bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations in the Vitamin D-Binding Protein (DBP) Gene Are Related to Lower 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Healthy Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Santos Betânia R. , Mascarenhas Luis P.G. , Boguszewski Margaret C.S. , Spritzer Poli Mara
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a worldwide epidemic affecting several pediatric and adolescent populations. We determined the genotype and haplotype distribution of the rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms of the GC gene encoding vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and investigated the associations between these gene variants and their haplotypes with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in girls from South Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 198 apparently healthy girls aged 10-18 years. Plasma levels of 25(OH)D were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Participants were genotyped for rs4588 and rs7041 by real-time PCR, with allelic discrimination assays. Results: Mean chronological age and BMI percentile were 13.17 ± 1.74 years and 57.81 ± 29.03, respectively. Sufficient circulating 25(OH)D levels (≥30 ng/ml) were found in 9.1% of the overall group, insufficient levels (20-29.9 ng/ml) in 59.6%, and deficient levels (<20 ng/ml) in 31.3%. The AA genotype of rs4588, TT genotype of rs7041 and CT-AT/AT-AT (GC 1f-2/2-2) diplotypes were significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D levels, even after adjustment for age and season at the time of blood collection. Conclusions: The GC gene genotype may be related to the susceptibility to low 25(OH)D levels in female children and adolescents.
Alcohol, Liver, Systemic Inflammation and Skin: A Focus on Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Farkas Á. , Kemény L.
Published: March 2013

Emerging evidence suggests that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with psoriasis. In alcoholics, antipsoriatic treatments are less efficient, but more toxic and an additional challenge is poor therapeutic compliance. There is a correlation between excess alcohol intake and increased risk of infections, but on the other hand alcohol and its metabolites can trigger a persistent systemic inflammation, mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines released from activated Kupffer cells in the liver and from monocytes in the circulation. Ethanol and its metabolites can also enhance lymphocyte and keratinocyte activation and proliferation and can increase the mRNA levels of genes characteristic for proliferating keratinocytes. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to psoriasis development focusing on liver, systemic inflammation and skin.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor:A Rare Abdominal Tumor
Authors: Shaheen Shagufta , Guddati Achuta K.
Published: March 2013

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare abdominal tumors which arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric GISTs are the most commonly seen GIST tumors and may grow to a very large size. They are often associated with abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss. Most of them can be detected by CT. These tumors have been found to harbor mutations in CD117 which causes constitutional activation of the tyrosine kinase signaling pathway and is considered to be pathognomic. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib have revolutionized the treatment of these tumors, which are otherwise resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been useful in prolonging the recurrence-free survival of these patients. Resistance to imatinib has been reported in GISTs with specific mutations. We present a case of gastric GIST which grew to a very large size and was associated with abdominal pain and weight loss. It was successfully resected and the patient was commenced on imatinib therapy.
A Case of Lichen Planus Pemphigoides Successfully Treated with a Combination of Cyclosporine A and Prednisolone
Authors: Washio Ken , Nakamura Atsuko , Fukuda Shunpei , Hashimoto Takashi , Horikawa Tatsuya
Published: March 2013

Lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) is a rare clinical variant of bullous pemphigoid (BP). A 35-year-old female patient presented to our hospital complaining of pruritic violaceous-colored plaques or papules on the extremities. Tense vesicles were also seen on the soles. Skin biopsies from the papules and vesicles demonstrated lichen planus and BP, respectively. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated linear IgG and C3 deposition on the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence on 1 M NaCl split skin detected IgG reactivity with the epidermal side. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also detected anti-BP180 antibodies. After treatment with oral prednisolone alone had failed, low-dose cyclosporine A (CyA) was added. The clinical symptoms immediately improved and the titer of the anti-BP180 antibodies decreased. Although there is little information about the treatment of recalcitrant LPP, additional CyA appeared to be beneficial.
Profiles of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Cutaneous Lymphoid Hyperplasia of the Face
Authors: Furudate Sadanori , Fujimura Taku , Kambayashi Yumi , Aiba Setsuya
Published: March 2013

Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (CLH) is difficult to differentiate from primary malignant cutaneous lymphomas that may present as solitary nodules, and sometimes it requires much time to achieve a final diagnosis. A recent report [Park et al.: Acta Haematol 2011;126:79-86] suggested that the expression of granulysin correlates with the prognosis of cancer patients, even in hematological disorders. In this report, we immunohistochemically examine the expression of cytotoxic molecules (e.g. granulysin, TIA-1 and perforin) in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of 10 patients with CLH and 3 patients with cutaneous diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (CDLBCL-NOS) of the face. In the patients with CLH, the number of granulysin-bearing cells was higher than in the patients with CDLBCL-NOS. In contrast, there was no difference in the number of TIA-1+ or perforin+ cells. The present study attempts to explain the different biological behaviors of these two hematological disorders and suggests granulysin as a possible diagnostic tool for CLH and CDLBCL-NOS of the face.
Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its Treatment on Signal-Averaged P-Wave Duration in Men
Authors: Maeno Ken-ichi , Kasagi Satoshi , Ueda Azusa , Kawana Fusae , Ishiwata Sugao , Ohno Minoru , Yamaguchi Tetsu , Narui Koji , Kasai Takatoshi
Published: March 2013

Background—

Prolonged P-wave duration, indicating atrial conduction delay, is a potent precursor of atrial fibrillation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation development. We investigated the association of P-wave duration with OSA and its treatment.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled 80 consecutive men with normal sinus rhythms who underwent polysomnography, had no history of atrial fibrillation or ischemic heart disease, and no evidence of heart failure. Signal-averaged P-wave duration (SAPWD) was measured in all participants. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age, hypertension, and log-transformed apnea–hypopnea index were significantly and independently correlated with SAPWD. SAPWD was repeatedly measured after 1 month of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in 62 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA. As controls, 18 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA were enrolled. Their SAPWD was also measured at baseline and after 1 month without CPAP therapy. No significant change in SAPWD was found between baseline and after 1 month in the controls. However, SAPWD was significantly shortened after 1 month of CPAP therapy (from 137.5±8.6 to 129.7±8.5 ms;
P
<0.001), and the SAPWD change was significantly different in patients with CPAP therapy compared with controls (
P
<0.001). In addition, the SAPWD change in patients with CPAP therapy correlated inversely with nightly CPAP usage (
r
=−0.52;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

OSA severity was significantly associated with prolonged SAPWD. CPAP therapy significantly shortened SAPWD in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA. Thus, OSA may cause atrial conduction disturbances, leading to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation development, which may be modifiable by alleviating OSA with CPAP therapy.
Simple Neural-Like P Systems for Maximal Independent Set Selection
Authors: Xu Lei , Jeavons Peter
Published: March 2013

Membrane systems (P systems) are distributed computing models inspired by living cells where a collection of processors jointly achieves a computing task. The problem of maximal independent set (MIS) selection in a graph is to choose a set of nonadjacent nodes to which no further nodes can be added. In this letter, we design a class of simple neural-like P systems to solve the MIS selection problem efficiently in a distributed way. This new class of systems possesses two features that are attractive for both distributed computing and membrane computing: first, the individual processors do not need any information about the overall size of the graph; second, they communicate using only one-bit messages.
Causality in Linear Nongaussian Acyclic Models in the Presence of Latent Gaussian Confounders
Authors: Chen Zhitang , Chan Laiwan
Published: March 2013

LiNGAM has been successfully applied to some real-world causal discovery problems. Nevertheless, causal sufficiency is assumed; that is, there is no latent confounder of the observations, which may be unrealistic for real-world problems. Taking into the consideration latent confounders will improve the reliability and accuracy of estimations of the real causal structures. In this letter, we investigate a model called linear nongaussian acyclic models in the presence of latent gaussian confounders (LiNGAM-GC) which can be seen as a specific case of lvLiNGAM. This model includes the latent confounders, which are assumed to be independent gaussian distributed and statistically independent of the disturbances. To tackle the causal discovery problem of this model, first we propose a pairwise cumulant-based measure of causal directions for cause-effect pairs. We prove that in spite of the presence of latent gaussian confounders, the causal direction of the observed cause-effect pair can be identified under the mild condition that the disturbances are simultaneously supergaussian or subgaussian. We propose a simple and efficient method to detect the violation of this condition. We extend our work to multivariate causal network discovery problems. Specifically we propose algorithms to estimate the causal network structure, including causal ordering and causal strengths, using an iterative root finding-removing scheme based on pairwise measure. To address the redundant edge problem due to the finite sample size effect, we develop an efficient bootstrapping-based pruning algorithm. Experiments on synthetic data and real-world data have been conducted to show the applicability of our model and the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms.
Parameter Learning for Alpha Integration
Authors: Choi Heeyoul , Choi Seungjin , Choe Yoonsuck
Published: March 2013

