bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental Characteristics Have a Larger Effect on Children's Health Behaviour than Their Body Weight
Authors: Drenowatz Clemens , Erkelenz Nanette , Wartha Olivia , Brandstetter Susanne , Steinacker Jürgen M. , on behalf of the URMEL-ICE Study Group
Published: November 2014

Objective: Parents take an important role in a child's development, but there is currently limited information on parental correlates with children's health behaviour. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine whether parental characteristics, such as body weight, TV consumption and sport participation, affect children's body weight and health behaviour. Methods: To examine the effects of parental characteristics on children's body weight and health behaviour, baseline data of 1,118 elementary school children (7.6 ± 0.4 years) participating in a school-based intervention in southwest Germany was used. Children's height and weight were measured and parent as well as child behaviour was assessed via questionnaire. Results: BMI percentiles of children were positively associated with parental BMI (r = 0.2, p < 0.01). Further, high parental TV time increased the odds for high TV time in children (ORmother = 2.2, ORfather = 2.3) and parental club sport participation increased the odds for club sport participation in children (ORmother = 1.9, ORfather = 1.7). The relationship between parental and child behaviour was stronger than the relationship between parental BMI and BMI percentiles of the child. Conclusion: These results suggest that parental behaviour and role modelling provide an important contribution to childrens' health behaviour, especially at younger ages.
The ‘Pantie' Tumour
Authors: Kanokrungsee Silada , Vachiramon Vasanop , Sirithanabadeekul Punyaphat
Published: November 2014

We present a case of radiation-associated angiosarcoma. A 67-year-old Thai woman was diagnosed with endometrium carcinoma stage IC and was treated with surgery and radiations. Ten years later, she presented with a gradually enlarging mass on the pubic area, in the shape of a pair of panties. Skin biopsy of lesions confirmed angiosarcoma. The diagnosis was radiation-associated angiosarcoma. She was treated with chemotherapy due to unresectable tumour. The chemotherapy was started with paclitaxel 70 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. After completing the fifth cycle of paclitaxel, the lesion was markedly decreased in size and the symptoms previously described were also completely resolved.
Constraints and Improvement: A case Study of the Indonesia’s International Standard School in Improving its Capacity Building
Authors: Sumintono Bambang , Said Hamdan , Mislan Nora
Published: November 2014

Improving school capacity building becomes one of the major themes in the educational effectiveness research. This paper investigates implementation of the International Standard School (SBI) policy in Indonesia which as an effort of school capacity building improvement in the country. Using framework that is developed by King and Newman (2001), several dimensions of capacity building with relation to knowledge, skill and disposition of individual staff, and professional learning community in a secondary school that is located in a small city in West Java, Indonesia involved in the program is analysed. It is found that policy structure of Indonesia’s SBI has not been adequately designed and developed to gear the school towards significant direction in terms of improving its capacity building. Teachers have difficulties to reach ‘international requirements’ such as communicating in English in teaching, program to improve the language fluency also not worked properly. School was not utilizing capacity to increase professional learning community between teachers, but rely on usual program.
The Competence of School Principals: What Kind of Need Competence for School Success?
Authors: Mustamin NFN , Yasin M. Al Muz-zammil Bin
Published: November 2014

Competence is generally defined as the ability, the knowledge; attitudes and skills to do job effectively and efficiently. Because the school principals is a key success of a school, the this study can provide information about the competencies that need to be supplied to the school principals as educational leaders, who in accordance to various references, study results or documents. Hence, this study specifically focuses on the competence of school principals based on Ministry of Education Malaysia; Florida Department of Education, and Ministry of National Education Indonesia. Base on the purpose of this study, document analyzed was conducted by adapting methods of Concept Mapping. Based on the results obtained that, in generally competencies that need to be supplied to the competence of school principals based on schools; teachers (staff); and students. Meanwhile, results of document analyzed of the school principals from three documents are oriented to the school in general; oriented instructional leadership to the aspects of teaching done by teacher; and operational oriented to the school for student success. Therefore, this study suggests that the importance of school principals should be provided as has been highlighted competencies for school achievement.
Pre-Requisites of Pre-Service Secondary Teacher Education Programme in Jharkhand: An Analysis
Authors: Kumari Shilpi , Chandra Panda Subhash
Published: November 2014

