bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with orthostatic hypotension in oldest‐old women
Authors: Annweiler C. , Schott A.‐M. , Rolland Y. , Beauchet O. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectivesOrthostatic hypotension, a condition that mostly affects ‘oldest‐old’ (i.e. ≥80 years) adults, is primarily explained by age‐related dysfunction of blood pressure control. Vitamin D may contribute to blood pressure control. The aim of this study was to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with orthostatic hypotension in oldest‐old adults.DesignCross‐sectional analysis at baseline of the EPIDOS study.SettingFive French areas.ParticipantsA total of 329 community‐dwelling oldest‐old women (mean age 83.3 ± 0.2 years).Main outcomes measuresOrthostatic hypotension was defined as a systolic blood pressure drop of ≥20 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure drop of ≥10 mmHg within 3 min of standing. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration ≤10 ng mL−1. Covariates included in the models were age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, supine mean arterial pressure, number of drugs taken per day, use of antihypertensive or psychoactive drugs, cognition, quadriceps strength, current smoking, alcohol consumption, serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, calcium and creatinine and season of testing.ResultsDiastolic orthostatic hypotension was observed more often among women with vitamin D deficiency (19.2%) compared to those without (10.0%; P = 0.03). There was an inverse linear association between 25OHD concentration and change in diastolic blood pressure after 3 min of standing (adjusted β = −0.07, P = 0.046). Similarly, 25OHD deficiency was associated with orthostatic hypotension [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.36, P = 0.004], specifically with diastolic orthostatic hypotension (adjusted OR 3.81, P = 0.003).Conclusions25OHD deficiency was associated with orthostatic hypotension in oldest‐old women, due to a greater drop in diastolic blood pressure on standing. This finding may lead to better understanding of the pathophysiology of falls in oldest‐old adults with vitamin D deficiency.
A changing treatment landscape for multiple sclerosis: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Piehl F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, but also encompasses prominent neurodegenerative aspects. A significant proportion ofMSpatients will develop neurological disability over time and up until recently treatment options have been limited. However,MStreatment is now at a stage of rapid progress, with several new drugs that have reached the market or will be launched in the near future. This provides new opportunities for individualized treatment, but also creates new challenges regarding monitoring of disease activity, long‐term safety issues and efficacy, not least in patients with progressive disease.
Renaissance Catholicism and Contemporary Liberalism
Authors: Hughes David A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractContemporary (post‐1945) liberalism functions analogously to Roman Catholicism in the decades after 1443. Both ideologies, in their respective periods, represent the hegemonic ideology of Western civilization, despite the fact that both comprise a miscellany of competing belief systems. Both ideologies are dominated by a single hegemonic power—the United States and the Renaissance papacy, respectively—which strives for doctrinal stability. All who reject official “doctrine,” however, are rendered liable to violent suppression. In this, papal Catholicism and American liberalism display an ultra‐conservative outlook; but they also evince a powerfully millenarian streak, as evidenced by their dual proclamations of the “end of history” and their zealous missionary responses to macro‐historical events in the final decades of the fifteenth and twentieth centuries. For ideologues of both regimes, those events speak to an ultimate harmony of truth and value that only serves to entrench their own dogmatism. This, however, has dire consequences when it comes to war, as can be seen in the “crusading” character of contemporary liberal warfare. Ultimately, the Renaissance papacy proves unable to maintain its monopoly on Christian doctrine; and one has to wonder if a similar fate may befall America's perceived role as the champion of liberalism.
Humanism and Theoretical Pluralism
Authors: Jakelić Slavica 
Published: January 2014

