bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Review of the Current State of the Male Circumcision Literature
Authors: Bossio Jennifer A. , Pukall Caroline F. , Steele Stephen 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Male circumcision is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide and a subject that has been the center of considerable debate. Recently, the American Association of Pediatrics released a statement affirming that the medical benefits of neonatal circumcision outweigh the risks. At present, however, the majority of the literature on circumcision is based on research that is not necessarily applicable to North American populations, as it fails to take into account factors likely to influence the interpretability and applicability of the results.

Aims
The purpose of this review is to draw attention to the gaps within the circumcision literature that need to be addressed before significant changes to public policy regarding neonatal circumcision are made within North America.

Methods
A literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles was performed.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measure was the state of circumcision research, especially with regard to new developments in the field, as it applies to North American populations.

Results
This review highlights considerable gaps within the current literature on circumcision. The emphasis is on factors that should be addressed in order to influence research in becoming more applicable to North American populations. Such gaps include a need for rigorous, empirically based methodologies to address questions about circumcision and sexual functioning, penile sensitivity, the effect of circumcision on men's sexual partners, and reasons for circumcision. Additional factors that should be addressed in future research include the effects of age at circumcision (with an emphasis on neonatal circumcision) and the need for objective research outcomes.

Conclusion
Further research is needed to inform policy makers, health-care professionals, and stakeholders (parents and individuals invested in this debate) with regard to the decision to perform routine circumcision on male neonates in North America.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) Nerve Blocks Provide Durable Pain Relief for Men with Chronic Scrotal Pain: A Pilot Open-Label Trial
Authors: Khambati Aziz , Lau Susan , Gordon Allan , Jarvi Keith A. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) is a common, often debilitating, condition affecting approximately 4.75% of men. While nerve blocks using local anesthetics usually provide temporary pain relief, there are no publications on the use of longer acting nerve blocks to provide more durable pain relief for men with CSP.

Aim
The aim of this study was to determine if onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) cord blocks provide durable pain relief for men with CSP.

Methods
In this pilot open-label study, men with CSP who had failed medical management but experienced temporary pain relief from a standard cord block underwent a cord block with 100U Botox.

Main Outcome Measures
The outcomes measured were changes 1, 3, and 6 months post-Botox injection in (i) a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) pain score; (ii) scrotal tenderness on a three-point scale as rated by physical examination; and (iii) the Chronic Epididymitis Symptom Index (CESI) to measure the severity and impact of scrotal pain on men. Paired t-tests were used to compare groups.

Results
Eighteen patients with CSP seen between April and September 2013 had Botox injected as a cord block. At the 1-month follow-up, pain reduction was reported by 72% of patients (mean VAS score: 7.36 vs. 5.61, P &lt; 0.003), while by physical examination 44 and 34% of the men had either complete or partial resolution of scrotal tenderness. In addition, there was also a significant reduction in CESI scores (22.19 vs. 19.25, P &lt; 0.04). At 3 months, 56% had both sustained pain reduction and reduced tenderness based on the VAS score (mean: 7.36 vs. 6.02, P &lt; 0.05) and physical exam. The CESI score continued to be significantly lower. Unfortunately, by 6 months, most men had a return to their baseline levels of pain and tenderness.

Conclusions
Our pilot study found that Botox cord blocks provide pain reduction for 3 months or more for most men with CSP.
Ant Colony Optimization Model for Tsunamis Evacuation Routes
Authors: Forcael Eric , González Vicente , Orozco Francisco , Vargas Sergio , Pantoja Alejandro , Moscoso Pablo 
Published: October 2014

AbstractNatural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis foster the creation of effective evacuation strategies to prevent the loss of human lives. This article proposes a simulation model to find out optimum evacuation routes, during a tsunami using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms. ACO is a discrete optimization algorithm inspired by the ability of ants to establish the shortest path from their nest to a food source, and vice versa, using pheromones. The validation of the model was carried out through two drills, which were conducted in the coastal town of Penco, Chile. This town was strongly affected by an 8.8 Mw earthquake and tsunami over February 2010. The first drill was held with minimum information, leaving the population to act randomly and intuitively. The second drill was carried out with information provided by the model, inducing people to use the optimized routes generated by the ACO algorithm. The results showed that, in case of an emergency, conventional evacuation routes showed longer escape times compared to those produced by the model developed in this research.
The importance of lipid modified proteins in plants
Authors: Hemsley Piers A. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryMembranes have long been known to act as more than physical barriers within and between plant cells. Trafficking of membrane proteins, signalling from and across membranes, organisation of membranes and transport through membranes are all essential processes for plant cellular function. These processes rely on a myriad array of proteins regulated in a variety of manners and are frequently required to be directly associated with membranes. For integral membrane proteins, the mode of membrane association is readily apparent, but many peripherally associated membrane proteins are outwardly soluble proteins. In these cases the proteins are frequently modified by the addition of lipids allowing direct interaction with the hydrophobic core of membranes. These modifications include N‐myristoylation, S‐acylation (palmitoylation), prenylation and GPI anchors but until recently little was truly known about their function in plants. New data suggest that these modifications are able to act as more than just membrane anchors, and dynamic S‐acylation in particular is emerging as a means of regulating protein function in a similar manner to phosphorylation. This review discusses how these modifications occur, their impact on protein function, how they are regulated, recent advances in the field and technical approaches for studying these modifications.

