bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A NEW COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE FREE‐FLOATING AND CURRENCY BOARD REGIMES IN HONG KONG
Authors: Tam Kwo Ping 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThis study aims to compare the performance of free‐floating and currency board regimes for Hong Kong by examining historical data of the two on the output growth and inflation rate. Structural vector autoregression has been applied in the empirical analysis. Without making a strong assumption of unit variance in the residual matrix, this study applies a more natural approach proposed by Cecchetti and Rich to recover the structural parameters. The study has further investigated the recovery of the economy under a demand shock under different exchange rate regimes, in order to provide some evidence to answer why Hong Kong's recovery process after the Asian financial crisis is relatively longer than that in other economies with a managed floating exchange rate regime. New evidence in this study indicates that output recovers much faster in a flexible exchange rate regime than in a fixed exchange rate regime after an aggregate demand shock. Furthermore, this study has applied a more robust method in the counterfactual analysis when comparing the two regimes. New evidence in this study suggests that a free‐floating regime may generate much smaller output variance in Hong Kong and deliver higher output and price levels to Hong Kong.
Globular Glial Mixed Four Repeat Tau and TDP‐43 Proteinopathy with Motor Neuron Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Takeuchi Ryoko , Toyoshima Yasuko , Tada Mari , Tanaka Hidetomo , Shimizu Hiroshi , Shiga Atsushi , Miura Takeshi , Aoki Kenju , Aikawa Akane , Ishizawa Shin , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Nishizawa Masatoyo , Kakita Akiyoshi , Takahashi Hitoshi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be accompanied by frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We report a case of glial mixed tau and TDP‐43 proteinopathies in a Japanese patient diagnosed clinically as having ALS‐D. Autopsy revealed loss of lower motor neurons and degeneration of the pyramidal tracts in the spinal cord and brain stem. The brain showed frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), the most severe neuronal loss and gliosis being evident in the precentral gyrus. Although less severe, such changes were also observed in other brain regions, including the basal ganglia and substantia nigra. AT8 immunostaining revealed that predominant occurrence of astrocytic tau lesions termed globular astrocytic inclusions (GAIs) was a feature of the affected regions. These GAIs were Gallyas‐Braak negative. Neuronal and oligodendrocytic tau lesions were comparatively scarce. pS409/410 immunostaining also revealed similar neuronal and glial TDP‐43 lesions. Interestingly, occasional co‐localization of tau and TDP‐43 was evident in the GAIs. Immunoblot analyses revealed band patterns characteristic of a 4‐repeat (4R) tauopathy, corticobasal degeneration and a TDP‐43 proteinopathy, ALS/FTLD‐TDP Type B. No mutations were found in the MAPT or TDP‐43 genes. We consider that this patient harbored a distinct, sporadic globular glial mixed 4R tau and TDP‐43 proteinopathy associated with motor neuron disease and FTD.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine Derivatives as Novel DPP‐4 Inhibitors
Authors: Li Qing , Zhou Muxing , Han Li , Cao Qing , Wang Xinning , Zhao LeiLei , Zhou Jinpei , Zhang Huibin 
Published: March 2015

