bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐reported recent testing and diagnosis for sexually transmitted infections among regular ecstasy users in Australia, 2011–2012
Authors: Nguyen Phuong L. T. , Bruno Raimondo , Alati Rosa , Lenton Simon , Burns Lucy , Dietze Paul M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies suggest that people who consume alcohol and drugs are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). We examined the prevalence and predictors of self‐reported STI testing and diagnosis among self‐reported regular ecstasy users (REU).MethodsNine hundred and fifty‐five REUs from the 2011 and 2012 Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System were included in the analysis. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression were used to identify predictors of recent STI testing, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of recent STI diagnosis.ResultsForty‐four per cent of REUs reported having a recent STI test, and 5% reported a recent diagnosis. Of the 421 REUs who reported a recent test, 10% reported a recent STI diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, REUs were more likely to report a recent STI test if they were female versus male [risk ratio (RR) = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.36−1.80], aged 25–29 years versus 16–19 years (RR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.05−1.72), or reported ≥2 casual sex partners versus no casual partners (RR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.01–2.14). REUs reporting cannabis use in the past six months were 0.78 times less likely to report a recent STI test (95% CI = 0.66−0.94). There were no significant predictors associated with STI diagnosis.ConclusionEncouragingly, REUs who reported having multiple casual partners in the past six months were more likely to report a recent test. However, younger REUs aged 16–19 years were least likely to test, suggesting health promotion needs to be directed to this age group. Further research is required to explain the lower testing among cannabis users.
The Lord's Prayer in Eastern Spirituality
Authors: Dumitraşcu Nicu 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis article first speaks briefly of prayer in general and its essence; and then discusses various kinds of prayer in the Orthodox Christian tradition, chief among which is personal prayer made in private, and liturgical prayer celebrated in church. There is also spontaneous prayer, less favored in Orthodoxy, where the model prayer is the Lord's Prayer. The main part of the article examines the petitions that make up the Lord's Prayer and the interpretation given to them by patristic writers. It concludes by affirming the unique character of the prayer, which can be regarded as the perfect summary of the Christian message.
“The Only Safe Guide is Love”: Models of Engaging Luther's Ethical Hermeneutic for Theological Responses to the Affirmation of Same‐Sex Sexuality
Authors: Cox Jillian 
Published: December 2013

AbstractLutheran theological discussions over the morality of same‐sex sexuality not only raise “ethical” questions, but point to deeper interpretive tensions that arise when resources of the tradition are interpreted in new contexts. Responding to these debates, in this article I propose that Luther's application of the law to challenging ethical situations provides a historically situated hermeneutic that can redirect theological discussions on same‐sex sexuality. Drawing upon feminist Lutheran and queer theological work, I consider how we may reengage with Luther in a way that is both faithful to his commitments, and also takes queer people seriously as moral subjects.
Ca(OH)2 application modes: in vitro alkalinity and clinical effect on bacteria
Authors: Sirén E. K. , Kerosuo E. , Lavonius E. , Meurman J. H. , Haapasalo M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo compare five calcium hydroxide (CH) products, CH‐gutta‐percha Plus points® (CHGP) and conventional CH paste, for their ability to maintain alkalinity and to assess the clinical antimicrobial effect of CHGP.MethodologyCalcium hydroxide products were tested in the presence of standardized dentine powder or by titrating them with 1 mol HCl, expressed in mL (±SD). In a clinical trial, 21 single‐rooted teeth with primary apical periodontitis were medicated with CHGP or with conventional CH paste. Bacterial samples were taken before and after chemo‐mechanical preparation, after dressing and after leaving canals empty but sealed. To compare groups, anova with Tukey's test was used in the laboratory study and Fisher's exact test in the clinical study. Significance level was set at 5%.ResultsPure CH with water (8.5 ± 0.1) and Calasept (9.3 ± 0.1) maintained the highest alkalinity, followed by the gel‐like products DS CaOH gel (7.3 ± 0.3) and Ultracal XS (6.8 ± 0.2) and then Biokalkki (6.3 ± 0.3) and Calxyl blue (5.1 ± 0.2). All CH paste products had higher values compared with CHGP (1.6 ± 0.1) (P < 0.05). Saturated solutions of the products were all neutralized to pH 8.6 within 24 h by dentine powder addition. Clinically, culture‐negative results were obtained in 5/10 canals in the CHGP group and 7/11 with conventional CH (P > 0.05).ConclusionsAqueous CH mixtures kept high pH better than viscous gel products or CHGP. Dentine powder had equal buffering effect on each product tested. CHGP and traditional CH paste both had an antimicrobial effect in the clinical setting, but there was no significant difference between the groups.
