bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Cholestyramine Ointment in Reduction of Postoperative Pain and Pain during Defecation after Open Hemorrhoidectomy: Results of a Prospective, Single‐center, Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial
Authors: Ala Shahram , Eshghi Fariborz , Enayatifard Reza , Fazel Payam , Rezaei Banafsheh , Hadianamrei Roja 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of cholestyramine ointment (15 %) in reducing postoperative pain at rest and during defecation after open hemorrhoidectomy.MethodsA total of 91 patients with third and fourth degree hemorrhoids undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy were included in this prospective, double‐blind, randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomly assigned to either cholestyramine ointment or placebo immediately after surgery, 12 h after surgery, and then every 8 h for 14 days. The primary outcomes were intensity of pain at rest and during defecation, measured with a visual analog scale, and the analgesic requirement, measured by amount of tramadol consumption.ResultsThe cholestyramine group had less postoperative pain than the placebo group at the 24th hour (1.84 ± 2.54 vs. 4.07 ± 3.35; P = 0.001) and 48th hour (0.18 ± 0.88 vs. 3.57 ± 3.45; P < 0.001) and less pain during defecation starting at the 48th hour (2.28 ± 2.96 vs. 4.77 ± 4.09; P = 0.001). Similarly, the average tramadol consumption at hours 24 and 48 was significantly lower for the cholestyramine group (5.32 ± 21.45 vs. 43.18 ± 61.56 mg at 24 h, and 4.48 ± 16.65 vs. 57.63 ± 65.47 mg at 48 h; P < 0.001). The only adverse event was pruritus, which had a lower frequency in the cholestyramine group but the difference was not significant until postoperative week 4 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsCompared with placebo, cholestyramine ointment (15 %) reduced postoperative pain at rest and on defecation, and consequently lowered the analgesic requirement after open hemorrhoidectomy.
Optimization of Enzymatic Synthesis of Tricaprylin in Ionic Liquids by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Pan Qiuyue , Yang Liping , Meng Xianghe 
Published: December 2012

AbstractTen 1,3‐dialkylimidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated as media for the enzymatic synthesis of tricaprylin, in comparison with the conventional organic solvent hexane. The results suggested that the esterification activity of Novozym 435 was higher than Lypozyme RM IM in all the ILs assayed. Novozym 435 showed higher catalytic activity in ILs with anions Tf2N− and PF6− than in BF4− and hexane. FTIR analysis of the secondary structure of the lipase indicated that a smaller decrease of the α‐helix was observed in [C4MIM] Tf2N and [C4MIM] PF6 than [C4MIM] BF4 and hexane, indicating that the anions of ILs might be a key factor for the activity of lipase in ILs. Process parameters (amount of lipase, caprylic acid/glycerol molar ratio, temperature and their interactive effects) were optimized in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4MIM]PF6) using Novozym 435 by response surface methodology. When the reactions were performed with the lipase amount of 6.1 % substrate mass at a caprylic acid/glycerol molar ratio of 4.5:1 and 66.7 °C, a higher yield was reached up to 92.4 %.
Treatment of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia with topical 5% imiquimod cream
Authors: Westermann Claudia , Fischer Anna , Clad Andreas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream for treating vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).MethodsIn a retrospective study, data were analyzed from 62 patients with biopsy‐diagnosed VIN stage I–III who were treated with 5% imiquimod cream at University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany, between 2004 and 2011. Several patient and lesion characteristics were evaluated, and follow‐up was 3–72 months (median 21 months).ResultsAmong 62 women treated, 47 (76%) showed a complete response, 12 (19%) showed a partial response, 2 (3%) showed a weak partial response, and 1 did not respond. Disease recurrence occurred for 17 (27%) women. Recurrence rates were significantly lower among HPV‐positive patients (P = 0.046), and among women younger than 65 years (P = 0.030). Patients without local inflammation during treatment were less likely to show a complete response (P = 0.049). Response rates did not depend on lesion size; however, women with large lesions required longer treatment and higher total dosages for a complete response.Conclusion5% imiquimod cream was found to be a favorable alternative to ablative treatment of VIN independently of lesion grading, appearance, and size. Patient age, HPV status, and occurrence of adverse effects significantly influenced treatment outcome.
Implementing labor flexibility: A missing link between acquired labor flexibility and plant performance
Authors: Sawhney Rajeev 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe existing studies conceptualize a direct relationship between acquired labor flexibility and plant performance, producing inconsistent empirical results, which makes the topic ripe for further inquiry. We believe acquiring labor flexibility is not sufficient; its implementation is an important intervening step when companies have to tackle accompanying technical and behavioral side effects of labor flexibility. In this paper, we develop and test a theoretical model in which we introduce an intervening variable to capture the implementation of labor flexibility. In addition, evolving human resource management practices that promote acquisition of labor flexibility are also examined in our model. Case studies in ten printed circuit board plants validated our model. Subsequently, survey data collected from 74 PCB plants was analyzed using Partial Least Squares method. Supporting the proposed model, the results show that the impact of acquired labor flexibility on plant performance is not direct but experienced through the sophistication of labor flexibility implementation exercised by the plant. Our findings also suggested that plants that emphasized process‐focused training, provided greater job‐rotation training, and designed positive reward structures, acquired higher labor flexibility.
