Showing papers by "University of Western Ontario published in 2009"
University Hospital of Lausanne1, University of Toronto2, Erasmus University Rotterdam3, University Medical Center Utrecht4, Queen's University5, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer6, University of Western Ontario7, Medical University of Vienna8, French Institute of Health and Medical Research9, National Institutes of Health10, University of Tübingen11, University of Calgary12
TL;DR: Benefits of adjuvant temozolomide with radiotherapy lasted throughout 5 years of follow-up, and a benefit of combined therapy was recorded in all clinical prognostic subgroups, including patients aged 60-70 years.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2004, a randomised phase III trial by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC) reported improved median and 2-year survival for patients with glioblastoma treated with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide and radiotherapy. We report the final results with a median follow-up of more than 5 years. METHODS: Adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were randomly assigned to receive either standard radiotherapy or identical radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide followed by up to six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. The methylation status of the methyl-guanine methyl transferase gene, MGMT, was determined retrospectively from the tumour tissue of 206 patients. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00006353. FINDINGS: Between Aug 17, 2000, and March 22, 2002, 573 patients were assigned to treatment. 278 (97%) of 286 patients in the radiotherapy alone group and 254 (89%) of 287 in the combined-treatment group died during 5 years of follow-up. Overall survival was 27.2% (95% CI 22.2-32.5) at 2 years, 16.0% (12.0-20.6) at 3 years, 12.1% (8.5-16.4) at 4 years, and 9.8% (6.4-14.0) at 5 years with temozolomide, versus 10.9% (7.6-14.8), 4.4% (2.4-7.2), 3.0% (1.4-5.7), and 1.9% (0.6-4.4) with radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.7; p<0.0001). A benefit of combined therapy was recorded in all clinical prognostic subgroups, including patients aged 60-70 years. Methylation of the MGMT promoter was the strongest predictor for outcome and benefit from temozolomide chemotherapy. INTERPRETATION: Benefits of adjuvant temozolomide with radiotherapy lasted throughout 5 years of follow-up. A few patients in favourable prognostic categories survive longer than 5 years. MGMT methylation status identifies patients most likely to benefit from the addition of temozolomide. FUNDING: EORTC, NCIC, Nelia and Amadeo Barletta Foundation, Schering-Plough.
6,161 citations
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center1, Cleveland Clinic2, Case Western Reserve University3, University of Colorado Denver4, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio5, National Institutes of Health6, University of California, San Diego7, University of Western Ontario8, Duke University9, Mayo Clinic10, University of Washington11, University of California, Los Angeles12, Columbia University13, University of British Columbia14, University of California, Irvine15, University of Michigan16
TL;DR: Selenium or vitamin E, alone or in combination at the doses and formulations used, did not prevent prostate cancer in this population of relatively healthy men.
Abstract: Context Secondary analyses of 2 randomized controlled trials and supportive epidemiologic and preclinical data indicated the potential of selenium and vitamin E for preventing prostate cancer. Objective To determine whether selenium, vitamin E, or both could prevent prostate cancer and other diseases with little or no toxicity in relatively healthy men. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial [SELECT]) of 35 533 men from 427 participating sites in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico randomly assigned to 4 groups (selenium, vitamin E, selenium + vitamin E, and placebo) in a double-blind fashion between August 22, 2001, and June 24, 2004. Baseline eligibility included age 50 years or older (African American men) or 55 years or older (all other men), a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 4 ng/mL or less, and a digital rectal examination not suspicious for prostate cancer. Interventions Oral selenium (200 μg/d from L-selenomethionine) and matched vitamin E placebo, vitamin E (400 IU/d of all rac-α-tocopheryl acetate) and matched selenium placebo, selenium + vitamin E, or placebo + placebo for a planned follow-up of minimum of 7 years and a maximum of 12 years. Main Outcome Measures Prostate cancer and prespecified secondary outcomes, including lung, colorectal, and overall primary cancer. Results As of October 23, 2008, median overall follow-up was 5.46 years (range, 4.17-7.33 years). Hazard ratios (99% confidence intervals [CIs]) for prostate cancer were 1.13 (99% CI, 0.95-1.35; n = 473) for vitamin E, 1.04 (99% CI, 0.87-1.24; n = 432) for selenium, and 1.05 (99% CI, 0.88-1.25; n = 437) for selenium + vitamin E vs 1.00 (n = 416) for placebo. There were no significant differences (all P>.15) in any other prespecified cancer end points. There were statistically nonsignificant increased risks of prostate cancer in the vitamin E group (P = .06) and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the selenium group (relative risk, 1.07; 99% CI, 0.94-1.22; P = .16) but not in the selenium + vitamin E group. Conclusion Selenium or vitamin E, alone or in combination at the doses and formulations used, did not prevent prostate cancer in this population of relatively healthy men. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00006392Published online December 9, 2008 (doi:10.1001/jama.2008.864).