Contents

Summary
476

I.
Introduction
476

II.
Types of lipid modification
477

III.
Effects of lipid modifications on proteins in plants
481

IV.
Strategies for study
485

V.
Outlook
487

Acknowledgements
487

References
487
Subgingival microbiome in smokers and non‐smokers in Korean chronic periodontitis patients
Authors: Moon J.‐H. , Lee J.‐H. , Lee J.‐Y. 
Published: October 2014

SummarySmoking is a major environmental factor associated with periodontal diseases. However, we still have a very limited understanding of the relationship between smoking and subgingival microflora in the global population. Here, we investigated the composition of subgingival bacterial communities from the pooled plaque samples of smokers and non‐smokers, 134 samples in each group, in Korean patients with moderate chronic periodontitis using 16S rRNA gene‐based pyrosequencing. A total of 17,927 reads were analyzed and classified into 12 phyla, 126 genera, and 394 species. Differences in bacterial communities between smokers and non‐smokers were examined at all phylogenetic levels. The genera Fusobacterium, Fretibacterium, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Corynebacterium, TM7, and Filifactor were abundant in smokers. On the other hand, Prevotella, Campylobacter, Aggregatibacter, Veillonellaceae GQ422718, Haemophilus, and Prevotellaceae were less abundant in smokers. Among species‐level taxa occupying > 1% of whole subgingival microbiome of smokers, higher abundance (≥ 2.0‐fold compared to non‐smokers) of seven species or operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was found: Fusobacterium nucleatum, Neisseria sicca, Neisseria oralis, Corynebacterium matruchotii, Veillonella dispar, Filifactor alocis, and Fretibacterium AY349371. On the other hand, lower abundance of 11 species or OTUs was found in smokers: Neisseria elongata, six Prevotella species or OTUs, Fusobacterium canifelinum, Aggregatibacter AM420165, Selenomonas OTU, and Veillonellaceae GU470897. Species richness and evenness were similar between the groups whereas diversity was greater in smokers than non‐smokers. Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that differences exist in the subgingival bacterial community between smoker and non‐smoker patients with chronic moderate periodontitis in Korea, suggesting that cigarette smoking considerably affects subgingival bacterial ecology.
Negative predictive value of drug provocation tests in children
Authors: Misirlioglu Emine D. , Toyran Muge , Capanoglu Murat , Kaya Aysenur , Civelek Ersoy , Kocabas Can N. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe negative predictive value of the drug provocation test is important for both the patient and the physician. However, in children, this predictive value is unresolved.MethodsThe study included patients who had drug provocation test with a suspected drug and was diagnosed as ‘not allergic to the drug’. Three months after allergy workup, the patients were contacted and asked for reexposure to the tested drug. Patients who have reported reactions during reexposure were reevaluated with skin tests and drug provocation.ResultsDuring the study period, 217 provocations were performed to 203 patients. Of these, 163 patients (80.3%) with 175 negative drug provocation tests could be contacted. Ninety‐one (52%) of the 175 cases reported to use the tested drug again, and 11 (12%) of these cases declared that they had a new reaction. Two of the eleven cases refused reevaluation. Nine cases were evaluated by drug allergy workup. Two of the nine cases were classified as allergic after retests. Collectively, the negative predictive value was 95.6% (87 of 91 cases) for all drug challenges.ConclusionsThe negative predictive value of the drug provocation test is abundant in children; however, negative drug provocation tests do not necessarily predict tolerance for the drug.
Natural history of allergic sensitization in infants with early‐onset atopic dermatitis: results from ORCA Study
Authors: Just Jocelyne , Deslandes‐Boutmy Emmanuelle , Amat Flore , Desseaux Kristell , Nemni Ariane , Bourrat Emmanuelle , Sahraoui Fatia , Pansé Isabelle , Bagot Martine , Fouéré Sébastien 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundEarly‐onset atopic dermatitis (AD) is a particular phenotype that may convey a risk of developing multiple sensitizations to allergens but little is known about the pathway of sensitization. The aims of this study were to describe the natural history of sensitization to allergens for this phenotype and to identify the most predictive marker associated with the risk of developing sensitization to inhaled allergens in a well‐selected cohort of infants with AD.MethodsInfants with active AD were enrolled and prospectively explored for biological markers of atopy every year until the age of 6 yr. Allergic sensitization was defined as the presence of positive specific IgEs to allergens and multiple sensitizations as being sensitized to ≥2 allergens. Elevated blood eosinophilia was defined as an eosinophil blood count ≥470 eosinophils/mm3 and elevated total IgE as a serum IgE level ≥45 kU/l.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty‐nine infants were included. Elevated blood eosinophilia was observed at baseline in 60 children (26.2%) and elevated total IgE in 85 (37.1%). When elevated at baseline, eosinophilia and IgE levels remained significantly higher during the follow‐up period. Sensitization to food allergens decreased from 58% to 34%, whereas sensitization to inhaled allergens increased over time from 17% to 67%. Initial multiple sensitizations to food allergens were the most predictive factor for the risk of developing sensitization to inhaled allergens at 6 yr (OR 3.72 [1.68–8.30] p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn the early‐onset AD phenotype, multiple sensitization to food allergens conveys a higher risk of sensitization to inhaled allergens than single sensitization.
