bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic analysis of the anatomical relationships between vertebral arteries and internal jugular veins in children
Authors: Kayashima Kenji , Ueki Masaya , Kinoshita Yuki 
Published: July 2012

SummaryBackground:  Accidental puncture of the vertebral arteries (VAs) can occur through the internal jugular veins (IJVs) during central venous catheterization (CVC). We evaluated the anatomic relation of the VAs to the IJVs in children undergoing IJV cannulation.Methods:  Fifty‐five patients were placed in the supine position under general anesthesia. The right IJV, common carotid artery (CCA), and VA were described with an ultrasound probe perpendicular to all planes of the skin at the mid‐portion between the suprasternal notch and mastoid process. The depth from the skin to VAs (D), width of the VAs (W), and distance from the IJVs to VAs (DIV) were measured. The extent of overlap between the IJVs and VAs was classified into overlapping, partially overlapping, and nonoverlapping. The risk was scored as 0–3 for each measurement. The scores were added and categorized into a low‐risk group (L), 0–3, moderate‐risk (M) group, 4–7; and high‐risk (H) group, 8–10.Results:  Mean (sd) age was 20.3 (33.9) months, height was 72.1 (26.0) cm, and weight was 8.9 (9.0) kg. The mean D, W, and DIV were 15.1 (3.3), 2.8 (1.1), and 4.6 (1.8) mm, respectively. Of the 55 patients, 7 were in group H, 33 in group M, and 15 in group L.Conclusions:  Seven of the 55 children were categorized under the H group for accidental puncture of the VAs. Thus, it is important to identify the presence of the VAs to avoid accidental puncture during pediatric CVC.
Case report: airway and concurrent hemodynamic management in a neonate with oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral (Goldenhar) syndrome, severe cervical scoliosis, interrupted aortic arch, multiple ventricular septal defects, and an unstable cervical spine
Authors: Char Danton S. , Gipp Melanie , Boltz M. Gail , Williams Glyn D. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryWe report the challenging case of a 1‐week‐old, term, 2.4 kg neonate with Goldenhar syndrome (including microcephaly, left microtia, left facial palsy, dextro‐scoliosis of the cervical spine, and cervico‐thoracic levoscoliosis), multiple ventricular septal defects, a type B interrupted aortic arch, a large patent ductus arteriosis, and radiographic and clinical signs concerning for an unstable cervical spine. Our anesthesia team was consulted for perioperative management of this patient during her surgical repair. This case report describes the use of the Air‐Q size 1 laryngeal airway (LA) to assist fiberoptic intubation in an ASA 4 neonate with cardiac disease, an anticipated difficult airway with the addition of an unstable cervical spine, as well as the anesthetic techniques used to maintain hemodynamic stability while the airway was secured.
Exclusive male care despite extreme female promiscuity and low paternity in a marine snail
Authors: Kamel Stephanie J. , Grosberg Richard K. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMales exhibit striking variation in the degree to which they invest in offspring, from merely provisioning females with sperm, to providing exclusive post‐zygotic care. Paternity assurance is often invoked to explain this variation: the greater a male's confidence of paternity, the more he should be willing to provide care. Here, we report a striking exception to expectations based on paternity assurance: despite high levels of female promiscuity, males of a marine snail provide exclusive, and costly, care of offspring. Remarkably, genetic paternity analyses reveal cuckoldry in all broods, with fewer than 25% of offspring being sired by the caring male, although caring males sired proportionally more offspring in a given clutch than any other fathers did individually. This system presents the most extreme example of the coexistence of high levels of female promiscuity, low paternity, and costly male care, and emphasises the still unresolved roles of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of male parental care.
Biofilm shows spatially stratified metabolic responses to contaminant exposure
Authors: Cao Bin , Majors Paul D. , Ahmed Bulbul , Renslow Ryan S. , Silvia Crystal P. , Shi Liang , Kjelleberg Staffan , Fredrickson Jim K. , Beyenal Haluk 
Published: July 2012

SummaryBiofilms are core to a range of biological processes, including the bioremediation of environmental contaminants. Within a biofilm population, cells with diverse genotypes and phenotypes coexist, suggesting that distinct metabolic pathways may be expressed based on the local environmental conditions in a biofilm. However, metabolic responses to local environmental conditions in a metabolically active biofilm interacting with environmental contaminants have never been quantitatively elucidated. In this study, we monitored the spatiotemporal metabolic responses of metabolically active Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 biofilms to U(VI) (uranyl, UO2
2+) and Cr(VI) (chromate, CrO4
2−) using non‐invasive nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) approaches to obtain insights into adaptation in biofilms during biofilm‐contaminant interactions. While overall biomass distribution was not significantly altered upon exposure to U(VI) or Cr(VI), MRI and spatial mapping of the diffusion revealed localized changes in the water diffusion coefficients in the biofilms, suggesting significant contaminant‐induced changes in structural or hydrodynamic properties during bioremediation. Finally, we quantitatively demonstrated that the metabolic responses of biofilms to contaminant exposure are spatially stratified, implying that adaptation in biofilms is custom‐developed based on local microenvironments.