1,942 citations
TL;DR: The second edition of The Economics of Entrepreneurship as discussed by the authors is an essential resource for scholars following the current state of this fast-moving field, covering a broad range of topics in unparalleled depth.
Abstract: This second edition of The Economics of Entrepreneurship is an essential resource for scholars following the current state of this fast-moving field, covering a broad range of topics in unparalleled depth. Designed to be used both as a textbook for specialist degree courses on the economics of entrepreneurship, and as a reference text for academic research in the field, the book draws on theoretical insights and recent empirical findings to show how economics can contribute to our understanding of entrepreneurship. New topics, such as crowdfunding, entrepreneurship education and microenterprise field experiments, appear for the first time, while existing treatments of topics like regional entrepreneurship, innovation and public policy are considerably deepened. Parker also discusses new empirical methods, including quasi-experimental methods and field experiments. Every section - indeed every page - of the new edition has been updated, resulting in a rigorous scientific account of entrepreneurship today.
1,295 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an approach based on standard spectra from quality reference samples (Ni, NiO, Ni(OH)2, NiOOH), subtraction of these spectra, and data analysis that integrates information from the Ni 2p spectrum and the O 1s spectra is demonstrated.
Abstract: Quantitative chemical state X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis of mixed nickel metal, oxide, hydroxide and oxyhydroxide systems is challenging due to the complexity of the Ni 2p peak shapes resulting from multiplet splitting, shake-up and plasmon loss structures. Quantification of mixed nickel chemical states and the qualitative determination of low concentrations of Ni(III) species are demonstrated via an approach based on standard spectra from quality reference samples (Ni, NiO, Ni(OH)2, NiOOH), subtraction of these spectra, and data analysis that integrates information from the Ni 2p spectrum and the O 1s spectra. Quantification of a commercial nickel powder and a thin nickel oxide film grown at 1-Torr O2 and 300 °C for 20 min is demonstrated. The effect of uncertain relative sensitivity factors (e.g. Ni 2.67 ± 0.54) is discussed, as is the depth of measurement for thin film analysis based on calculated inelastic mean free paths. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,215 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the long-term stock price effects and equity risk effects of supply chain disruptions based on a sample of 827 disruption announcements made during 1989-2000.
Abstract: This paper investigates the long-term stock price effects and equity risk effects of supply chain disruptions based on a sample of 827 disruption announcements made during 1989–2000. Stock price effects are examined starting one year before through two years after the disruption announcement date. Over this time period the average abnormal stock returns of firms that experienced disruptions is nearly –40%. Much of this underperformance is observed in the year before the announcement, the day of the announcement, and the year after the announcement. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that firms do not quickly recover from the negative effects of disruptions. The equity risk of the firm also increases significantly around the announcement date. The equity risk in the year after the announcement is 13.50% higher when compared to the equity risk in the year before the announcement.
1,124 citations
TL;DR: Adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for a man with pT3N0M0 prostate cancer significantly reduces the risk of metastasis and increases survival.
1,117 citations
TL;DR: The development of AKI, defined as acute changes in serum creatinine level, characterizes hospitalized patients at increased risk of long-term adverse outcomes and was unattainable because of lack of follow-up of appropriate controls without AKI.