AbstractChristian Smith's What Is a Person? calls for a normative turn in sociology—the grounding of sociology in a theory of human nature. While offering a systematic account of a thick view of personhood—what it should look like, how it can be applied, and why it is needed—the book proposes a critical realist personalism as the best metatheoretical direction for sociology. The author of this essay agrees with the main questions and direction of Smith's project. However, by historicizing the origins and sociological implications of personalist moral theory, the author problematizes the personalism that is one of the foundations of Smith's project. She contrasts personalism with humanism, suggesting that the latter might possess both the normative robustness and comparative potential needed for contemporary sociological theory and practice. She ends her response to Smith's book by raising questions about the relationship between critical realist personalism and theoretical pluralism.
Embodied Critical Realism
Authors: Schilbrack Kevin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractChristianSmith'sWhat Is aPerson?provides an account of the person from the perceptive of critical realism. As a fellow critical realist,Isupport that philosophical position and in this responseIseek to support it by connecting it to the embodied realism developed byGeorgeLakoff andMarkJohnson. In order to bring the two forms of realism together,Icritique both the relativism of embodied realism and the idea, found in Smith, that the person's awareness of the world is mediated by her experience. The goal of this paper, then, is an embodied critical realism, a more coherent realist position that combines the best parts of each.
What is a Person? And Why it Matters in Religious Ethics
Authors: Smith Christian 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHere I respond to four critics of my book, What Is a Person?, seeking to find areas of common ground and crucial disagreement. Most importantly, I explore the question of whether all human knowledge is conceptually mediated, acknowledging that, no, indeed, there are likely forms of experiential knowledge that are purely and directly acquired without conceptual mediation.
Neuroprotective effect of the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction in experimental model of spinal cord injury
Authors: Assis Lara Clemes , Hort Mariana Appel , de Souza Gisele Volpato , Martini Alessandra Cadete , Forner Stefânia , Martins Daniel Fernandes , Silva Jenniffer Carolina , Horst Heros , dos Santos Adair Roberto Soares , Pizzolatti Moacir Geraldo , Rae Giles Alexander , Koepp Janice , de Bem Andreza Fabro , do Valle Rosa Maria Ribeiro 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Objectives
In this study, we evaluated the effect of the proanthocyanidins-rich fraction (PRF) obtained from Croton celtidifolius bark in an experimental animal model of spinal cord injury and cell death induced by glutamate.

Methods
Experiments were conducted using adult male Wistar rats (10 weeks old and weighing 270–300g). Experimental groups were randomly allocated into the following groups: spinal cord injury (SCI) + vehicle group: rats were subjected to SCI plus intraperitoneal administration of vehicle (saline 10 ml/kg); SCI + PRF: rats were subjected to SCI plus intraperitoneal administration of PRF (10 mg/kg) at 1 and 6 h after injury and sham operated.

Key findings
The treatment with the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction significantly improved not only motor recovery and grip force but also H2O2 or glutamate-induced cell death and reactive oxygen species generation induced by glutamate in dorsal root ganglion cells. In this study we demonstrate that the neuroprotective effect triggered by the proanthocyanidins-rich fraction appears to be mediated in part by the inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors.

Conclusions
Taken together, our results demonstrate that PRF treatment ameliorates spinal cord injury and glutamatergic excitotoxicity and could have a potential therapeutic use.
Ibuprofen inhibits migration and proliferation of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by inducing a differentiated phenotype: role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ
Authors: Dannoura Abeer , Giraldo Alejandro , Pereira Ines , Gibbins Jonathan M , Dash Phil R , Bicknell Katrina A , Brooks Gavin 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The search for agents that are capable of preventing restenosis and reduce the risk of late thrombosis is of utmost importance. In this study we aim to evaluate the in vitro effects of ibuprofen on proliferation and migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and on endothelial cells.

Methods
Cell proliferation was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion. Cell migration was assessed by wound-healing ‘scratch’ assay and time-lapse video microscopy. Protein expression was assessed by immunoblotting, and morphology by immunocytochemistry. The involvement of the PPARγ pathway was studied with the agonist troglitazone, and the use of selective antagonists such as PGF2α and GW9662.

Key findings
We demonstrate that ibuprofen inhibits proliferation and migration of HCASMCs and induces a switch in HCASMCs towards a differentiated and contractile phenotype, and that these effects are mediated through the PPARγ pathway. Importantly we also show that the effects of ibuprofen are cell type-specific as it does not affect migration and proliferation of endothelial cells.

Conclusions
Taken together, our results suggest that ibuprofen could be an effective drug for the development of novel drug-eluting stents that could lead to reduced rates of restenosis and potentially other complications of DES implantation.
Innovation Process and Outcomes for Large Japanese Firms: Roles of Entrepreneurial Proclivity and Customer Equity
Authors: Matsuno Ken , Zhu Zhen , Rice Mark P. 
Published: January 2014