A new series of DPP‐4 inhibitors with imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine scaffold were designed by exploiting scaffold hopping strategy and docking study. Based on docking binding model, structural modifications of 2‐benzene ring and pyridine moieties of compound 5a led to the identification of compound 5d with 2, 4‐dichlorophenyl group at the 2‐position as a potent (IC50 = 0.13 μm), selective (DPP‐8/DPP‐4 = 215 and DPP‐9/DPP‐4 = 192) and in vivo efficacious DPP‐4 inhibitor. Further, molecular docking revealed that compound 5d could retain key binding features of DPP‐4 with the pyridine moiety of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine ring providing an additional π−π interaction with Phe357 of DPP‐4. Compound 5d might be a promising lead for further development of novel DPP‐4 inhibitor treating T2DM.
Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation without Grafting: A 10‐Year Prospective Study
Authors: Nedir Rabah , Nurdin Nathalie , Vazquez Lydia , Abi Najm Semaan , Bischof Mark 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the long‐term outcome of implants placed in the atrophic maxilla using osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without grafting.PurposeThe study aims to evaluate the long‐term efficiency of the procedure and stability of the peri‐implant bone formed following implant placement without grafting into resorbed posterior maxilla.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐five implants (≤10 mm in length) were placed in 17 patients using OSFE without grafting. The mean residual bone height was 5.4 ± 2.3 mm. Bone levels were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years using periapical radiographs.ResultsFifteen patients (23 implants) participated in the 10‐year examination. All implants fulfilled the survival criteria. Following surgery, the implant sites gained endo‐sinus bone (mean: 3.0 ± 1.4 mm). The mean crestal bone loss (CBL) was limited to 1.0 ± 0.9 mm. The difference in mean endo‐sinus bone gain and CBL was statistically significant between 1 and 10 years, but not between 3 and 5, 3 and 10, and 5 and 10 years.ConclusionsAt 10 years, the implant survival rate was 100%. Endo‐sinus bone was mainly gained during the first year. This study demonstrates the long‐term predictability of OSFE without grafting and simultaneous implant placement.
Prevalence and correlates of rest tremor in essential tremor: cross‐sectional survey of 831 patients across four distinct cohorts
Authors: Louis E. D. , Hernandez N. , Michalec M. 
Published: March 2015

Background and purposeEssential tremor (ET) is amongst the most commonly encountered neurological disorders. Its hallmark feature is kinetic tremor. However, other tremors may also occur in ET patients, creating considerable diagnostic confusion amongst treating physicians. Hence, characterizing the prevalence and clinical accompaniments of these other tremors is of value. Surprisingly, there are few data on the prevalence of rest tremor in ET patients, and even fewer data on the clinical correlates of such tremor.MethodsEight hundred and thirty‐one patients in four distinct settings (population, genetics study, study of environmental epidemiology, brain bank) underwent a detailed videotaped neurological examination that was reviewed by a senior movement disorders neurologist. Rest tremor was evaluated in several positions (seated, standing, lying down).ResultsThe prevalence of rest tremor whilst seated or standing was lowest in the population‐based setting (1.9%), highest in the brain bank study (46.4%) and intermediate in the remaining two settings (9.6% and 14.7%, respectively). Rest tremor was restricted to the arms and was not observed in the legs. Rest tremor was associated with older age, longer disease duration (in some studies), greater tremor severity and, to some extent, the presence of cranial tremors.ConclusionsRest tremor can be a common clinical feature of ET. Its prevalence is highly dependent on the setting in which patients are evaluated, ranging from as low as 1% to nearly 50%. Rest tremor seems to emerge as a clinical feature with advancing disease. The anatomical substrates for this type of tremor remain unknown at present.
Subgroups of multiple sclerosis patients with larger treatment benefits: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Signori A. , Schiavetti I. , Gallo F. , Sormani M. P. 
Published: March 2015

Background and purposeNo subgroups of patients with higher treatment effects have been clearly detected in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present work was to evaluate whether there are subgroups of relapsing−remitting MS (RRMS) patients who are more responsive to treatments.MethodsAll published randomized clinical trials in RRMS reporting a subgroup analysis of treatment effect were collected. Two main outcomes, the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and the disability progression, were studied. The treatment effect in each subgroup was reported as a relative effect (RE), defined as the treatment effect in the subgroup relative to the overall effect. A meta‐analysis was run to compare the RE between subgroups.ResultsSix trials (6693 RRMS patients) were included. Treatment effects on ARR were significantly higher in younger than in older subjects (RE = 0.83 vs. RE = 1.30, P < 0.001), in patients with than those without gadolinium activity (RE = 0.86 vs. RE = 1.15, P = 0.005) and in patients with lower than in those with higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (RE = 0.96 vs. RE = 1.23, P = 0.02), and on disability progression in younger than in older subjects (RE = 0.82 vs. RE = 1.28, P = 0.017).ConclusionsThis study formally shows that in RRMS higher treatment effects are associated with characteristics of earlier (lower age and Expanded Disability Status Scale) and more active (higher gadolinium activity) disease.
Susceptibility vessel sign on T2* magnetic resonance imaging and recanalization results of mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Soize S. , Batista A. L. , Rodriguez Regent C. , Trystram D. , Tisserand M. , Turc G. , Serre I. , Ben Hassen W. , Zuber M. , Calvet D. , Mas J.‐L. , Meder J.‐F. , Raymond J. , Pierot L. , Oppenheim C. , Naggara O. 
Published: March 2015