The fundamental basis of the curriculum, critical andragogical input, availability of time period, modern and innovative transactional approaches and qualitative evaluation process in the prescribed curriculum, infrastructural facilities as well as the teacher composition are considered to be the quality indicators of teacher education programme. The study was delimited to colleges (both private and government) having attached B.Ed. wing under Kolhan University. By utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques the relevant data were collected in terms of intended curriculum, infrastructural facilities and teacher composition. Subsequently it was revealed that the secondary teacher education programme of Kolhan University was more or less a knowledge transmission model inefficient to foster prospective teachers as a facilitator of pupil’s learning in varied socio-cultural contexts. The present research contrives necessary measures to evolve a quality teacher education programme which may be capable of meeting the emerging challenges of secondary education in Jharkhand.
The Examining of Job Satisfaction Level of Koran Teachers In Terms of Some Variables
Authors: Cekin Abdulkadir
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study is to analyze the job satisfaction level of Koran teachers. The relationships between the job satisfaction level of Koran teachers and some demographic status (gender, age and educational level) were examined. For this purpose, the Koran teachers on the sample of 243 questionnaires were selected. Statistical operations on the data obtained were analyzed via SPSS program. At the conclusion of the study, it was found that gender is the ineffective factor; educational level and age are the effective factors for job satisfaction of Koran teachers.
The Effectiveness of FRESH Technique to Teach Descriptive Paragraph
Authors: Faisal Faisal , Suwandita Krisna
Published: November 2014

This study was aimed at knowing the effectiveness of FRESH technique in teaching descriptive paragraph. The method of this study was quasi experimental method. This study was conducted at one of the state madrasah aliyah in academic year 2012/2013. The total sample of this study was 78 respondents divided into two groups: the control class with no treatment and the experimental class with FRESH technique. The data collection technique used essay tests for pre-test and post-test. The evaluation covered content, organization, vocabulary, style, and mechanic. After data analyses, the students in the experimental class had better achievement than those in the control class. The result of t-test computation was 1.968, with t-table value = 1.664 at the significant level Î± = 0.05. The t-test result was higher than the value of t-table (1.968 1.664). It meant that the hypothesis was accepted or FRESH technique was effective in teaching descriptive paragraph to the students of that school in academic year 2012/2013.
Goal-Setting Learning Principles: A Lesson From Practitioner
Authors: Abu Bakar Zainudin Bin , Yun Lee Mei , Keow NG Siew , Li Tan Hui
Published: November 2014

One of the prominent theory was the goal-setting theory which was widely been used in educational setting. It is an approach than can enhance the teaching and learning activities in the classroom. This is a report paper about a simple study of the implementation of the goal-setting principle in the classroom. A clinical data of the teaching and learning session was then analysed to address several issues highlighted. It is found that the goal-setting principles if understood clearly by the teachers can enhance the teaching and learning activities. Failed to see the needs of the session will revoke the students learning interest. It is suggested that goal-setting learning principles could become a powerful aid for the teachers in the classroom.
Attitudes and Motivation toward Learning the English Language among Students from Islamic Education System Background: Exploring the Views of Teachers
Authors: Ahmad Ismail Sheikh , Abdullah Hazlina , A Ghani Muhammad Faizal
Published: November 2014

Research in the field of attitudes and motivation has increasingly investigated the nature and role of motivation in L2 learning process, and many are inspired by Canadian psychologists, Robert Gardner and Wallace Lambert [1]. However, in Malaysia, there has been only a meagre number of research that investigates teachers' perceptions on attitudes and motivation of students from religious school background. It is of great significance to explore the attitudes and motivation of these groups of students because the students appeared to be weak in the English language and they also held negative perceptions toward the language [2, 3]. The present study is needed to attain authentic information about possible connections between teachers' personal experiences, their perspectives and their practices regarding teaching and learning of students from the aforementioned background. This qualitative research study contains in-depth teacher interviews that document their personal perceptions, ways of dealing with students in the specified setting, and their suggestions on improving the attitudes and motivation of learning English for students from religious school background. Findings are presented according to the research questions intended for the study and several conclusions were drawn from the data.
Manifestations of Differential Cultural Capital in a University Classroom: Views from Classroom Observations and Focus Group Discussions in a South African University
Authors: Mutekwe Edmore
Published: November 2014

Based predominantly on Pierre Bourdieu’s social and cultural reproduction theory, particularly his notions of cultural capital and symbolic violence, this paper explores how first year post graduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE) university students from diverse socio-linguistic backgrounds differ in the levels at which they understand and express themselves in classroom activities. The paper’s thesis is that the diverse nature of South African classrooms presents a number of challenges not only for students but also for educators in terms of the use of English as a medium of instruction or the language for learning and teaching (LOLT). Owing to the fact that the South African Language in Education Policy (LiEP) of 1997 empowers both learners and educators in schools to use any of the eleven South African official languages as a LOLT wherever that is reasonably possible, students whose English backgrounds were deficient in enculturating them in the use of English as a learning tool often encounter challenges in expressing their ideas in the classroom, whether in writing or in oral presentations. The discussion is anchored in the data elicited through two data collection methods, lesson observations in a Diploma in Higher Education, Research class composed of students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and through focus group discussion sessions with 40 multi-ethnic Diploma in Higher Education students from the same classroom. The data management and analysis for this study was done thematically, with views emerging from the observations and focus group discussions being clustered into superordinate themes for convenience of the discussion of the findings. The findings of this study were that students from affluent socio-economic backgrounds who enter university with a rich and relevant English linguistic capital, values and attitudes enjoy an enormous advantage compared to their counterparts whose social class and linguistic backgrounds lack the cultural capital cherished in university as conducive for educational success. The study thus recommends that the South African LiEP policy needs to be repealed so that it spells out unequivocally the LOLT especially in institutions of higher learning.
The Effect of Multimedia Based Learning in Chemistry Teaching and Learning on Students’ Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Priyambodo Erfan , Sulistyani Sulistyani
Published: November 2014