In pattern recognition, data integration is an important issue, and when properly done, it can lead to improved performance. Also, data integration can be used to help model and understand multimodal processing in the brain. Amari proposed [Formula: see text]-integration as a principled way of blending multiple positive measures (e.g., stochastic models in the form of probability distributions), enabling an optimal integration in the sense of minimizing the [Formula: see text]-divergence. It also encompasses existing integration methods as its special case, for example, a weighted average and an exponential mixture. The parameter [Formula: see text] determines integration characteristics, and the weight vector [Formula: see text] assigns the degree of importance to each measure. In most work, however, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are given in advance rather than learned. In this letter, we present a parameter learning algorithm for learning [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] from data when multiple integrated target values are available. Numerical experiments on synthetic as well as real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
New Supervised Learning Theory Applied to Cerebellar Modeling for Suppression of Variability of Saccade End Points
Authors: Fujita Masahiko
Published: March 2013

A new supervised learning theory is proposed for a hierarchical neural network with a single hidden layer of threshold units, which can approximate any continuous transformation, and applied to a cerebellar function to suppress the end-point variability of saccades. In motor systems, feedback control can reduce noise effects if the noise is added in a pathway from a motor center to a peripheral effector; however, it cannot reduce noise effects if the noise is generated in the motor center itself: a new control scheme is necessary for such noise. The cerebellar cortex is well known as a supervised learning system, and a novel theory of cerebellar cortical function developed in this study can explain the capability of the cerebellum to feedforwardly reduce noise effects, such as end-point variability of saccades. This theory assumes that a Golgi-granule cell system can encode the strength of a mossy fiber input as the state of neuronal activity of parallel fibers. By combining these parallel fiber signals with appropriate connection weights to produce a Purkinje cell output, an arbitrary continuous input-output relationship can be obtained. By incorporating such flexible computation and learning ability in a process of saccadic gain adaptation, a new control scheme in which the cerebellar cortex feedforwardly suppresses the end-point variability when it detects a variation in saccadic commands can be devised. Computer simulation confirmed the efficiency of such learning and showed a reduction in the variability of saccadic end points, similar to results obtained from experimental data.
Effects of rainfall and geography on the comparative diets of eight rainbow lizard populations across Togo, Benin and Nigeria (West Africa)
Authors: Akani Godfrey C. , Akani Godfrey C. , Petrozzi Fabio , Akani Godfrey C. , Petrozzi Fabio , Rugiero Lorenzo , Akani Godfrey C. , Petrozzi Fabio , Rugiero Lorenzo , Segniagbeto Gabriel H. , Akani Godfrey C. , Petrozzi Fabio , Rugiero Lorenzo , Segniagbeto Gabriel H. , Luiselli Luca
Published: March 2013

The diet composition of rainbow lizards (Agama agama complex) populations was studied by feces analysis at eight distant places across a mega-transect in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa), covering three countries: Togo, Benin and Nigeria. The effects of geography (= linear distance between study sites) and local conditions (using the mean annual rainfall as a proxy of the site-specific conditions) on dietary similarity of rainbow lizards were tested. Rainbow lizards were mainly insectivorous at all sites. Multivariate analyses identified four main groups of localities in terms of diet diversity indexes, with populations inhabiting forest towns tending to have less prey taxa richness than conspecifics from more arid areas, which instead had higher dietary evenness. Food niche overlap between populations was high among populations (range 0.631-0.940, ), and decreased with increases in the difference of mean annual rainfall between sites. There was no effect of the geographic distance on the similarity in diet composition between populations. A UPGMA dendrogram revealed a geographic trend in terms of presence/absence of the various prey types in the diets, with all the Nigerian study sites forming one cluster, whereas Lomé and Cotonou, two cities situated within the Dahomey Gap, being grouped apart. Overall, rainfall of the various sites seems to be more important than geographic distance for determining the taxonomic diet composition similarity of these lizards.
A review of the mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae, Putoidae and Rhizoecidae) of Iran, with descriptions of four new species and three new records for the Iranian fauna
Authors: MOGHADDAM MASUMEH
Published: March 2013

