationarity is found only for the price/dividend ratio. When the cyclical component is also taken into account, the series appear to be stationary but to exhibit long memory with respect to both components in almost all cases. The exception is the price/dividend ratio, whose order of integration is higher than 0.5 but smaller than 1 for the long‐run frequency, and is between 0 and 0.5 for the cyclical component. Also, mean reversion occurs in all cases. Finally, six different criteria are applied to compare the forecasting performance of the fractional (at both zero and cyclical frequencies) models with others based on fractional and integer differentiation only at the zero frequency. The results, based on a 15‐year horizon, show that the former outperforms the others in a number of cases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USING POLICY INTERVENTION TO IDENTIFY FINANCIAL STRESS
Authors: Carlson Mark , Lewis Kurt , Nelson William 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the construction of a financial stress index (FSI). Our index incorporates the level, volatility and comovement of a variety of financial series, rather than a single dimension of the data. To determine which time periods are ones of notable financial stress and thus the relevant ones for determining the role of the level, volatility and comovement of our financial series, we use actions taken by policymakers. In addition to describing the construction of our FSI, we discuss issues relevant to the general construction of stress indexes such as how an FSI differs from a financial conditions index, the challenges of combining different financial series into a single measure and the role historical experience plays in index construction. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A SINGLE COMPOSITE FINANCIAL STRESS INDICATOR AND ITS REAL IMPACT IN THE EURO AREA
Authors: Islami Mevlud , Kurz‐Kim Jeong‐Ryeol 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we construct a single composite financial stress indicator (FSI), which aims to predict developments in the real economy in the euro area. Our FSI was shown to perform better than the Euro STOXX 50 volatility index for the recent banking crisis and the euro‐area sovereign debt crisis and to be able to serve as an early warning indicator for negative impacts of financial stress on the real economy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bidirectional (Negative/Positive) Interference of Oleandrin and Oleander Extract on a Relatively New LOCI Digoxin Assay Using Vista 1500 Analyzer
Authors: Dasgupta Amitava , Welsh Kerry J. , Hwang Shen‐An , Johnson Myrtle , Actor Jeffrey K. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundOleander interferes with serum digoxin measurements using various immunoassays. The potential interference of oleander and its active ingredient, oleandrin, with a relatively new homogenous sequential chemiluminescent digoxin assay based on luminescent oxygen channeling technology (LOCI digoxin assay, Siemens Diagnostics) has not been previously reported.MethodsAliquots of a digoxin‐free serum pool were supplemented with increasing concentrations of oleandrin, or with oleander extract, followed by measuring the apparent digoxin concentrations using the LOCI digoxin assay using Vista 1500 analyzer. Mice were fed oleandrin or oleander extract, and their blood digoxin levels at 1 and 2 h were measured with the LOCI digoxin assay. In addition, two digoxin serum pools were prepared by combining sera of patients receiving digoxin; aliquots of both pools were supplemented with oleandrin or oleander extract and digoxin concentrations were again measured. Attempts to overcome this interference were made by measuring free digoxin concentration using a third digoxin pool.ResultsSignificant apparent digoxin concentrations were observed after supplementing aliquots of the drug‐free serum pool with oleandrin or oleander extract. Mice fed with oleandrin or oleander extract also showed apparent digoxin levels 1 and 2 h after feeding. Digoxin values were also falsely lower or elevated (bidirectional interference) when aliquots of digoxin serum pools were further supplemented with oleandrin or oleander extract depending on concentration; this interference was not eliminated by free digoxin monitoring.ConclusionsOleandrin interferes with LOCI digoxin assay.
Anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody and Rheumatoid Factor in South Tunisian Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Association With Disease Activity and Severity
Authors: Hamad Mariem Ben , Marzouk Sameh , Kaddour Neila , Masmoudi Hatem , Fakhfakh Faiza , Rebai Ahmed , Bahloul Zouhir , Maalej Abdellatif 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo explore relationships between immunological status, clinical features, radiographic damage, disease activity, and functional disability in Tunisian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Materials and MethodsThe study was carried out in 112 patients with RA. Demographic characteristics, disease duration, disease activity score 28 (DAS28), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and the Sharp/van der Heijde score were collected. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti‐CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were performed.ResultsWe found that anti‐CCP positivity was associated with longer disease duration (P = 0.001), presence of RF (P = 4.89 × 10−8), and night pain positivity (P = 0.025). Patients with positive RF had more night pain and higher anti‐CCP positivity (for all P ≤ 0.05). Anti‐CCP titer was correlated with disease duration (P = 0.034) and Sharp total score (P = 1.2 × 10−4). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between RF and anti‐CCP antibodies titers (P = 0.011). Indeed, DAS28 correlated with HAQ (P = 1.8 × 10−7) and morning stiffness duration (P = 0.045). In multivariate regression analysis, the main factors associated with anti‐CCP titers were radiographic damage (P = 1.625 × 10−4) and RF (P = 0.013). For DAS28, only HAQ (P = 2.9 × 10−4) was associated.ConclusionThese findings suggest that anti‐CCP antibodies are associated with RF and more severe joint damage. Moreover, disease activity is associated with functional disability.
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Poor Prognosis in Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Celikbilek Asuman , Ismailogullari Sevda , Zararsiz Gokmen 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundInflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of carotid atherosclerosis. Although previous data demonstrated an association between inflammatory biomarkers and stroke, there is no publication reporting the relation of neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio with ischemic stroke. We aimed to analyze the predictive ability of N/L ratio in acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.MethodsA total of 190 patients including 70 patients with first‐ever atherothrombotic acute ischemic stroke (AAIS), 50 patients with transient ischemic attack, and 70 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. We analyzed the values of white blood cell (WBC), N/L ratio, C‐reactive protein (CRP), gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), homocysteine (HCY), mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with ischemic group and compared those with control individuals.ResultsWBC, CRP, HCY, N/L ratio were found to increase significantly in AAIS patients than the controls (P < 0.001). With respect to mortality, there were no significant differences between the values of CRP, GGT, HCY, and MPV in patients with AAIS. However, WBC and N/L ratio values were found to increase significantly in dead patients (P = 0.024 and P = 0.029, respectively). A comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves among WBC, CRP, GGT, HCY, MPV, and N/L ratio variables was made. No significant differences were obtained between area under curve values (P > 0.05). A cut‐off value of 4.1 for N/L ratio was detected in predicting mortality with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 74.1% (κ = 0.299, P = 0.006).ConclusionsThese findings support the role of N/L ratio as a simple inexpensive and readily available marker of prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.
High False‐Positive Rate for Monoclonal Gammopathy Using Capillary Electrophoresis (CAPILLARYS 2) Alone
Authors: Huang Richard Sheng Poe , Oleske Deanna Alicia , Tholpady Ashok , Chang Brian N. , Dasgupta Amitava , Nguyen Andy , Wahed Amer 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundCapillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a newer method of performing serum protein electrophoresis and is considered to be faster and more efficient than agarose gel method. We decided to evaluate CZE as an efficient screening tool for monoclonal gammopathies, and we began recommending immunofixation studies in cases with such minor/subtle distortions to avoid missing monoclonal gammopathies.MethodsWe evaluated 163 serum protein agarose gel electrophoresis (SPAGE) samples between October and November 2011, and 447 serum protein CZE (SPCZE) samples between January 2012 to February 2012 and August 2012 to September 2012.ResultsImmunofixation studies were recommended in 51 of 163 cases (31.3%) performed by SPAGE, and in 274 of 447 cases (61.3%) performed by SPCZE. While using SPAGE, of the 51 cases recommended for immunofixation (24 were performed to date), six cases (25.0%) were positive for monoclonal gammopathy. In contrast, while using SPCZE, of the 274 cases recommended for immunofixation (118 were performed to date), 18 cases (15.2%) were positive for monoclonal gammopathy. Using the SPCZE method, of these 18 cases, five (27.8%) had minor/subtle distortions without obvious peaks. Our recommendation rate for immunofixation studies has thus almost doubled (61.3% vs. 31.3%) with the adoption of SPCZE. Yet, using SPCZE has not translated to detecting more cases of true monoclonal gammopathies.ConclusionTherefore, we conclude that there is a high false‐positive rate for monoclonal gammopathy using CE alone.
