bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical Analysis of SIR Epidemic Model with Nonlinear Pulse Vaccination and Lifelong Immunity
Authors: Zhao Wencai , Li Juan , Meng Xinzhu
Published: May 2015

SIR epidemic model with nonlinear pulse vaccination and lifelong immunity is proposed. Due to the limited medical resources, vaccine immunization rate is considered as a nonlinear saturation function. Firstly, by using stroboscopic map and fixed point theory of difference equations, the existence of disease-free periodic solution is discussed, and the globally asymptotical stability of disease-free periodic solution is proven by using Floquet multiplier theory and differential impulsive comparison theorem. Moreover, by using the bifurcation theorem, sufficient condition for the existence of positive periodic solution is obtained by choosing impulsive vaccination period as a bifurcation parameter. Lastly, some simulations are given to validate the theoretical results.
3p14 De Novo Interstitial Microdeletion in a Patient with Intellectual Disability and Autistic Features with Language Impairment: A Comparison with Similar Cases
Authors: de la Hoz Ana Belén , Maortua Hiart , García-Rives Ainhoa , Martínez-González María Jesús , Ezquerra Maitane , Tejada María-Isabel
Published: May 2015

To date, few cases of 3p proximal interstitial deletions have been reported and the phenotype and genotype correlation is not well understood. Here, we report a new case of a 3p proximal interstitial deletion. The patient is an 11-year-old female with speech and social interaction difficulties, learning disability, and slight facial dysmorphism, but no other major malformations. An 8 Mb de novo interstitial deletion at 3p14.2-p14.1, from position 60.461.316 to 68.515.453, was revealed by means of array comparative genomic hybridization and confirmed using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. This region includes six genes:FEZF2, CADPS, SYNPR, ATXN7, PRICKLE, andMAGI1, that are known to have a role in neurodevelopment. These genes are located on the proximal side of the deletion. We compare our case with previously well-defined patients reported in the literature and databases.
Acute Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity after Drug Holiday: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Abuzaid Ahmed , Saad Marwan , Ayan Mohamed , Kabach Amjad , Haddad Toufik Mahfood , Smer Aiman , Arouni Amy
Published: May 2015

Amiodarone is reported to cause a wide continuum of serious clinical effects. It is often challenging to detect Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT). Typically, the diagnosis is made based on the clinical settings and may be supported by histopathology results, if available. We describe a 57-year-old patient who developed severe rapidly progressive respiratory failure secondary to AIPT with acute bilateral infiltrates and nodular opacities on chest imaging. Interestingly, Amiodarone was discontinued 3 weeks prior to his presentation. He had normal cardiac filling pressures confirmed by echocardiography. To our knowledge, this is the first case of isolated acute lung injury induced by Amiodarone, three weeks after therapy cessation, with adequate clinical improvement after supportive management and high dose steroid therapy.
Training of Resident Ophthalmologists in Cataract Surgery: A Comparative Study of Two Approaches
Authors: Tzamalis Argyrios , Lamprogiannis Lampros , Chalvatzis Nikolaos , Symeonidis Chrysanthos , Dimitrakos Stavros , Tsinopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2015

Purpose.To evaluate and compare the efficacy of two different training methods in resident-performed phacoemulsification surgery.Methods.502 eyes of 467 patients who underwent resident-performed phacoemulsification were included in the study by reviewing their medical records. Residents were allocated into two groups according to the method applied during their training in cataract surgery; Group A included residents that were trained with the “step-by-step” method and Group B those trained with the “one-step” method. Primary outcome was the incidence of main complications, defined as posterior capsular ruptures and/or zonular dehiscence with vitreous loss.Results.Each resident performed a median of 63 phacoemulsification surgeries. A statistically significant difference (p=0.0032) was noted in the main complications rate between the two groups, yielding a mean of 17.3% in Group A and 7.25% in Group B. Other intraoperative complications were not shown to differ statistically significantly between study groups (p>0.05). Among the first 40 surgeries of each resident, main complications rate differed also statistically significantly (p=0.0048) between Group A (21.67%) and Group B (8.5%), while a better surgical performance-yielding statistical significance in Group A (p=0.017) was indicated in both groups between the 20th and the 30th procedure.Conclusions.Training in cataract surgery using the “one-step” method may lead to an improvement in surgical competency, when measured by complications rates and, therefore, to significantly better quality of training for resident ophthalmologists.
Genome-Wide Scan for Methylation Profiles in Keloids
Authors: Jones Lamont R. , Young William , Divine George , Datta Indrani , Chen Kang Mei , Ozog David , Worsham Maria J.
Published: May 2015