941 citations
University of Ottawa1, University of Ioannina2, University of Bern3, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention4, PLOS5, University of Bristol6, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute7, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston8, University of Western Ontario9, Erasmus University Rotterdam10, Cancer Care Ontario11, McGill University12, Harvard University13
TL;DR: The STREGA recommendations are presented, which are aimed at improving the reporting of genetic association studies and are designed to improve the quality of studies.
Abstract: Making sense of rapidly evolving evidence on genetic associations is crucial to making genuine advances in human genomics and the eventual integration of this information in the practice of medicine and public health. Assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence, and hence the ability to synthesize it, has been limited by inadequate reporting of results. The STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association studies (STREGA) initiative builds on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement and provides additions to 12 of the 22 items on the STROBE checklist. The additions concern population stratification, genotyping errors, modelling haplotype variation, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, replication, selection of participants, rationale for choice of genes and variants, treatment effects in studying quantitative traits, statistical methods, relatedness, reporting of descriptive and outcome data, and the volume of data issues that are important to consider in genetic association studies. The STREGA recommendations do not prescribe or dictate how a genetic association study should be designed but seek to enhance the transparency of its reporting, regardless of choices made during design, conduct, or analysis.
766 citations
08 Apr 2009-Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences-revue Canadienne Des Sciences De L Administration
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the mechanisms involved in observed relations between human resource management (HRM) practices and employee commitment and find that relations between employees' evaluations of HRM practices and their affective and normative commitment are largely mediated by perceptions of organizational support and procedural justice.
Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the mechanisms involved in observed relations between human resource management (HRM) practices and employee commitment. Employees (N = 281) from several organizations completed a survey that included measures of (a) the quality of HRM practices pertaining to performance appraisal, benefits, training, and career development used in their organizations, (b) procedural justice and organizational support, and (c) affective, continuance, and normative commitment to the organization. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that relations between employees' evaluations of HRM practices and their affective and normative commitment were largely mediated by perceptions of organizational support and procedural justice. These findings support previous claims that, although HRM practices can be valuable tools in the establishment and maintenance of employee commitment, their effects are neither direct nor unconditional.
Resume
Cette etude avait pour but d'examiner certains mecan-ismes intervenant dans le lien entre les pratiques de ges-tion des ressources humaines et l'engagement des employes. Des employes (N=281) de plusieurs organisations ont rempli un questionnaire incluant des mesures de: (a) qualite des pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines en matiere d'evaluation du rendement, de compensation, deformation et de developpement profes-sionnel, (b) justice en matiere de procedure et soutien organisationnel, et (c) engagement organisationnel affectif, continuation, et normatif. Des analyses basees sur la modelisation d'equations structurelles ont revele que les liens entre l'evaluation par les employes des pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines et leur engagement affectif et normatif etaient en grande partie mediatises par leur perception du soutien organisationnel et de justice en matiere de procedure. Ces resultats corroborent le fait que malgre l'importance des pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines dans l'etab-lissement et le maintien de l'engagement des employes, leurs effets ne sont ni directs ni inconditionnels.
754 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the role of strategic leaders in managing exploration and exploitation, and reveal how the impact of leadership is contingent upon dynamic environmental conditions and argue that environmental dynamism needs to be taken into account to fully understand the effectiveness of leaders.
Abstract: This study advances prior theoretical research by linking transformational and transactional behaviors of strategic leaders to two critical outputs of organizational learning: exploratory and exploitative innovation. Findings indicate that transformational leadership behaviors contribute significantly to adopting generative thinking and pursuing exploratory innovation. Transactional leadership behaviors, on the other hand, facilitate improving and extending existing knowledge and are associated with exploitative innovation. In addition, we argue that environmental dynamism needs to be taken into account to fully understand the effectiveness of strategic leaders. Our study provides new insights that misfits rather than fits between leadership behaviors and innovative outcomes matter in dynamic environments. Hence, we contribute to the debate on the role of strategic leaders in managing exploration and exploitation, not only by examining how specific leadership behaviors impact innovative outcomes, but also by revealing how the impact of leadership is contingent upon dynamic environmental conditions.
742 citations
TL;DR: A review of the mode of operation, current limitations and confounders, clinical applications, and potential future uses of such NIRS-based cerebral oximetry devices can be found in this article.
