bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graphical displays for assessing covariate balance in matching studies
Authors: Linden Ariel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesAn essential requirement for ensuring the validity of outcomes in matching studies is that study groups are comparable on observed pre‐intervention characteristics. Investigators typically use numerical diagnostics, such as t‐tests, to assess comparability (referred to as ‘balance’). However, such diagnostics only test equality along one dimension (e.g. means in the case of t‐tests), and therefore do not adequately capture imbalances that may exist elsewhere in the distribution. Furthermore, these tests are generally sensitive to sample size, raising the concern that a reduction in power may be mistaken for an improvement in covariate balance. In this paper, we demonstrate the shortcomings of numerical diagnostics and demonstrate how visual displays provide a complete representation of the data to more robustly assess balance.MethodsWe generate artificial datasets specifically designed to demonstrate how widely used equality tests capture only a single‐dimension of the data and are sensitive to sample size. We then plot the covariate distributions using several graphical displays.ResultsAs expected, tests showing perfect covariate balance in means failed to reflect imbalances at higher moments (variances). However, these discrepancies were easily detected upon inspection of the graphic displays. Additionally, smaller sample sizes led to the appearance of covariate balance, when in fact it was a result of lower statistical power.ConclusionsGiven the limitations of numerical diagnostics, we advocate using graphical displays for assessing covariate balance and encourage investigators to provide such graphs when reporting balance statistics in their matching studies.
Living with chronicity and complexity: Lessons for redesigning case management from patients' life stories – A qualitative study
Authors: Morales‐Asencio Jose Miguel , Martin‐Santos Francisco Javier , Kaknani Shakira , Morilla‐Herrera Juan Carlos , Cuevas Fernández‐Gallego Magdalena , García‐Mayor Silvia , León‐Campos Álvaro , Morales‐Gil Isabel María 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesCase management is commonly used to provide health care for patients with multiple chronic conditions. However, the most effective form of team organization and the necessary support structures need to be identified. In this respect, patients' views could provide a valuable contribution to improving the design of these services. To analyse the experiences of patients with chronic diseases and of caregivers, in relation to health care services and mechanisms, and to identify means of modelling case management services.MethodsThe method used was a qualitative study based on life stories, and semi‐structured interviews with 18 patients with complex chronic diseases and with their family caregivers, selected by purposeful sampling in primary health care centres in Andalusia (southern Spain) from 2009 to 2011.ResultsThree transition points were clearly identified: the onset and initial adaptation, the beginning of quality‐of‐life changes, and the final stage, in which the patients' lives are governed by the complexity of their condition. Health care providers have a low level of proactivity with respect to undertaking early measures for health promotion and self‐care education. Care is fragmented into a multitude of providers and services, with treatments aimed at specific problems.ConclusionsMany potentially valuable interventions in case management, such as information provision, self‐care education and coordination between services and providers, are still not provided.
THE CHOICE BETWEEN CALLABLE AND NONCALLABLE BONDS
Authors: Booth Laurence , Gounopoulos Dimitrios , Skinner Frank 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe examine the choice and the offer spreads between callable and noncallable bonds. We find significant differences by industry sector and therefore segment our results by financial and nonfinancial industries. For the financial sector, the popularity of callable and noncallable bonds is significantly related to the economic environment. Financial and high‐grade nonfinancial callable bonds are also more likely to be issued via a shelf prospectus. Although firms that issue callable bonds do not consistently display the characteristics associated with severe agency problems, the issue choice for below‐investment‐grade nonfinancial and lower rated financial bonds, where we can expect agency problems to be more severe, is more consistent with agency theory than is the issue choice for higher rated bonds.
BOARD DIVERSITY AND CEO SELECTION
Authors: Gupta Atul , Raman Kartik 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe find that the likelihood of a female CEO appointment increases with the proportion of female directors on the board. However, this positive relation is significant only in the subsample of firms where one of the directors is appointed CEO, and is insignificant in firms where the new CEO is not from the board. The results are consistent with the explanation that female directors constitute a supply of viable candidates for the CEO position, rather than female directors affecting the likelihood of female CEO appointments by interpreting noisy signals about the abilities of female candidates.