Direct renin inhibition improves parasympathetic function in diabetes
Authors: Maser R. E. , Lenhard M. J. , Kolm P. , Edwards D. G. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimThe renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) and autonomic nervous system regulate the cardiovascular system. Blockade of the RAAS may slow the progression of end‐organ damage. Direct renin inhibition offers a means for blocking the RAAS. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of direct renin inhibition on cardiovascular autonomic function.MethodsIn this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 60 individuals with diabetes were randomly assigned to 300 mg of aliskiren or placebo once daily for 6 weeks. The primary end point was a change in tests of cardiovascular autonomic function. Autonomic function was assessed by power spectral analysis and RR‐variation during deep breathing [i.e. mean circular resultant (MCR), expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio]. The MCR and E/I ratio assess parasympathetic function. Secondary measures included change in biochemical parameters [e.g. plasma renin activity, leptin and interleukin‐6]. Change in cardiovascular autonomic function and blood analytes were analysed by a mixed effects model for repeated measures.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. In response to aliskiren compared with placebo, blood pressure was reduced as well as plasma renin activity [from 2.4 ± 3.8 (mean ± standard deviation) to 0.5 ± 0.4 µg/l/h, p < 0.001]. There was a significant interaction (aliskiren × visit) for MCR (p = 0.003) and E/I ratio (p = 0.003) indicating improvement in MCR and E/I ratio for those on aliskiren. MCR means, baseline vs. follow‐up, were 41.8 ± 19.7 vs. 50.8 ± 26.1 (aliskiren) and 38.2 ± 23.6 vs. 37.5 ± 24.1 (placebo).ConclusionsParasympathetic function (i.e. MCR and E/I ratio) was enhanced by downregulation of the RAAS.
Fish life history, angler behaviour and optimal management of recreational fisheries
Authors: Johnston Fiona D , Arlinghaus Robert , Dieckmann Ulf 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTo predict recreational‐fishing impacts on freshwater fish species, it is important to understand the interplay between fish populations, anglers and management actions. We use an integrated bioeconomic model to study the importance of fish life‐history type (LHT) for determining (i) vulnerability to over‐exploitation by diverse angler types (generic, consumptive and trophy anglers), who respond dynamically to fishing‐quality changes; (ii) regulations [i.e., minimum‐size limits (MSLs) and licence densities] that maximize the social welfare of angler populations; and (iii) biological and social conditions resulting under such socially optimal regulations. We examine five prototypical freshwater species: European perch (Perca fluviatilis), brown trout (Salmo trutta), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), pike (Esox lucius) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). We find that LHT is important for determining the vulnerability of fish populations to overfishing, with pike, pikeperch, and bull trout being more vulnerable than perch and brown trout. Angler type influences the magnitude of fishing impacts, because of differences in fishing practices and angler‐type‐specific effects of LHT on angling effort. Our results indicate that angler types are systematically attracted to particular LHTs. Socially optimal minimum‐size limits generally increase with LHT vulnerability, whereas optimal licence densities are similar across LHTs. Yet, both regulations vary among angler types. Despite this variation, we find that biological sustainability occurs under socially optimal regulations, with one exception. Our results highlight the importance of jointly considering fish diversity, angler diversity and regulations when predicting sustainable management strategies for recreational fisheries. Failure to do so could result in socially suboptimal management and/or fishery collapse.
CO‐INTEGRATING VAR MODELS AND ECONOMIC POLICY
Authors: Carlucci Francesco , Montaruli Francesco 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis paper surveys some relevant contributions to the economic literature on co‐integrating vector autoregressive (VAR) models [vector error correction mechanisms (VECMs)], emphasizing their usefulness for economic policy. It further discusses some theoretical aspects that are necessary for a complete understanding of their potential. The theoretical introduction of the co‐integrating VAR model is followed by an illustration of its applications to monetary policy, fiscal policy and exchanges rates as well as in establishing the effects of structural bilateral shocks between countries (the so‐called global VAR, or GVAR, models). Special attention is paid to the VECM capacities of being used in conjunction with dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models and of jointly specifying the short‐ and long‐run dynamics, thus representing the steady‐state of economic systems (by means of the co‐integration relations) and the short‐run dynamics around it.
