bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Oscillation Stimulation as Treatment of Acute Migraine: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Juto Jan‐Erik , Hallin Rolf G. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo assess the relief of migraine pain, especially in the acute phase, by comparing active treatment, ie, kinetic oscillation stimulation (KOS) in the nasal cavity, with placebo.BackgroundExploratory trials testing the efficacy of KOS on migraine patients indicated that this treatment could be a fast‐acting remedy for acute migraine pain.MethodThirty‐six patients were randomized 1:1 using a placebo module to active or placebo treatment in this double‐blinded parallel design study. Treatment was administered with a minimally invasive inflatable tip oscillating catheter. Symptom scores (0–10 visual analog scale) were obtained before treatment, every 5 minutes during treatment, at 15 minutes, 2, and 24 hours post‐treatment, as well as daily (0–3 migraine pain scale) from 30 days pretreatment until Day 60 post. Thirty‐five patients were evaluated (active n = 18, placebo n = 17). The primary end‐point was the change in average pain score from before treatment to 15 minutes after treatment.ResultsPatients who received active treatment reported reduced pain, eg, average visual analog scale pain scores fell from 5.5 before treatment to 1.2 15 minutes after, while the corresponding scores for recipients of placebo fell from 4.9 to 3.9. The changes in pain scores differed between the 2 treatments by 3.3 points (95% confidence interval: 2.3, 4.4), P < .001. Already 5 minutes into the treatment, the difference (1.9 points) was significant (P = .007). The difference was likewise significant at 2 hours post‐treatment (3.7 points, P < .001). One patient experienced an adverse event (a vasovagal reaction with full spontaneous recovery) during placebo treatment.ConclusionKOS is an effective and safe treatment for acute migraine pain.
Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Chronic and Episodic Migraine
Authors: Condello Cecilia , Piano Virginie , Dadam Daria , Pinessi Lorenzo , Lantéri‐Minet Michel 
Published: December 2014

Objective/BackgroundThis study aims to compare differences in pain beliefs according to headache type, chronic vs episodic migraine, in a large cohort of patients, using thePainBeliefs andPerceptionsInventory (PBPI), and to identify possible predictive factors of the same pain beliefs.MethodsAll patients referring for the first time at our center in 2011 were screened usingPBPIand theHamiltonAnxiety andDepressionScale (a total of 1032 patients).PBPIis a 4‐subscale questionnaire that explores a patient's personal beliefs on their subjective experience of pain. Headache patients also completed theHeadacheImpactTest (HIT‐6) and a 30‐day headache diary. For all participants, age, gender, duration of pain were collected. The sample was narrowed down to 899 as we experienced a nonresponse rate of 12.8%. For the purpose of this study, 2 groups were identified: chronic and episodic migraine, consisting of 116 and 126 patients, respectively, which were compared usingStudent'st‐test; correlation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between variables before running a model selection based onAkaike's InformationCriterion to identify possible predictive factors of different pain beliefs. Patients below 18 years of age and those diagnosed with other painful conditions were excluded from the analysis.ResultsBeliefs from chronic and episodic migraine patients were very similar, with only a difference in beliefs related to constancy of pain (Mean value ± SD0.5 ± 1.1 vs −0.6 ± 1.1,P < .001). Predictive factors were depression andHIT‐6 scores for allPBPIsubscales apart from Self‐Blame, which showed a stronger relation to anxiety scores. Number of days with headache per month was correlated to higher constancy values. Diagnosis was a predictive factor for any particular belief.DiscussionThis is the first study, to our knowledge, that addresses differences and predictive factors in pain beliefs according to headache diagnosis. A deeper knowledge of beliefs pattern in patients could lead to better‐tailored psychological management.
Islamic Architecture and Institutions in the Late Medieval City
Authors: Wolper Ethel Sara 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThere are a number of competing and complementary analytic keys to understanding the architecture and institutions of the late medieval Islamic city. My discussion of the socioeconomic place of Islamic architecture within the late medieval city is built around three arguments. The first point is that by the late medieval period, there were a number of crucial institutions, many with recognizable building types, which could be found in most cities in the lands of Islam. Some of these buildings, such as the madrasa, were distinctively Muslim in that they answered to specific needs within Muslim society, in general, and the late medieval period in particular. Others, such as the mausoleum, though found in many societies, formed crucial parts of the late medieval cities of the Islamic world. My second theme is that the study of Islamic architecture and urbanism of the past two decades tells us as much about changes in historiographic focus as it does the special role of architecture within society. Part of this is due to the fact that the field of Islamic urban studies is a relatively new one that has been enriched as well as caught in the search for its own identity. Searches for Iranian, Turkish, and Arab elements not to mention Mediterranean or Asian ones have pushed the field in a number of sometimes conflicting directions that make the study of Islamic architecture and institutions difficult, but as my third point argues, not impossible. My third point is reflected in new and exciting scholarship that focuses on the great urban historians of the medieval period who have left us detailed descriptions of the cities and buildings of the Muslim world.