WHAT DOES βSMB > 0 REALLY MEAN?
Authors: Chen Hsiu‐lang , Bassett Gilbert 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA positive SMB coefficient in a Fama–French regression is often interpreted as signaling a portfolio weighted toward small‐cap stocks. We present a very large portfolio, which has a positive SMB coefficient for all periods. We emphasize that this is associated with the coexistence of both “M”—the market—and “SMB”—the mimicking portfolio for size—in the Fama–French three‐factor model. We explain why the model can attribute small size to large‐cap stocks and portfolios. The results highlight how coefficients should be interpreted when a self‐financing portfolio is used for portfolio attribution.
Cellular and molecular maturation in fetal and adult ovine calcaneal tendons
Authors: Russo Valentina , Mauro Annunziata , Martelli Alessandra , Di Giacinto Oriana , Di Marcantonio Lisa , Nardinocchi Delia , Berardinelli Paolo , Barboni Barbara 
Published: December 2014

AbstractProcesses of development during fetal life profoundly transform tendons from a plastic tissue into a highly differentiated structure, characterised by a very low ability to regenerate after injury in adulthood. Sheep tendon is frequently used as a translational model to investigate cell‐based regenerative approaches. However, in contrast to other species, analytical and comparative baseline studies on the normal developmental maturation of sheep tendons from fetal through to adult life are not currently available. Thus, a detailed morphological and biochemical study was designed to characterise tissue maturation during mid‐ (2 months of pregnancy: 14 cm of length) and late fetal (4 months: 40 cm of length) life, through to adulthood. The results confirm that ovine tendon morphology undergoes profound transformations during this period. Endotenon was more developed in fetal tendons than in adult tissues, and its cell phenotype changed through tendon maturation. Indeed, groups of large rounded cells laying on smaller and more compacted ones expressing osteocalcin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were identified exclusively in fetal mid‐stage tissues, and not in late fetal or adult tendons. VEGF, NGF as well as blood vessels and nerve fibers showed decreased expression during tendon development. Moreover, the endotenon of mid‐ and late fetuses contained identifiable cells that expressed several pluripotent stem cell markers [Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), SRY Determining Region Y Box‐2 (SOX2), Nanog Homeobox (NANOG) and Octamer Binding Transcription Factor‐4A (OCT‐4A)]. These cells were not identifiable in adult specimens. Ovine tendon development was also accompanied by morphological modifications to cell nuclei, and a progressive decrease in cellularity, proliferation index and expression of connexins 43 and 32. Tendon maturation was similarly characterised by modulation of several other gene expression profiles, including Collagen type I, Collagen type III, Scleraxis B, Tenomodulin, Trombospondin 4 and Osteocalcin. These gene profiles underwent a dramatic reduction in adult tissues. Transforming growth factor‐1 expression (involved in collagen synthesis) underwent a similar decrease. In conclusion, these morphological studies carried out on sheep tendons at different stages of development and aging offer normal structural and molecular baseline data to allow accurate evaluation of data from subsequent interventional studies investigating tendon healing and regeneration in ovine experimental models.