Molecular Epidemiologic Trends of Diarrhea‐Causing Virus Infection From Clinical Specimens in Cheonan, Korea, in 2010–2012
Authors: Kim Jae Kyung , Kim Jong Wan 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe enteric viruses have high health significance in humans, ranging from poliomyelitis, hepatitis, and gastroenteritis to innocuous infections, and the human enteric viral infection is the one of the most common diseases during early childhood. This study was conducted from July 2010 to October 2012.MethodsWe subjected 788 stool specimens using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) tests that could simultaneously detect five enteric viruses, group A rotavirus (GAR), enteric adenovirus (EAdV), norovirus GI (NoV‐GI), norovirus GII (NoV‐GII), and human astrovirus (HAstV). The data were analyzed according to seasonality and patient age and sex.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy specimens (34.3%) were positive, 276 viruses were detected in the 788 sample. The prevalence of GAR, EAdV, NoV‐GI, NoV‐GII, and HAstV infections in the 270 mPCR‐positive specimens was 101 (36.6%), 28 (10.1%), 4 (1.4%), 132 (47.8%), and 11 (4.0%), respectively; six specimens (2.2%) contained double infections. NoV‐GII and GAR infections occurred mainly in the winter and spring.ConclusionWe described the epidemiological analytic data of the diarrhea‐causing viruses in the population of local society of Korea. These results could be helpful for the diagnosis and subsequent epidemiological surveillance of enteric viral infections.
Technical considerations in the development of circulating peptides as pharmacodynamic biomarkers for angiogenesis inhibitors
Authors: Thomeas Vasiliki , Chow Selina , Gutierrez Jose O. , Karovic Sanja , Wroblewski Kristen , Kistner‐Griffin Emily , Karrison Theodore G. , Maitland Michael L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTo determine the biological reproducibility and estimate relevant covariates for candidate circulating biomarkers of angiogenesis, we conducted 3 sub‐studies with ≤15 subjects each. In study 1, 6 healthy subjects provided 13 blood samples across 14–24 days. In study 2, 15 advanced solid tumor patients provided single blood samples before, and approximately 8 and 40 days after sorafenib treatment. In study 3, 4 healthy subjects provided blood samples on 3 occasions over 14 days, processed simultaneously in 2 different laboratories at a single institution. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA), soluble VEGF receptor‐2 (sVEGFR2), and angiopoietin‐2 (Ang2) concentrations in plasma and serum were determined by standard immunoassays. Ang2 and sVEGFR2 demonstrated low variance within and high variance across individuals reflected by the high intraclass correlation coefficient (for Ang2: 0.86 for plasma, 0.89 for serum; for sVEGFR2: 0.91 for plasma, 0.87 for serum). Repeated measures linear modeling from 15 patients demonstrated increased Ang2 (P ≤ 0.05) and decreased sVEGFR2 (P ≤ 0.05) after exposure to sorafenib. VEGFA had high intraindividual variance, and study 3 demonstrated the laboratory to have significant effects on plasma measurements (P ≤ 0.05). The biological reproducibility of sVEGFR2 and Ang2 support further use of these markers in studies of vasculature‐targeted therapeutics.