Background and purposeThe susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on T2*‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging has been reported in several studies as a negative predictor of early recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis. The meaning of SVS regarding the results of mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers was investigated.MethodsSusceptibility vessel sign presence and length were studied in 153 acute ischaemic stroke patients (82 men; mean ± SD age 59 ± 17 years, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 17.2 ± 6.5) from three stroke centres, treated with either mechanical thrombectomy alone (n = 84) or bridging therapy (n = 69). Variables were compared between recanalizers, defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scores ≥2b, and non‐recanalizers (TICI<2b).ResultsThe SVS was present in 113 (73.8%) patients. There was no association between the presence of SVS and recanalization, obtained in 86 (56.2%) patients, in the whole population [odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–2.92, P = 0.84) and in treatment subgroups (bridging: OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.29–2.87, P = 1.0; thrombectomy alone: OR = 1.85, 95% CI 0.48–7.16, P = 0.54). However, in SVS+ patients, recanalization decreased with SVS length (OR 0.94 for each additional mm, 95% CI 0.89–0.99; P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe success of recanalization in acute stroke patients treated with stent retrievers was related to thrombus length but not to the presence of SVS.
Epilepsy in Rett syndrome—Lessons from the Rett networked database
Authors: Nissenkorn Andreea , Levy‐Drummer Rachel S. , Bondi Ori , Renieri Alessandra , Villard Laurent , Mari Francesca , Mencarelli Maria A. , Lo Rizzo Caterina , Meloni Ilaria , Pineda Mercedes , Armstrong Judith , Clarke Angus , Bahi‐Buisson Nadia , Mejaski Bosnjak Vlatka , Djuric Milena , Craiu Dana , Djukic Alexsandra , Pini Giorgio , Bisgaard Anne Marie , Melegh Bela , Vignoli Aglaia , Russo Silvia , Anghelescu Cristina , Veneselli Edvige , Hayek Joussef , Ben‐Zeev Bruria 
Published: March 2015

SummaryObjectiveRett syndrome is an X‐linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, and characterized by cognitive and communicative regression, loss of hand use, and midline hand stereotypies. Epilepsy is a core symptom, but literature is controversial regarding genotype–phenotype correlation. Analysis of data from a large cohort should overcome this shortcoming.MethodsData from the Rett Syndrome Networked Database on 1,248 female patients were included. Data on phenotypic and genotypic parameters, age of onset, severity of epilepsy, and type of seizures were collected. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM SPSS Version 21 software, logistic regression, and Kaplan‐Meier survival curves.ResultsEpilepsy was present in 68.1% of the patients, with uncontrolled seizures in 32.6% of the patients with epilepsy. Mean age of onset of epilepsy was 4.68 ± (standard deviation) 3.5 years. Younger age of onset was correlated to severity of epilepsy (Spearman correlation r = 0.668, p < 0.01). Patients with late truncating deletions had lower prevalence of epilepsy. Compared to them, the p.R133C mutation, associated with a milder Rett phenotype, increased the risk for epilepsy (odds ratio [OR] 2.46, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.3–4.66), but not for severe epilepsy. The p.R255X mutation conferred an increased risk for epilepsy (OR 2.07, CI 95% 1.2–3.59) as well as for severe epilepsy (OR 3.4, CI 95% 1.6–7.3). The p.T158M and p.C306C mutations relatively increased the risk for severe epilepsy (OR 3.09 and 2.69, CI 95% 1.48–6.4 and 1.19–6.05, respectively), but not for epilepsy occurrence.SignificanceVarious mutations in the MECP2 gene have a different influence on epilepsy, unrelated to the severity of the general Rett phenotype. This might suggest a site‐specific effect of MeCp2 on epileptic pathways. Further investigation of these mechanisms should promote better understanding of epileptogenesis in Rett syndrome.
Active Learning: Qualitative Inquiries Into Vocabulary Instruction in Chinese L2 Classrooms
Authors: Shen Helen H. , Xu Wenjing 
Published: March 2015