Fifty-one species in 27 genera of Pseudococcidae, plus one species of Rhizoecidae and one species of Putoidae have been recorded from Iranbased on literature data and on the material in the collection of the Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum, Iran. Keys to the Iranian genera and species based on adult female morphology are provided and the distribution data of each species and their host-plants are given. Adult females of each species are illustrated in detail. The species Paracoccus burnerae (Brain), Phenacoccus pumilus (Kiritshenko) and Ph. hordei (Lindeman) are recorded for the first time in Iran. Four new species, Exallomochlus balouchestanensis Moghaddam sp. n., Peliococcus ilamicus Moghaddam sp. n., Phenacoccus karkasicus Moghaddam sp. n. and Phenacoccus iranica Moghaddam sp. n. are described.
Phylogeny and Revision of Toechorychus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of thirty-five new species
Authors: TEDESCO ANAZÉLIA M. , AGUIAR ALEXANDRE P.
Published: March 2013

The Neotropical Toechorychus Townes is revised, cladistically defined, and diagnosed. A total of 40 species are recognized, 35 of which are described as new: T. amapaeus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. amazonensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. barticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. benius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. bombuscarus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. calius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. callangus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. catarinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. coaracius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. darienus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. fluminensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. guarapuavus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. heredius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. itapuensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. jatainus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. kawus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. linaresius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marcapatus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marowijnus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. martinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. melgassus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. morelus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. napus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. nourageus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. ondensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. paramaribus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. pirrus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. sinopus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. surinamus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. taperinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. teutonius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. tumazulus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vilhenus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vinhaticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. zulius Tedesco, sp. nov. The other valid species are T. abactus (Cresson), T. albimaculatus (Taschenberg), T. brevicaudis (Szépligeti), T. cassunungae (Brauns), and T. stramineus (Taschenberg). Toechorychus can be recognized by the epicnemial carina usually not reaching more than 0.3 of the distance to subtegular ridge; dorsal valve of ovipositor with a subapical V-shaped sulcus; ovipositor with a subapical constriction; ovipositor sheath about 0.1 as long as hind tibia; and dorsal margin of pronotum swollen. A key and descriptions, including photographic illustrations and distribution maps, are provided to all valid species; a cladistic analysis of the genus is also performed. Seventy three new characters are proposed for the analysis of Cryptinae phylogeny. Toechorychus was recovered as a monophyletic group supported by 7–17 synapomorphies, closely related to Lymeon Förster and Acerastes Cushman. Two new synapomorphies are discovered for Toechorychus, a subapical V-shaped sulcus at the dorsal valve of the ovipositor, and a subapical constriction of the ovipositor present basad of the apical teeth of the ventral valve. Published host records were compiled and three new records are provided as follows: T. albimaculatus is a parasitoid of Mischocyttarus drewseni (Saussure) (Vespidae, Polistinae); T. stramineus is a parasitoid of M. basimacula (Cameron) and T. heredius sp. nov. is a parasitoid of M. collarellus Richards. A neotype is designated for T. cassunungae.
The Diurnal Cycle of Cloud-Top Height and Cloud Cover over the Southeastern Pacific as Observed by GOES-10
Authors: Painemal David , Minnis Patrick , O'Neill Larry
Published: March 2013

The diurnal cycles in cloud-top height Htop and cloud fraction (CF) in the southeastern Pacific stratocumulus region were determined for October–November 2008 by analyzing data from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-10 (GOES-10) according to a diurnal/semidiurnal harmonic fitting technique. The value of Htop was obtained by applying a formula based on a linear regression of the differences between GOES-10 cloud-top temperature and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) satellite sea surface temperature, with a common 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution. A satellite liquid water path (LWP) climatology complemented this dataset.

Southwestward transects of Htop and LWP anomalies reveal a coherent propagating signal from the coast in the afternoon, with a typical phase speed of 25 m s−1. This pattern is preceded by a subsidence wave that reaches its peak a few hours before the maximum in Htop and LWP anomalies. Coincident increases in LWP and Htop after the subsidence wave passes suggest that the boundary layer deepening promotes cloud thickening and increased LWP, which are likely maintained through a well-mixed boundary layer and sufficient moisture fluxes that can counteract the effect of dry air entrainment. The interference between the radiatively and subsidence wave–driven cycles gives rise to a semidiurnal cycle in Htop along the coast. While the semidiurnal amplitude is near 80 m close to the coast with a fraction of explained variance greater than 0.4, it decreases to 30 m offshore (80°W). Similar to Htop, CF also exhibits contrasting zonal differences, but with a smaller semidiurnal component. The phase of the semidiurnal harmonic resembles the subsidence propagation westward, and the noticeable land–sea breeze circulation at 26°S that extends 200 km offshore.
Toward an Asset Orientation in the Study of U.S. Latina/o Youth
Authors: Acevedo-Polakovich I. David , Cousineau Jennifer R. , Quirk Kelley M. , Gerhart James I. , Bell Katrina M. , Adomako Maame S.
Published: March 2013