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative tumors of the skin which commonly occur after injury mainly in darker skinned patients. Medical treatment is fraught with high recurrence rates mainly because of an incomplete understanding of the biological mechanisms that lead to keloids. The purpose of this project was to examine keloid pathogenesis from the epigenome perspective of DNA methylation. Genome-wide profiling used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to interrogate DNA from 6 fresh keloid and 6 normal skin samples from 12 anonymous donors. A 3-tiered approach was used to call out genes most differentially methylated between keloid and normal. When compared to normal, of the 685 differentially methylated CpGs at Tier 3, 510 were hypomethylated and 175 were hypermethylated with 190 CpGs in promoter and 495 in nonpromoter regions. The 190 promoter region CpGs corresponded to 152 genes: 96 (63%) were hypomethylated and 56 (37%) hypermethylated. This exploratory genome-wide scan of the keloid methylome highlights a predominance of hypomethylated genomic landscapes, favoring nonpromoter regions. DNA methylation, as an additional mechanism for gene regulation in keloid pathogenesis, holds potential for novel treatments that reverse deleterious epigenetic changes. As an alternative mechanism for regulating genes, epigenetics may explain why gene mutations alone do not provide definitive mechanisms for keloid formation.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy in Two Red Wolf (Canis rufus) Pups
Authors: Gjeltema Jenessa L. , MacLean Robert A. , Cohen Eli B. , De Voe Ryan S.
Published: May 2015

A 6-month-old red wolf (Canis rufus) pup presented for evaluation of progressive thoracic and pelvic limb lameness, joint swelling, and decreased body condition. Radiographic evaluation revealed medullary sclerosis centered at the metaphyses of multiple long bones, well-defined irregular periosteal proliferation, and ill-defined lucent zones paralleling the physes, consistent with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Biopsies of affected bone revealed medullary fibrosis and new bone formation. The pup improved following treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, opioids, and supportive care over the course of 4 weeks. Metaphyseal periosteal bone proliferation persisted until the animal was humanely euthanized several years later for poor quality of life associated with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture. A second red wolf pup of 4.5 months of age presented for evaluation of lethargy, kyphotic posture, and swollen carpal and tarsal joints. Radiographs revealed bilateral medullary sclerosis and smooth periosteal reaction affecting multiple long bones, suggestive of HOD. Further diagnostics were not pursued in this case to confirm the diagnosis, and the clinical signs persisted for 4 weeks. In light of these two case reports, HOD should be recognized as a developmental orthopedic disease in growing red wolves.
TET2 Mutations Affect Non-CpG Island DNA Methylation at Enhancers and Transcription Factor–Binding Sites in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Authors: Yamazaki Jumpei , Jelinek Jaroslav , Lu Yue , Cesaroni Matteo , Madzo Jozef , Neumann Frank , He Rong , Taby Rodolphe , Vasanthakumar Aparna , Macrae Trisha , Ostler Kelly R. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Liang Shoudan , Estecio Marcos R. , Godley Lucy A. , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: May 2015

TET2 enzymatically converts 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as well as other covalently modified cytosines and its mutations are common in myeloid leukemia. However, the exact mechanism and the extent to which TET2 mutations affect DNA methylation remain in question. Here, we report on DNA methylomes in TET2 wild-type (TET2-WT) and mutant (TET2-MT) cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We analyzed 85,134 CpG sites [28,114 sites in CpG islands (CGI) and 57,020 in non-CpG islands (NCGI)]. TET2 mutations do not explain genome-wide differences in DNA methylation in CMML, and we found few and inconsistent differences at CGIs between TET2-WT and TET2-MT cases. In contrast, we identified 409 (0.71%) TET2-specific differentially methylated CpGs (tet2-DMCs) in NCGIs, 86% of which were hypermethylated in TET2-MT cases, suggesting a strikingly different biology of the effects of TET2 mutations at CGIs and NCGIs. DNA methylation of tet2-DMCs at promoters and nonpromoters repressed gene expression. Tet2-DMCs showed significant enrichment at hematopoietic-specific enhancers marked by H3K4me1 and at binding sites for the transcription factor p300. Tet2-DMCs showed significantly lower 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in TET2-MT cases. We conclude that leukemia-associated TET2 mutations affect DNA methylation at NCGI regions containing hematopoietic-specific enhancers and transcription factor–binding sites. Cancer Res; 75(14); 2833–43. ©2015 AACR.
A Systematic Comparison of 18F-C-SNAT to Established Radiotracer Imaging Agents for the Detection of Tumor Response to Treatment
Authors: Witney Timothy H. , Hoehne Aileen , Reeves Robert E. , Ilovich Ohad , Namavari Mohammad , Shen Bin , Chin Frederick T. , Rao Jianghong , Gambhir Sanjiv S.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: An early readout of tumor response to therapy through measurement of drug or radiation-induced cell death may provide important prognostic indications and improved patient management. It has been shown that the uptake of 18F-C-SNAT can be used to detect early response to therapy in tumors by positron emission tomography (PET) via a mechanism of caspase-3–triggered nanoaggregation.

Experimental Design: Here, we compared the preclinical utility of 18F-C-SNAT for the detection of drug-induced cell death to clinically evaluated radiotracers, 18F-FDG, 99mTc-Annexin V, and 18F-ML-10 in tumor cells in culture, and in tumor-bearing mice in vivo.

Results: In drug-treated lymphoma cells, 18F-FDG, 99mTc-Annexin V, and 18F-C-SNAT cell-associated radioactivity correlated well to levels of cell death (R2 > 0.8; P < 0.001), with no correlation measured for 18F-ML-10 (R2 = 0.05; P > 0.05). A similar pattern of response was observed in two human NSCLC cell lines following carboplatin treatment. EL-4 tumor uptake of 99mTc-Annexin V and 18F-C-SNAT were increased 1.4- and 2.1-fold, respectively, in drug-treated versus naïve control animals (P < 0.05), although 99mTc-Annexin V binding did not correlate to ex vivo TUNEL staining of tissue sections. A differential response was not observed with either 18F-FDG or 18F-ML-10.