AbstractActive learning emerged as a new approach to learning in the 1980s. The core concept of active learning involves engaging students not only in actively exploring knowledge but also in reflecting on their own learning process in order to become more effective learners. Because the nonalphabetic nature of the Chinese writing system makes learning to read and write Chinese characters extremely time‐consuming for native English speakers, this qualitative study was intended to identify instructional strategies, methods, and activities for promoting active learning among beginning learners of Chinese as a second language and to investigate students' perceptions of the identified strategies, methods, and activities with regard to their effectiveness in engaging students in meaningful learning.
DNA markers for identifying interspecific hybrids between Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis
Authors: Tamura Ken‐ichi , Sanada Yasuharu , Shoji Atsushi , Okumura Kenji , Uwatoko Naohiro , Anzoua Kossonou Guillaume , Sacks Erik J. , Yamada Toshihiko 
Published: March 2015

AbstractInterspecific hybrids between Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis, such as Miscanthus × giganteus, are promising biomass crops for temperate regions. A set of DNA markers to distinguish both species would be a powerful tool for interspecific hybrid breeding. Out of 85 intron‐flanking primer pairs developed using genomic information from sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid) and Sorghum bicolor, seven were selected that showed polymorphisms between M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis. Four simple sequence repeat primer pairs were also screened that showed polymorphisms between both species from 44 previously developed primer pairs. Of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products generated by the 11 primer pairs, nine amplified fragments were specific to M. sacchariflorus and two were specific to M. sinensis, based on 83 accessions mainly from Japan but also including Chinese and Korean ones. Fragments specific to two species were detected in three known hybrid plants. These results indicate that combinations of these PCR fragments could be good markers for identifying hybrids of M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis obtained from breeding programs or from natural crosses between wild sympatric populations.
Dual‐Screened Vertical Circulation Wells for Groundwater Lowering in Unconfined Aquifers
Authors: Jin Yulan , Holzbecher Ekkehard , Sauter Martin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA new type of vertical circulation well (VCW) is used for groundwater dewatering at construction sites. This type of VCW consists of an abstraction screen in the upper part and an injection screen in the lower part of a borehole, whereby drawdown is achieved without net withdrawal of groundwater from the aquifer. The objective of this study is to evaluate the operation of such wells including the identification of relevant factors and parameters based on field data of a test site and comprehensive numerical simulations. The numerical model is able to delineate the drawdown of groundwater table, defined as free‐surface, by coupling the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian algorithm with the groundwater flow equation. Model validation is achieved by comparing the field observations with the model results. Eventually, the influences of selected well operation and aquifer parameters on drawdown and on the groundwater flow field are investigated by means of parameter sensitivity analysis. The results show that the drawdown is proportional to the flow rate, inversely proportional to the aquifer conductivity, and almost independent of the aquifer anisotropy in the direct vicinity of the well. The position of the abstraction screen has a stronger effect on drawdown than the position of the injection screen. The streamline pattern depends strongly on the separation length of the screens and on the aquifer anisotropy, but not on the flow rate and the horizontal hydraulic conductivity.
Photophobia in Primary Headaches
Authors: Rossi Heather L. , Recober Ana 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundPhotophobia is a debilitating feature of many headache disorders.OverviewClinical and preclinical research has identified several potential pathways involved in enhanced light sensitivity. Some of these structures include trigeminal afferents in the eye, second‐order neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, third‐order neurons in the posterior thalamus, modulatory neurons in the hypothalamus, and fourth‐order neurons in the visual and somatosensory cortices. It is unclear to what degree each site plays a role in establishing the different temporal patterns of photophobia across different disorders. Peptides such as calcitonin gene‐related peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide may play a role in photophobia at multiple levels of the visual and trigeminal pathways.ConclusionWhile our understanding of photophobia has greatly improved in the last decade, there are still unanswered questions. These answers will help us develop new therapies to provide relief to patients with primary headache disorders.
MUC5AC and MUC5B enhance the characterization of mucinous adenocarcinomas of the lung and predict poor prognosis
Authors: Kim Young K , Shin Dong H , Kim Kyung B , Shin Nari , Park Won Y , Lee Jung H , Choi Kyung U , Kim Jee Y , Lee Chang H , Sol Mee Y , Kim Mi H 
Published: March 2015