Does mechanical bowel preparation ameliorate damage from rectal injury in radical prostatectomy? Analysis of 151 rectal injury cases
Authors: Sugihara Toru , Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Kattan Michael W , Homma Yukio 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether mechanical bowel preparation before radical prostatectomy ameliorates damage from rectal injury in radical prostatectomy.MethodsAmong 35 099 radical prostatectomy cases in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database 2007–2012, those where a rectal injury occurred were stratified into a preoperative mechanical bowel preparation group (polyethylene glycol electrolyte, magnesium citrate solution and sodium picosulfate) and a non‐mechanical bowel preparation group. The associations between mechanical bowel preparation and rectal injury were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis for: (i) subsequent infectious complications; (ii) requirement of delayed colostomy formation after primary closure; (iii) postoperative length of stay; and (iv) total costs. Covariates were age, surgical approach, Charlson Comorbidity Index, T and N category, hospital volume, hospital academic status, and colostomy formation.ResultsOverall, 151 rectal injury cases (0.43%) were identified. Of those, 73 patients (48%) received mechanical bowel preparation. Multivariate analyses showed that all four outcomes were not statistically different between mechanical bowel preparation and non‐mechanical bowel preparation groups (infectious complication rate: 12% vs 10%, P = 0.80; delayed colostomy rate: 21% vs 31%, P = 0.34; length of stay: 28 vs 30 days, P = 0.84; and total costs: $24 665 vs $23 837, P = 0.81).ConclusionOur analysis did not detect a beneficial impact of mechanical bowel preparation on perioperative morbidity associated with rectal injury during radical prostatectomy. This finding suggests that mechanical bowel preparation might be safely omitted before radical prostatectomy.
Fiscal Consequences of Paying Interest on Reserves
Authors: Bassetto Marco , Messer Todd 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe review the role of the central bank's balance sheet in a textbook monetary model and explore what changes if the central bank is allowed to pay interest on its liabilities. When the central bank (CB) cannot pay interest, away from the zero lower bound its (real) balance sheet is limited by the demand for money. Furthermore, if securities are not marked to market and the central bank holds its bonds to maturity, it is impossible for the CB to make losses, and it always obtains profits from being a monopoly provider of money. When the option of paying interest on liabilities is allowed, the limit on the CB's balance sheet is lifted. In this case, the CB is free to take on interest‐rate risk – for example, by buying long‐term securities and financing those purchases with short‐term debt that pays the market interest rate. This is a risky enterprise that can lead to additional profits but also to losses. To the extent that losses exceed the profits of the monopoly operations, the CB faces two options: either it is recapitalised by Treasury or it increases its monopoly profits by raising the inflation tax.
The Effect of Marriage Tax Penalties and Subsidies on Marital Status
Authors: Fisher Hayley 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe United States personal income tax system treats married and unmarried couples differently, creating both penalties and subsidies for marriage. This paper examines the effect of these penalties and subsidies on the choice of marital status. Endogeneity between the marriage penalty a couple faces and its marital status is dealt with using a simulated instrument capturing variation in the tax code over time and between states. I find that a $1,000 change in the financial incentive for marriage has a 1.7 percentage point (1.9 per cent) effect on the probability of marriage. This effect is symmetric for subsidies and penalties and, whilst modest, is four times larger than previously estimated. Lower education groups and couples without children are the most responsive.