Conclusions: We have demonstrated here that 18F-C-SNAT can sensitively detect drug-induced cell death in murine lymphoma and human NSCLC. Despite favorable image contrast obtained with 18F-C-SNAT, the development of next-generation derivatives, using the same novel and promising uptake mechanism, but displaying improved biodistribution profiles, are warranted for maximum clinical utility. Clin Cancer Res; 21(17); 3896–905. ©2015 AACR.
Relationship of T2-Weighted MRI Myocardial Hyperintensity and the Ischemic Area-At-Risk
Authors: Kim Han W. , Van Assche Lowie , Jennings Robert B. , Wince W. Benjamin , Jensen Christoph J. , Rehwald Wolfgang G. , Wendell David C. , Bhatti Lubna , Spatz Deneen M. , Parker Michele A. , Jenista Elizabeth R. , Klem Igor , Crowley Anna Lisa C. , Chen Enn-Ling , Judd Robert M. , Kim Raymond J.
Published: May 2015

Rationale:

After acute myocardial infarction (MI), delineating the area-at-risk (AAR) is crucial for measuring how much, if any, ischemic myocardium has been salvaged. T2-weighted MRI is promoted as an excellent method to delineate the AAR. However, the evidence supporting the validity of this method to measure the AAR is indirect, and it has never been validated with direct anatomic measurements.

Objective:

To determine whether T2-weighted MRI delineates the AAR.

Methods and Results:

Twenty-one canines and 24 patients with acute MI were studied. We compared bright-blood and black-blood T2-weighted MRI with images of the AAR and MI by histopathology in canines and with MI by in vivo delayed-enhancement MRI in canines and patients. Abnormal regions on MRI and pathology were compared by (a) quantitative measurement of the transmural-extent of the abnormality and (b) picture matching of contours. We found no relationship between the transmural-extent of T2-hyperintense regions and that of the AAR (bright-blood-T2:
r
=0.06,
P
=0.69; black-blood-T2:
r
=0.01,
P
=0.97). Instead, there was a strong correlation with that of infarction (bright-blood-T2:
r
=0.94,
P
<0.0001; black-blood-T2:
r
=0.95,
P
<0.0001). Additionally, contour analysis demonstrated a fingerprint match of T2-hyperintense regions with the intricate contour of infarcted regions by delayed-enhancement MRI. Similarly, in patients there was a close correspondence between contours of T2-hyperintense and infarcted regions, and the transmural-extent of these regions were highly correlated (bright-blood-T2:
r
=0.82,
P
<0.0001; black-blood-T2:
r
=0.83,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusion:

T2-weighted MRI does not depict the AAR. Accordingly, T2-weighted MRI should not be used to measure myocardial salvage, either to inform patient management decisions or to evaluate novel therapies for acute MI.
Learning Slowness in a Sparse Model of Invariant Feature Detection
Authors: Chandrapala Thusitha N. , Shi Bertram E.
Published: May 2015

Primary visual cortical complex cells are thought to serve as invariant feature detectors and to provide input to higher cortical areas. We propose a single model for learning the connectivity required by complex cells that integrates two factors that have been hypothesized to play a role in the development of invariant feature detectors: temporal slowness and sparsity. This model, the generative adaptive subspace self-organizing map (GASSOM), extends Kohonen’s adaptive subspace self-organizing map (ASSOM) with a generative model of the input. Each observation is assumed to be generated by one among many nodes in the network, each being associated with a different subspace in the space of all observations. The generating nodes evolve according to a first-order Markov chain and generate inputs that lie close to the associated subspace. This model differs from prior approaches in that temporal slowness is not an externally imposed criterion to be maximized during learning but, rather, an emergent property of the model structure as it seeks a good model of the input statistics. Unlike the ASSOM, the GASSOM does not require an explicit segmentation of the input training vectors into separate episodes. This enables us to apply this model to an unlabeled naturalistic image sequence generated by a realistic eye movement model. We show that the emergence of temporal slowness within the model improves the invariance of feature detectors trained on this input.
Driving for Real or on a Fixed-Base Simulator: Is It so Different? An Explorative Study
Authors: Milleville-Pennel Isabelle , Charron Camilo
Published: May 2015