AimsFrom the viewpoint of histogenesis, lung adenocarcinoma can be subdivided into two groups: terminal respiratory unit (TRU) and non‐TRU types. We recently reported a non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma designated as ciliated adenocarcinoma (we now prefer central type adenocarcinoma). We suggest reasons that mucinous adenocarcinoma should encompass central type adenocarcinoma to represent its biological characteristics as non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma.Methods and resultsMucin (MUC)5AC and MUC5B were expressed more significantly in non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). Thirty‐five (76.1%) and 45 cases (97.8%) of 46 non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma showed positivity for MUC5AC and MUC5B. Twelve (7.6%) and eight (5.1%) cases of 157 TRU type adenocarainoma showed positivity for MUC5B and MUC5AC. NKX2‐1 gene expression was measured with quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). ΔΔCt of NKX2‐1 gene expression was 6.79 for TRU type adenocarcinoma and 0.6 for non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma. Overall survival and disease‐free survival were poorer in non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03). A multivariate test also showed that non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma is an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.04).ConclusionMUC5AC and MUC5B were specific makers for non‐TRU adenocarcinoma, including both central type adenocarcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma. We suggest that non‐TRU type adenocarcinoma presents a poorer prognosis, so it should be regarded separately from TRU type adenocarcinoma.
Becoming a Hitman
Authors: WILSON DAVID , RAHMAN MOHAMMED 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article discusses what might motivate someone to become a hitman. It does this by considering those hitmen identified as ‘Novices’ and ‘Dilettantes’ in the research by MacIntyre et al. () and then uses a critical analysis of a biography of one British hitman not considered in that article to pursue these ideas further. Throughout, we are keen to see how potential hitmen develop a psychological ‘reframing’ of their victim (Levi), so as to be able to achieve their objectives, and how this reframing might thereafter be maintained. Hitmen, it is argued, emerge as an extreme example of Hall's () ‘criminal undertakers’.
Circuit Class Therapy or Seven-Day Week Therapy for Increasing Rehabilitation Intensity of Therapy after Stroke (CIRCIT): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: English Coralie , Bernhardt Julie , Crotty Maria , Esterman Adrian , Segal Leonie , Hillier Susan 
Published: March 2015

Background Increased therapy has been linked to improvements in functional ability of people with stroke. Aim To determine the effectiveness of two alternative models of increased physiotherapy service delivery (seven-day week therapy or group circuit class therapy five days a week) to usual care. Method Three-armed randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcome. People admitted with a diagnosis of stroke, previously independently ambulant and with a moderate level of disability were recruited. ‘Usual care’ was individual physiotherapy provided five-days a week. Seven-day week therapy was usual care physiotherapy provided seven-days a week. Participants in the circuit class therapy arm of the trial received physiotherapy in group circuit classes in two 90-min sessions, five-days a week. Primary outcome was distance walked on the six-minute walk test at four-weeks post-randomization. Results Two hundred eighty-three participants were randomized; primary outcome data were available for 259 (92%). In the seven-day arm participants received an additional three hours of physiotherapy and thosein the circuit class armanadditional 22 h. There were no significant between-group differences at four-weeks in walking distance ( P = 0·72). Length of stay was shorter for seven-day (mean difference −2·9 days, 95% confidence interval −17·9 to 12·0) and circuit class participants (mean difference −9·2 days, 95% confidence interval −24·2 to 5·8) compared to usual care, but this was not significant. Conclusions Both seven-day therapy and group circuit class therapy increased physiotherapy time, but walking outcomes were equivalent to usual care.