In recent years, the uses of Multimedia Based Learning (MBL) in classroom instruction increased widely. Overall, this implementation aims to improve students’ motivation and also their learning outcomes. This study was answering the effect of MBL toward students’ Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) in chemistry teaching and learning. The experiment was conducted in class XI of senior high school in Yogyakarta. Researchers create some computer based media for chemistry materials and continued with expert judgement of the media. Students’ data SRL were measured using validated questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of three components, i.e. metacognitive, motivation and behavior. The results showed that there was significant differences in SRL of students before and after participating in chemistry teaching and learning which applying MBL.
First Report on an Inotropic Peptide Activating Tetrodotoxin-Sensitive, “Neuronal” Sodium Currents in the Heart
Authors: Kirchhof Paulus , Tal Tzachy , Fabritz Larissa , Klimas Jan , Nesher Nir , Schulte Jan S. , Ehling Petra , Kanyshkova Tatayana , Budde Thomas , Nikol Sigrid , Fortmueller Lisa , Stallmeyer Birgit , Müller Frank U. , Schulze-Bahr Eric , Schmitz Wilhelm , Zlotkin Eliahu , Kirchhefer Uwe
Published: November 2014

Background—

New therapeutic approaches to improve cardiac contractility without severe risk would improve the management of acute heart failure. Increasing systolic sodium influx can increase cardiac contractility, but most sodium channel activators have proarrhythmic effects that limit their clinical use. Here, we report the cardiac effects of a novel positive inotropic peptide isolated from the toxin of the Black Judean scorpion that activates neuronal tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels.

Methods and Results—

All venoms and peptides were isolated from Black Judean Scorpions (Buthotus Hottentotta) caught in the Judean Desert. The full scorpion venom increased left ventricular function in sedated mice in vivo, prolonged ventricular repolarization, and provoked ventricular arrhythmias. An inotropic peptide (BjIP) isolated from the full venom by chromatography increased cardiac contractility but did neither provoke ventricular arrhythmias nor prolong cardiac repolarization. BjIP increased intracellular calcium in ventricular cardiomyocytes and prolonged inactivation of the cardiac sodium current. Low concentrations of tetrodotoxin (200 nmol/L) abolished the effect of BjIP on calcium transients and sodium current. BjIP did not alter the function of Nav
1.5
, but selectively activated the brain-type sodium channels Nav
1.6
or Nav
1.3
in cellular electrophysiological recordings obtained from rodent thalamic slices. Nav
1.3
(SCN3A) mRNA was detected in human and mouse heart tissue.

Conclusions—

Our pilot experiments suggest that selective activation of tetrodotoxin-sensitive neuronal sodium channels can safely increase cardiac contractility. As such, the peptide described here may become a lead compound for a new class of positive inotropic agents.
Effect of a Real-Time Radiation Monitoring Device on Operator Radiation Exposure During Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Christopoulos Georgios , Papayannis Aristotelis C. , Alomar Mohammed , Kotsia Anna , Michael Tesfaldet T. , Rangan Bavana V. , Roesle Michele , Shorrock Deborah , Makke Lorenza , Layne Ronald , Grabarkewitz Rebecca , Haagen Donald , Maragkoudakis Spyros , Mohammad Atif , Sarode Karan , Cipher Daisha J. , Chambers Charles E. , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: November 2014

Background—

The Radiation Reduction During Cardiac Catheterization Using Real-Time Monitoring study sought to examine the effect of a radiation detection device that provides real-time operator dose reporting through auditory feedback (Bleeper Sv; Vertec Scientific Ltd; Berkshire, UK) on patient dose and operator exposure during cardiac catheterization.