Despite their significant and growing demographic importance, U.S. Latina/o youth are rarely the focus of research and almost never studied from a perspective that reflects counseling psychologists’ emphases on social justice and the strengths of individuals. Such a perspective is likely to result in more effective approaches to the understanding and prevention of adverse outcomes and can expand the understanding of variables that have been traditionally used to study U.S. Latina/o youth. In this study, two specific asset variables—leadership and social responsibility—were used to test hypotheses about the role of biculturalism in adaptive psychological functioning among U.S. Latina/o youth. Results suggest that bicultural identity is meaningfully associated with asset variables, whereas bicultural involvement is not. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Knowledge, beliefs and behaviours related to STD risk, prevention, and screening among a sample of African American men and women
Authors: Uhrig Jennifer D , Friedman Allison , Poehlman Jon , Scales Monica , Forsythe Ann
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Current data on sexually transmitted disease (STD) among African Americans show significant racial/ethnic disparities. The purpose of this study was to explore knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours related to STD risk, prevention, and testing among African American adults to help inform the development of a health communication intervention to address the high rates of STDs in this community.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Four United States (US) communities with high cumulative incidence of STDs.

Method:

We administered a 44-item structured survey.

Results:

Participants were 185 sexually active heterosexual African Americans aged 18 to 45. Most participants (84.2%) had been tested for an STD at least once. Most participants (75.8%) perceived STDs to be a problem in their community, and almost all (91.2%) felt that people needed education to learn how to avoid STDs. Nonetheless, only half of participants (49.5%) agreed that they should get tested for STDs because they may be at risk. Misconceptions related to STD prevention and testing were identified. Results suggest that STDs remain highly stigmatized with concerns related to social and interpersonal consequences. Participants’ perceived personal risk was low, despite acknowledging high STD rates in their communities.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest that health communication may play an important role in addressing STD disparities by increasing perceptions of personal risk, minimizing STD-associated stigma, and marketing STD prevention and testing behaviours.
Rethinking the ‘Public Service Bargain’: the changing (legal) position of civil servants in Europe
Authors: van der Meer Frits M , van den Berg Caspar F , Dijkstra Gerrit SA
Published: March 2013

It can be argued that because of the rise of New Public Management and the growing dominance of labor law and HRM practices, the so-called ‘traditional’ public law formulation of the position of civil servants has come under pressure in a number of Western European countries in recent decades and have shaken the ‘bargain’ agreed between the political and administrative leaders since the Second World War. By contrast, in Central and Eastern Europe and Britain, new Weberian-type civil service legislation has been introduced. In this analysis, we examine both apparent opposites from a public sector bargains perspective and find that European countries are at a crossroads in their reflection on the ‘bargain’.

Points for practitioners

For practitioners in this field two considerations are important to note. The first is that while the discussion about the (legal) position of civil servants within their political-administrative system may seem to be a national debate, in essence it forms part of a more general debate that is conducted all across Europe. The second is that both theoretically and empirically, two dimensions of the bargain have to be distinguished, namely on the one hand the material labor conditions (pay, job protection, etc.) and on the other hand the values of bureaucracy (impartiality, integrity, loyalty, etc.). As our empirical analysis shows, these two dimensions have become increasingly independent from each other in the discussions and reforms in various countries over recent decades. In other words, managerial reforms in terms of material labor conditions have in practice been paired with the renewed emphasis on Weberian values of bureaucracy. Whether this decoupling is sustainable from a policy point of view in the long run (i.e. whether Weberian-style labor conditions are or are not conditional for high levels of Weberian values of bureaucracy), remains to be seen.
Performance management systems for senior civil servants: how strong is the managerial public service bargain?
Authors: Hondeghem Annie , Dorpe Karolien Van
Published: March 2013

During the past couple of decades we have witnessed important reforms in the public sector in OECD countries. Various forms of performance management systems have been introduced. This had an impact on the role and position of senior civil servants. The traditional public service bargain (PSB) came under pressure and was replaced by – at least partially – a managerial PSB. This article looks at the performance management systems that have been introduced for senior civil servants in five countries (Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium) and their impact on the managerial PSB. When there is strong result-based control in the different phases of the performance management cycle, we assume a strong managerial PSB. The finding is that the Anglo-Saxon countries have stronger result-based control systems than the European continental countries. Therefore we conclude that in the former countries the managerial PSBs are stronger than in the latter countries.