What do mouse models of muscular dystrophy tell us about the DAPC and its components?
Authors: Whitmore Charlotte , Morgan Jennifer 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThere are over 30 mouse models with mutations or inactivations in the dystrophin‐associated protein complex. This complex is thought to play a crucial role in the functioning of muscle, as both a shock absorber and signalling centre, although its role in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy is not fully understood. The first mouse model of muscular dystrophy to be identified with a mutation in a component of the dystrophin‐associated complex (dystrophin) was the mdx mouse in 1984. Here, we evaluate the key characteristics of the mdx in comparison with other mouse mutants with inactivations in DAPC components, along with key modifiers of the disease phenotype. By discussing the differences between the individual phenotypes, we show that the functioning of the DAPC and consequently its role in the pathogenesis is more complicated than perhaps currently appreciated.
Wheelchair users as consumers: accessibility of supermarkets in Gaborone, Botswana
Authors: Mafatlane Gertrude R. , Fidzani Lily C. , Gobotswang Kesitegile S.M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEven though some accessibility standards have been set in Botswana to create accessible public buildings including supermarkets by wheelchair users, architectural barriers are still found in these places. The purpose of the study was to assess the interior and exterior accessibility of supermarkets by wheelchair users including determining their shopping experiences. The research used a mixed model study design in which data were collected using an observation checklist to assess 30 supermarkets alongside in‐depth interviews with six wheelchair users. The quantitative data were analysed using the computer software Statistical Packages for Social Sciences 19.0 and qualitative data were grouped into emerging themes. The findings indicated that in the exterior, all supermarkets did not have directional arrows to the disabled parking. However, all the supermarkets had an accessible wide entrance and suitable non‐slippery flooring. The interior revealed that all supermarkets did not have appropriate devises to assist wheelchair users to pick items from higher shelves and in some supermarkets, till counters were high for wheelchair users. From the interviews, the emerging themes were loss of freedom to shop, poor maintenance for disability facilities and disregard for disability parking spaces. In conclusion, while supermarkets had made some provision for wheelchair users from the parking lot to the entrance, there was less accessibility inside the supermarkets. There is need for an Act in Botswana that will ensure accessibility of public spaces.
The effect of latanoprost on vitiligo: a preliminary comparative study
Authors: Anbar Tag S. , El‐Ammawi Tarek S. , Abdel‐Rahman Amal T. , Hanna Michel R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractLatanoprost (LT), a prostaglandin F 2alpha (PGF2a) analogue used in the treatment of glaucoma, was found to induce skin pigmentation in guinea pigs in addition to its known periocular and iridal pigmentation side effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical LT in the induction of skin repigmentation in patients with vitiligo and to compare its potency with narrow band ultraviolet (UV) B (NB‐UVB). The result of their combination was also assessed. This study involved 22 patients with bilateral and symmetrical vitiligo lesions, stable for the last three months, divided into three groups: group I, to evaluate LT vs. placebo; group II, to evaluate LT vs. NB‐UVB; and group III, to evaluate the effect of their combination. The response to treatment was evaluated by taking photographic records of the treated lesions with follow‐up photography every two weeks. After three months, assessment of the degree and extent of repigmentation was performed. Follow‐up assessment was done six months after termination of the trial for the persistence of pigmentation, recurrence, or development of any side effects. LT was found to be better than placebo and comparable with the NB‐UVB in inducing skin repigmentation. This effect was enhanced by the addition of NB‐UVB. LT could be a promising treatment for vitiligo, especially the periocular variant. Its effect on skin repigmentation could be enhanced by NB‐UVB exposure.
