bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion-Provoking Personalization of News
Authors: Bas Ozen , Grabe Maria Elizabeth
Published: December 2013

Emotion is often treated as unconducive to rationality and informed citizenship. For this reason, journalistic styles that personalize issues and elicit emotion are typically not taken seriously as information sources. The experimental study reported here tested these sentiments through the knowledge gap hypothesis. Eight investigative news stories, arguably important to informed citizenship (e.g., child labor, corruption in public housing administration, lethality of legal drugs), were each presented in two versions. One featured emotional testimony of ordinary people who experienced the issue, and the other did not—resembling the traditional view of news as cold hard facts. Emotional versions were associated with smaller knowledge gaps between higher and lower education groups. Moreover, the size of knowledge gaps varied across three memory measures: free recall, cued recall, and recognition. Contrary to the inimical role that is traditionally assigned to emotion, these findings suggest a facilitative role for emotion in informing citizens.
Life in State of Fear
Authors: Elías María Verónica
Published: December 2013

This article reflects on the film The Secret in Their Eyes as a platform to discuss fear of government and fear of the different other as obstacles to attain freedom. Oppressive administrative practices subsume the individual into fear and deep dread and truncate the basic human drive for interrelational experiences. In that context, not only is public space under siege but also sheer human existence. The author argues that parrhesia—free and direct speech or truth-telling—can be the first step toward regaining trust in others under oppressive governmental regimes or administrative situations.
The Role of Power in Organizational Corruption
Authors: Jávor István , Jancsics David
Published: December 2013

This article concerns the extent to which corrupt behavior is dependent on the organizational power structure and the resources available for illegal exchange. This qualitative study is based on 42 in-depth interviews with organizational actors in different organizations in Hungary. Four core themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: (a) isolated corruption at the bottom, (b) the middle level’s own corruption, (c) “technicization” when middle-level professionals and expert groups are used to legalize the corruption of the dominant coalition, and (d) “turning-off controls” when organizational elites intentionally deactivate internal and external controls to avoid detection.
Reflections on John Rohr’s “Regime Values,” Neorepublican Freedom, and Public Administration
Authors: Spicer Michael W.
Published: December 2013

In advancing his views on regime values, John Rohr pointed to the limitations and dangers of approaches that seek to ground administrative ethics on the pursuit of any single value or understanding of that value. This article examines the neorepublican conception of freedom and shows how this single-minded conception of freedom can deflect attention away from the conflicts of values, including conflicts among our conceptions of freedom, that characterize our moral and political experience.
Does reading to infants benefit their cognitive development at 9-months-old? An investigation using a large birth cohort survey
Authors: Murray Aisling , Egan Suzanne M
Published: December 2013

This study uses a nationally representative sample of 9-month-old infants and their families from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study to investigate if reading to infants is associated with higher scores on contemporaneous indicators of cognitive development independently of other language-based interactions between parent and infant, such as showing them pictures or talking to them. Reading to infants had an independent positive effect on scores for both the problem-solving and communication subscales of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), while the positive effect of showing pictures was independent only for communication scores. The effects of both of these activities were, however, less substantial than the positive effect observed for the more informal activity of frequently talking to the infant while doing other things; and this was observed for both communication and problem-solving. The analyses were robust to adjustment for several other factors including maternal education, gestational age, non-parental care, breastfeeding, attachment and presence of siblings. The findings highlight the potential of reading and talking to infants, not just for language and literacy development but also for other aspects of cognitive development.
A Systematic Review of Age, Sex, Ethnicity, and Race as Predictors of Violent Recidivism
Authors: Piquero Alex R. , Jennings Wesley G. , Diamond Brie , Reingle Jennifer M.
Published: December 2013

Recidivism of released prisoners, especially violent recidivism, is an important policy issue. Equally important is an understanding of how demographic risk factors may act as moderators of recidivism. Knowledge of such relationships is important in developing a deeper theoretical understanding of the risk of recidivism as well as identifying points of intervention that may need to be re-oriented to reduce recidivism. The present study conducts a meta-analytic review of the violent recidivism literature focusing on the role of several demographic risk factors. Findings show that age, sex, and race (Whites) were significantly related to violent recidivism. Implications and directions for future research are identified.
High-temperature fatigue strength of a copper–cobalt–beryllium alloy
Authors: Berto Filippo , Lazzarin Paolo , Gallo Pasquale
Published: December 2013