The use of driving simulators to assess driving abilities is often controversial because of their artificiality. Our aim is thus to tackle this question by estimating and comparing new indicators such as the mental workload, the psychological feeling (e.g., stress, anxiety, pleasure, and mastery), and feeling of presence when driving a simulator and a real vehicle (either one's own or one that belongs to a driving school). We are most interested in a particular sort of real-world driving: the driving school. This situation has two advantages: It matches our own particular interest in the evaluation of driving abilities and, to some extent, it is as artificial as driving in a simulator. Fourteen expert drivers participated in this study. Each driver was invited to complete two questionnaires (i.e., the NASA-TLX and Questionnaire of Psychological Feeling) that relate to the various driving conditions (i.e., simulator, driving school vehicle, and personal vehicle). The heart rate of drivers was also recorded at rest and during some of the driving conditions. Our results indicate that the feeling of presence was, for some of its component parts, identical in both the simulator and in a real car. Moreover, in both the simulator and real car, none of the assessments of presence revealed values that were close to 100%; indeed, sometimes they were considerably lower. This result leads us to believe that presence may often be underestimated in virtual environments because of the lack of an objective value of reference in the real world. Moreover, results obtained for mental workload and affective feeling indicate that a simulator can be a useful tool for the initial resumption of driving after a period off the road. In particular, a simulator can help to avoid the sort of stress that can lead to task failure or a deterioration in performance.
Eleven new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the Crocker Range, Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Repin Rimi , Sang Julia , Kiew Ruth , Mujih Handry
Published: May 2015

Eleven new species of Begonia (Begonia alabensis, B. bintang, B. bosuangiana, B. crockerensis B. doloisii, B. flammea, B. inobongensis, B. kinahimiae, B. kipandiensis, B. rambutan and B. tomaniensis) are described from the Crocker Range, Sabah. Nine species belong to sect. Petermannia and one, B. doloisii, belongs to sect. Baryandra while the section for B. tomaniensis is uncertain. All the species grow within the Crocker Range areas either within or outside the park boundary.
Taxonomic notes on Dutch desmids VII (new species, new names, new record)
Authors: Coesel Peter , Meesters Koos
Published: May 2015

From the Netherlands, Cosmarium bipyrenoideum and Euastrum spondylosioides were described as new to science. Cosmarium laeve var. distentum was raised to Cosmarium distentum, whereas Cosmarium cataractarum was newly reported for the Dutch flora. All four species were discussed for possible affiliations with other desmid taxa.
Notes on Early Land Plants Today. 69. Circumscription of Plagiochilaceae (Marchantiophyta) with a preliminary infrageneric subdivision of Plagiochila
Authors: Söderström Lars , Hagborg Anders , Von Konrat Matt
Published: May 2015

Plagiochilaceae is here circumscribed to include 10 genera, Acrochila, Chiastocaulon, Dinckleria, Pedinophyllopsis, Pedinophyllum, Plagiochila, Plagiochilidium, Plagiochilion, Pseudolophocolea and Xenochila. For the forthcoming world checklist of hornworts and liverworts we here summarize the current knowledge and identify the sections of Plagiochila that are currently recognized by morphological and molecular studies. Plagiochila is provisionally divided into 28 sections based on recent morphological and molecular studies. Plagiochila ecuadorica and Plagiochila sciophila subsp. ciliigera are new combinations, Plagiochila umbrosioides is a nomen novum.
The Causes of Foehn Warming in the Lee of Mountains
Authors: Elvidge Andrew D. , Renfrew Ian A.
Published: May 2015

The foehn effect is well known as the warming, drying, and cloud clearance experienced on the lee side of mountain ranges during “flow over” conditions. Foehn flows were first described more than a century ago when two mechanisms for this warming effect were postulated: an isentropic drawdown mechanism, where potentially warmer air from aloft is brought down adiabatically, and a latent heating and precipitation mechanism, where air cools less on ascent—owing to condensation and latent heat release—than on its dry descent on the lee side. Here, for the first time, the direct quantitative contribution of these and other foehn warming mechanisms is shown. The results suggest a new paradigm is required after it is demonstrated that a third mechanism, mechanical mixing of the foehn flow by turbulence, is significant. In fact, depending on the flow dynamics, any of the three warming mechanisms can dominate. A novel Lagrangian heat budget model, back trajectories, high-resolution numerical model output, and aircraft observations are all employed. The study focuses on a unique natural laboratory—one that allows unambiguous quantification of the leeside warming—namely, the Antarctic Peninsula and Larsen C Ice Shelf. The demonstration that three foehn warming mechanisms are important has ramifications for weather forecasting in mountainous areas and associated hazards such as ice shelf melt and wildfires.
Global Seasonal Precipitation Anomalies Robustly Associated with El Niño and La Niña Events—An OLR Perspective*,+
Authors: Chiodi Andrew M. , Harrison D. E.
Published: May 2015

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events are associated with particular seasonal weather anomalies in many regions around the planet. When the statistical links are sufficiently strong, ENSO state information can provide useful seasonal forecasts with varying lead times. However, using conventional sea surface temperature or sea level pressure indices to characterize ENSO state leads to many instances of limited forecast skill (e.g., years identified as El Niño or La Niña with weather anomalies unlike the average), even in regions where there is considerable ENSO-associated anomaly, on average. Using outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) conditions to characterize ENSO state identifies a subset of the conventional ENSO years, called OLR El Niño and OLR La Niña years herein. Treating the OLR-identified subset of years differently can both usefully strengthen the level of statistical significance in the average (composite) and also greatly reduce the year-to-year deviations in the composite precipitation anomalies. On average, over most of the planet, the non-OLR El Niño and non-OLR La Niña years have much more limited statistical utility for precipitation. The OLR El Niño and OLR La Niña indices typically identify years in time to be of use to boreal wintertime and later seasonal forecasting efforts, meaning that paying attention to tropical Pacific OLR conditions may offer more than just a diagnostic tool. Understanding better how large-scale environmental conditions during ENSO events determine OLR behavior (and deep atmospheric convection) will lead to improved seasonal precipitation forecasts for many areas.
Seasonal Variability of Salinity and Salt Transport in the Northern Indian Ocean
Authors: D’Addezio Joseph M. , Subrahmanyam Bulusu , Nyadjro Ebenezer S. , Murty V. S. N.
Published: May 2015