Methods and Results—

Between January 2012 and May 2014, 505 patients undergoing coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, or both were randomized to use (n=253) or no use (n=252) of the Bleeper Sv radiation monitor. Operator radiation exposure was measured in both groups using a second, silent radiation exposure monitoring device. Mean patient age was 65±8 years, most patients (99%) were men, and 30% had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 study groups. Radial access was used in 18% and chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention constituted 7% of the total procedures. Median procedure time was 17 (12–27) minutes for diagnostic angiography, 42 (28–70) minutes for percutaneous coronary intervention, and 27 (14–51) minutes in the overall study population, with similar distribution between the study groups. First (9 [4–17] versus 14 [7–25] μSv;
P
<0.001) and second (5 [2–10] versus 7 [4–14] μSv;
P
<0.001) operator radiation exposure was significantly lower in the Bleeper Sv group. Use of the device did not result in a significant reduction in patient radiation dose. The effect of the Bleeper Sv device on operator radiation exposure was consistent among various study subgroups.

Conclusions—

Use of a real-time radiation monitoring device that provides auditory feedback can significantly reduce operator radiation exposure during cardiac catheterization.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01510353.
Qumran Aramaic, Corpus Linguistics, and Aramaic Retroversion
Authors: Cook Edward M.
Published: November 2014

The Aramaic of Qumran is sometimes claimed to be the best or only Aramaic dialect to use for understanding the Aramaic background of the New Testament. In fact, although it has its uses, the corpus of Qumran Aramaic is very small, and it is not a sufficient source on its own for the purposes of back-translating portions of the New Testament into “authentic” first-century c.e. Palestinian Aramaic. A consideration of the difficulties of retroversion when the translation technique of the Greek writer is unknown, combined with inadequate control of Aramaic among retroverters, suggests that largescale Aramaic retroversion of New Testament passages has no chance of reconstructing the original Aramaic of the Gospels.
Aštata: A Case of Hittite Imperial Religious Policy
Authors: Archi Alfonso
Published: November 2014

The Hittite documentation concerning the Land of Aštata on the Euphrates, with Emar as capital, can now be better evaluated thanks to a more precise chronological order of the documentation from Emar (1400–1180b.c.). Hittite rule did not exercise any religious imperialism, on the contrary, it was Mursili ii who transferred to Hattusa some Aštata cults for the Syrian goddess Išḫara. He did not refrain from calling to his court priests from Emar in order to celebrate the proper rites to the goddess in an emergency. The king of Karkamiš, who exercised Hittite control over Emar, sent there one of his diviners to enquire through oracles if the local gods were in favour of his travelling to the city. A reorganization of cults promoted by Tuthaliya iv was at the origin of the introduction in Emar of a liturgy for some Hittite gods. This was not a superimposition of a theological organized pantheon over the local gods, but personal gods of the king; their cult was committed to the local family of diviners in charge of the cults of the city, with which the Hittites maintained close relations. Apparently, Hittite religion never deeply penetrated Emar society. A group of seals used by some Emariotes, however, presents the same iconographies as Hittite seals, with gods of the Hittite pantheon, an evidence of adhesion to the Hittite rule.
The Kara-Oba Burial-Mound
Authors: Stoyanov Roman V.
Published: November 2014

This article is devoted to an analysis of materials from the excavations of the Kara-Oba burial-mound led by the director of the Kerch Museum, A. E. Lyutsenko, in 1859-1861 (Figs. 1-6). During those excavations and also the continuation of the investigation of the burial-mound in the 1960s (Fig. 7), data were obtained indicating that this site had been linked to both Greek and barbarian cultures, which made it possible to date it to the end of the 2nd century BC. However, despite the intensive research that has been carried out there for many years, the question as to the function of the site still remains unresolved.
Vuvuzela Magic
Authors: Jethro Duane
Published: November 2014

During the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a mass-produced, plastic football supporters’ horn known as the vuvuzela attracted worldwide fame and infamy. This article discusses the vuvuzela’s construction as a material and sonorous register of ‘African’ and ‘South African’ cultural distinctiveness. Specifically, it discusses the production, circulation and consumption of its ‘African’ cultural significance as a heritage form. It outlines the contested political and ideological economy – involving the South African state and football officials, FIFA, a local manufacturer, indigenous groups and football fans – through which the instrument travelled. Demonstrating the instrument’s circulation through this network, the article shows how the construction and authentication of the vuvuzela materially and sonically staged the negotiation of notions of ‘Africanness’ and ‘South Africanness’, as well as their complex relationship in post-apartheid South Africa, during the tournament.
COMMEMORATION: ON THE FIRST AND SECOND HISTORY
Authors: Klapwijk Jacob
Published: December 2014

In this article, following an indication of Meijer C. Smit, I make a basic distinction between the first and the second history. By the first history I mean history as we experience it from within on the basis of personal interest and active involvement in our historical past. The second history is history as academics construct it on the basis of critical research into historical facts. The central question that arises is that of how these two paradigms of history are related. I discuss commemoration as one of the most telling expressions of our involvement in the first history. I analyze it as a hermeneutic, dialogical, and anamnetic experience contrasting anamnetic and academic history as experienced versus constructed history: is the latter value-free? I conclude with the question whether we must regard commemoration as serviceable to the project of academic history or the latter as serviceable to commemoration.
CHRISTIAN ECONOMISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES AND ECOLOGICAL SCALE
Authors: de Wit Martinus Petrus
Published: December 2014