This article summarizes the results from uniaxial tension stress-controlled fatigue tests performed at 650°C on Cu-Be specimens. Two geometries are considered: hourglass-shaped specimens and plates weakened by a central hole. The motivation of this present study is that, at the best of the authors knowledge, only a limited number of studies on copper alloys under high-temperature fatigue are available in the literature, and no results from these alloys deal with notched components. In the present contribution, after a brief review of the recent literature, material properties and experimental procedure are described. The new data from un-notched and notched specimens are summarized in the corresponding fatigue curves. By analyzing the fatigue behavior of the plates weakened by central holes, a reduction of the fatigue strength about equal to 40% at 2 million cycles can be noted, whereas the inverse slope, k, is very close to that of un-notched specimens. All fatigue data from un-notched and notched specimens are reanalyzed here in terms of the mean value of the strain energy density. The approach, successfully used to summarize fatigue data from notched specimens tested at room temperature, is extended here for the first time to high-temperature fatigue. In the plates with central holes, the strain energy density is evaluated over a finite size control volume surrounding the highly stressed zone at the hole edge. A value of the radius equal to 0.6mm seems to be appropriate to summarize all fatigue data in a quite narrow scatter band.
Combination of silica nanoparticles with hydroxyapatite reinforces poly (l-lactide acid) scaffolds without loss of bioactivity
Authors: Guerzoni Samuele , Deplaine Harmony , El Haskouri Jamal , Amorós Pedro , Pradas Manuel Monleón , Edlund Ulrica , Ferrer Gloria Gallego
Published: December 2013

Composite scaffolds of poly(l-lactide acid) and hydroxyapatite are of great interest in bone tissue engineering, but their mechanical properties are typically inferior to scaffolds of pure poly(l-lactide acid) due to agglomeration of the particles and weak interfacial component interaction. Fabrication strategies like double sonication of hydroxyapatite or increasing the amount of this inorganic filler do not effectively enhance the mechanical performance. In this study, poly(l-lactide acid) composites combining two types of fillers, mesoporous silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite, were developed to reinforce the poly(l-lactide acid) scaffold without any loss of bioactivity. A 5% addition of SiO2 nanoparticles to hydroxyapatite nanopowder and subjecting the scaffold formulation to double sonication increased the Young’s modulus from 5 MPa (pure poly(l-lactide acid) scaffold) to almost 7 MPa (poly(l-lactide acid)/hydroxyapatite/SiO2 scaffold). In addition, the composite was able to deposit a layer of biomimetic hydroxyapatite both on the surface and interior of the scaffold after 21 days of immersion in a simulated body fluid. The manufacturing method was straightforward and economically viable and does not require any chemical modification of the particles’ surfaces.
Model predictive orbit control of a Low Earth Orbit satellite using Gauss’s variational equations
Authors: Tavakoli MM , Assadian N
Published: December 2013

In this paper, an autonomous orbit control of a satellite in Low Earth Orbit is investigated using model predictive control. The absolute orbit control problem is transformed to a relative orbit control problem in which the desired states of the reference orbit are the orbital elements of a virtual satellite which is not affected by undesirable perturbations. The relative motion is modeled by Gauss’s variational equations including J2 and drag perturbations which are the dominant perturbations in Low Earth Orbit. The advantage of using Gauss’s variational equations over the Cartesian formulations is that not only the linearization errors are much smaller, but also each orbital element can be controlled independently. Model predictive control finds the finite horizon optimal firing times of the satellite thrusters. The problem of orbit control has been cast as a linear programming which is a subset of convex optimization problems. As a result, model predictive control can maintain and control orbits of Low Earth Orbit satellites in optimal way, and this modern control technique can be an alternative for traditional analytical-based orbit control methods. Also, a comparison between model predictive control and linear quadratic regulator orbit control showed the superiority of MPC in fuel consumption.
Osteonecrosis of the hip in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: risk factors and clinical outcome
Authors: Lee J , Kwok S-K , Jung S-M , Min H-K , Nam H-C , Seo J-H , Ju JH , Park K-S , Park S-H , Kim H-Y
Published: December 2013

Objective

The objective of this paper is to identify the risk factors for development of symptomatic osteonecrosis (ON) and predictors of total hip replacement (THR) among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in Korea.

Methods

The medical records of 1051 patients with SLE were reviewed, and 73 patients with symptomatic ON were identified. Among them, 64 patients were eligible for the analysis. Sixty-four age- and sex-matched SLE patients without apparent ON were included as disease controls. The risk factors for development of symptomatic ON were identified by logistic regression analyses. The predictors of THR were determined by Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Results

Among 64 patients with ON, 59 had ON of the hip and 36 underwent THR. Independent risk factors for development of symptomatic ON included Cushingoid body habitus (OR 21.792 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.594–183.083)), use of cyclophosphamide (OR 2.779 (95% CI 1.106–6.981)) and azathioprine (OR 2.662 (95% CI 1.143–6.200)). In the Cox proportional hazards model, only advanced radiological stage of ON (Association for Research on Osseous Circulation (ARCO) stage) was a statistically significant predictor of THR. In subgroup analysis with stage I–III ON, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) (HR 6.295 (95% CI 2.178–18.192)) and cumulative prednisolone dose in the first six months after ON diagnosis > 0.9 g (HR 3.238 (95% CI 1.095–9.58)) to be independent predictors.