Feasibility and cost of a medical student proxy‐based mobile teledermatology consult service with Kisoro, Uganda, and Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Authors: Greisman Laura , Nguyen Tan M. , Mann Ranon E. , Baganizi Michael , Jacobson Mark , Paccione Gerald A. , Friedman Adam J. , Lipoff Jules B. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe expansion of mobile technology and coverage has unveiled new means for delivering medical care to isolated and resource‐poor communities. Teledermatology, or dermatology consultation from a distance using technology, is gaining greater acceptance among physicians and patients.ObjectivesTo evaluate feasibility and cost of a smartphone‐based teledermatology consult service utilizing a designated medical student proxy to facilitate all consults on site, and to evaluate the service's effect upon diagnosis and management.MethodsAn IRB‐approved smartphone‐based teledermatology consult service was established to serve two rural communities in the developing world: Kisoro, Uganda, and Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. Fourth‐year medical students were recruited as proxies for each site, responding to consults by local doctors and transmitting photographs and clinical information via a smartphone application to a dermatology resident and attending in the USA over an encrypted website. At the Ugandan site, when indicated, the medical student performed skin biopsies under supervision, and rotating Montefiore residents transported specimens back to the USA.ResultsFrom October 2011 to August 2012, 93 cases were evaluated by the consult service (57 from Uganda and 36 from Guatemala). Initial diagnoses changed completely in 55.9% (52 of 93) of cases, and management changes were recommended in 89.2% (83 of 93) of cases. The estimated total cost of supplies and technology was 42.01 USD per consult and 64.24 USD per biopsy (including processing). Given fixed upfront costs, the cost per consult decreased with each additional case.ConclusionSmartphone‐based systems for teledermatology consultation using a medical student proxy are feasible for delivery of care in the developing world at relatively little cost. Optimization and sustainability of this system requires and deserves further investigation in larger studies.
What Do We Know about Base Erosion and Profit Shifting? A Review of the Empirical Literature
Authors: Dharmapala Dhammika 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe issue of tax‐motivated income shifting within multinational firms – or ‘base erosion and profit shifting’ (BEPS) – has attracted increasing global attention in recent years. This paper provides a survey of the empirical literature on this topic. Its emphasis is on reviewing and elucidating what is known about the magnitude of BEPS. The paper discusses different empirical approaches to identifying income shifting, describes existing data sources, and summarises the findings of the empirical literature. A major theme that emerges from this survey is that in the more recent empirical literature, which uses new and richer sources of data, the estimated magnitude of BEPS is typically much smaller than that found in earlier studies. The paper seeks to provide a framework within which to conceptualise this magnitude and its implications for policy. It concludes by highlighting the importance of existing legal and economic frictions as constraints on BEPS and by discussing possible ways in which future research might model these frictions more precisely.
Why Are Banks Paying So Little UK Corporation Tax?
Authors: Meeks Geoff , Meeks J. Gay 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper explores the dramatic fall in receipts of UK corporation tax (UKCT) from banks, and the widening gap between the global corporation tax recorded as payable in banks' financial statements and the UKCT receipts recorded by the tax authorities. It reviews possible explanations, including changes in tax rates, in operating profits, in deductions which reduce taxable profits, and in the share of profit originating in, or recorded in, overseas jurisdictions. It assigns significant roles to tax‐deductible asset impairments and to the allocation of profits among different jurisdictions. It suggests reasons why the recovery in banks' global operating profits may not be accompanied by an early sharp recovery in UKCT receipts.
Taxable Corporate Profits
Authors: Griffith Rachel , Miller Helen 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRevenues from corporate income taxes have remained relatively stable as a share of national income over the last three decades despite reductions in corporate tax rates and increased opportunities for multinational tax avoidance. This is largely explained by an increase in the share of corporate profits in national income. In this paper, we discuss the sources of corporate profits, and specifically corporate taxable profits; these include a normal return to capital investment, returns to labour or entrepreneurial effort that are realised as dividends or capital gains, and returns to market power. We relate these components of profits to the ways that corporate taxes can change incentives to invest or exert effort, and we discuss some implications for policy.
Shifting the Status Quo: Constitutional Reforms in Chile
Authors: Fuentes Claudio 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis article outlines the factors that explain changes in the rules of the game in Chile after the restoration of democracy in 1990. It looks particularly at the reasons why the right-wing parties—strong defenders of the constitution imposed by General Augusto Pinochet in 1980—accepted reforms that eliminated many of what the literature has termed authoritarian enclaves. The article explains this shift by observing significant changes in the political context that, in turn, affected the priorities of veto players. In this context, short-term strategic calculations by the right-wing parties, aiming to achieve a new balance of power less detrimental to their interests, opened a window of opportunity that led to congressional approval of important reforms. Particular institutional features of the Chilean political system—party discipline and a balance of power in favor of the executive—also helped the political actors to reach agreement.