Abstract: Continuous real-time monitoring of the adequacy of cerebral perfusion can provide important therapeutic information in a variety of clinical settings. The current clinical availability of several non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based cerebral oximetry devices represents a potentially important development for the detection of cerebral ischaemia. In addition, a number of preliminary studies have reported on the application of cerebral oximetry sensors to other tissue beds including splanchnic, renal, and spinal cord. This review provides a synopsis of the mode of operation, current limitations and confounders, clinical applications, and potential future uses of such NIRS devices.
TL;DR: This tutorial review focuses on the latter, describing recent developments and applications of cyclopropane ring-expansion reactions in natural product synthesis and several newly developed methods providing access to densely functionalized heterocycles.
Abstract: The construction of heterocyclic compounds from activated cyclopropane derivatives offers an alternative strategy for the preparation of molecules that may be of interest from a structural or biological standpoint. Several newly developed methods provide access to densely functionalized heterocycles in a manner that can be considered useful for both diversity- and target-oriented synthetic approaches. This tutorial review focuses on the latter, describing recent developments and applications of cyclopropane ring-expansion reactions in natural product synthesis.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors suggest that the business case may need to be modified to reflect the number of additional routes by which work-life balance practices can influence organizational performance, including enhanced social exchange processes, increased cost savings, improved productivity, and reduced turnover.
TL;DR: Results from Phase I of the Trans PULSE Project, a community‐based research project in Ontario, Canada, are presented and the concept of cisnormativity is introduced to aid in explaining the pervasiveness of trans erasure.
TL;DR: New data support the use of quetiapine monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for the Prevention of manic and depressive events, aripiprazole monotherapy for the prevention of manic events, and risperidone long-acting injection monotherapy
Abstract: The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) published guidelines for the management of bipolar disorder in 2005, with a 2007 update. This second update, in conjunction with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), reviews new evidence and is designed to be used in conjunction with the previous publications. The recommendations for the management of acute mania remain mostly unchanged. Lithium, valproate, and several atypical antipsychotics continue to be first-line treatments for acute mania. Tamoxifen is now suggested as a third-line augmentation option. The combination of olanzapine and carbamazepine is not recommended. For the management of bipolar depression, lithium, lamotrigine, and quetiapine monotherapy, olanzapine plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and lithium or divalproex plus SSRI/bupropion remain first-line options. New data support the use of adjunctive modafinil as a second-line option, but also indicate that aripiprazole should not be used as monotherapy for bipolar depression. Lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, and olanzapine continue to be first-line options for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. New data support the use of quetiapine monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for the prevention of manic and depressive events, aripiprazole monotherapy for the prevention of manic events, and risperidone long-acting injection monotherapy and adjunctive therapy, and adjunctive ziprasidone for the prevention of mood events. Bipolar II disorder is frequently overlooked in treatment guidelines, but has an important clinical impact on patients' lives. This update provides an expanded look at bipolar II disorder.
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics1, University of Cambridge2, University of Toronto3, Queen's University4, Max Planck Society5, University of Victoria6, University of Edinburgh7, University of Sydney8, University of Western Ontario9, McMaster University10, University of Massachusetts Amherst11, University of California, Los Angeles12, University of British Columbia13, University of Leicester14, Janssen Pharmaceutica15
TL;DR: A panorama of galaxy structure of the Andromeda galaxy (M31) is reported, which directly confirms the basic tenets of the hierarchical galaxy formation model and reveals the shared history of M31 and M33 in the unceasing build-up of galaxies.
Abstract: In hierarchical cosmological models, galaxies grow in mass through the continual accretion of smaller ones. The tidal disruption of these systems is expected to result in loosely bound stars surrounding the galaxy, at distances that reach 10-100 times the radius of the central disk. The number, luminosity and morphology of the relics of this process provide significant clues to galaxy formation history, but obtaining a comprehensive survey of these components is difficult because of their intrinsic faintness and vast extent. Here we report a panoramic survey of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). We detect stars and coherent structures that are almost certainly remnants of dwarf galaxies destroyed by the tidal field of M31. An improved census of their surviving counterparts implies that three-quarters of M31's satellites brighter than M(v) = -6 await discovery. The brightest companion, Triangulum (M33), is surrounded by a stellar structure that provides persuasive evidence for a recent encounter with M31. This panorama of galaxy structure directly confirms the basic tenets of the hierarchical galaxy formation model and reveals the shared history of M31 and M33 in the unceasing build-up of galaxies.