Fiscal Consolidations and Economic Growth
Authors: Hernández de Cos Pablo , Moral‐Benito Enrique 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to deepen the understanding of the macroeconomic consequences of fiscal consolidations. In particular, there is evidence in the literature of fiscal consolidation episodes producing (non‐Keynesian) expansionary effects in the short run. We replicate this result for a panel of OECD countries under exogeneity of the fiscal consolidation. However, we provide some evidence that output growth might affect the fiscal tightening process so that fiscal consolidations are not exogenous to economic growth. Once we allow for feedback effects from economic growth to fiscal adjustments, we find that expansionary effects disappear and recover the typical Keynesian effect of fiscal adjustments. This finding points to the need to take these short‐term negative implications into account in the design of fiscal consolidations.
Calcium, Na, K and Mg Concentrations in Seawater by Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry: Applications to IAPSO Seawater Reference Material, Hydrothermal Fluids and Synthetic Seawater Solutions
Authors: Besson Philippe , Degboe Jefferson , Berge Benjamin , Chavagnac Valérie , Fabre Sébastien , Berger Gilles 
Published: December 2013

We report a measurement procedure to determine simultaneously the major cation concentrations (Na, Ca, K and Mg) of seawater‐derived solutions by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. The best results were obtained when the IAPSO (‘standard’) seawater reference material was diluted by thirty times with Milli‐Q® water. We obtained an average reference value rK (the ratio of the mass fraction of potassium to that of chlorine, i.e., (g kg−1)/(g kg−1)) for IAPSO seawater of 0.0205 ± 0.0006 (2.9% RSD), not significantly different from 0.0206 ± 0.0005 (2.4% RSD) for seawater composition reported in the literature. The measured Na, Ca and Mg concentrations correspond to rNa, rCa and rMg values of 0.5406 ± 0.0026 (0.5% RSD), 0.02192 ± 0.00048 (2.2% RSD) and 0.06830 ± 0.00047 (0.7% RSD), respectively, in line with previous values measured by wet‐chemistry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry or wet‐chemical titration. Our measurement procedure was used successfully on synthetic seawater solutions and high‐temperature hydrothermal fluids.
Obtaining of ZnO Nanoparticles Decorated with Bi2O3 and NiO by Modified Sol–Gel Technique
Authors: Trusova Elena A. , Vokhmintcev Kirill V. 
Published: December 2013

The modified sol–gel technique was proposed to obtain ZnO nanoparticles with the sizes of 30–70 nm. The proposed method allows obtaining ultradispersed powdery composites with high chemical homogeneity, which are highly demanded raw products for the development of new functional materials of a wide destination range. Metal nitrates were used as the metal sources, and hexamethylenetetramine and monoethanolamine were used to sol stabilization. Acetylacetone was used as complexing agent to obtain ultradispersed ZnO powders. The obtained powders were characterized by use XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption–desorption, FTIR spectroscopy, and element analysis. According to the results, it can be observed that Bi2O3 or/and NiO with particle sizes of ≤5 and 8–20 nm, respectively, are dispersed uniformly on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles with sizes of 50–70 nm. The chemical nature of the decoration was confirmed by the presence of characteristic bands in the FTIR spectra, indicated the chemical interaction between all structural elements of compositions.
First Identification of Rare‐Earth Oxide Nucleation in Chalcogenide Glasses and Implications for Fabrication of Mid‐Infrared Active Fibers
Authors: Tang Zhuoqi , Furniss David , Fay Michael , Neate Nigel C. , Cheng Yin , Barney Emma , Sojka Lukasz , Sujecki Slawomir , Benson Trevor M. , Seddon Angela B. 