Pharmacokinetics of cobicistat boosted‐elvitegravir administered in combination with rosuvastatin
Authors: Custodio Joseph M. , Wang Hui , Hao Jia , Lepist Eve‐Irene , Ray Adrian S. , Andrews Jessica , Ling Kah Hiing J. , Cheng Andrew , Kearney Brian P , Ramanathan Srinivasan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractStatins are commonly used medications by HIV‐1 patients. Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF is a single tablet regimen for the treatment of HIV. The pharmacokinetic interaction between cobicistat‐boosted elvitegravir (EVG/co) and rosuvastatin was evaluated. Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 inhibition were assessed in vitro. Healthy subjects (N = 12) received a single dose of rosuvastatin 10 mg alone and in combination with EVG/co. Intensive pharmacokinetic sampling was conducted and safety was assessed throughout the study. Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetic exposure parameters were evaluated using 90% confidence intervals (CI) of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of the test (combination) versus reference (rosuvastatin alone) using equivalence boundaries of 70–143% for AUCinf and 70–175% for Cmax. Elvitegravir and cobicistat inhibited BCRP and OATP in vitro, emtricitabine and TDF did not. Clinically, study treatments were well tolerated, with adverse events generally mild. Upon coadministration, rosuvastatin plasma concentrations increased (Cmax 89% higher), while AUCinf changes were modest (38% higher) and clinically nonrelevant, potentially driven by moderate inhibition of intestinal efflux by BCRP, and/or hepatic uptake by OATPs by EVG/co. Elvitegravir and cobicistat pharmacokinetics were comparable to historical data. Rosuvastatin may be coadministered with EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF without dose adjustment.
Loxapine delivered as a thermally generated aerosol does not prolong QTc in a thorough QT/QTc study in healthy subjects
Authors: Spyker Daniel A. , Voloshko Polina , Heyman Eugene R. , Cassella James V. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe objective of this study was to establish effects of inhaled loxapine on the QTc interval in this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind crossover study. Forty‐eight healthy volunteers received a single inhaled placebo or 10 mg loxapine. Plasma concentrations of loxapine increased with a median Tmax of 1 minute and a mean Cmax of 312 ng/mL. After an initial rapid distribution phase, plasma concentrations of loxapine declined with a terminal half‐life of 8 hours. Exposure to the active metabolite 7‐OH‐loxapine was 15% of the parent compound based on mean AUCinf and its terminal half‐life was 12 hours. Inhaled loxapine did not increase QT intervals, as demonstrated by the upper bound of the 1‐sided 95% CIs placed on the point estimate of the placebo‐subtracted change of QTcI (ΔΔQTcI) being less than 10 milliseconds at all 11 post‐dose times. The maximum ΔΔQTcI occurred at 1 hour post‐dose (LSmean 5.42 milliseconds, upper confidence bound 7.75 milliseconds). The study outcome was validated by the demonstrated assay sensitivity using the positive control moxifloxacin maximum ΔΔQTcI occurred at 3 hour post‐dose (LSmean 8.36 milliseconds, lower confidence bound 5.82 milliseconds). The analyses of QTc outliers, and the lack of emergent diagnostic findings for QTcI, QTcB, and QTcF; and simple mean placebo‐subtracted changes of QTcI and QTcF supported the primary QT analysis conclusion that this is a negative finding and there is no apparent QT prolongation associated with the therapeutic dose of inhaled loxapine.