Conclusions

Advanced ARCO stage at the onset of ON is an independent risk factor for THR in SLE patients with ON. In ARCO stage I–III ON, patients with NPSLE and those receiving > 0.9 g prednisolone during the first six months after the ON diagnosis are likely to require THR.
Attitudes of prehospital emergency care professionals toward refusal of treatment
Authors: Erbay Hasan , Alan Sultan , Kadioglu Selim
Published: December 2013

Introduction:

Prehospital emergency medicine is a specific field of emergency medicine. The basic approach of prehospital emergency medicine is to provide patients with medical intervention at the scene of the incident. This special environment causes health professionals to encounter various problems. One of the most important problems in this field is ethics, in particular questions involving refusal of treatment and the processes associated with it.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to identify emergency health professionals’ views regarding refusal of treatment.

Methods:

This study was conducted with 356 health professionals who were on active duty in prehospital emergency health services. The data were collected through a form which included 10 statements. The participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statements given by rating them between 0 and 10.

Ethical considerations:

Before conducting the research, permission was received from the local ethics committee. Participants were given written information about the purpose of the study. Participants were assured that their participation was voluntary.

Results:

The healthcare professionals with fewer years of experience in the profession and female participants adopted an attitude of giving priority to providing care. Young participants, in general, respected patient autonomy. However, paradoxically, when it comes to emergency medical cases, they expressed an opinion closer to paternalism.

Conclusions:

This study has found that prehospital emergency health professionals generally respect the patient’s right to refuse treatment; however, they do not prioritize this right when there is a life-threatening situation or when the person does not have decision-making capacity. In these cases, prehospital emergency health professionals tended to adopt a more paternalistic approach.
Anatomical Evaluation of Different Approaches for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis
Authors: Rausch Sascha , Loracher Clemens , Fröber Rosemarie , Gueorguiev Boyko , Wagner Andreas , Gras Florian , Simons Paul , Klos Kajetan
Published: December 2013

Background:

The transfibular approach is commonly used for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. However, the medial and the posterolateral approaches are available as alternatives. The present study was performed to assess the effects of the 3 approaches on the neurovascular structures encountered and to quantify the extent of cartilage in the different joint compartments that could be surgically debrided.

Methods:

This cadaver study was performed in 6 pairs of formalin-fixed legs (mean donor age: 80 years; 4 females, 2 males). For each approach, 4 specimens were selected. The neurovascular structures at risk and the debrided portions of the articular cartilage were compared.

Results:

Arterial structures were least compromised by the transfibular approach. The posterolateral approach was particularly likely to damage the lateral malleolar branches of the peroneal artery. Venous structures were at risk mainly from the medial approach, which was also the most risk-bearing of the 3 approaches in terms of nerve damage. The proportions of cartilage-debrided joint surfaces of the tibia in the ankle joint, and of the talus and the calcaneus in the subtalar joint, did not differ notably. The proportions of debrided surfaces of the talus in the ankle joint differed notably among the 3 approaches.

Conclusions:

The medial approach could be a valid alternative to the lateral transfibular approach for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Care should be taken, however, to prevent damage to the saphenous nerve and other neurological structures.

Clinical Relevance:

Access morbidity and feasibility of adequate cartilage debridement are relevant to the clinical outcome of hindfoot arthrodesis.
Microblogging for Class
Authors: Gant Camilla , Hadley Patrick D.
Published: December 2013

This study shows that undergraduate students can gratify cognitive, affective, social integrative, and personal integrative needs microblogging via a learning management system discussion tool. Moreover, the researchers find that microblogging about news regarding mass media events and issues via Blackboard heightened engagement, expanded knowledge of subject matter, encouraged transactional learning, and reinforced retention of content.
Following Bud
Authors: Riggs Nicholas A.
Published: December 2013

I show what it’s like to read Bud Goodall’s blog as he writes at the end-of-life. My experience leads me to question what it means to acknowledge death and how blogging is a particular way of narrating mortality in dialogue with others. I illustrate how engaging with digital texts can interpolate readers into each other’s private worlds, stimulate their interpretive faculties and cultivate rituals of mediated interaction that herald new forms of narrative inquiry rooted in praxis. Reflecting on my experience, I conclude that blogging at the end-of-life can open an important space for talking about mortality reflexively.
The validity of the RILE left–right index as a measure of party policy
Authors: Mölder Martin
Published: December 2013

The RILE index of the manifesto dataset is a popular but controversial estimate of parties’ left–right positions. It has been thoroughly criticized, yet a basic question of its validity has not been addressed. In the current article I argue that for the index to be valid, patterns of association presumed by the logic of the index must be present in the data used to calculate it. I apply canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to test these associations within and between the sets of variables that form the left–right (RILE) index, concluding that for countries which have not experienced a communist past the relationship is present, although substantively weak. More important, however, is that for post-communist countries the required associations in the data are clearly not there. The RILE index is therefore an invalid measure of left–right position for this set of countries.
The role of emotion perception in adaptive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Hudepohl Margaret B , Robins Diana L , King Tricia Z , Henrich Christopher C
Published: December 2013