Histamine and substance P in synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Li W. , Long X. , Jiang S. , Li Y. , Fang W. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAlthough psychosocial factors and malocclusion are regarded as potential causes of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the underlying pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that substance P (SP), which has been associated with both psychosocial factors and malocclusion, and histamine, whose release can be induced by SP, may be implicated in the pathogenetic process. This study was designed to measure the concentration of histamine and SP in synovial fluid (SF) of both 38 patients with TMD and 11 healthy controls, and analyse the correlation between histamine and SP. Patients with TMD were divided into three subgroups: displaced disc with reduction (DDR), displaced disc without reduction (DDNR) and osteoarthritis (OA), with 10, 13, 15 subjects in every subgroup, respectively. After collecting SF samples, histamine and SP levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay analysis (ELISA) and calibrated by bicinchoninic acid (BCA)‐quantified protein level in the samples. The results suggest that OA group presented a significantly higher level of both histamine and SP than DDNR, DDR and healthy control groups. Histamine or SP in DDR and DDNR groups tend to be higher than control group, but no significance was found. Painful TMJs show higher histamine and SP than painless TMJs. Correlation analysis reveals a significant correlation between histamine and SP concentrations. Collectively, this study showed the changes of histamine and SP in the SF from different stages of TMD and found a significant correlation between the two substances, suggesting their potential implication in the pathogenesis of TMD.
Temporomandibular joint articulations on working side during chewing in adult females with cross‐bite and mandibular asymmetry
Authors: Yashiro K. , Iwata A. , Takada K. , Murakami S. , Uchiyama Y. , Furukawa S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryInfluence of mandibular asymmetry and cross‐bite on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articulation remained unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether/how the working‐side condylar movement irregularity and articular spaces during chewing differ between patients with mandibular asymmetry/cross‐bite and control subjects. The cross‐bite group and the control group consisted of 10 adult female patients and 10 adult female subjects, respectively. They performed unilateral gum‐chewing. The mandibular movements were recorded using a video‐based opto‐electronic system. The 3D articular surface of the TMJ for each individual was reconstructed using CT/MRI data. For local condylar points, the normalised jerk cost (NJC) towards normal direction to the condylar surface, the angle between tangential velocity vector and condylar long axis and intra‐articular space were measured. Three rotatory angles at centre of the condyle were also measured. During closing and intercuspation, (i) movements of posterior portion of the deviated side condyle showed significantly less smoothness as compared with those for the non‐deviated side and control subjects, (ii) the rotations of the condyle on the deviated side induced greater intra‐articular space at posterior and lateral portions. These findings suggest that chewing on the side of mandibular deviation/cross‐bite may cause irregular movement and enlarged intra‐articular space at posterior portion of the deviated side condyle.
Regulatory Focus and the Interpersonal Dynamics of Romantic Partners’ Personal Goal Discussions
Authors: Winterheld Heike A. , Simpson Jeffry A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGuided by regulatory focus theory, we examined how romantic partners’ chronic concerns with promotion (advancement) and prevention (security) shape the interpersonal dynamics of couples’ conversations about different types of personal goals. Members of 95 couples (N = 190) first completed chronic regulatory focus measures and then engaged in videotaped discussions of two types of goals that were differentially relevant to promotion and prevention concerns. Participants also completed measures of goal‐ and partner‐relevant perceptions. Independent observers rated the discussions for support‐related behaviors. Highly promotion‐focused people approached their partners more, perceived greater partner responsiveness, and received more support when discussing goals that were promotion‐relevant and that they perceived as less attainable. When partners’ responsiveness to promotion‐relevant goals was low, highly promotion‐focused people reported greater self‐efficacy regarding these goals. Highly prevention‐focused people perceived more responsiveness when partners were less distancing during discussions of their prevention‐relevant goals, and greater responsiveness perceptions reassured them that these goals are less disruptive to the relationship. These findings suggest that chronic concerns with promotion and prevention orient people to their relationship environment in ways that are consistent with these distinct motivational needs, especially when discussing goals that increase the salience of these needs.