Published: December 2013

Gallium (Ga) helps solubilize rare‐earth ions in chalcogenide glasses, but has been found to form the dominant crystallizing selenide phase in bulk glass in our previous work. Here, the crystallization behavior is compared of as‐annealed 0–3000 ppmw Dy3+‐doped Ge–As–Ga–Se glasses with different Ga levels: Ge16.5As(19−x)GaxSe64.5 (at.%), for x = 3 and 10, named Ga3 and Ga10 glass series, respectively. X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy are employed to examine crystals in the bulk of the as‐prepared glasses, and the crystalline phase is proved to be the same: Ge‐modified, face centered cubic α‐Ga2Se3. Light scattering of polished glass samples is monitored using Fourier transform spectroscopy. When Ga is decreased from 10 to 3 at.%, the bulk crystallization is dramatically reduced and the optical scattering loss decreases. Surface defects, with a rough topology observed for both series of as‐prepared chalcogenide glasses, are demonstrated to comprise Dy, Si, and [O]. For the first time, evidence for the proposed nucleation agent Dy2O3 is found inside the bulk of as‐prepared glass. This is an important result because rare‐earth ions bound in a high phonon–energy oxide local environment are, as a consequence, inactive mid‐infrared fluorophores because they undergo preferential nonradiative decay of excited states.
What's my line? A narrative review and synthesis of the literature on Registered Nurses' communication behaviours between shifts
Authors: Kitson Alison L. , Muntlin Athlin Åsa , Elliott Janice , Cant Megan L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo describe, appraise and synthesize the seminal and empirical literature around Registered Nurses' communication behaviours between shifts in acute hospital settings.BackgroundEffective communication between shifts (at nursing handover) is acknowledged as a prerequisite to safe and high‐quality patient‐centred care. However, gaps and inconsistencies continue to prevail.DesignNarrative review and synthesis.Data sourcesThe electronic databases PubMED, CINAHL and Scopus were used.Review methodsEnglish language, peer‐reviewed papers published between 1970–April 2012 were considered for review. Criteria included Registered Nurses' communication during handovers in adult hospital settings.ResultsTwenty‐nine papers were reviewed. The research lacks a clear conceptual framework to define the core purposes of Nurses' communication behaviours between shifts. Seven themes were identified: overall purpose; report givers and receivers; seeing the whole picture; teaching and education; language; patient‐centred care; and social cohesion. Two main communication processes are required – one articulating the whole picture and the other detailing information about patients.ConclusionThis area of research is challenged by lack of consistency in terminology and methodological rigour. While recent research has confirmed the findings from the seminal work, it has not been able to elaborate on some of the key challenges to refine the knowledge base. A more integrated approach is required to understand the complex process of improving nursing communication behaviours, particularly around the nursing handover. A neglected area of study is the role of the unit lead in determining the communication standards of the whole nursing team.
Inhibition of MAPK‐mediated ACE expression by compound C66 prevents STZ‐induced diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Pan Yong , Huang Yi , Wang Zhe , Fang Qilu , Sun Yusheng , Tong Chao , Peng Kesong , Wang Yangwei , Miao Lining , Cai Lu , Zhao Yunjie , Liang Guang 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA range of in vitro, experimental and clinical intervention studies have implicated an important role for hyperglycaemia‐induced activation of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Blockade of RAS by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is an effective strategy in treating diabetic kidney diseases. However, few studies demonstrate the mechanism by which hyperglycaemia up‐regulates the expression of ACE gene. Our previous studies have identified a novel curcumin analogue, (2E,6E)‐2,6‐bis(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)cyclohexanone (C66), which could inhibit the high glucose (HG)‐induced phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases in mouse macrophages. In this study, we found that the renal protection of C66 in diabetic mice was associated with mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inactivation and ACE/angiotensin II (Ang II) down‐regulation. Generally, MAPKs have been considered as a downstream signalling of Ang II and a mediator for Ang II‐induced pathophysiological actions. However, using C66 and specific inhibitors as small molecule probes, in vitro experiments demonstrate that the MAPK signalling pathway regulates ACE expression under HG stimulation, which contributes to renal Ang II activation and the development of DN. This study indicates that C66 is a potential candidate of DN therapeutic agents, and more importantly, that reduction in ACE expression by MAPKs inhibition seems to be an alternative strategy for the treatment of DN.