Cognitive functioning has historically been used to predict adaptive outcomes of people with autism spectrum disorders; however, research shows that it is not a complete predictor. The current study explored whether emotion perception was a predictor of adaptive outcomes, and more specifically, hypothesized that emotion perception (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2 error scores) would mediate adaptive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorder (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition). People with autism spectrum disorders demonstrated significantly lower adaptive functioning and emotion perception skills compared to typically developing individuals. Emotion perception acted as a significant mediator for socialization, but not communication or daily living skills, highlighting that in people with autism spectrum disorders, lower socialization abilities is the result, in part, of emotion perception deficits. It was unexpected that emotion perception was not a mediator for communication skills. This may be related to sample restrictions, or the narrow focus on emotion perception. Future research should involve a larger, more inclusive autism spectrum disorder sample, broaden approaches to exploring relationships between social perception and adaptive outcomes, and relate findings to brain mechanisms underlying emotion perception.
Occupants’ satisfaction with, and physical readings of, thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions of sustainable office workspaces
Authors: Freihoefer Kara , Guerin Denise , Martin Caren , Kim Hye-Young , Brigham Jonee Kulman
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate indoor environmental quality (IEQ) components of thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions in a building compliant with sustainable guidelines through findings from a post-occupancy questionnaire and on-site readings. This study (1) identified thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions that significantly affected occupant satisfaction with their office workspace and (2) determined if the required IEQ guideline standards correlate to occupants’ satisfaction. Questionnaire results did indicate occupants’ satisfaction with overall thermal conditions (OTC) and overall acoustic condition (OAC) was significantly different than their satisfaction with the overall physical environment. The thermal conditions multiple regression model indicated that temperature, air velocity, and humidity were contributing attributes of occupants’ OTC satisfaction. Furthermore, all acoustic attributes were found as significant contributors to OAC satisfaction in the acoustic conditions model, except for the ability to limit distraction for undesired sounds. The average physical readings of thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions taken in selected workspaces did meet the guidelines required standards. Although some conditions of the environment were not as satisfying for occupants as others. Further analyses also indicated occupants’ satisfaction levels with the conditions varied significantly between workspace types (open and closed). Interior designers must understand that designing according to sustainable guidelines does not always create a satisfying physical environment for occupants.
Risk conflicts, critical discourse analysis and media discourses on GM crops and food
Authors: Maeseele Pieter
Published: December 2013

As techno-environmental controversies increasingly confront us with tremendous democratic challenges, it is imperative to investigate which discursive strategies and processes in media discourses facilitate or impede democratic debate and citizenship. This paper puts forward an approach combining the risk conflicts perspective with the analytical framework of critical discourse analysis to analyse how two Belgian elite newspapers discursively (re-)define and interpret four controversial events in the debate on genetically modified crops and food. The analysis identifies two distinct ideological cultures. Driven by an unproblematized idea of scientific consensus, one ideological culture is found to repeatedly take up the defence of the status quo and to continuously enact processes of de-politicization to impede democratic debate. The other is found to facilitate democratic debate by repeatedly challenging existing power relations, in terms of revealing competing sets of assumptions, values and interests underlying opposing responses to scientific uncertainty.
“What we do is not actually journalism”: Role negotiations in online departments of two newspapers in Slovenia and Serbia
Authors: Vobič Igor , Milojević Ana
Published: December 2013

This study offers insights into articulations between the normative and the empirical in online journalists’ self-negotiations concerning their roles in people’s assimilation of information, the daily provision of news and their institutional status in online departments. In-depth interviews with online journalists from two leading newspapers, Delo in Slovenia and Novosti in Serbia, are used to investigate their negotiations with respect to their societal role. The analysis reveals troubled negotiation processes among interviewed online journalists when they consider what is regarded as “true” journalism, news production requirements and their institutional status. This indicates that rearrangements of political–economic relations in both post-socialist societies have increased journalism’s responsibility to the media owners and power holders and surpassed its normatively defined responsibility to the public. Both case subjects are compared through the prism of the processes of negotiation of normative principles of journalism in the social, national and institutional contexts of the two newspapers.
Inadequate supervision or inadequate sensitivity to cultural differences in parenting? Exploring cross-cultural rates of neglect in an Australian sample
Authors: Sawrikar Pooja
Published: December 2013