TL;DR: Time-frequency domain signal processing using energy concentration as a feature is a very powerful tool and has been utilized in numerous applications and the expectation is that further research and applications of these algorithms will flourish in the near future.
TL;DR: Magnetic fields are present in a wide variety of stars throughout the HR diagram and play a role at basically all evolutionary stages, from very low-mass dwarfs to very massive stars, and from young star-forming molecular clouds and protostellar accretion discs to evolved giants/supergiants and magnetic white dwarfs/neutron stars as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Magnetic fields are present in a wide variety of stars throughout the HR diagram and play a role at basically all evolutionary stages, from very-low-mass dwarfs to very massive stars, and from young star-forming molecular clouds and protostellar accretion discs to evolved giants/supergiants and magnetic white dwarfs/neutron stars. These fields range from a few μG (e.g., in molecular clouds) to TG and more (e.g., in magnetic neutron stars); in nondegenerate stars in particular, they feature large-scale topologies varying from simple nearly axisymmetric dipoles to complex nonaxsymmetric structures, and from mainly poloidal to mainly toroidal topologies. After recalling the main techniques of detecting and modeling stellar magnetic fields, we review the existing properties of magnetic fields reported in cool, hot, and young nondegenerate stars and protostars, and discuss our understanding of the origin of these fields and their impact on the birth and life of stars.
TL;DR: More studies are needed to examine the best tests of respiratory function in ALS, as well as the optimal time for starting PEG, the impact of PEG on quality of life and survival, and the effect of vitamins and supplements on ALS.
Abstract: Objective: To systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The authors analyzed studies from 1998 to 2007 to update the 1999 practice parameter. Topics covered in this section include slowing disease progression, nutrition, and respiratory management for patients with ALS. Results: The authors identified 8 Class I studies, 5 Class II studies, and 43 Class III studies in ALS. Important treatments are available for patients with ALS that are underutilized. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and riluzole are particularly important and have the best evidence. More studies are needed to examine the best tests of respiratory function in ALS, as well as the optimal time for starting PEG, the impact of PEG on quality of life and survival, and the effect of vitamins and supplements on ALS. Recommendations: Riluzole should be offered to slow disease progression (Level A). PEG should be considered to stabilize weight and to prolong survival in patients with ALS (Level B). NIV should be considered to treat respiratory insufficiency in order to lengthen survival (Level B), and may be considered to slow the decline of forced vital capacity (Level C) and improve quality of life (Level C). Early initiation of NIV may increase compliance (Level C), and insufflation/exsufflation may be considered to help clear secretions (Level C). Neurology ® 2009;73:1218 –1226 GLOSSARY AAN American Academy of Neurology; ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; FVC forced vital capacity; HFCWO high frequency chest wall oscillation; MIE mechanical insufflation/exsufflation; MIP maximal inspiratory pressure; NIV noninvasive ventilation; PCEF peak cough expiratory flow; Pdi transdiaphragmatic pressure; PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; QOL quality of life; RIG radiologically inserted device; SNP sniff nasal pressure; TIV tracheostomy invasive ventilation.
TL;DR: In this article, a broad range of programs for prevention of child maltreatment exist, the effectiveness of most of the programs is unknown, and there are currently no known approaches to prevent emotional abuse or exposure to intimate-partner violence.
TL;DR: It is found that the individual differences in the distance effect were related to mathematics achievement but not to reading achievement, and the relationship was found to be specific to symbolic numerical comparison.
TL;DR: In this article, an agenda for service operations management (SOM) research is presented, motivated by the need for an SOM research agenda and a research framework that provides a broad-based picture of key architectural elements in the SOM research landscape.