Points for practitioners

Performance management systems for senior civil servants show a different degree of result-based control. Following the four steps in a control process (plan, do, check, act) we can divide the performance management cycle into four phases: planning, monitoring, evaluation, and acting. When there is strong result-based control in each stage, we can speak of a strong managerial public service bargain (PSB). When there is moderate or weak result-based control, there is a moderate or weak managerial PSB, respectively. Each country can make its own choices regarding the performance management system for senior civil servants, but one must be aware that this has an impact on political-administrative relations.
Managerial reforms, Public Service Bargains and top civil servant identity
Authors: Bourgault Jacques , Van Dorpe Karolien
Published: March 2013

In the past couple of decades, a wide range of managerial reforms have been witnessed in many OECD countries. These reforms may have significantly affected the identity of top civil servants. This change in identity may, in turn, have an impact on the performance of top officials, their roles, their views, their relations with political personnel and their expected competencies. Within a sample of countries (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands) we explore these reforms, the changes that have occurred in top officials’ identity (personal, role and social) with document analysis and a series of interviews. We conclude that in all cases, regardless of the goals or the intensity of the reforms, there is now more individualization, more mobility, fixed-term contracts and more accountability. We did not find a full-blown managerial or any unambiguous evolution towards a pure managerial identity.

Points for practitioners

Managerial reforms certainly affect the relationships between politicians and top civil servants. Role perceptions of top civil servants are, depending on the context, more resistant to change than expected. Despite the omnipresent managerial discourse, the role of policy advisor remains very important. Corporate management designs tend to facilitate corporate identification, the type of employment relationship, contract and level of goals, thus affecting the social identity of top civil servants.
Substance Use, Policy, and Foster Care
Authors: Harris-McKoy DeAnna , Meyer Andrea S. , McWey Lenore M. , Henderson Tammy L.
Published: March 2013

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) may have an impact on parents struggling with alcohol or other drug (AOD) problems, who are appealing the termination of their parental rights. We conducted a mixed-methods content analysis of court cases from Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia involving parental appeals of the termination of their parental rights pre- and post-ASFA. Decisions to uphold termination of parental rights for parents with AOD issues were statistically more frequent post-ASFA. Qualitative differences emerged between pre- and post-ASFA cases with regard to reasons for appeals, substance use factors considered in the appeals, and rationale for final decisions.
Developing learning at St Mary’s secondary school, UK
Authors: Lambert Clive
Published: March 2013

This article summarises the actions taken by a Catholic secondary school in England to improve the learning, motivation and well-being of its students. It describes the theories of mindset, as proposed by Dweck (2006); aspects of self-determination, as described by Kasser and Ryan (1993) ; and intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, as detailed by Vansteenkiste et al. (2006) . This paper also refers to the theory of visible learning by John Hattie (2012) and describes the actions taken by the school to embed the principles of mindset and the outcomes of this intervention. The implementation of mindset was a gradual process, in which the headteacher targeted two year groups in the school to launch the ideas. In parallel, he trialled the principles in the maths classes that he taught. His experience is described in the evaluation 2009–10 (see Addendum 1). Furthermore, the school carried out much work on the nature of praise and how this can improve students’ motivation and encourage a ‘growth mindset’. This led to the grade descriptors for interim school reports being changed to reflect this new emphasis. Students themselves revised these descriptors to make them more student-friendly and to provide them with clear statements about how to improve.
Estimating the Cost of No-Shows and Evaluating the Effects of Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Berg Bjorn P. , Murr Michael , Chermak David , Woodall Jonathan , Pignone Michael , Sandler Robert S. , Denton Brian T.
Published: March 2013

Objective. To measure the cost of nonattendance (“no-shows”) and benefit of overbooking and interventions to reduce no-shows for an outpatient endoscopy suite. Methods. We used a discrete-event simulation model to determine improved overbooking scheduling policies and examine the effect of no-shows on procedure utilization and expected net gain, defined as the difference in expected revenue based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimbursement rates and variable costs based on the sum of patient waiting time and provider and staff overtime. No-show rates were estimated from historical attendance (18% on average, with a sensitivity range of 12%–24%). We then evaluated the effectiveness of scheduling additional patients and the effect of no-show reduction interventions on the expected net gain. Results. The base schedule booked 24 patients per day. The daily expected net gain with perfect attendance is $4433.32. The daily loss attributed to the base case no-show rate of 18% is $725.42 (16.4% of net gain), ranging from $472.14 to $1019.29 (10.7%–23.0% of net gain). Implementing no-show interventions reduced net loss by $166.61 to $463.09 (3.8%–10.5% of net gain). The overbooking policy of 9 additional patients per day resulted in no loss in expected net gain when compared with the reference scenario. Conclusions. No-shows can significantly decrease the expected net gain of outpatient procedure centers. Overbooking can help mitigate the impact of no-shows on a suite’s expected net gain and has a lower expected cost of implementation to the provider than intervention strategies.
Continuously Rethinking the Definition of Influenza for Surveillance Systems
Authors: Alemi Farrokh , Atherton Martin J. , Pattie David C. , Torii Manabu
Published: March 2013