One unexpected finding from the postdoctoral fellowship I conducted on the needs and experiences of ethnic minority families in the New South Wales (NSW) child protection system in Australia, was that reports of inadequate supervision seemed high compared to their Anglo-Australian counterparts. The aim of this article was to explore this finding further. This article argues that cultural differences between individualist and collectivist cultures (which families from ethnic minority backgrounds tend to be) contribute to the differential rates of prevalence in reports of neglect. Specifically, the greater role of extended family and community in sharing parenting responsibilities (and thus the inferred reduced care from primary caregivers) and the responsibility levels of children at younger ages (and thus the inferred lack of capacity to self-care) may be contributing to reports of neglect in families from collectivist backgrounds. However, this article also argues that collectivist values that influence what is seen to be adequate parental supervision are not, in the main, harmful (especially if it is the only report for a family) because they do not normalize or perpetuate risk of harm to children. The sample size in this study is small and so caution should be exercised. Nevertheless, this article highlights that caseworkers should be careful not to mislabel the behaviours of parents from collectivist backgrounds as neglectful, because to do so is to use one standard of parenting by which to judge all families and the problems with an absolutist approach to child protection are well known indeed.
User-acceptance studies for simplified light-emitting diode spectra
Authors: Baniya RR , Dangol R , Bhusal P , Wilm A , Baur E , Puolakka M , Halonen L
Published: December 2013

In previous user-acceptance studies conducted at Aalto University, it was found that the preferred light-emitting diode spectral power distributions (SPDs) were not characterised by a high-CIE colour-rendering index but by a high-colour quality index (CQS) colour preference scale (Qp) and a high-CQS gamut area scale (Qg). In these studies, the SPDs were realised with a 12-channel LED spectra simulator. It is, however, foreseen that LED light sources consisting of 12 different types of LEDs will not be commercially exploitable due to complexity. The objective of this work was to investigate the possibility of generating simplified LED SPDs having CQS Qp and CQS Qg values similar to those of the preferred complex LED SPDs found in the previous user-acceptance studies. User-acceptance studies were carried out in lighting booths to investigate people’s preferences for the lit environment under both the complex and simplified LED spectra. The results suggest that the preferred complex LED SPDs can be optimized both for efficiency and cost without sacrificing the colour quality of the light.
The Role of Behavioral and Cognitive Cultural Orientation on Mexican American College Students’ Life Satisfaction
Authors: Ojeda Lizette , Edwards Lisa M. , Hardin Erin E. , Piña-Watson Brandy
Published: December 2013

We examined the role of behavioral (acculturation and enculturation) and cognitive cultural orientation (independent and interdependent self-construal) on Mexican American college students’ life satisfaction. Analyses explained 28% of the variance in life satisfaction, with social class, grade point average, and independent self-construal being unique predictors. Furthermore, enculturation was associated with increasing life satisfaction among those low in interdependent self-construal, whereas acculturation was associated with decreasing life satisfaction among those high in independent self-construal. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Fathers’ Views on Their Financial Situations, Father–Child Activities, and Preventing Child Injuries
Authors: Olsen Lise L. , Oliffe John L. , Brussoni Mariana , Creighton Genevieve
Published: December 2013

Unintentional injuries are a leading public health problem for children, particularly among those living at lower socioeconomic levels. Parents play an important preventive role, and the aim of this study was to examine fathers’ views on the role of their family financial situation in preventing children’s injuries. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 fathers of children 2 to 7 years living in western Canada. Questions solicited fathers’ views about their financial situation and their child injury prevention efforts. Data analysis was underpinned by masculinity theory and guided by constant comparative grounded theory methods. Findings included that fathers living with fewer financial limitations emphasized use of safety equipment and aligned themselves with provider and protector masculine ideals. Fathers with moderate financial constraint described more child-centered safety efforts and efforts to manage finances. Those facing greatest constraint demonstrated aspects of marginalized masculinities, whereby they acknowledged their economic provider limitations while strongly aligning with the protector role. These findings hold relevance for development of interventions aimed at reducing child injury risk inequities. Taking into account how masculinities may shape their beliefs and practices can inform design of father-centered interventions for men living at different points on the socioeconomic spectrum.
Is managerial discretion good or bad for organizational adaptiveness?
Authors: Espedal Bjarne
Published: December 2013

Managerial discretion is generally seen as a leadership capacity that affects organizations’ ability to adapt to new and changing demands and circumstances. The aim of this article is to examine this traditional view. Based on a review of the literature, I will argue: Both too little and too much managerial discretion might be disadvantageous to appropriate organizational adaptiveness. Based on findings from a pilot study of top leaders as “change agents,” I will make the argument: It is difficult for top leaders as change agents to have both discretion and power.
The effect of hormones on the lower urinary tract
Authors: Robinson Dudley , Toozs-Hobson Philip , Cardozo Linda
Published: December 2013

The female genital and lower urinary tracts share a common embryological origin, arising from the urogenital sinus and both are sensitive to the effects of the female sex steroid hormones throughout life. Estrogen is known to have an important role in the function of the lower urinary tract and estrogen and progesterone receptors have been demonstrated in the vagina, urethra, bladder and pelvic floor musculature. In addition estrogen deficiency occurring following the menopause is known to cause atrophic change and may be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, urgency incontinence and recurrent infection. These may also co-exist with symptoms of urogenital atrophy such as dyspareunia, itching, vaginal burning and dryness. Epidemiological studies have implicated estrogen deficiency in the aetiology of lower urinary tract symptoms with 70% of women relating the onset of urinary incontinence to their final menstrual period.