Individual differences in the newsvendor problem: Behavior and cognitive reflection
Authors: Moritz Brent B. , Hill Arthur V. , Donohue Karen L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPrevious research has shown that when solving a newsvendor problem, individuals systematically and persistently deviate from the profit maximizing quantity. This paper investigates the relationship between cognitive reflection and newsvendor decision making, testing experienced supply chain professionals and subjects affiliated with a university business school in a newsvendor experiment. We find that in high and medium critical ratio environments, individuals with higher cognitive reflection exhibit a lower tendency to chase demand. We also find that cognitive reflection is related to task outcome measures including average expected profit, average order quantity and order quantity variance, and that cognitive reflection is a better predictor of performance than college major, years of experience, and managerial position. These results suggest that cognitive reflection contributes to an understanding of newsvendor decision‐making behavior.
Social preferences and emotions as regulators of behavior in processes⋆
Authors: Urda Julie , Loch Christoph H. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBehavior is driven not only by individual “(economically) rational” deliberation, but also by shortcuts (decision biases) and by social preferences (the achievement of status, reciprocal relationships, and group identity). An important aspect of these behavioral drivers is that they may operate (at least in part) through emotions. Emotions influence behavior in ways that are relevant to performance in processes; for example, anger prompts employees to refuse cooperation, fear inhibits workers’ willingness to take initiatives (for example, in continuous improvement), and shame motivates them to change behavior.This study provides experimental evidence that the social preferences systematically trigger emotions. This happens not “linearly” (more achievement of a social preference might be expected to cause more positive emotions), but rather in more complex patterns that regulate social relationships. Arbitrary (but earned) status signals trigger pride, while status achievement from being lucky does not. An externally (not by an own fault) caused status loss triggers anger and disgust. Not receiving cooperation by another person triggers anger, but more so if the cooperation failure violates a reciprocity expectation; the happiness form receiving cooperation by another person is attenuated by guilt and sadness is the subject itself has previously refused cooperation to the other person. Events happening to salient in‐group members trigger emotions as if they happened to subjects directly, including if the in‐group member behaves in an embarrassing way.These results are relevant for front‐line managers because they help predicting and interpreting emotional reactions of employees: awarding or withholding status, offering or demanding reciprocity, and the creation of in‐groups have emotional effects that depend on the context in predictable ways. Our results also contribute to theory by connecting literatures on emotions, decision making, and behavioral operations.
Anastrephaegg deposition induces volatiles in fruits that attract the parasitoidFopius arisanus
Authors: Pérez J. , Rojas J.C. , Montoya P. , Liedo P. , Castillo A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFopius arisanusis a solitary egg–pupal endoparasitoid that attacks several species of tephritid fruit flies, particularlyBactroceraspp. This species, indigenous from the Indo-Australian region, was introduced into Mexico for biological control purposes. From the standpoint of the ‘new associations’ concept this parasitoid has been evaluated against fruit flies in theAnastrephacomplex. We investigated the specificity ofF. arisanusresponses to fruits infested with two species ofAnastrepha. We examined whether fruit volatiles attractive to this parasitoid are induced as a result of fruit fly oviposition. We also investigated whetherF. arisanusfemales are able to discriminate between the oviposition-induced volatiles from host eggs parasitised by conspecifics and volatiles from unparasitised eggs. All experiments were performed in a wind tunnel. Results showed that mango fruits infested withA. ludenseggs (2–3 days after egg deposition) were significantly more attractive to naïveF. arisanusfemales compared with non-infested fruits or fruits infested with larvae. In addition, guava fruits harbouringA. striataeggs were significantly more attractive to the parasitoid than non-infested fruits or fruits infested with larvae. Thus, the parasitoid was attracted to fruits with eggs, but fruit and fly species did not influence the parasitoid attraction. We also found thatF. arisanusfemales were more attracted to fruits exposed to fertileA. ludensfemales (i.e. fruits with eggs inside) compared with fruits exposed to sterile females (i.e. fruits with no eggs inside) or fruits with mechanical damage. Parasitoid females were not attracted toA. ludenseggs. The results suggest that the presence of eggs induces volatiles that attract parasitoids. Finally, we found thatF. arisanuswas able to discriminate between fruits with unparasitised eggs vs. eggs parasitised by conspecifics, indicating that host discrimination could be mediated by olfactory cues.