The authors investigate the structural relationships among entrepreneurial proclivity, innovation process characteristics (technological strength, marketing strength, and marketing–R&D integration), and customer equity in achieving business growth and financial return in the Japanese context.Following field interviews and a pilot test, survey data are collected from 207 pairs of marketing and R&D executives from strategic business units (SBUs) of large manufacturing companies in Japan. Based on the partial least squares analysis of data, the authors find nuanced effects of organizations' entrepreneurial proclivity on the critical organizational process, resource, and business performance. The study theorizes and empirically supports the idea that customer equity is a potent intermediary outcome that contributes to both top‐line (growth) and the bottom‐line (ROI) of a business. Specifically, the study shows that: (1) entrepreneurial proclivity directly and positively influences technology strength, marketing strength, and marketing‐R&D integration; (2) entrepreneurial proclivity's effect on business growth and financial return is positive and mediated by customer equity; (3) marketing–R&D integration has a moderating effect on the positive impact of technology strength on customer equity; and (4) customer equity is a strong driver of business growth and financial return.There is a dearth of research on entrepreneurship in Asia; very few empirical studies have been reported from Japan in particular. This study contributes to boundary testing of the theoretical relationships. Although entrepreneurial proclivity appears to be an inspirational concept, its actual adoption remains an important question for many Japanese companies. Those Japanese firms that aspire to be entrepreneurial need to be mindful what innovation processes and resources it takes to fulfill the positive influences of entrepreneurship.
When Is Open Innovation Beneficial? The Role of Strategic Orientation
Authors: Cheng Colin C. J. , Huizingh Eelko K. R. E. 
Published: January 2014