Whilst for many years systemic and vaginal estrogen therapy was felt to be beneficial in the treatment of lower urinary and genital tract symptoms this evidence has recently been challenged by large epidemiological studies investigating the use of systemic hormone replacement therapy as primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, on the lower urinary tract and to review the current evidence regarding the role of systemic and vaginal estrogens in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms and urogenital atrophy.
Who Can Wait for the Future? A Personality Perspective
Authors: Mahalingam Vaishali , Stillwell David , Kosinski Michal , Rust John , Kogan Aleksandr
Published: December 2013

Who can wait for larger, delayed rewards rather than smaller, immediate ones? Delay discounting (DD) measures the rate at which subjective value of an outcome decreases as the length of time to obtaining it increases. Previous work has shown that greater DD predicts negative academic, social, and health outcomes. Yet, little is known about who is likely to engage in greater or less DD. Taking a personality perspective, in a large sample ( N = 5,888), we found that greater DD was predicted by low openness and conscientiousness and higher extraversion and neuroticism. Smaller amounts were also discounted more than larger amounts; furthermore, amount magnified the effects of openness and neuroticism on DD. Our findings show that personality is one predictor of individual differences in DD—an important implication for intervention approaches targeted at DD.
Research in Communication, Disability, and Sport
Authors: Cherney James L. , Lindemann Kurt , Hardin Marie
Published: December 2013

Explorations of the intersections of disability and sport have painted a multilayered picture of crucial aspects of communication including issues of gender, health, politics, and organizational tensions. Media-focused scholarship has identified different ways that sport articulates, perpetuates, and can challenge ableist views of disabled bodies. This article explores sites for additional communication research building on work on disability and sport from outside the communication and media studies field. The scholarship on disability and sport is explored around three themes: disability sport and rehabilitation discourse; disability metaphors and stereotypes; and sport, public controversy, and disability law. Possibilities for communication-focused work around each of these themes are also explored, and a case is made for the continued emphasis on integration of feminist, queer, and critical race theory into the study of discourse around disability and sport.
Mutation of NRAS but not KRAS significantly reduces myeloma sensitivity to single-agent bortezomib therapy
Authors: Mulligan George , Lichter David I. , Di Bacco Alessandra , Blakemore Stephen J. , Berger Allison , Koenig Erik , Bernard Hugues , Trepicchio William , Li Bin , Neuwirth Rachel , Chattopadhyay Nibedita , Bolen Joseph B. , Dorner Andrew J. , van de Velde Helgi , Ricci Deborah , Jagannath Sundar , Berenson James R. , Richardson Paul G. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Orlowski Robert Z. , Lonial Sagar , Anderson Kenneth C. , Sonneveld Pieter , San Miguel Jesús F. , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , Schu Matthew
Published: December 2013

Key Points

A high frequency of RAS/RAF mutations and recurrent mutations in PDGFRA and JAK3 were found in relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Patients with NRAS, but not KRAS, mutation exhibited significantly reduced sensitivity to bortezomib but not high-dose dexamethasone.
Migraine misdiagnosis as a sinusitis, a delay that can last for many years
Authors: Al-Hashel Jasem Y , Ahmed Samar Farouk , Alroughani Raed , Goadsby Peter J
Published: December 2013

Background

Sinusitis is the most frequent misdiagnosis given to patients with migraine.

Therefore we decided to estimate the frequency of misdiagnosis of sinusitis among migraine patients.

Methods

The study included migraine patients with a past history of sinusitis. All included cases fulfilled the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rdedition (ICHD-III- beta) criteria. We excluded patients with evidence of sinusitis within the past 6 months of evaluation. Demographic data, headache history, medical consultation, and medication intake for headache and effectiveness of therapy before and after diagnosis were collected.