Prenatal adversity: a risk factor in borderline personality disorder?
Authors: Schwarze C. E. , Mobascher A. , Pallasch B. , Hoppe G. , Kurz M. , Hellhammer D. H. , Lieb K. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundPatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show a high prevalence of early adversity, such as childhood trauma. It has also been reported that prenatal adverse conditions, such as prenatal maternal stress, drug taking, tobacco smoking or medical complications, may be associated with an increased risk of mental disorders in the offspring. Prenatal adversity is investigated here for the first time as a potential risk factor in the diagnosis of BPD.MethodA total of 100 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of BPD and 100 matched healthy controls underwent semi-structured interviews about the course of pregnancy, maternal stressors, birth complications and childhood trauma. Further information was obtained from the participants' mothers and from prenatal medical records.ResultsBorderline patients were significantly more often exposed to adverse intrauterine conditions, such as prenatal tobacco exposure (p=0.004), medical complications (p=0.008), prenatal maternal traumatic stress (p=0.015), familial conflicts (p=0.004), low social support (p=0.004) and partnership problems during pregnancy (p=0.014). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the reported prenatal risk factors accounted for 25.7% of the variance in BPD. Prenatal tobacco exposure [odds ratio (OR) 3.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49–7.65, p=0.004] and medical complications (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.29–6.38, p=0.010) emerged as important predictors. After controlling for childhood adversity and parental socio-economic status (SES), prenatal risk factors predicted relevant borderline subdomains, such as impulsivity, affective instability, identity disturbance, dissociation and severity of borderline symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of an association between prenatal adversity and the diagnosis of BPD. Our findings suggest that prenatal adversity may constitute a potential risk factor in the pathogenesis of BPD.
Impacts of duration of untreated psychosis on cognition and negative symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia: a 3-year prospective follow-up study
Authors: Chang W. C. , Hui C. L. M. , Tang J. Y. M. , Wong G. H. Y. , Chan S. K. W. , Lee E. H. M. , Chen E. Y. H. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundCognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia. Its relationship with duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), a potentially malleable prognostic factor, has been less studied, with inconsistent findings being observed in the literature. Previous research investigating such a relationship was mostly cross-sectional and none of those prospective studies had a follow-up duration beyond 2 years.MethodA total of 93 Hong Kong Chinese aged 18 to 55 years presenting with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder were studied. DUP and pre-morbid adjustment were measured using a structured interview incorporating multiple sources of information. Psychopathological evaluation was administered at intake, after clinical stabilization of the first psychotic episode, and at 12, 24 and 36 months. Cognitive functions were measured at clinical stabilization, and at 12, 24 and 36 months.ResultsDUP exerted differential effects on various cognitive domains, with memory deficits being the most related to DUP even when potential confounders including pre-morbid adjustment and sex were adjusted. Prolonged DUP was associated with more severe impairment in visual memory at clinical stabilization and verbal memory at 24 and 36 months. Further, patients with a long DUP were found to have worse outcomes on negative symptoms at 36 months. The effects of DUP on verbal memory remained significant even when negative symptoms were taken into consideration.ConclusionsOur findings provided further supportive evidence that delayed treatment to first-episode psychosis is associated with poorer cognitive and clinical outcomes. In addition, DUP may specifically affect memory function and its adverse impact on verbal memory may only become evident at a later stage of the recovery process.
II.—Asymptotic Renewal Theorems
Authors: Smith Walter L. 
Published: December 2012

SynopsisA sequence of non-negative random variables {Xi} is called a renewal process, and if the Xi may only take values on some sequence it is termed a discrete renewal process. The greatest k such that X1 + X2 + … + Xk ≤ x(> o) is a random variable N(x) and theorems concerning N(x) are renewal theorems. This paper is concerned with the proofs of a number of renewal theorems, the main emphasis being on processes which are not discrete. It is assumed throughout that the {Xi} are independent and identically distributed.If H(x) = Ɛ{N(x)} and K(x) is the distribution function of any non-negative random variable with mean K > o, then it is shown that for the non-discrete processwhere Ɛ{Xi} need not be finite; a similar result is proved for the discrete process. This general renewal theorem leads to a number of new results concerning the non-discrete process, including a discussion of the stationary “age-distribution” of “renewals” and a discussion of the variance of N(x). Lastly, conditions are established under whichThese new conditions are much weaker than those of previous theorems by Feller, Täcklind, and Cox and Smith.
III.—Statistics of the Electron-Multiplication Process in Proportional Counters
Authors: Byrne J. 