Realism in Normative Political Theory
Authors: Rossi Enzo , Sleat Matt 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper provides a critical overview of the realist current in contemporary political philosophy. We define political realism on the basis of its attempt to give varying degrees of autonomy to politics as a sphere of human activity, in large part through its exploration of the sources of normativity appropriate for the political and so distinguish sharply between political realism and non‐ideal theory. We then identify and discuss four key arguments advanced by political realists: from ideology, from the relationship of ethics to politics, from the priority of legitimacy over justice and from the nature of political judgement. Next, we ask to what extent realism is a methodological approach as opposed to a substantive political position and so discuss the relationship between realism and a few such positions. We close by pointing out the links between contemporary realism and the realist strand that runs through much of the history of Western political thought.
Slippery Slope Arguments
Authors: Jefferson Anneli 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSlippery slope arguments are frequently dismissed as fallacious or weak arguments but are nevertheless commonly used in political and bioethical debates. This paper gives an overview of different variants of the argument commonly found in the literature and addresses their argumentative strength and the interrelations between them. The most common variant, the empirical slippery slope argument, predicts that if we do A, at some point the highly undesirable B will follow. I discuss both the question which factors affect likelihood of slippage and the relation between the strength of the prediction and the justificatory power of the argument.
Emotion and Value
Authors: Todd Cain 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe nature of the general connection between emotion and value, and of the various connections between specific emotions and values, lies at the heart of philosophical discussion of the emotions. It is also central to some accounts of the nature of value itself, of value in general but also of the specific values studied within particular philosophical domains. These issues all form the subject matter of this article, and they in turn are all connected by two main questions: (i) How do emotions disclose or create values? (ii) What are the epistemic credentials of emotion in justifying evaluative thought and discourse? This second question obviously presupposes some answer to the first question concerning the way in which emotions reveal, constitute, or create value.
Persons, Minds, and Bodies: Christian Philosophy on the Relationship of Persons and Their Bodies, Part II
Authors: Visala Aku 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe relationship of minds, bodies, and persons has been a central topic of debate in Western philosophy and theology. This article reviews the ongoing debates about the relationship and nature of bodies, minds, and persons among contemporary Christian analytic philosophers and theologians. The first two parts present some general theological constraints for philosophical theories of persons and describe the basic concepts used (substance, property, supervenience, and physicalism). The views themselves fall into three broad categories. Dualists think that persons are either identical with or partly constituted by non‐physical souls. On this view, there are immaterial substances and properties. Hylomorphists maintain that persons are composites of bodies and the souls that inform them. Finally, physicalists claim that there are no immaterial parts to persons. Instead, persons are composed of bodies and brains; the mental properties they have supervene on physical properties.
Updating the Definition and Role of Public Health Nursing to Advance and Guide the Specialty
Authors: Bekemeier Betty , Walker Linderman Tessa , Kneipp Shawn , Zahner Susan J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractNational changes in the context for public health services are influencing the nature of public health nursing practice. Despite this, the document that defines public health nursing as a specialty—The Definition and Role of Public Health Nursing—has remained in wide use since its publication in 1996 without a review or update. With support from the American Public Health Association (APHA) Public Health Nursing Section, a national Task Force, was formed in November 2012 to update the definition of public health nursing, using processes that reflected deliberative democratic principles. A yearlong process was employed that included a modified Delphi technique and various modes of engagement such as online discussion boards, questionnaires, and public comment to review. The resulting 2013 document consisted of a reaffirmation of the one‐sentence 1996 definition, while updating supporting documentation to align with the current social, economic, political, and health care context. The 2013 document was strongly endorsed by vote of the APHA Public Health Nursing Section elected leadership. The 2013 definition and document affirm the relevance of a population‐focused definition of public health nursing to complex systems addressed in current practice and articulate critical roles of public health nurses (PHN) in these settings.
Histopathology of infection and colonization of Quercus ilex fine roots by Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Ruiz Gómez F. J. , Navarro‐Cerrillo R. M. , Sánchez‐Cuesta R. , Pérez‐de‐Luque A. 
Published: October 2014