Analyses using a suite of observational datasets (Aquarius and Argo) and model simulations are carried out to examine the seasonal variability of salinity in the northern Indian Ocean (NIO). The model simulations include Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II (ECCO2), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts–Ocean Reanalysis System 4 (ECMWF–ORAS4), Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis, and the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). The analyses of salinity at the surface and at depths up to 200 m, surface salt transport in the top 5-m layer, and depth-integrated salt transports revealed different salinity processes in the NIO that are dominantly related to the semiannual monsoons. Aquarius proves a useful tool for observing this dynamic region and reveals some aspects of sea surface salinity (SSS) variability that Argo cannot resolve. The study revealed large disagreement between surface salt transports derived from observed- and analysis-derived salinity fields. Although differences in SSS between the observations and the model solutions are small, model simulations provide much greater spatial variability of surface salt transports due to finer detailed current structure. Meridional depth-integrated salt transports along 6°N revealed dominant advective processes from the surface toward near-bottom depths. In the Arabian Sea (Bay of Bengal), the net monthly mean maximum northward (southward) salt transport of ~50 × 106 kg s −1 occurs in July, and annual-mean salt transports across this section are about −2.5 × 106 kg s −1 (3 × 106 kg s −1).
Diagnosing the Conditional Probability of Tornado Damage Rating Using Environmental and Radar Attributes
Authors: Smith Bryan T. , Thompson Richard L. , Dean Andrew R. , Marsh Patrick T.
Published: May 2015

Radar-identified convective modes, peak low-level rotational velocities, and near-storm environmental data were assigned to a sample of tornadoes reported in the contiguous United States during 2009–13. The tornado segment data were filtered by the maximum enhanced Fujita (EF)-scale tornado event per hour using a 40-km horizontal grid. Convective mode was assigned to each tornado event by examining full volumetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler data at the beginning time of each event, and 0.5° peak rotational velocity (Vrot) data were identified manually during the life span of each tornado event. Environmental information accompanied each grid-hour event, consisting primarily of supercell-related convective parameters from the hourly objective mesoscale analyses calculated and archived at the Storm Prediction Center. Results from examining environmental and radar attributes, featuring the significant tornado parameter (STP) and 0.5° peak Vrot data, suggest an increasing conditional probability for greater EF-scale damage as both STP and 0.5° peak Vrot increase, especially with supercells. Possible applications of these findings include using the conditional probability of tornado intensity as a real-time situational awareness tool.
Serum Uric Acid and Prehypertension Among Adults Free of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes
Authors: Lotufo Paulo A. , Baena Cristina P. , Santos Itamar S. , Bensenor Isabela M.
Published: May 2015

The association between serum uric acid (SUA) and prehypertension was evaluated in a racially admixed sample of civil servants aged 35 to 74 years, enrolled (2008-2010) in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Health (ELSA-Brasil). Of the 15 105 patients who enrolled in the study, we analyzed 3412 after excluding those who reported previous cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or hypertension; were heavy drinkers; or had a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2. Among the men, logistic regression, adjusted for age, race, income, birth weight, salt intake, insulin resistance, BMI, and renal function revealed odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prehypertension from the bottom quartile (referent) to the top quartile of SUA levels as follows: 0.84 (95% CI, 0.61-1.38), 0.97 (0.71-1.34) and 1.44 (1.04-2.0; P for trend .01). Analyzing for 1-standard deviation of change in SUA, the ORs were 1.19 (1.06-1.32). This association persisted in the subgroup analysis consisting of patients who were white, overweight, with a high salt intake but with normal renal function, and without metabolic syndrome. No association was found among women. In conclusion, SUA levels were associated with prehypertension among men.
Enhancing Patient Safety in Pediatric Primary Care
Authors: Zenlea Ian S. , Scheff Elene , Szeidler Barbara , Tess Anjala , Santangelo Jean , Sato Luke , Jenkins Kathy J. , Focht Glenn
Published: May 2015

Objective. We developed and implemented a patient safety (PS) curriculum targeted at clinicians and nonclinical office practice staff within a large primary care pediatric network. Methods. Curricular content was informed by medical literature, local PS experts, and malpractice claims data. Sessions were centered on illustrative closed malpractice cases or informed by identified safety events. Participants provided subjective responses to the postsession evaluations. Results. Invited participants from 12 practices included both clinical and nonclinical practice staff (up to 24 attendees per session). Participants reported that they were confident in their knowledge and skills. Several participants engaged in improvement projects that included active surveillance of high-risk patients, improvements in referral and test result management processes, and the distribution of patient educational materials. Conclusions. We successfully developed and implemented a multifaceted PS curriculum for pediatric providers. Participants enjoyed the sessions and several engaged in new PS projects as a result of the program.
“Expressive Cool” and the Paradox of Black and White Males’ Neighborhood Socialization Toward Education
Authors: Johnson Odis
Published: May 2015