The environmental economic response to mainstream neo-classical economics’ disconnect from the natural world was to value external environmental costs and include those into decisions about human welfare. The ecological economic response, heavily influenced by systems ecology, brought the concept of ecological scale or carrying capacity, as a limit to human choice. The divisions between these two theories are not merely cosmetic as illustrated by the highpolitical stakes in recent economic and environmental debates. This article concerns itself specifically with the question how Christian economists position themselves towards the unfolding ecological and economic crises. It is shown that the main positions taken in the policy debates on economy and ecology are closely mirrored in the broader Christian economic community, raising the question whether the Christian economic tradition does have anything particular to offer in response to the ecological and economic crises. We approach this question from two angles, first, reviewing the literature on an earlier debate by the Association of Christian Economists on what Christian economists should be doing and, second, reviewing the literature on the relationships between Christianity and environmental beliefs and behaviour. With reference to eco-theological literature on the varying theological views on the relationship between humanity and the rest of creation, and on different expectations of the eschaton, it is shown why such diverging positions are taken among Christian economists. Nevertheless, the objective reality of Jesus Christ demands a particular Christian ethics and behaviour, which in turn, kindles fertile questions for Christian economists in their practical engagement withthe economic and ecological sciences and with broader culture.
PROTECTING ITALIAN INVESTMENTS IN LIBYA’S CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Franceschelli Ferdinando
Published: November 2014

Italy is both the main trading partner and the State that has the most sizeable foreign direct investment interests in Libya. However, the outbreak of armed conflict in Libya in 2011 resulted in extensive damage to Italian investors. In order to obtain proper redress Italian investors may seek to rely upon investment protection provisions contained in treaties previously concluded between these two States, notably the BIT of 2000 and the Treaty of Benghazi of 2008. Crucially, however, the outbreak of the armed conflict and the subsequent regime change that took place following the Gaddafi’s removal from power raise doubts about the effectiveness of such treaties. This article firstly reviews both the relevant rules of international law and the investment treaties in force between Italy and Libya. Then, it examines the relationship between Italy and Libya during and after the events of 2011 and comes to the conclusion that such treaties are still effective and as such Italian investors may invoke the provisions contained therein, including those envisaging resort to international investment arbitration.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE 2013 SESSION OF THE UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Authors: Ubertazz Benedetta
Published: November 2014

In implementing the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fulfil a key role both at the national and international level. Yet, on the basis of the Secretariat’s suggestions, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, during its eighth session in Baku from 2 to 7 December 2013, decided to start a review process of accredited NGOs that could lead to “de-accreditation”. However, the 2003 Convention allows for preferable alternatives to de-accreditation, namely the institutionalization of new and broader NGO advisory roles to the Committee and the adoption of measures pressuring NGOs to self-structure themselves into networks.
A taxonomic revision of the genus Dimeria (Poaceae: Panicoideae) in Thailand
Authors: TEERAWATANANON ATCHARA , BOONTIA VEERAYA , Chantarasuwan Bhanumas , HODKINSON TREVOR R. , SUNGKAEW SARAWOOD
Published: November 2014

A taxonomic treatment of the genus Dimeria in Thailand is presented. Seven species are recognised and a new locality record is reported. Nomenclature, description and illustration are provided for each species. Four lectotypes are designated.
A checklist of stag beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) from Iran
Authors: BARTOLOZZI LUCA , GHAHARI HASSAN , SPRECHER-UEBERSAX EVA , ZILIOLI MICHELE
Published: November 2014

An updated checklist of the Lucanidae (Coleoptera) from Iran is given. New locality records are listed and some dubious distributional records are discussed. Dorcus vavrai Nonfried, 1905 is placed in synonymy with Dorcus peyronis Reiche and Saulcy, 1856 (new synonymy) The female of Lucanus xerxes Král, 2004 is described. A key for the identification of the Iranian stag beetle species is also provided and all the species are figured.
A new Lampromyia Macquart from Europe (Diptera: Vermileonidae)
Authors: KEHLMAIER CHRISTIAN
Published: November 2014

Lampromyia bellasiciliae sp. n. is described from Sicily, Italy. The new species belongs to the pallida subgroup and is differentiated from related taxa in a dichotomous identification key. DNA barcodes for eight of the currently recognised ten Palaearctic species of Lampromyia are provided, and the calculated genetic distances between the taxa and species groups/subgroups are discussed. New distributional data for additional species of Lampromyia are presented and the occurrence of the Palaearctic taxa is depicted in a distribution map.
Multiscale Modeling and Evaluation of Urban Surface Energy Balance in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Authors: Shaffer S. R. , Chow W. T. L. , Georgescu M. , Hyde P. , Jenerette G. D. , Mahalov A. , Moustaoui M. , Ruddell B. L.
Published: November 2014