Results

A total of 130 migraine patients were recruited. Of these patients 106 (81.5%) were misdiagnosed as sinusitis. The mean time delay of migraine diagnosis was (7.75 ± 6.29, range 1 to 38 years). Chronic migraine was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in misdiagnosed patients than in patients with proper diagnosis. Medication overuse headache (MOH) was reported only in patients misdiagnosed as sinusitis. The misdiagnosed patients were treated either medically 87.7%, or surgically12.3% without relieve of their symptoms in 84.9% and 76.9% respectively. However, migraine headache improved in 68.9% after proper diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions

Many migraine patients were misdiagnosed as sinusitis. Strict adherence to the diagnostic criteria will prevent the delay in migraine diagnosis and help to prevent chronification of the headache and possible MOH.
Diversity and history of the long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (Acsl) gene family in vertebrates
Authors: Lopes-Marques Mónica , Cunha Isabel , Reis-Henriques Maria Armanda , Santos Miguel M , Castro L Filipe C
Published: December 2013

Background

Fatty acids, a considerable fraction of lipid molecules, participate in fundamental physiological processes. They undergo activation into their corresponding CoA esters for oxidation or esterification into complex lipids (e.g. triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol esters), a process that is carried out by acyl-CoA synthases (ACS). Here we analyze the evolution of the gene family encoding for the long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (Acsl) in vertebrates.

Results

By means of phylogenetics and comparative genomics we show that genome duplications (2R) generated the diversity of Acsl genes in extant vertebrate lineages. In the vertebrate ancestor two separate genes originated the current Acsl1/5/6 and the Acsl3/4 gene families, and the extra gene duplicates in teleosts are a consequence of the teleost specific third round of genome duplication (3R). Moreover, the diversity of Acsl family members is broader than anticipated. Our strategy uncovered a novel uncharacterized Acsl-like gene found in teleosts, spotted gar, coelacanth and possibly lamprey, which we designate Acsl2. The detailed analysis of the Acsl2 teleost gene locus strongly supports the conclusion that it corresponds to a retained 2R paralogue, lost in tetrapods.

Conclusions

We provide here the first evolutionary analysis of the Acsl gene family in vertebrates, showing the specific contribution of 2R/3R to the diversity of this gene family. We find also that the division of ACSL enzymes into two groups predates at least the emergence of deuterostomes. Our study indicates that genome duplications significantly contributed to the elaboration of fatty acid activation metabolism in vertebrates.
Functional characterization of two members of histidine phosphatase superfamily in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Coker Olabisi Oluwabukola , Warit Saradee , Rukseree Kamolchanok , Summpunn Pijug , Prammananan Therdsak , Palittapongarnpim Prasit
Published: December 2013

Background

Functional characterization of genes in important pathogenic bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis is imperative. Rv2135c, which was originally annotated as conserved hypothetical, has been found to be associated with membrane protein fractions of H37Rv strain. The gene appears to contain histidine phosphatase motif common to both cofactor-dependent phosphoglycerate mutases and acid phosphatases in the histidine phosphatase superfamily. The functions of many of the members of this superfamily are annotated based only on similarity to known proteins using automatic annotation systems, which can be erroneous. In addition, the motif at the N-terminal of Rv2135c is ‘RHA’ unlike ‘RHG’ found in most members of histidine phosphatase superfamily. These necessitate the need for its experimental characterization. The crystal structure of Rv0489, another member of the histidine phosphatase superfamily in M. tuberculosis, has been previously reported. However, its biochemical characteristics remain unknown. In this study, Rv2135c and Rv0489 from M. tuberculosis were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli with 6 histidine residues tagged at the C terminal.

Results

Characterization of the purified recombinant proteins revealed that Rv0489 possesses phosphoglycerate mutase activity while Rv2135c does not. However Rv2135c has an acid phosphatase activity with optimal pH of 5.8. Kinetic parameters of Rv2135c and Rv0489 are studied, confirming that Rv0489 is a cofactor dependent phosphoglycerate mutase of M. tuberculosis. Additional characterization showed that Rv2135c exists as a tetramer while Rv0489 as a dimer in solution.

Conclusion

Most of the proteins orthologous to Rv2135c in other bacteria are annotated as phosphoglycerate mutases or hypothetical proteins. It is possible that they are actually phosphatases. Experimental characterization of a sufficiently large number of bacterial histidine phosphatases will increase the accuracy of the automatic annotation systems towards a better understanding of this important group of enzymes.
Bridging evidence-practice gaps: improving use of medicines in elderly Australian veterans
Authors: Roughead Elizabeth E , Kalisch Ellett Lisa M , Ramsay Emmae N , Pratt Nicole L , Barratt John D , LeBlanc Vanessa T , Ryan Philip , Peck Robert , Killer Graeme , Gilbert Andrew L
Published: December 2013

Background

The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) funds an ongoing health promotion based program to improve use of medicines and related health services, which implements interventions that include audit and feedback in the form of patient-specific feedback generated from administrative claims records. We aimed to determine changes in medicine use as a result of the program.

Methods

The program provides targeted patient-specific feedback to medical practitioners. The feedback is supported with educational material developed by a clinical panel, subject to peer review and overseen by a national editorial committee. Veterans who meet target criteria also receive educational brochures. The program is supported by a national call centre and ongoing national consultation. Segmented regression analyses (interrupted time series) were undertaken to assess changes in medication use in targeted veterans pre and post each intervention.