Defensive Practice Adoption in the Face of Organizational Stigma: Impression Management and the Diffusion of Stock Option Expensing
Authors: Carberry Edward J. , King Brayden G 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAlthough most diffusion research focuses on firms adopting new practices to maintain their legitimacy, this paper examines a setting in which firms adopted a controversial practice to defend themselves against challenges relating to corporate deviance. We argue that understanding defensive adoption requires attending to both the dynamics of organizational stigma and impression management, and test our theoretical claims by analysing the diffusion of an accounting practice, stock option expensing (SOPEX), following the Enron scandal. We first provide evidence that the media and shareholder activists transformed the practice into a defensive device by theorizing it as a solution to problems relating to corporate fraud and corporate governance. Using event history analysis, we then show that corporations that became targets of stigma‐inducing threats were more likely to adopt SOPEX and that the media were a key force channelling these threats.
Flows, Friction and the Sociomaterial Metabolization of Alcohol
Authors: Lawhon Mary 
Published: July 2012

Abstract: Political ecologists have considered the sociomateriality of diverse hybrids and the metabolism and circulation of urban flows such as water, food and waste. Adding alcohol to this list enhances our understanding of the geography of alcohol as well as the theory of sociomateriality. Viewing alcohol as a sociomaterial hybrid draws attention to the power‐laden, dynamic processes which shape its flow, rather than considering it as already in place. Additionally, my examination of alcohol calls attention to aspects of sociomateriality which are widely relevant but underexplored in the literature: the role of friction in shaping flows; the need to examine microscale impacts of sociomateriality on the body and community; and the conditional impacts of complex, unpredictable sociomaterial hybrids. I use a case study of alcohol in Cape Town to examine how alcohol flows, encounters friction, flows over boundaries and shapes sociability and harm in complex, indeterminate ways.Studies of alcohol typically focus on either its negative impacts on health and wellbeing or positive impacts on economic development, while policy debates focus on whether and how to control access. In this paper, I move beyond these binaries to provide a more nuanced, grounded articulation of how alcohol flows and what inhibits its flow. I examine the distribution of power and agency, limitations of state regulation, willingness of community members to act outside of and with little fear of the law, and the specificity of alcohol as a highly desirable commodity which easily flows around artificial barriers. These insights help clarify relationships, power and the (in)efficacy of policy efforts, and suggest the need to refocus debates. The paper is unable to provide specific policy recommendations, but instead argues that a better understanding of flows and frictions can move the focus from alcohol control to reducing alcohol‐related harm.
Probabilistic Index Models
Authors: Thas Olivier , Neve Jan De , Clement Lieven , Ottoy Jean-Pierre 
Published: July 2012

SummaryWe present a semiparametric statistical model for the probabilistic index which can be defined as P(Y⩽Y*), where Y and Y* are independent random response variables associated with covariate patterns X and X* respectively. A link function defines the relationship between the probabilistic index and a linear predictor. Asymptotic normality of the estimators and consistency of the covariance matrix estimator are established through semiparametric theory. The model is illustrated with several examples, and the estimation theory is validated in a simulation study.
Mann–Whitney Test with Adjustments to Pretreatment Variables for Missing Values and Observational Study
Authors: Chen Song Xi , Qin Jing , Tang Cheng Yong 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe conventional Wilcoxon or Mann–Whitney test can be invalid for comparing treatment effects in the presence of missing values or in observational studies. This is because the missingness of the outcomes or the participation in the treatments may depend on certain pretreatment variables. We propose an approach to adjust the Mann–Whitney test by correcting the potential bias via consistently estimating the conditional distributions of the outcomes given the pretreatment variables. We also propose semiparametric extensions of the adjusted Mann–Whitney test which lead to dimension reduction for high dimensional covariates. A novel bootstrap procedure is devised to approximate the null distribution of the test statistics for practical implementations. Results from simulation studies and an economics observational study data analysis are presented to demonstrate the performance of the approach proposed.
New Local Estimation procedure for a Non-Parametric Regression Function for Longitudinal Data
Authors: Yao Weixin , Li Runze 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe paper develops a new estimation of non-parametric regression functions for clustered or longitudinal data. We propose to use Cholesky decomposition and profile least squares techniques to estimate the correlation structure and regression function simultaneously. We further prove that the estimator proposed is as asymptotically efficient as if the covariance matrix were known. A Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to examine the finite sample performance of the procedure proposed, and to compare the procedure with the existing procedures. On the basis of our empirical studies, the newly proposed procedure works better than naive local linear regression with working independence error structure and the gain in efficiency can be achieved in moderate-sized samples. Our numerical comparison also shows that the newly proposed procedure outperforms some existing procedures. A real data set application is also provided to illustrate the estimation procedure proposed.