Abstract: This paper offers insights regarding an agenda for service operations management (SOM) research First, we motivate the need for an SOM research agenda Second, we offer a research framework that paints a broad-based picture of key architectural elements in the SOM research landscape The framework builds upon prior and emerging research for designing, delivering and evaluating services Third, in order to stimulate future research in SOM, we use this framework to hone in on five understudied and emerging research themes that underpin our proposed SOM research agenda
TL;DR: In this study, nurses' perceptions of empowerment, supervisor incivility, and cynicism were strongly related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions.
Abstract: Aim The aim of this study was to examine the influence of empowering work conditions and workplace incivility on nurses’ experiences of burnout and important nurse retention factors identified in the literature.
Background A major cause of turnover among nurses is related to unsatisfying workplaces. Recently, there have been numerous anecdotal reports of uncivil behaviour in health care settings.
Method We examined the impact of workplace empowerment, supervisor and coworker incivility, and burnout on three employee retention outcomes: job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions in a sample of 612 Canadian staff nurses.
Results Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses revealed that empowerment, workplace incivility, and burnout explained significant variance in all three retention factors: job satisfaction (R2 = 0.46), organizational commitment (R2 = 0.29) and turnover intentions (R2 = 0.28). Empowerment, supervisor incivility, and cynicism most strongly predicted job dissatisfaction and low commitment (P < 0.001), whereas emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and supervisor incivility most strongly predicted turnover intentions.
Conclusions In our study, nurses’ perceptions of empowerment, supervisor incivility, and cynicism were strongly related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions.
Implications for nursing management Managerial strategies that empower nurses for professional practice may be helpful in preventing workplace incivility, and ultimately, burnout.
TL;DR: Genomewide association data show significant associations between primary biliary cirrhosis and common genetic variants at the HLA class II, IL12A, and IL12RB2 loci and suggest that the interleukin-12 immunoregulatory signaling axis is relevant to the pathophysiology ofPrimary biliary Cirrhosis.
Abstract: Background Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic granulomatous cholangitis, characteristically associated with antimitochondrial antibodies. Twin and family aggregation data suggest that there is a significant genetic predisposition to primary biliary cirrhosis, but the susceptibility loci are unknown. Methods To identify genetic loci conferring a risk for primary biliary cirrhosis, we carried out a genomewide association analysis in which DNA samples from 2072 Canadian and U.S. subjects (536 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and 1536 controls) were genotyped for more than 300,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Sixteen of the SNPs most strongly associated with primary biliary cirrhosis were genotyped in two independent replication sets. We carried out fine-mapping studies across three loci associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Results We found significant associations between primary biliary cirrhosis and 13 loci across the HLA class II region; the HLA-DQB1 locus (encoding the major h...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored two dimensions of supply chain activities (collaboration and evaluation) that might be leveraged by plant managers to improve environmental management in their own plant.
Abstract: Manufacturing organizations can potentially improve environmental management both by increasing the level of investment in environmental technologies and by shifting that investment away from pollution control and toward pollution prevention. However, managers must not only consider their own manufacturing operations in isolation, but also those of others along the supply chain. This paper explores two dimensions of supply chain activities—collaboration and evaluation—that might be leveraged by plant managers to improve environmental management in their own plant. The linkages with suppliers and customers were assessed. Both customer- and plant-initiated collaboration were found to have a significant effect on the level and form of investment in environmental technologies for a sample of Canadian plants. Of greatest importance, as customer-initiated collaborative activities increased, plant-level investment in environmental management was increasingly allocated toward pollution prevention. In contrast, only very limited evidence was found that evaluative activities influenced environmental investment.
TL;DR: Death is a complication of CA of AF, occurring in 1 of 1,000 patients, and knowledge of possible precipitating causes is key to operators and needs to be considered during decision making with patients.
TL;DR: The biophysical effects of cholesterol on the lipid bilayer are discussed, in particular the ordering and condensing effects, concentrating on the molecular level or inter-atomic interactions perspective, starting from two-component systems and proceeding to many-component ones e.g., modeling lipid rafts.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including breaking the news, multidisciplinary clinics, symptom management, cognitive and behavioral impairment, communication, and palliative care for patients with ALS.