This study explores how linkages between adolescents’ educational attitudes and achievement vary according to race, expressive culture, and neighborhood collective socialization qualities. Specifically, the study examines (a) racial differences in how males’ educational attitudes relate to their academic performance (i.e., “attitude–achievement paradox”); (b) how the attitude–achievement paradox varies according to Black and White males’ expressive culture; and (c) the relation of collective socialization to racial differences in expressive cool, educational attitudes, and behavior. Using Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study (MADICS) data, I find that an attitude–achievement paradox among African Americans disappears when neighborhood collective socialization is considered; that expressive cool seems to have a stronger connection to adolescents’ achievement ideology rejection, and very little to their grade point average (GPA); and that neighborhood collective socialization decisively accounts for racial gaps in GPA. The concluding discussion considers why African Americans’ adherence to achievement ideologies fails to shield their GPAs from neighborhood socialization risks to the extent it does so for White males.
Science and Policy Analysis in the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Authors: Radin Beryl A.
Published: May 2015

This article focuses on one expression of the relationship between science and policy analysis: the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget. It has used a classic policy analysis technique—cost–benefit analysis—as the way that the White House will review regulations. This discussion highlights the utilization of the cost–benefit method in the OIRA decision-making process, the roles of various actors in the system, and the response to that use by various policy actors. It illustrates the difficulty of utilizing rational analytical methods in an environment of political conflict.
Catheter Salvage After Catheter‐Related Bloodstream Infection During Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Edakkanambeth Varayil Jithinraj , Whitaker Jennifer A. , Okano Akiko , Carnell Jennifer J. , Davidson Jacob B. , Enzler Mark J. , Kelly Darlene G. , Mundi Manpreet S. , Hurt Ryan T.
Published: May 2015

Background: Catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a common complication in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Data regarding catheter salvage after a CRBSI episode are limited. We aimed to determine the incidence of CRBSI and rates of catheter salvage in adult patients receiving HPN. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively searched our prospectively maintained HPN database for the records of all adult patients receiving HPN from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2013, at our tertiary referral center. Data abstracted from the medical records included demographics, diseases, treatments, and outcomes. The incidence of CRBSI and rates of catheter salvage were determined. Results: Of 1040 patients identified, 620 (59.6%) were men. The median total duration on HPN was 124.5 days (interquartile range, 49.0–345.5 days). Mean (SD) age at HPN initiation was 53.3 (15.3) years. During the study period, 465 CRBSIs developed in 187 patients (18%). The rate of CRBSI was 0.64/1000 catheter days. Overall, 70% of catheters were salvaged (retained despite CRBSI) during the study period: 78% of infections with coagulase‐negative staphylococci, 87% with methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and 27% with methicillin‐resistant S aureus. The percentage of catheters salvaged was 63% from 1990 to 1994, 63% from 1995 to 1999, 61% from 2000 to 2004, 72% from 2005 to 2009, and 76% from 2010 to 2013. Conclusion: Catheter salvage is possible after a CRBSI episode. Since most episodes of CRBSI are caused by skin commensals, effective treatment without removal of the central venous catheter is possible in most cases.
Glutamine Restores Tight Junction Protein Claudin‐1 Expression in Colonic Mucosa of Patients With Diarrhea‐Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Bertrand Julien , Ghouzali Ibtissem , Guérin Charlène , Bôle‐Feysot Christine , Gouteux Mélodie , Déchelotte Pierre , Ducrotté Philippe , Coëffier Moïse
Published: May 2015

Background:Recent studies showed that patients with diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐D) had an increased intestinal permeability as well as a decreased expression of tight junctions. Glutamine, the major substrate of rapidly dividing cells, is able to modulate intestinal permeability and tight junction expression in other diseases. We aimed to evaluate, ex vivo, glutamine effects on tight junction proteins, claudin‐1 and occludin, in the colonic mucosa of patients with IBS‐D. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with IBS‐D, diagnosed with the Rome III criteria, were included (8 women/4 men, aged 40.7 ± 6.9 years). Colonic biopsy specimens were collected and immediately incubated for 18 hours in culture media with increasing concentrations of glutamine from 0.6–10 mmol/L. Claudin‐1 and occludin expression was then measured by immunoblot, and concentrations of cytokines were assessed by multiplex technology. Claudin‐1 expression was affected by glutamine (P < .05, analysis of variance). In particularly, 10 mmol/L glutamine increased claudin‐1 expression compared with 0.6 mmol/L glutamine (0.47 ± 0.04 vs 0.33 ± 0.03, P < .05). In contrast, occludin expression was not significantly modified by glutamine. Interestingly, glutamine effect was negatively correlated to claudin‐1 (Pearson r = ‐0.83, P < .001) or occludin basal expression (Pearson r = ‐0.84, P < .001), suggesting that glutamine had more marked effects when tight junction protein expression was altered. Cytokine concentrations in culture media were not modified by glutamine treatment. Conclusion: Glutamine increased claudin‐1 expression in the colonic mucosa of patients with IBS‐D. In addition, glutamine effect seems to be dependent on basal expression of tight junction proteins.
Predicting grades from an English language assessment: The importance of peeling the onion
Authors: Bridgeman Brent , Cho Yeonsuk , DiPietro Stephen
Published: May 2015