Quercus ilex is one of the European forest species most susceptible to root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi. This disease contributes to holm oak decline, a particularly serious problem in the ‘dehesas’ ecosystem of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. This work describes the host–pathogen interaction of Q. ilex and P. cinnamomi, using new infection indices at the tissue level. Fine roots of 6‐month‐old saplings inoculated with P. cinnamomi were examined by light microscopy and a random pool of images was analysed in order to calculate different indices based on the measured area of pathogen structures. In the early stages of invasion, P. cinnamomi colonizes the apoplast and penetrates cortical cells with somatic structures. On reaching the parenchymatous tissues of the central cylinder, the pathogen develops different reproductive and survival structures inside the cells and then expands through the vascular system of the root. Some host responses were identified, such as cell wall thickening, accumulation of phenolic compounds in the middle lamella of sclerenchyma tissues, and mucilage secretion blocking vascular cells. New insights into the behaviour of P. cinnamomi inside fine roots are described. Host responses fail due to rapid expansion of the pathogen and a change in its behaviour from biotrophic to necrotrophic.
Estimating impact of white spot disease on economic risk in semi‐intensive shrimp farms in Mexico: the case of the State of Sinaloa
Authors: Hernandez‐Llamas Alfredo , Cabanillas‐Ramos Julio , Magallon‐Barajas Francisco J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe estimated the impact on economic risk associated with the prevalence of white spot disease in shrimp farms in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico. Farms located in the jurisdiction of Local Aquaculture Health Boards (LAHBs) were used for preparing estimates during 2008–2010. Probability distributions of economic losses were calculated by comparing net revenues obtained under normal operations and operations affected by the disease, using Monte Carlo simulation, to estimate the impact of prevalence on losses in absolute and relative terms, probability of losing and loss per unit risk at USD$484.27/ha, 28.9%, 72.9% and 0.20. Regression analysis allowed estimating that, by an increases of 1% in prevalence, there were increases in the estimators of risk of USD$11.49/ha, 0.96%, 0.47% and 0.005. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant differences in prevalence among LAHBs districts and years. The higher prevalence coincided with the districts and years that exhibited higher risk. The source of water and use of nursery systems were the main differences in operating conditions among the districts, possibly determining to a large extent the differences in economic risk calculated for the districts. Sensitivity analysis indicated that prevalence was the main factor determining risk. A significant inverse relationship was found between shrimp prices and prevalence, as a consequence of speculative market conditions. The possibility of using this relationship for syndromic surveillance is considered. We propose the use of the estimators employed in this study for assessment of economic risk associated with white spot disease (and possibly others) and standardization of results for future research.
Endogenous Product Differentiation, Market Size and Prices
Authors: Ferguson Shon M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper provides a framework to understand how market size affects firms' investments in product differentiation in a model of monopolistic competition. The theory proposes that consumers' love of variety makes them more sensitive to product differentiation efforts by firms, which leads to more differentiated products in larger markets. The framework also predicts an inverted U‐shaped effect of trade liberalization on product differentiation, with trade liberalization leading to more differentiated products when starting from autarky but then leading to less differentiated products as the countries approach free trade.
Pathways Between Concealable Stigmatized Identities and Substance Misuse
Authors: Talley Amelia E. , Littlefield Andrew K. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIndividuals with concealable stigmatized identities often possess no obviously devalued attributes, yet are at greater risk for problematic substance use compared to their privileged counterparts. We present a conceptual model, which proposes that identity‐relevant content and characteristics have important implications for cognitive, affective, and behavioral consequences of stigma‐related stress. In doing so, we synthesize stigma‐related models from the extant literature and attempt to integrate these concepts with previous work detailing potential contributors to substance use behaviors specifically. Finally, we ask readers to consider the various ways in which the content and characteristics of an individual's stigmatized identity might combine with situational and additional individual difference factors to influence the likelihood of substance misuse.