The use of Oxaliplatin or Mitomycin C in HIPEC treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer: A comparative study
Authors: Hompes D. , D'Hoore A. , Wolthuis A. , Fieuws S. , Mirck B. , Bruin S. , Verwaal V. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundOxaliplatin and Mitomycin C (MMC) are both suitable as intraperitoneal chemotherapy agents in HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsPatient cohorts from two different HIPEC‐centers underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC with Oxaliplatin (39 patients) and MMC (56 patients), respectively. They were compared for toxicity and survival data. The extent of PC was assessed using the Dutch 7‐region count.ResultsThe median 7‐region count was 4 [range 0–7] for Oxaliplatin‐patients versus 2.5 [range 1–6] for MMC‐patients (P = 0.004). Median intra‐operative blood loss was 650 ml [0–6,000 ml] in Oxaliplatin‐patients versus 1,230 ml [range 0–5,300 ml] in MMC‐patients (P < 0.001). Only MMC‐patients developed neutropenia/leucopenia (26.8%, P < 0.001). After statistical correction for the extent of PC, the overall postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in MMC‐patients (OR = 2.68 (95% CI: 1.04–6.91), P = 0.04), with a comparable intra‐abdominal complication (IAC) rate (OR = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.30–2.03), P = 0.61), but a tendency towards more extra‐abdominal complications (EAC) in MMC‐patients (OR = 2.23 (95% CI: 0.91–5.43), P = 0.079).Median follow‐up was significantly shorter for Oxaliplatin‐patients (2.8 years) than for MMC‐patients (5.1 years). Median RFS was 12.2 months [IQR: 7.2‐undefined] in the Oxaliplatin‐group and 13.8 months [IQR: 7.0–25.8] in the MMC‐group (P = 0.87). Median OS is 37.1 months [IQR: 22.4–52.8] for Oxaliplatin‐patients and 26.5 months [IQR: 16.9–64.8] for MMC‐patients (P = 0.45). Logistic regression analysis (corrected for extent of PC) shows RFS (HR = 1.24 (95% CI: 0.75–2.05), P = 0.39) and OS (HR = 1.37 (95% CI: 0.74–2.54), P = 0.32) are not significantly different.ConclusionsNo clear benefit in RFS and OS for HIPEC with Oxaliplatin or MMC could be demonstrated in patients with PC from CRC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:527–532. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with high‐risk melanoma
Authors: Barsky Maya , Cherkassky Leonid , Vezeridis Michael , Miner Thomas J. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPositron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning is commonly used for the preoperative staging of patients with at least intermediate thickness (>1 mm) melanomas. Its role in staging at initial diagnosis for clinically asymptomatic patients is not yet established.MethodsWe examined records of all patients receiving an operation for at least an intermediate thickness melanoma from June 2005 to June 2011. Results of preoperative PET/CT scans were evaluated in asymptomatic patients with a negative physical exam. Outcome measures included changes in clinical management, as well as incidence of true‐ and false‐positives.ResultsPET/CT scans were performed for 149 patients with at least an intermediate thickness melanoma. Positive scans were identified in 28% (41/149) of patients. An invasive procedure to further aid in diagnosis was performed in 44% (18), yet only 6 (15%) patients were diagnosed with metastatic cancer (85% false positive rate). Each of these patients had regional disease subsequently diagnosed by a sentinel lymph node biopsy. No distant metastatic disease was identified.ConclusionsPreoperative PET/CT in asymptomatic patients is of limited benefit in staging asymptomatic melanoma patients with at least an intermediate thickness melanoma and may lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. J. Surg. Oncol 2014; 109:726–729. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A century of citation classics in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery journals revisited
Authors: Coelho Daniel H. , Edelmayer Luke W. , Fenton John E. 
Published: December 2013

Objectives/HypothesisCitation classics have traditionally been defined in the smaller medical specialties as any article published in a peer‐reviewed journal that has received 100 or more citations from other articles also published in peer‐reviewed journals. This study aimed to determine patterns of citation classics changes in the medical field otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery (OHNS) over the past decade and serves as a follow‐up to an original study published in 2002, “A Century of Citation Classics in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.”Study DesignBibliometric analysis.MethodsUsing the Journal Citation Reports and Web of Science, OHNS journals were selected and assessed for the content of citation classics.ResultsNine‐hundred five citation classics were found, over 11‐fold more than 1 decade prior. Other significant changes were seen in country of origin, decade of publication, number of authors per article, subspecialty of article, and most frequently discussed topics.ConclusionsThe dramatic rise in quantity and nature of citation classics in the past decade may be due to unprecedented advancements in information technology and communication, allowing studies and experiments to be performed, written, reviewed, published, and cited at rapid rates.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 124:1358–1362, 2014