Physical mechanisms of incongruency between observations and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model predictions are examined. Limitations of evaluation are constrained by (i) parameterizations of model physics, (ii) parameterizations of input data, (iii) model resolution, and (iv) flux observation resolution. Observations from a new 22.1-m flux tower situated within a residential neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona, are utilized to evaluate the ability of the urbanized WRF to resolve finescale surface energy balance (SEB) when using the urban classes derived from the 30-m-resolution National Land Cover Database. Modeled SEB response to a large seasonal variation of net radiation forcing was tested during synoptically quiescent periods of high pressure in winter 2011 and premonsoon summer 2012. Results are presented from simulations employing five nested domains down to 333-m horizontal resolution. A comparative analysis of model cases testing parameterization of physical processes was done using four configurations of urban parameterization for the bulk urban scheme versus three representations with the Urban Canopy Model (UCM) scheme, and also for two types of planetary boundary layer parameterization: the local Mellor–Yamada–Janjić scheme and the nonlocal Yonsei University scheme. Diurnal variation in SEB constituent fluxes is examined in relation to surface-layer stability and modeled diagnostic variables. Improvement is found when adapting UCM for Phoenix with reduced errors in the SEB components. Finer model resolution is seen to have insignificant (<1 standard deviation) influence on mean absolute percent difference of 30-min diurnal mean SEB terms.
Separation of Climatological Imprints of the Kuroshio Extension and Oyashio Fronts on the Wintertime Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Their Sensitivity to SST Resolution Prescribed for Atmospheric Reanalysis
Authors: Masunaga Ryusuke , Nakamura Hisashi , Miyasaka Takafumi , Nishii Kazuaki , Tanimoto Youichi
Published: November 2014

Mesoscale structures of the wintertime marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) as climatological imprints of oceanic fronts within the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) region east of Japan are investigated by taking advantage of high horizontal resolution of the ERA-Interim global atmospheric reanalysis data, for which the resolution of sea surface temperature (SST) data has been improved. These imprints, including locally enhanced sensible and latent heat fluxes and local maxima in cloudiness and precipitation in association with locally strengthened surface-wind convergence in the vicinities of SST fronts along the warm Kuroshio Extension and cool Oyashio to its north, are also identified in high-resolution satellite data. In addition to these mesoscale MABL features, meridionally confined near-surface baroclinic zones and zonally oriented sea level pressure (SLP) minima associated with the dual SST fronts are represented in ERA-Interim only in the period of high-resolution SST, but those imprints of the Oyashio front are missing in the low-resolution SST period. In the presence of the prevailing monsoonal northerlies, latitudinal displacements of the SLP trough, baroclinic zone, and the peak meridional gradient of the turbulent heat fluxes from each of the corresponding SST fronts are also found to be sensitive to the frontal width that depends on the SST resolution. The analysis herein suggests that the converging surface northerlies into the SLP minima can contribute positively to the formation of a surface baroclinic zone along the Kuroshio Extension, while a stronger baroclinic zone along the Oyashio front is maintained primarily through the pronounced cross-frontal contrast in sensible heat release from the ocean.
Intraoperative Use of QuikClot During Adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Derkay Craig S. , Baydoun Hind A. , Stone Laura
Published: November 2014

Background:

Achieving hemostatic control after intracapsular adenotonsillectomy with minimal cauterization may potentially lead to improved outcomes with respect to return to normal diet, normal activity, and less use of narcotic pain medications.

Methods:

A prospective, nonrandomized, consecutive series of children with obstructive tonsils and adenoids at a tertiary children’s hospital was undertaken.

Results:

One hundred consecutive children (52 boys/48 girls) ages 0-16 (mean = 4.8, SD = 3.7, median = 4.0) years were recruited with complete data available on all 100. Mean total procedure time was 19.8 (SD = 4.3, median = 19.5) minutes, including mean total cauterization time of 155.3 (SD = 59.7 seconds, median = 143.0) (adenoids: mean = 60.9, SD = 31.5, median = 53.0; tonsils: mean = 94.5, SD = 41.9, median = 82.0) minutes. Mean estimated blood loss was 29.4 (SD = 40.9, median = 25.0) ml. There were no major complications (0/100 episodes of bleeding or dehydration after surgery). Mean return to normal diet was 3.4 (SD = 2.2, median = 3.0) days; mean return to normal activity was 2.8 (SD = 2.1, median = 3.0) days, and mean days to no further narcotics was 3.0 (SD = 2.3, median = 2.0) days. Mean days to complete recovery (normal diet, normal activity, and no narcotics) was 4.5 (SD = 2.1, median = 4.0, range: 1-10). Total cautery time was significantly correlated with time to complete recovery ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