Wisdom and Psychosocial Functioning in Later Life
Authors: Wink Paul , Staudinger Ursula M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe investigated the connection between wisdom‐related performance, personality, and generativity to further the understanding of how they are interrelated. Our sample consisted of 163 men and women 68–77 years of age, mostly White, and predominantly middle class. Wisdom was assessed with the performance‐based Berlin Wisdom Paradigm, with the remaining measures being mostly self‐report. As hypothesized, on the zero‐order level, wisdom‐related performance (WRP) was positively associated with (a) growth, a personality component indexed by Openness to Experience, psychological mindedness, and a sense of well‐being derived from growth, purpose in life, and autonomy; (b) adjustment, a personality component associated with life satisfaction, high levels of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, low Neuroticism, a sense of well‐being derived from positive relations with others, self‐acceptance, and environmental mastery; and (c) a generative concern for the welfare of others. Latent path analysis indicated that the bivariate associations between adjustment and wisdom and between generativity and wisdom were mediated by growth. Wise individuals are characterized by their ability to balance different personal strengths and interests, an integration that occurs, however, within the context of a dominant personality style marked by the pursuit of maturity through personal growth.
Effect of Fusarium culmorum Tri Gene Transcription on Deoxynivalenol and D3G Levels in Two Different Barley Cultivars
Authors: Faltusová Zuzana , Chrpová Jana , Salačová Linda , Džuman Zbyněk , Pavel Jozef , Zachariášová Milena , Hajšlová Jana , Ovesná Jaroslava 
Published: December 2014

AbstractFusarium culmorum is a phytopathogenic fungus causing Fusarium head blight (FHB), which negatively affects cereals by producing mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON). In this work, two barley cultivars, Chevron and Pedant, with different degrees of resistance to FHB were inoculated with F. culmorum. The transcription levels of the Fusarium Tri genes and barley UDP‐glycosyltransferase genes were investigated. The amounts of pathogen, DON and the detoxification product deoxynivalenol‐3‐O‐glucoside (D3G) were monitored. The greatest amounts of pathogen were detected at 21 days postinoculation (dpi) and were much lower in cv. Chevron than in cv. Pedant. No differences in the total DON conversion to D3G were observed between the cultivars. Ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (UBC) was identified and then used as a reference gene to monitor transcription of the Fusarium Tri genes in infected barley. Transcription of the F. culmorum Tri5, Tri4, Tri6 and Tri10 genes differed between the two cultivars. In the susceptible cultivar (Pedant), transcription of the Tri genes gradually increased from 1 dpi. In the more resistant Chevron, transcription of the Tri genes dramatically increased after 14 dpi and reached a maximum at 21 dpi. This very high but delayed transcription of Tri genes did not, however, result in a large accumulation of the mycotoxin DON. The difference between the cultivars in the transcription of barley defence genes (HvUGT13248 [GT2] and HvUGT5876 [GT1]) for UDP‐glycosyltransferases reflects the barley samples’ levels of infection. The difference in resistance to F. culmorum infection in the two cultivars is most likely not due to differences in DON detoxification, but may be due to activity against the pathogen and delayed transcription of the pathogen's Tri genes.
Associations between meal size, gastric emptying and post‐prandial plasma glucose, insulin and lactate concentrations in meal‐fed cats
Authors: Coradini M. , Rand J. S. , Filippich L. J. , Morton J. M. , O'Leary C. A. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryPlasma glucose and insulin concentrations are increased for 12–24 h in healthy cats following moderate‐ to high‐carbohydrate meals. This study investigated associations between gastric emptying time and post‐prandial plasma glucose, insulin and lactate concentrations in cats fed an extruded dry, high‐carbohydrate, moderate‐fat, low‐protein diet (51, 28, 21% metabolizable energy, respectively) once daily by varying meal volume. Eleven healthy, non‐obese, neutered adult cats were enrolled in a prospective study and fed to maintain body weight. Ultrasound examinations were performed for up to 26 h, and blood collections over 24 h after eating meals containing approximately 100% and 50% of the cats’ daily caloric intake (209 and 105 kJ/kg BW, respectively). Gastric emptying time was increased after a meal of 209 kJ/kg BW compared with 105 kJ/kg BW (median gastric emptying times 24 and 14 h, respectively; p = 0.03). Time for glucose to return to fasting was longer after the 209 kJ/kg BW meal (median 20 h; 25th and 75th percentiles 15 and 23 h, respectively) than the 105 kJ/kg BW meal (13, 12 and 14 h; p < 0.01); however, peak glucose was not higher after the 209 kJ/kg BW meal compared with the 105 kJ/kg BW meal [(mean ± SD) 6.6 ± 0.6 and 7.8 ± 1.2 mmol/l, respectively, p = 0.07]. Times for insulin to return to fasting were not significantly longer after the 209 kJ/kg BW meal than the 105 kJ/kg BW meal (p = 0.29).d‐ andl‐lactate concentrations were not associated with gastric emptying time or post‐prandial blood glucose and insulin. Based on results obtained, prolonged gastric emptying contributes to prolonged post‐prandial hyperglycemia in cats meal fed a high‐carbohydrate, low‐protein, dry diet and fasting times for cats’ meal‐fed diets of similar composition should be 14–26 h, depending on meal size.