A cross‐sectional survey of factors related to inpatient assault of staff in a forensic psychiatric hospital
Authors: Kelly Erin L. , Subica Andrew M. , Fulginiti Anthony , Brekke John S. , Novaco Raymond W. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTo understand staff factors associated with patient aggression towards the staff of an inpatient forensic psychiatric hospital.BackgroundViolence by patients is a serious concern in psychiatric hospitals and staff are the most frequent targets of physical and verbal assault. Assault and its consequences can severely disrupt the hospital environment and impair the functioning of staff members and patients. This study examined the interplay of staff dispositional and interpersonal factors associated with patient violence.DesignThis cross‐sectional study surveyed the staff of a large public forensic hospital.MethodsA sample of 348 psychiatric staff participated in an online survey about their workplace experiences, psychosocial characteristics and well‐being. Data were collected from November – December 2011.FindingsNearly all staff reported verbal conflict with patients (99%) and 70% reported being assaulted during the previous 12 months. Verbal conflict with other staff (92%) was also high. Multiple regression analyses indicated that in addition to static risk factors (i.e. staff position, years of experience and gender), the risk of assault was associated with the frequency of conflicts with staff and patients, which in turn was moderated by personal stress reactivity.ConclusionPhysical violence by patients was a pervasive threat for a high proportion of staff. Frequent conflict interactions with volatile patients contributed the most risk, but reactivity to conflict was a dynamic risk factor. The strain associated with assault risk and stress reactivity could be prospectively mitigated by resilience enhancement programming for staff.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in alopecia areata: missing link?
Authors: Abou Rahal J. , Kurban M. , Kibbi A.‐G. , Abbas O. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundType I interferon (IFN) signature has been implicated in alopecia areata (AA). However, type I IFN source has never been documented. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are generally known to be the main source and most potent producers of local type I IFNs. Their role in AA pathogenesis has never been investigated.ObjectiveInvestigate PDC role in AA.MethodsNineteen AA cases were retrieved from our database and were immunohistochemically tested for PDC occurrence and activity using anti‐BDCA‐2 and anti‐MxA antibodies respectively. Comparison to 10 trichotillomania and 7 androgenetic alopecia (AGA) cases was also done.ResultsPlasmacytoid dendritic cells were present in all AA cases in a peri‐bulbar location and, as indirectly assessed by MxA expression, were in an active state producing type I IFNs. All trichotillomania cases showed the presence of PDCs, though significantly less abundant and in a different distribution (mainly superficial perivascular) than that in AA. PDC presence and MxA expression were absent in AGA.ConclusionsPlasmacytoid dendritic cells constitute a central component of the peribulbar infiltrate in AA suggesting a significant role in AA pathogenesis. Additionally, PDC distribution could help in microscopically differentiating AA from trichotillomania or AGA.
DNA barcoding of Bradysia (Diptera: Sciaridae) for detection of the immature stages on agricultural crops
Authors: Shin S. , Jung S. , Heller K. , Menzel F. , Hong T. K. , Shin J. S. , Lee S. H. , Lee H. , Lee S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe investigated the usefulness of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) DNA barcoding of the genus Bradysia for the detection of immature stages and cryptic species complex. Although the larvae of some species in this genus are agricultural pests, immature stages are rarely identified due to the lack of key morphological characteristics. We constructed partial sequences of the COI gene for 25 species of Bradysia as a first step towards a DNA barcode. Using these data, Bradysia impatiens, B. procera and B. peraffinis were identified from larval specimens collected, respectively, from paprika, ginseng and oak sawdust beds used for cultivating shiitake. Our findings reveal a complex of three species within the B. tilicola group. These species were all identified as important pest B. ocellaris based on the morphology of male genital structures; however, the interspecific genetic divergence of the COI region was significantly greater (16.1–19.4%) than the intraspecific variation in each species. Therefore, B. ocellaris may consist of at least three species. The results demonstrate that COI DNA barcodes are useful for Bradysia species identification.
Characteristic Process Variables during the Osmotic Dehydration of Stone Fruits: Experimental Values and Correlations between Components Content
Authors: Rodriguez Anabel , Rodriguez Maria Marcela , Mascheroni Rodolfo Horacio 
Published: December 2014

AbstractStone fruits (plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries and apricots) are widely consumed fresh or processed. Osmotic dehydration – immersion of food pieces in hypertonic solutions – is often used as a pretreatment to further conservation procedures for these fruits. Usually, it is characterized determining the variation with time of water loss and solution solids gain. Both variables depend on food size, shape, structure and process conditions, and there are no general correlations for their variation.As an alternative, it is important to develop relations between water and soluble solids content independent of product characteristics and process conditions.In this work, we developed experimental values of relevant variables for stone fruits dehydrated in glucose or sorbitol and included them in linear correlations between water content and soluble solids for different stone fruits dehydrated in sugar or polyalcohol solutions and in a general linear correlation that allows to characterize both properties with only one rapid determination (of any of both).Practical ApplicationsLinear correlations for the variation of soluble solids content as a function of water content during osmotic dehydration were generalized to a unique linear regression equation independent of type of fruit and/or solute and valid for any process condition, which allows to characterize both properties with only one rapid determination (of any of both). This correlation can be easily used under process conditions to monitor the advance of osmotic dehydration of fruits.