Data from 787 international undergraduate students at an urban university in the United States were used to demonstrate the importance of separating a sample into meaningful subgroups in order to demonstrate the ability of an English language assessment to predict the first-year grade point average (GPA). For example, when all students were pooled in a single analysis, the correlation of scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with GPA was .18; in a subsample of engineering students from China, the correlation with GPA was .58, or .77 when corrected for range restriction. Similarly, the corrected correlation of the TOEFL Reading score with GPA for Chinese business students changed dramatically (from .01 to .36) when students with an extreme discrepancy between their receptive (reading/listening) and productive (speaking/writing) scores were trimmed from the sample.
Beyond the Tweet
Authors: West Bettina , Moore Hélène , Barry Ben
Published: May 2015

This study incorporated social media microblogging technology (Twitter) across disciplines to provide 411 first-year undergraduate students studying in large-classroom settings with opportunities to connect in real-time, both within and outside the classroom, with their professor, other students, and members of the professional community. This extension to the traditional teaching and learning environment gave students unique opportunities to enhance their university experience, both from engagement, learning and community-connectedness perspectives. Based on student outcomes and lessons learned, we provide educators with insights into the effective use of social media microblogging technology in a large-classroom format.
Imaging of biliary complications in recipients of right-lobe living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Park So Hyun , Kim Kyoung Won , Kim Bohyun , Lee So Jung , Lee Jong Seok , Kim Hyoung Jung , Song Gi-Won , Lee Sung-Gyu , Jeong Woo Kyoung
Published: May 2015

Right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) is a common method devised in order to fulfill the demands of donor organ shortage in adult patients with end-stage liver diseases. However, biliary complications remain as the “Achilles’ heel” of RL-LDLT, with wide variety of incidence among transplantation centers. Patients with biliary complications after RL-LDLT may have similar clinical presentations to those with other causes of graft dysfunction. Therefore, radiological evaluation plays a key role for differential diagnosis of such complications. In this article, we discuss the various methods of biliary reconstruction and imaging findings of common and uncommon biliary complications in recipients of RL-LDLT.
Use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to distinguish between lung cancer and focal inflammatory lesions: a comparison of intravoxel incoherent motion derived parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Deng Yu , Li Xinchun , Lei Yongxia , Liang Changhong , Liu Zaiyi
Published: May 2015

Background

Using imaging techniques to diagnose malignant and inflammatory lesions in the lung can be challenging.

Purpose

To compare intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis in their ability to discriminate lung cancer from focal inflammatory lung lesions.

Material and Methods

Thirty-eight patients with lung masses were included: 30 lung cancers and eight inflammatory lesions. Patients were imaged with 3.0T MRI diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) using 10 b values (range, 0–1000 s/mm2). Tissue diffusivity ( D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient ( D*), and perfusion fraction ( f) were calculated using segmented biexponential analysis. ADC (total) was calculated with monoexponential fitting of the DWI data. D, D*, f, and ADC were compared between lung cancer and inflammatory lung lesions. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for all DWI parameters.

Results

The ADC was significantly higher for inflammatory lesions than for lung cancer ([1.21 ± 0.20] × 10−3 mm2/s vs. [0.97 ± 0.15] × 10−3 mm2/s; P = 0.004). By IVIM, f was found to be significantly higher in inflammatory lesions than lung cancer ([46.10 ± 12.92] % vs. [29.29 ± 10.89] %; P = 0.005). There was no difference in D and D* between lung cancer and inflammatory lesions ( P = 0.747 and 0.124, respectively). f showed comparable diagnostic performance with ADC in differentiating lung cancer from inflammatory lung lesions, with areas under the curve of 0.833 and 0.826, sensitivity 80.0% and 73.3%, and specificity 75.0% and 87.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The IVIM parameter f value provides comparable diagnostic performance with ADC and could be used as a surrogate marker for differentiating lung cancer from inflammatory lesions.
Evaluation in everyday occupational therapy practice: Should we be thinking about treatment fidelity?
Authors: Breckenridge Jenna , Jones Derek
Published: May 2015

Evaluation is a core component of the occupational therapy process. To draw meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of occupational therapy practice, it is essential that therapists consider not only what outcomes are achieved, but also reflect on how interventions are delivered. We suggest that incorporating the concept of ‘treatment fidelity’ into clinical practice offers therapists a means of differentiating between interventions and demonstrating clearer links between occupational therapy practice and successful client outcomes. In so doing, practitioners can highlight more explicitly the unique contribution of occupational therapy interventions.
An occupational perspective of youth positive mental health: A critical review
Authors: Hall Samantha , McKinstry Carol , Hyett Nerida
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The experience of youth positive mental health has attracted limited research interest, despite healthcare shifting to a preventative approach, promoting health and wellbeing rather than focusing on illness. The aim of this critical review was to develop an understanding of youth positive mental health from an occupational perspective.