Published: December 2012

SynopsisThis paper is concerned with the theory of the probability distribution of the total number of electrons in the avalanche produced by the release of a single electron in the gas of a proportional counter. The disagreement between existing theory and experimental results is discussed and a new theory is proposed, based on the fact that fluctuations in the number of electrons at a given point in the avalanche are accompanied by fluctuations in the average electron energy. This aspect of the problem is incorporated directly into a simple one-dimensional model of the multiplication process, and the resulting distribution function has a mathematical foim in agreement with that observed experimentally.The fluctuation in the number of electrons predicted by this theory is not constant, but is determined by a parameter which, for large mean values, is essentially the mean fraction of electrons in the avalanche having energies above the ionization energy of the counter gas. Limits on the variation of this parameter are obtained by calculations of the mean values using a particular two-dimensional model, in which electrons are divided into two classes according as they have energies above, or below, the ionization energy. The experimentally observed fluctuation lies within the predicted range and close to the lower limit; it is concluded that there is little scope for improvement in the resolution to be obtained from the conventional type of proportional counter.
Painting a portrayal of narrators with learning disabilities from two narrative perspectives
Authors: CELINSKA DOROTA 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTTwo narrative perspectives, high point analysis and episodic analysis, were used to compare the ability of narrators with and without learning disabilities to fulfill the referential and evaluative narrative functions. The participants were 82 students with learning disabilities and their typically achieving peers matched on age, grade, gender, and ethnicity. The participants (48 Caucasian, 34 African American) attended urban and suburban schools (Grades 4–7). Narratives were collected within the context of a naturalistic conversation. The findings across the two narrative perspectives showed areas of incongruence in specific narrative competencies. While these findings expand the portrayal of narrators with learning disabilities, they also imply the impact of using specific narrative analyses and genres for the narrative assessment and intervention outcomes.
INVOLVEMENT OF CONSUMERS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES BY INAHTA AGENCIES
Authors: Hailey David , Werkö Sophie , Bakri Rugayah , Cameron Alun , Göhlen Britta , Myles Susan , Pwu Jasmine , Yothasamut Jomkwan 
Published: December 2012

Objectives: To obtain further information from members of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) on the involvement of consumers in their programs.Methods: A questionnaire for a survey was developed and sent to member agencies in November 2010. Survey responses were compared with those from an earlier survey conducted in 2005.Results: Of the thirty-three agencies that provided responses, 67 percent involve consumers in some aspects of their health technology assessment (HTA) programs, compared with 57 percent in 2005. As in the earlier survey, most agencies reporting involvement have contact with consumer or patient organizations and a large minority also involve individual consumers. Summaries of HTA reports that are intended to be easily understood by consumers are prepared by 84 percent of the agencies, and 42 percent involve consumers in dissemination of HTA material. In both areas, there was some increase from the levels previously reported.Conclusions: The survey results suggest that there is a trend to increased involvement of consumers by the INAHTA agencies in their programs but that the level of involvement remains relatively limited. The manner of consumer participation varies between agencies.
Microenvironments in marine sediments
Authors: Anderson J. G. , Meadows P. S. 
Published: December 2012

SynopsisShallow water and intertidal marine sediments are often heterogeneous. This heterogeneity has led to a definition of microenvironments and their associated biological species. The definition encompasses habitat and species size, species behaviour and physiology, stability and environmental interfaces. We distinguish between open and closed interfaces, and suggest an associated topological structure. Examples are given from the intertidal zone. Three of these are discussed in detail.(i)Sand grains. The occurrence of periphytic micro-organisms on sand grains is considered. The topography of the sand grain surface is closely related to the distribution of microbial colonies some of which contain a range of species. Bacteria, blue-green algae and diatoms have been identified. Species interactions and micro-variation in sediment physico-chemistry are likely to affect the constituents, distribution and abundance of the colonies. The activities of periphytic micro-organisms change the bulk properties of sediments.(ii)Banding in sediments.Characteristic banding patterns are described from a sandy and muddy intertidal shore. Marked discontinuities in the microbial flora and physico-chemical properties occur at interfaces between the bands. For example, Eh, chlorophyll levels, and sulphide can all change dramatically over a few mm. The significance of these alterations for the meiobenthic and interstitial fauna is discussed.(iii)Invertebrate burrow linings.Bioturbation structures including invertebrate burrows change local properties of sediments. The microbial and chemical properties ofNereis diversicolorburrow linings are described in detail. Sediment from the burrow lining closely resembles the sediment surface in many of its attributes. The sediment/water interfacial zone with its associated microbial and chemical properties is therefore extended vertically into sediments by these structures. Attention is drawn to the stabilising function of burrows and to their palaeoecological significance.
Bracken control by asulam
Authors: Heywood B. J. 
Published: December 2012

SynopsisThe chemical, physical and biological properties of asulam make this herbicide well suited for the selective control of bracken in various situations. These properties are reviewed and conditions considered to optimise the control of bracken and minimise the effect on the environment on both a short- and long-term basis.The role of surfactants and mineral oils is considered.