Kind of Black: The Musicians' Labour Market in Italy
Authors: Balestrino Alessandro 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIt is estimated that only 5 per cent of musicians in Italy are regularly employed. In an attempt at understanding such a peculiar situation, we build a theoretical model of the musicians' labour market in which we embed the main institutional features of the Italian system. The presence of taxation encourages the formation of a black labour market for musicians and discourages talented agents from becoming full‐time musicians in all second‐best economies. In Italy both tendencies are particularly strong, and exacerbated by the peculiarities of the pension system for musicians. These inefficiencies might be corrected by a twofold policy: the reform of the pension system, highly desirable but unlikely to be politically feasible in the current Italian institutional setting, and the introduction of a sufficiently large unemployment benefit for musicians, step that has a general interest for any second‐best economy and not only for the case of the musicians' labour market, and that might instead be viable under certain circumstances.
Two‐Factor Decomposition Analysis for Correlation between Mainland China and Hong Kong Stock Markets
Authors: Wang Kent , Miao Li , Li Jiawei 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe analyzed the correlation between mainland China and Hong Kong stock markets based on cash flow (CF) news and discount rate (DR) news instead of considering market return as a whole. We decomposed stock return into CF news and DR news following Campbell and Vuolteenaho. Then, the VAR‐ BEKK‐GARCH method was used to investigate the time‐varying correlations of CF news and DR news in the two markets. We ensured robustness by using the structural break test from Bai and Perron to estimate the structural break points during the sample period. The results show that CF news and DR news in the mainland China market is more volatile than in the Hong Kong market, and DR news correlation is usually negative when the mainland China market is undergoing some reform. The estimated structural break points were matched to important events in the mainland China market and the two markets become increasingly correlated.
The substance of love when encountering suffering: an interpretative research synthesis with an abductive approach
Authors: Thorkildsen Kari Marie , Eriksson Katie , Råholm Maj‐Britt 
Published: July 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 449–459

The substance of love when encountering suffering: an interpretative research synthesis with an abductive approach
Aim:  This study presents the results of an interpretative research synthesis undertaken to explore the essence of love when encountering suffering. The idea of caring as an expression of love and compassion belongs with ideas that have shaped caring for hundreds of years. Love and suffering are the core concepts in caring science and thus demand a basic research approach.Methods:  The synthesis was undertaken by the interpretation of 15 articles focusing on love in different aspects, but within a caring science perspective. The research process was guided by a hermeneutical perspective with an abductive approach.Results:  The substance of love, when encountering suffering, reveals itself in three themes: love as a holy power, love as fundamental for being and love as an ethical act, which are to be found, respectively, within three dimensions: love as holiness, love as a communion and love as an art. Love is a holy power and encompasses everything; it is the well of strength that heals. No human can exist without love: this points to the ethical responsibility one has as a neighbour. In the ethical act, love is evident in concrete caring actions.Conclusions:  The core of the substance of love within the three dimensions can be understood as agape. Agape connects and mirrors the dimensions, while at the same time it is clear that agape stems from and moves towards holiness, enabling love to be the ethical foundation when encountering suffering. Through the dimensions of love as communion and love as an art agape intertwine with eros forming caritas enabling the human being to move towards the dimension of holiness, which signifies becoming through suffering.
Effect of social support on changes in quality of life in early breast cancer patients: a longitudinal study
Authors: Salonen Päivi , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu , Kellokumpu‐Lehtinen Pirkko‐Liisa , Koivisto Anna‐Maija , Aalto Pirjo , Kaunonen Marja 
Published: July 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 396–405

Effect of social support on changes in quality of life in early breast cancer patients: a longitudinal study
Background:  Breast cancer diagnosis as well as diversity of the treatment process deteriorates women’s quality of life (QOL). Researchers have examined social support and its relations with QOL overall, but less is known about effects of social support on changes in QOL.Aims:  The aim of this study was to examine social support received from social network and nurses within 6 months and QOL in women with breast cancer.Methods:  Women (N = 164) after breast cancer surgery were quasi‐randomized to the intervention (n = 85) and control groups (n = 79). Participants completed two well‐known QOL questionnaires, and the questionnaire measuring received social support from network and from nurses both 1 week and 6 months after the breast cancer surgery. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests. Logistic regression model with the enter method was employed to identify associations between social support and negative changes in QOL.Results:  Affect and aid from network decreased in both groups and affirmation in the intervention group within 6 months. No significant changes in received social support from nurses were found within groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference in the magnitude of changes over time was found between groups. Received social support had an effect on changes in sexual functioning, global QOL and health and functioning.Conclusions:  Received social support decreased in both groups within 6 months. Significant effects of social support on negative changes on QOL were found. Social support tailored to women’s individual needs is an essential part of the care in patients with breast cancer. For further research, longitudinal designs for longer period should be established to explore social support and its effects on QOL.