Intracapsular microdebrider tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy utilizing QuikClot to enhance the hemostasis results in recovery times better than previously reported for this common operation in children.
Neurocognitive impairments in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: Who will really convert?
Authors: Bang Minji , Kim Kyung Ran , Song Yun Young , Baek Seoyeon , Lee Eun , An Suk Kyoon
Published: November 2014

Objective:

Impairments in neurocognitive function are considered as core features of schizophrenia. Individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis, the ‘putative’ prodrome of schizophrenia, generally show levels of impairments intermediate between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. We investigated the neurocognitive performance of individuals at UHR for psychosis, comparing them with patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and healthy controls (HC), and explored the predictivity of baseline neurocognitive function in the UHR group for transition to overt psychosis.

Method:

Individuals at UHR for psychosis ( n = 60), patients with FES ( n = 39), and HC subjects ( n = 94) participated in the present study. All participants performed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery, consisting of tests for five separate neurocognitive domains (executive function, attention/working memory, processing speed, verbal memory, and spatial memory). UHR subjects were assessed for transition every month during 24 months of follow-up.

Results:

Neurocognitive performance in the UHR group was largely at intermediate levels. Attention/working memory and verbal memory were significantly different from both the FES and HC groups. In the UHR group, processing speed was decreased to the level of the FES group, while executive function and spatial memory were relatively preserved. In the Cox regression model, spatial memory significantly predicted the transition to overt psychosis in the UHR group.

Conclusions:

The present study showed that neurocognitive impairments were evident in UHR individuals prior to the onset of overt psychosis. Our findings generally support the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia and suggest that there could be different developmental trajectories between converters and non-converters.
Demobilization in British and French Africa at the End of the First World War
Authors: Fogarty Richard S. , Killingray David
Published: November 2014

This article reconsiders important aspects of African participation in the First World War, both in Europe and in Africa itself, as part of the British and French empires. More specifically, it explores demobilization at the end of the war in comparison with that process in Europe, paying close attention to the particularities of the colonial context. The article argues that, although French and British Africa were integrated significantly into their metropole’s war efforts between 1914 and 1918, the experience of demobilization in these colonies does not conform to George Mosse’s ‘brutalization’ thesis, which has been so influential in understanding postwar events in parts of Europe. Africans who participated in the British and French war efforts did not emerge from their experiences to roil the political landscape with discontent and violence, even if the effects of the war were still important in many areas of the continent. Further, the story of demobilization in Africa demonstrates the importance of attending to the specific context of the colonial ‘peripheries’, even as we recognize the important links that connect them to the metropolitan ‘centres’.
Cantharidins Induce ER Stress and a Terminal Unfolded Protein Response in OSCC
Authors: Xi Y. , Garshott D.M. , Brownell A.L. , Yoo G.H. , Lin H.-S. , Freeburg T.L. , Yoo N.G. , Kaufman R.J. , Callaghan M.U. , Fribley A.M.
Published: November 2014

Mortality and morbidity associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unacceptably high with disfiguring treatment options and a death rate of 1 per hour in the United States. The approval of cituximab for advanced OSCC has been the only new treatment for these patients since the 1970s, although it has not significantly increased overall survival. To address the paucity of effective new therapies, we undertook a high-throughput screen to discover small molecules and natural products that could induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and enforce a terminal unfolded protein response (UPR) in OSCC. The terpenoid cantharidin (CNT), previously used to treat various malignancies in culture-specific medical practices for over 2,000 y, emerged as a hit. CNT and its analog, cantharidic acid, potently induced protein and gene expression profiles consistent with the activation of ER stress, the UPR, and apoptosis in OSCC cells. Murine embryonic fibroblasts null for the UPR-associated transcription factors Atf4 or Chop were significantly protected from CNT, implicating a key role for the UPR in the death response. These data validate that our high-throughput screen can identify novel modulators of UPR signaling and that such compounds might provide a new therapeutic approach to treating patients with OSCC.
A comparison of impulsivity, depressive symptoms, lifetime stress and sensation seeking in healthy controls versus participants with cocaine or methamphetamine use disorders
Authors: Mahoney James J , Thompson-Lake Daisy GY , Cooper Kimberly , Verrico Christopher D , Newton Thomas F , De La Garza Richard
Published: November 2014