Psychological and behavioural characteristics that distinguish street gang members in custody
Authors: Alleyne Emma , Wood Jane L. , Mozova Katarina , James Mark 
Published: December 2014

PurposeUsing social dominance theory, the primary aim of this study was to examine the attitudes and beliefs that reinforce status hierarchies and facilitate aggressive behaviour within and between gangs. The aim was also to determine whether these socio‐cognitive processes distinguished gang‐involved youth from non‐gang offenders in a custodial setting.MethodsGang‐involved youth and non‐gang offenders were recruited from a young offender institution located in the United Kingdom. Questionnaires assessing psychological (i.e., moral disengagement strategies, anti‐authority attitudes, hypermasculinity, and social dominance orientation) and behavioural (i.e., group crime) characteristics were administered individually. We hypothesized that gang‐involved youth would be affiliated with groups who engaged in more criminal activity than non‐gang offenders, and that they would report higher levels of endorsements than non‐gang youth across all of the psychological measures.ResultsWe found that gang‐involved youth were affiliated with groups who engage in more crimes than non‐gang offenders. We also found that social dominance orientation was an important factor related to gang involvement along with measures assessing group‐based hierarchies such as hypermasculinity, anti‐authority attitudes, and the moral disengagement strategies displacement of responsibility, dehumanization, and euphemistic labeling.ConclusionsThese findings fit within a social dominance theoretical framework as they highlight key psychological factors that feed into perceived status‐driven hierarchies that distinguish gang members from other types of offenders. These factors could be key to developments in treatment provision within custodial settings.
Health‐related quality of life among patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Haapamäki Johanna , Tenca Andrea , Sintonen Harri , Barner‐Rasmussen Nina , Färkkilä Martti A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsTo assess health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and to compare it with that of the general population. Also, to examine changes inHRQoL in newly diagnosedPSCpatients at a follow‐up 1–2 years later, and to compare theirHRQoL withHRQoL of newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Furthermore, sources of and need for disease‐related information amongPSCpatients were surveyed.MethodsPrimary sclerosing cholangitis patients filled in the survey questionnaire when attending an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography examination. The 15D served as a generalHRQoL instrument. The follow‐up questionnaire was mailed to the newly diagnosed patients 1–2 years later.ResultsNo significant difference was seen in 15D scores betweenPSCpatients and general population, but the dimensions of excretion (P < 0.001), depression (P = 0.003), distress (P = 0.003) and vitality (P = 0.005) were significantly lower inPSC. Age and symptoms affectedHRQoL but severity of biliary changes did not. Those with newly diagnosedIBDhad lower 15D scores than those withPSC. No significant changes were observed in 15D scores of newPSCpatients in the follow‐up. Many patients were dissatisfied with information received.ConclusionNewly diagnosedPSCpatients have betterHRQoL than doIBDpatients, and no significantHRQoL changes were observed in the mean follow‐up of 1.58 years afterPSCdiagnosis.ERCfindings did not correlate withHRQoL or symptoms.HRQoL ofPSCpatients was mostly comparable with that of general population, but special attention should be paid to patients' psychological well‐being.