Results

12 interventions were included; three to increase medicine use, seven which aimed to reduce use, and two which had combination of messages to change use. All programs that aimed to increase medicine use were effective, with relative effect sizes at the time of the intervention ranging from 1% to 8%. Mixed results were seen with programs aiming to reduce inappropriate medicine use. Highly specific programs were effective, with relative effect sizes at the time of the intervention of 10% decline in use of NSAIDs in high risk groups and 14% decline in use of antipsychotics in dementia. Interventions targeting combinations of medicines, including medicine interactions and potentially inappropriate medicines in the elderly did not change practice significantly. Interventions with combinations of messages targeting multiple components of practice had an impact on one component, but not all components targeted.

Conclusions

The Veterans’ MATES program showed positive practice change over time, with interventions increasing use of appropriate medicines where under-use was evident and reduced use of inappropriate medicines when single medicines were targeted. Combinations of messages were less effective, suggesting specific messages focusing on single medicines are required to maximise effect. The program provides a model that could be replicated in other settings.
A study of the role of GATA4 polymorphism in cardiovascular metabolic disorders
Authors: Muiya Nzioka P , Wakil Salma M , Tahir Asma I , Hagos Samya , Najai Mohammed , Gueco Daisy , Al-Tassan Nada , Andres Editha , Mazher Nejat , Meyer Brian F , Dzimiri Nduna
Published: December 2013

Background

The study was designed to evaluate the association of GATA4 gene polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its metabolic risk factors, including dyslipidaemic disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, following a preliminary study linking early onset of CAD in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia to chromosome 8, which harbours the GATA4 gene.

Results

We first sequenced the whole GATA4 gene in 250 individuals to identify variants of interest and then investigated the association of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the disease traits using Taqman chemistry in 4,278 angiographed Saudi individuals. Of the studied SNPs, rs804280 (1.14 (1.03 to 1.27); p = 0.009) was associated with CAD (2,274 cases vs 2,004 controls), hypercholesterolaemia (1,590 vs 2,487) (1.61 (1.03–2.52); p = 0.037) and elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (hLDLC) (575 vs 3,404) (1.87 (1.10–3.15); p = 0.020). Additionally, rs3729855_T (1.52 (1.09–2.11; p = 0.013)) and rs17153743 (AG + GG) (2.30 (1.30–4.26); p = 0.005) were implicated in hypertension (3,312 vs 966), following adjustments for confounders. Furthermore, haplotypes CCCGTGCC (χ
2 = 4.71; p = 0.041) and GACCCGTG (χ
2 = 3.84; p = 0.050) constructed from the SNPs were associated with CAD and ACCCACGC (χ
2 = 6.58; p = 0.010) with myocardial infarction, while hypercholesterolaemia (χ
2 = 3.86; p = 0.050) and hLDLC (χ
2 = 4.94; p = 0.026) shared the AACCCATGT, and AACCCATGTC was associated with hLDLC (χ
2 = 4.83; p = 0.028). A 10-mer GACCCGCGCC (χ
2 = 7.59; p = 0.006) was associated with obesity (1,631 vs 2,362), and the GACACACCC (χ
2 = 4.05; p = 0.044) was implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus 2,378 vs 1,900).

Conclusion

Our study implicates GATA4 in CAD and its metabolic risk traits. The finding also points to the possible involvement of yet undefined entities related to GATA4 transcription activity or gene regulatory pathways in events leading to these cardiovascular disorders.
Certain transformations for multiple hypergeometric functions
Authors: Wei Chuanan , Wang Xiaoxia , Li Yaqiong
Published: December 2013

The aim of this research is to provide many new hypergeometric transformations of Kampé de Fériet’s double hypergeometric functions and Srivastava’s triple hypergeometric functions, which are obtained with the help of the relations of Appell, Humbert, Horn and Srivastava’s multiple hypergeometric functions. The results are derived by the beta integral method which has been recently introduced and studied systematically by Krattenthaler and Rao.

MSC:33C20, 33C05, 33B20.
Aripirazole augmentation in clozapine-associated obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia
Authors: Eryılmaz Gül , Hızlı Sayar Gökben , Ozten Eylem , Gögcegöz Gül Işıl , Karamustafalıoğlu Oğuz
Published: December 2013

Objective

Patients with schizophrenia often experience comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Within these patients, a significant subgroup developed secondary obsessive-compulsive symptoms during treatment with clozapine.

Method

In this paper, we report on four cases in which adjunctive therapy with aripiprazole was tested to alleviate obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia.

Results

All four patients had a significant improvement in obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The combination of clozapine and aripiprazole was well tolerated.

Conclusion

This case series demonstrates the clinical efficacy of aripiprazole adjunctive therapy with clozapine in schizophrenic patients with comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Larger-sampled and controlled studies are required in order to test and confirm these observations.