Previous research has focused on developing theories of addiction that may explain behavior in cocaine- and methamphetamine-dependent individuals. The primary goal of this report was to compare and contrast the prevalence of self-reported measures of impulsivity, depression, lifetime stress and sensation-seeking in healthy controls versus individuals with cocaine or methamphetamine use disorders. Twenty-nine individuals with cocaine use disorders and 31 individuals with methamphetamine use disorders were matched with 31 healthy control participants on several demographic variables. All participants were administered behavioral questionnaires including the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale (assessing impulsivity), Beck Depression Inventory II (assessing depression), Life Stressor Checklist–Revised (assessing lifetime stress) and the Impulsive Sensation Seeking Scale (assessing sensation-seeking). When compared to healthy controls, individuals with cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders had significantly higher levels of impulsivity and sensation-seeking. In addition, when compared to healthy controls, individuals with cocaine use disorders had significantly higher Beck Depression Inventory II scores, while individuals with methamphetamine use disorders had significantly higher Life Stressor Checklist–Revised scores. The results revealed that there were significantly higher levels of impulsivity, depression and sensation-seeking in cocaine users and significantly higher impulsivity, lifetime stress and sensation-seeking in methamphetamine users when compared to healthy controls.
Safety and tolerability of atomoxetine in treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adult patients: An integrated analysis of 15 clinical trials
Authors: Camporeale Angelo , Porsdal Vibeke , De Bruyckere Katrien , Tanaka Yoko , Upadhyaya Himanshu , Deix Claudia , Deberdt Walter
Published: November 2014

The safety profile of atomoxetine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has been studied in many clinical trials. We performed an integrated safety analysis of 15 clinical trials in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The analysis pooled patient data into three groups: acute placebo-controlled trials; long-term placebo-controlled trials; all trials. In total, 4829 adults (18–77 years, median: 36 years) were exposed to atomoxetine. Statistically significantly more atomoxetine-treated than placebo-treated patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (81.3% vs. 68.3% acute; 90.6% vs. 76.8% long term) and discontinued due to adverse events (8.9% vs. 4.0% acute; 17.9% vs. 6.3% long term). No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportion of patients experiencing serious adverse events. No previously unknown adverse events were identified. The most common adverse events included nausea, dry mouth, decreased appetite, insomnia and erectile dysfunction. Mean increases in heart rate (+5.2 beats per min) and blood pressure (systolic +2 mmHg, diastolic +1.9 mmHg) were modest. The proportion of patients experiencing clinically significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate at any time was statistically significantly higher with atomoxetine (systolic blood pressure 13–17%, diastolic blood pressure 37–40%, heart rate 42–43%) compared to placebo (systolic blood pressure 8–13%, diastolic blood pressure 29–34%, heart rate 21–26%). There was no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behaviour. Our findings confirm atomoxetine’s known safety profile. From a safety perspective, atomoxetine is a useful treatment option for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
A Theory of Victimhood: Politics, Conflict and the Construction of Victim-based Identity
Authors: Jacoby Tami Amanda
Published: November 2014

What (and who) is a victim? In contemporary violent conflicts, the construction of grievance-based identity is a fundamentally contested process as the lines between victim and perpetrator are blurred by ongoing cycles of belligerence and retribution. As victims are incorporated into broader political campaigns, it becomes nearly impossible to separate the victim from the politics. The ubiquity of victims in international politics is a serious challenge to International Relations theory as categories of victim and perpetrator are generally treated as ‘prior or external to analysis’ instead of as propositions for further inquiry. This article formulates a political theory of victimhood driven by a distinction between victimisation as an act of harm perpetrated against a person or group, and victimhood as a form of collective identity based on that harm. It proposes a sequence of five stages that victims experience from the act of victimisation to the recognition of victim-based identity: (1) structural conduciveness, (2) political consciousness, (3) ideological concurrence, (4) political mobilisation and (5) political recognition. The article explores the stages with concrete examples and offers three main challenges for future research. First, as an identity, victimhood is more prominent in societies that recognise justice. Second, victimhood accompanies struggles for recognition. Third, victim rivalries obfuscate straightforward analysis of victimhood in conflict zones.
Dietary patterns according to headache and migraine status: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Rist Pamela M , Buring Julie E , Kurth Tobias
Published: November 2014

Background

Several potential dietary trigger factors for migraine have been proposed. However, few studies have examined the intake pattern of these dietary items compared to adequate control populations and whether intake levels may vary by migraine aura status or attack frequency.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among participants in the Women’s Health Study. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between migraine and headache status and low intake of foods commonly reported to affect migraine.

Results

A total of 25,755 women reported no history of migraine or headache, 5573 reported non-migraine headache and 7042 reported any migraine. Those with non-migraine headache or any migraine were more likely to have low intake of total alcohol (OR = 1.22, 95% CI:1.14–1.29 and OR = 1.17, 95% CI:1.11–1.24, respectively). Migraineurs with aura were more likely to have low intake of chocolate, ice cream, hot dogs, and processed meats. Those who experience migraine at least once per week were more likely to have low intake of skim/low-fat milk and white and red wine.

Conclusion

Intake of most suggested migraine dietary triggers differs by migraine aura status and attack frequency, a pattern not found for non-migraine headache.