Abstract: Objective: To systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The authors analyzed studies from 1998 to 2007 to update the 1999 practice parameter. Topics covered in this section include breaking the news, multidisciplinary clinics, symptom management, cognitive and behavioral impairment, communication, and palliative care for patients with ALS. Results: The authors identified 2 Class I studies, 8 Class II studies, and 30 Class III studies in ALS, but many important areas have been little studied. More high-quality, controlled studies of symptomatic therapies and palliative care are needed to guide management and assess outcomes in patients with ALS. Recommendations: Multidisciplinary clinic referral should be considered for managing patients with ALS to optimize health care delivery and prolong survival (Level B) and may be considered to enhance quality of life (Level C). For the treatment of refractory sialorrhea, botulinum toxin B should be considered (Level B) and low-dose radiation therapy to the salivary glands may be considered (Level C). For treatment of pseudobulbar affect, dextromethorphan and quinidine should be considered if approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (Level B). For patients who develop fatigue while taking riluzole, withholding the drug may be considered (Level C). Because many patients with ALS demonstrate cognitive impairment, which in some cases meets criteria for dementia, screening for cognitive and behavioral impairment should be considered in patients with ALS (Level B). Other management strategies all lack strong evidence.
Harvard University1, Rutgers University2, University of California, Berkeley3, University of Pittsburgh4, University of California, Irvine5, Marietta College6, Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomia7, Adler Planetarium8, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill9, University of Arizona10, Planetary Science Institute11, University of Notre Dame12, University of California, Santa Cruz13, Massachusetts Institute of Technology14, Pennsylvania State University15, Texas A&M University16, University of Massachusetts Amherst17, University of Waterloo18, Polish Academy of Sciences19, Ohio State University20, University of Western Ontario21, European Southern Observatory22
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present multiband photometry of 185 type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), with over 11,500 observations acquired between 2001 and 2008 at the F. L. Whipple Observatory of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).
Abstract: We present multiband photometry of 185 type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), with over 11,500 observations. These were acquired between 2001 and 2008 at the F. L. Whipple Observatory of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). This sample contains the largest number of homogeneously observed and reduced nearby SNe Ia (z 0.08) published to date. It more than doubles the nearby sample, bringing SN Ia cosmology to the point where systematic uncertainties dominate. Our natural system photometry has a precision of 0.02 mag in BVRIr'i' and 0.04 mag in U for points brighter than 17.5 mag. We also estimate a systematic uncertainty of 0.03 mag in our SN Ia standard system BVRIr'i' photometry and 0.07 mag for U. Comparisons of our standard system photometry with published SN Ia light curves and comparison stars, where available for the same SN, reveal agreement at the level of a few hundredths mag in most cases. We find that 1991bg-like SNe Ia are sufficiently distinct from other SNe Ia in their color and light-curve-shape/luminosity relation that they should be treated separately in light-curve/distance fitter training samples. The CfA3 sample will contribute to the development of better light-curve/distance fitters, particularly in the few dozen cases where near-infrared photometry has been obtained and, together, can help disentangle host-galaxy reddening from intrinsic supernova color, reducing the systematic uncertainty in SN Ia distances due to dust.
TL;DR: This paper examined similarities and differences with respect to the nature of three consumer attitudinal dispositions: cosmopolitanism, consumer ethnocentrism, and materialism, using survey data drawn from consumers in eight countries and structural equation modeling techniques.
Abstract: Although there is a consensus that industries are globalizing, the notion that consumer attitudes and behaviors worldwide are likewise homogenizing remains disputed. Despite widespread discourse on this topic, there is a dearth of empirical investigations. This international research examines similarities and differences with respect to the nature of three consumer attitudinal dispositions: cosmopolitanism, consumer ethnocentrism, and materialism. The authors cross-culturally compare demographic antecedents with these dispositions, as well as behavioral outcomes. They test the validation of the construct measures and associated hypotheses using survey data drawn from consumers in eight countries and structural equation modeling techniques, including multigroup analysis. Empirical findings broadly support the cross-cultural applicability of the constructs, though the links to the various demographic antecedents vary considerably from sample to sample. The role of each construct on behavior also va...