Method

Eight databases were searched and findings from each of the 11 relevant studies were critically reviewed and analysed using the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E). The three core elements of the CMOP-E were used as themes: personal factors, environment and occupation.

Findings

Each of the core components of the CMOP-E were identified as influencing youth positive mental health. The importance of supportive social environments and social occupations were particularly prevalent. Deeper understandings of the influence spirituality and institutional environments have on positive mental health for youth are required.

Conclusion

Youth positive mental health is a complex concept and requires the consideration of personal, environmental and occupational factors. Gaps identified included limited evidence of how young people engaged in mental health services perceive positive mental health. To gain a deeper understanding of positive youth mental health, future research needs to be conducted to obtain the perspective of young people.
Exploiting temperature measurements for cure monitoring of FRP composites—Applications with thermocouples and infrared thermography
Authors: Konstantopoulos Spiridon , Tonejc Maximilian , Maier Alexander , Schledjewski Ralf
Published: May 2015

The curing behavior of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite part is interesting for both the industrial and scientific community, for it is related to process optimization, quality upgrade, and material characterization. The study at hand focuses on the potential of temperature measurements as a means to monitor curing; kinetic analysis which conventionally is being done for small neat resin samples in a thermally stable environment (laboratory instruments), is in this study implemented for actual scale composite samples in an environment with significant thermal gradients (manufacturing). To ensure the success of this transition, live temperature data and kinetic parameters derived from DSC of composite samples were used as input to the kinetic equations. Process monitoring with thermocouples that was compared with dielectric constant monitoring and conventional kinetic analysis confirmed the validity of the method. An application with infrared thermography determined the impact of heat insulators within the composite (e.g. delaminations) on the superficial curing degree.
Neighborhood Influences and BMI in Urban Older Adults
Authors: Mathis Arlesia L. , Rooks Ronica N. , Tawk Rima H. , Kruger Daniel J.
Published: May 2015

Objective: Increases in body weight and declining physical activity that may accompany aging are linked to a range of problems affecting daily life (i.e., decreased mobility and overall quality of life). This study investigates the actual and perceived neighborhood environment on overweight and obese urban older adults. Method: We selected 217 individuals aged 65+ who answered questions about their neighborhood on the 2009 Speak to Your Health survey. Using multinomial regression models and geospatial models, we examined relationships between neighborhood environment and BMI. Results: We found that obese older adults were 63% less likely to have a park within their neighborhood ( p = .04). Our results also show that older adults who perceive their neighborhood crime as very high are 12 times more likely to be overweight ( p = .04). Discussion: Findings suggest that parks may affect BMI in older adults; however, neighborhood perceptions play a greater role.
Toward Motivating Participants to Assess Peers’ Work More Fairly
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Ai Wenguo , Liang Yaowen , Liu Ying
Published: May 2015

Peer assessment is an efficient and effective learning assessment method that has been used widely in diverse fields in higher education. Despite its many benefits, a fundamental problem in peer assessment is that participants lack the motivation to assess others’ work faithfully and fairly. Nonconsensus is a common challenge that makes the reliability of peer assessment a primary concern in practices. This research proposes a motivation model that uses review deviation and radicalness to identify nonconsensus in peer assessment. The proposed model is implemented as a software module in a peer code review system called EduPCR4. EduPCR4 is able to monitor peer assessment results and trigger teacher’s arbitration when it detects possible nonconsensus. An empirical study conducted in a university-level C programing course showed that the proposed model and its implementation helped to improve the peer assessment practices in many aspects.
COMPUGIRLS
Authors: Lee Jieun , Husman Jenefer , Scott Kimberly A. , Eggum-Wilkens Natalie D.
Published: May 2015

The COMPUGIRLS: Culturally relevant technology program for adolescent girls was developed to promote underrepresented girls' future possible selves and career pathways in computer-related technology fields. We hypothesized that the COMPUGIRLS would promote academic possible selves and self-regulation to achieve these possible selves. We compared the growth trajectories of academic possible selves and self-regulation between the program participants and a comparison group using latent growth modeling for two semesters. There was no significant group difference in the growth trajectories of academic possible selves. The findings support that the COMPUGIRLS did not accelerate the program participants' academic possible selves. However, the program participants had a significantly higher growth rate in self-regulation than the comparison group. We argue that the higher growth rate of self-regulation could help the program participants achieve academic possible selves which is important for choosing technology career pathways.
Taming Tiger Dads
Authors: Kim Allen , Pyke Karen
Published: May 2015

How do non-Western men interact with and understand the form of Western masculinity associated with global dominance? Is their experience of Western hegemonic masculinity’s denigration of their national/ethnic masculinity similar to what occurs among subordinated nonwhite and lower-class men in Western countries? We take up this subject in our study of the South Korean Father School movement, which trains Korean men to become more involved and loving family men. Our analysis of the discursive practices of Father School organizational leadership and participants discovers the relational construction of a problematic “Korean” masculinity and a remedial “New Man” masculinity associated with white American men. We draw on Chen (1999) to suggest the Father School men’s movement is an attempt to elevate Korean masculinity on the world stage by “bargaining” with Western hegemonic masculinity.