Objective. In the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE), influenza was originally defined by a list of 29 and later by a list of 12 diagnosis codes. This article describes a dependent Bayesian procedure designed to improve the ESSENCE system and exploit multiple sources of information without being biased by redundancy. Methods. We obtained 13,096 cases within the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technological Application electronic medical records that included an influenza laboratory test. A Dependent Bayesian Expert System (D-BESt) was used to predict influenza from diagnoses, symptoms, reason for visit, temperature, month of visit, category of enrollment, and demographics. For each case, D-BESt sequentially selects the most discriminating piece of information, calculates its likelihood ratio conditioned on previously selected information, and updates the case’s probability of influenza. Results. When the analysis was limited to definitions based on diagnoses and was applied to a sample of patients for whom laboratory tests had been ordered, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) for the previous (29-diagnosis) and current (12-diagnosis) ESSENCE lists and the D-BESt algorithm were, respectively, 0.47, 0.36, and 0.77. Including other sources of information further improved the AUC for D-BESt to 0.79. At the best cutoff point for D-BESt, where the receiver operating characteristic curve for D-BESt is farthest from the diagonal line, the D-BESt algorithm correctly classified 84% of cases (specificity = 88%, sensitivity = 62%). In comparison, the current ESSENCE approach of using a list of 12 diagnoses correctly classified only 31% of this sample of cases (specificity = 29%, sensitivity = 42%). Conclusions. False alarms in ESSENCE surveillance systems can be reduced if a probabilistic dynamic learning system is used.
Beneficial influence of topical extra virgin olive oil application on an experimental model of penile fracture in rats
Authors: Gunes Mustafa , Ozkol Halil , Pirincci Necip , Gecit Ilhan , Bilici Salim , Yildirim Serkan
Published: March 2013

Penile fracture (PF) is known as a traumatic rupture of the tunica albuginea of corpus cavernosum. In this study, we aimed to investigate the healing influence of topical extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on PF through evaluating levels of some oxidative stress biomarkers for the first time. Histopathological evaluation was also realized. A total of 18 male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of six rats each as control group, in PF (alone) group, and PF + EVOO group. Experimental PF was formed via incising from the proximal dorsal side of the penis in the rats of all groups except control. While in PF (alone) group, fracture was formed and the incision was primarily closed, in PF + EVOO group in addition to foregoing processes, EVOO was also administrated topically twice a day for 3 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all rats were killed and penectomy was carried out. While malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, lipid hyroperoxide, and total oxidant status significantly ( p < 0.05) increased, reduced glutathione and total free sulfhydryl groups markedly ( p < 0.05) decreased in PF (alone) group when compared with PF + EVOO group. Levels of these parameters were reversed to nearly normal values by topical EVOO application. Protection by EVOO is further substantiated via the improved histological findings in PF + EVOO group as against degenerative changes in the rats of PF (alone) group. Our data revealed that EVOO has protective effect in penile cavernosal tissue through probably its antioxidant, free radical defusing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Corporate Donor–Charitable Organization Partners
Authors: Cho Moonhee , Kelly Kathleen S.
Published: March 2013

Using the coorientation model, this study examines the views of leading U.S. corporations and charitable organizations about types of relationships between corporate donors and charities that receive corporate contributions. Results of the national expert survey show that both corporate giving officers and senior fundraisers of charitable organizations perceive the relationship as more communal than either one-way patronizing or two-way exchange. Findings from the coorientation analysis illustrate that the two groups are in a state of consensus on the patronizing and communal relationship types while a state of false consensus exists on the exchange relationship type; that is, charities wrongly assume that corporate donors desire a relationship based on the dominant characteristic of solid exchange or quid pro quo.
Formulating frequency of uniform beams with tip mass under various axial loads
Authors: Luo Renfan
Published: March 2013