The role of illness beliefs and coping in the adjustment to dentine hypersensitivity
Authors: Porritt Jenny M. , Sufi Farzana , Barlow Ashley , Baker Sarah R. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimDentine hypersensitivity is a common oral health problem, however, there has been little research on how people cope with this condition. This study aimed to quantify the effects of illness beliefs and coping strategies on the health outcomes of individuals with dentine hypersensitivity.Materials and methodsParticipants were purposively sampled from students and staff in one large UK University and 101 self‐diagnosed dentine hypersensitivity sufferers participated in the longitudinal study. Participants were required to complete questionnaires which assessed health anxiety, specific illness beliefs (control, consequences, illness coherence, timeline perspectives and emotional representations), coping strategies (passive and active coping) and oral health‐related and health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL and HRQoL) at baseline and 1 month follow‐up.ResultsOver half of the participants (N = 56) experienced sensations in their teeth on a daily basis and the majority had experienced dentine hypersensitivity for at least 1 year (N = 87). Structural equation modelling indicated that predictors of OHRQoL and HRQoL impacts at follow‐up were frequency of sensations, low levels of illness coherence, negative emotional representations, greater health anxiety and use of passive coping strategies at baseline.ConclusionsIllness beliefs and coping strategies predict oral and health‐related quality of life outcomes in people with dentine hypersensitivity.
Biobehavioral profiles of arousal and social motivation in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Corbett Blythe A. , Swain Deanna M. , Newsom Cassandra , Wang Lily , Song Yanna , Edgerton Dale 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impaired in social communication and interaction with peers, which may reflect diminished social motivation. Many children with ASD show enhanced stress when playing with other children. This study investigated social and stress profiles of children with ASD during play.MethodsWe utilized a peer interaction paradigm in a natural playground setting with 66 unmedicated, prepubertal, children aged 8–12 years [38 with ASD, 28 with typical development (TD)]. Salivary cortisol was collected before and after a 20‐min playground interaction that was divided into periods of free and solicited play facilitated by a confederate child. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests, mixed effects models, and Spearman correlations to assess the between‐group differences in social and stress functioning, identify stress responders, and explore associations between variables, respectively.ResultsThere were no differences between the groups during unsolicited free play; however, during solicited play by the confederate, significant differences emerged such that children with ASD engaged in fewer verbal interactions and more self‐play than the TD group. Regarding physiological arousal, children with ASD as a group showed relatively higher cortisol in response to social play; however, there was a broad range of responses. Moreover, those with the highest cortisol levels engaged in less social communication.ConclusionsThe social interaction of children with ASD can be facilitated by peer solicitation; however, it may be accompanied by increased stress. The children with ASD that have the highest level of cortisol show less social motivation; yet, it is unclear if it reflects an underlying state of heightened arousal or enhanced reactivity to social engagement, or both.
Homocysteine and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with lichen planus
Authors: Saleh N. , Samir N. , Megahed H. , Farid E. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundChronic inflammation was found to play an important role in the development of cardiovascular risk factors. Homocysteine (Hcy) and fibrinogen have been identified as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lichen planus is assumed to be closely related to dyslipidaemia. Several cytokines involved in lichen planus pathogenesis, could explain its association with dyslipidaemia. Also chronic inflammation with lichen planus has been suggested as a component of the metabolic syndrome.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to detect a panel of cardiovascular risk factors in patients of lichen planus.Patients and methodsThis study was done on 40 patients of lichen planus and 40 healthy controls. All patients and controls were subjected to clinical examination. Serum levels of homocysteine, fibrinogen and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). Metabolic syndrome parameters including anthropometric measures, lipid profiles, blood sugar and blood pressure were studied.ResultsPatients with lichen planus showed significant association with metabolic syndrome parameters than controls (P < 0.001). Serum homocysteine, fibrinogen and hs‐CRP were significantly higher in lichen planus patients than controls (P < 0.001). Serum homocysteine correlated with both serum hs‐CRP and serum fibrinogen. However, there was no correlation between serum levels of homocysteine and fibrinogen with any metabolic syndrome criteria and related disorders except for a negative correlation of fibrinogen with high‐density lipoprotein (HDL).ConclusionIn the present work, patients with lichen planus were found to have higher makers of both metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in relation to controls most probably due to long standing inflammation.