Various scholars have accomplished a great deal to better understand open innovation effectiveness. Case studies have detailed its performance effects, while other studies showed the effectiveness of an aspect of open innovation, such as collaboration with third parties, external technology commercialization, and cocreation. Though most studies report a positive relation between open innovation and innovation performance, some studies indicate possible negative effects. This has resulted in a call for research on what kind of organizational context suits open innovation best.This study therefore addresses two questions: (1) does performing open innovation activities lead to increased innovation performance, and to which aspects of innovation performance is open innovation most strongly related? (2) what is the moderating impact of various kinds of strategic orientation on the relation between open innovation and innovation performance? In this study, we investigate three types of strategic orientations: entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, and resource orientation.In a survey among 223 Asian service firms, we first develop and test a comprehensive measurement scale for open innovation that captures the entire range of open innovation activities, including outside‐in activities, inside‐out activities, and coupled activities. The final scale comprises of 10 items and indicates to what extent a firm has implemented open innovation activities.Next, we study the relation between open innovation and innovation performance. The results indicate that performing open innovation activities is significantly and positively related to all four dimensions of innovation performance: new product/service innovativeness, new product/service success, customer performance, and financial performance. The impact of open innovation is not limited to a particular aspect of innovation performance; it positively affects a broad range of innovation performance indicators. Though open innovation is positively related to all four dimensions of innovation performance, the effect sizes are not equal. The impact on new service innovativeness and financial performance is relatively stronger.Regarding the influence of a firm's strategic orientation, we find that all significant moderation effects are positive. This suggests that, in general, having a more explicit strategic orientation enhances the effectiveness of open innovation. When comparing the three strategic orientations, entrepreneurial orientation strengthens the positive performance effects of open innovation significantly more than market orientation and resource orientation do. In turn, market orientation has a significantly stronger moderation effect than resource orientation. These findings provide empirical evidence of the context dependency of open innovation. Especially an entrepreneurial orientation, which is associated with proactive and entrepreneurial processes, seems to create a fertile setting for open innovation.
Computational Modeling of Food Oral Breakdown Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Harrison Simon M. , Eyres Graham , Cleary Paul W. , Sinnott Matthew D. , Delahunty Conor , Lundin Leif 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe manner in which food breaks down during mastication directly influences not only perception of texture but also the temporal release of taste and aroma compounds and perception of flavor. Although sampling chewed food during mastication allows local quantitative measurement of particle properties and taste and aroma compound concentrations, it is not possible to measure the full spatiotemporal variations of these quantities. Computational modeling can be used to estimate the values of these quantities throughout the volume of the oral cavity at any point in the chewing cycle or allow controlled parametric analysis that would be impractical in physical experimentation. We present a coupled biomechanical‐smoothed particle hydrodynamics model of human mastication and predict the mechanical behavior and breakdown of two agar model foods. The results of these simulations show that our model has the potential to enhance the understanding of the relationship between food structure and oral breakdown during mastication.Practical ApplicationsDevelopment of a computational model of chewing and oral breakdown will enhance the understanding of the relationship between food structure, oral breakdown and flavor release during mastication. A functional model may be utilized to design the material and structural properties of food products that will break down in a desired fashion during chewing. Future model extensions that facilitate the prediction of flavor release given known mechanical properties will facilitate how to add flavor to provide a target sensory profile. This knowledge will fast‐track innovations in new food product development and facilitate reformulation of healthier food products without compromising sensory quality. In the future, the ability to predict the physical and chemical stimuli may facilitate the prediction of sensory perception from first principles.
Occult hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review
Authors: Huang X. , Hollinger F. B. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryOccult hepatitis B (OHB) infection has been reported to play an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this systematic review, a significantly higher prevalence of OHB was observed in patients with HCC in the presence or absence of HCV infection when compared with control populations without HCC. Correspondingly, among adequately designed prospective studies, the cumulative probability of developing HCC was significantly greater among patients with OHB than among HBV DNA‐negative patients in the presence or absence of HCV infection. Study design, inclusion criteria, treatment options, methodology and potential confounding variables were evaluated, and immunopathogenic mechanisms that could be involved in OHB as a risk factor in HCC were reviewed. From this analysis, we conclude that although OHB is an independent risk factor in HCC development in anti‐HCV‐negative patients, a synergistic or additive role in the occurrence of HCC in HCV‐coinfected patients is more problematic due to the HCC risk attributable to HCV alone, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The Intra‐household Division of Labor: An Empirical Analysis of Spousal Influences on Individual Time Allocation
Authors: Bredtmann Julia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUsing the German Time Use Surveys 1991/92 and 2001/02, this paper analyses the interactions between the time‐use decisions of partners within one household. Thereby, an interdependent model of the partners' times allocated to paid and unpaid work that allows for simultaneity and endogeneity of the time allocation decisions of the spouses is applied. When including both weekdays and weekend days in the analysis, a complementary relationship between the partner's time allocations is found. When restricting the analysis to weekdays, however, men's time dedicated to paid and unpaid work is unaffected by their wives' time‐use decisions.
Interannual variation in the at‐sea behavior of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)
Authors: Kuhn Carey E. , Costa Daniel P. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo be successful, marine predators must alter their foraging behavior in response to changes in their environment. To understand the impact and severity of environmental change on a population it is necessary to first describe typical foraging patterns and identify the underlying variability that exists in foraging behavior. Therefore, we characterized the at‐sea behavior of adult female California sea lions (n = 32) over three years (2003, 2004, and 2005) using satellite transmitters and time‐depth recorders and examined how foraging behavior varied among years. In all years, sea lions traveled on average 84.7 ± 11.1 km from the rookery during foraging trips that were 3.2 ± 0.3 d. Sea lions spent 42.7% ± 1.9% of their time at sea diving and displayed short (2.2 ± 0.2 min), shallow dives (58.5 ± 8.5 m). Among individuals, there was significant variation in both dive behavior and movement patterns, which was found in all years. Among years, differences were found in trip durations, distances traveled, and some dive variables (e.g., dive duration and bottom time) as sea lions faced moderate variability in their foraging habitat (increased sea‐surface temperatures, decreased upwelling, and potential decreased prey abundance). The flexibility we found in the foraging behavior of California sea lions may be a mechanism to cope with environmental variability among years and could be linked to the continuing growth of sea lion populations.
Do man‐made structures and water depth affect the diel rhythms in click recordings of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)?
Authors: Brandt Miriam J. , Hansen Sophie , Diederichs Ansgar , Nehls Georg 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe construction of industrial offshore structures may lead to colonization by a variety of marine organisms resulting in locally enhanced biodiversity and biomass, which may then affect the habitat use and behavior of marine predators. For harbor porpoises high nocturnal echolocation activity was demonstrated near industrial structures and it was hypothesized that this was caused by increased feeding opportunities at night. Here we tested the hypothesis that bridge pillars will lead to more nocturnal echolocation activity by porpoises near them than at positions further away. The daily rhythms in porpoise detections near bridge pillars tended to be slightly more pronounced and a greater proportion of clicks occurred during the night. However, water depth had a greater impact on these rhythms, with more nocturnal porpoise echolocation activity and more pronounced daily rhythms in deeper waters. This may be related to different feeding techniques and prey choice by porpoises in deep and shallow water. In deeper water porpoises may be feeding pelagically on herring and cod, which show more activity and are easier to catch at night. In shallow water they may be targeting mainly gobies using a bottom feeding technique and this may not be more efficient at night.