The energy conservation principle has been applied to derive the formulation of the frequencies of free transverse vibration of beams for a given mode shape. For uniform beams with a tip mass and with either a clamped/free or a clamped/sliding or a hinged/sliding constraint, under various loads, such a centrifugal force, axial acceleration and concentrated force, the mode shape functions for the free uniform beams have been employed to develop empirical formulae, which are capable of predicting their frequencies. The predictions show a good agreement with those given by finite element analysis.
Self-feedback motion control for cable-driven parallel manipulators
Authors: Chen Weihai , Cui Xiang , Yang Guilin , Chen Jingyuan , Jin Yan
Published: March 2013

This article proposes a closed-loop control scheme based on joint-angle feedback for cable-driven parallel manipulators (CDPMs), which is able to overcome various difficulties resulting from the flexible nature of the driven cables to achieve higher control accuracy. By introducing a unique structure design that accommodates built-in encoders in passive joints, the seven degrees of freedom (7-DOF) CDPM can obtain joint angle values without external sensing devices, and it is used for feedback control together with a proper closed-loop control algorithm. The control algorithm has been derived from the time differential of the kinematic formulation, which relates the joint angular velocities to the time derivative of cable lengths. In addition, the Lyapunov stability theory and Monte Carlo method have been used to mathematically verify the self-feedback control law that has tolerance for parameter errors. With the aid of co-simulation technique, the self-feedback closed-loop control is applied on a 7-DOF CDPM and it shows higher motion accuracy than the one with an open-loop control. The trajectory tracking experiment on the motion control of the 7-DOF CDPM demonstrated a good performance of the self-feedback control method.
Involvement of serotonin mechanism in methamphetamine-induced chronic pulmonary toxicity in rats
Authors: Wang Y. , Liu M. , Wang H.M. , Bai Y. , Zhang X.H. , Sun Y.X. , Wang H.L.
Published: March 2013

The widest distribution and the highest uptake of methamphetamine (MA) in the human body occurred in the lungs, so that more and more attention should be paid to MA-induced pulmonary toxicity. MA induces the release of serotonin, which is an important mediator in pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the chronic response of the lung to MA and its potential mechanism in rats. Models of the chronic toxicity of MA were established with MA of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (intraperitoneally, twice per day) for 5 weeks. It was found that the high dose of MA induced rat pulmonary toxicity: crowded lung parenchyma, thickened septum, reduced number of alveolar sacs, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling. In addition, MA resulted in a significant increase in the lung serotonin concentration and the marked upregulation of tryptophan hydroxylase 1, vesicular monoamine transporter 2, serotonin transporter, and downregulation of monoamine oxidase-A. These findings suggest that MA induced chronic pulmonary toxicity, which is concerned with the elevated serotonin concentration in rat lungs by increased synthesis, reduced metabolism, augmented accumulation, and promoted release of serotonin.
Pathogenesis of preeclampsia
Authors: Shaker OG , Sadik NAH
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to investigate the implication of some apoptotic and lipid peroxidation markers in preeclampsia (PE). A total of 25 women with PE and 25 age- and parity-matched normal pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level, caspase-9 activity and the percentage of DNA fragmentation were significantly higher in placental tissue of PE than in control women. The serum level of MDA was significantly elevated in women with PE having delivery by cesarean section (CS) than in women with PE having vaginal delivery. In vitro study demonstrated that the addition of 0.5 mM Fe2+ and 0.1 mM ascorbate caused increase in the production of MDA level in placental tissue with PE than normal placentas, and vitamin E (100 µM) caused lower inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation in placental tissue with PE when compared with normal tissue. The activity of caspase-9 and percentage of DNA fragmentation were associated with the severity of the PE and both could differentiate between PE and control women with 88% and 100% sensitivity and 96% and 100% specificity, respectively. The activities of caspase-8 and/or -9 were positively correlated with the maternal age but only caspase-8 was negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight and placental weight. In conclusion, the elevations of MDA, caspase-9 activity and the percentage of DNA fragmentation in the placentas of women with PE implicate the involvement of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in PE. The placenta represents a considerable source of the elevated circulating MDA in PE.
Evaluation of estrogenic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides using immature rat uterotrophic assay
Authors: Uslu U. , Sandal S. , Cumbul A. , Yildiz S. , Aydin M. , Yilmaz B.
Published: March 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorinated pesticides on the serum levels of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and weights and histomorphometry of uterine tissue in immature female rats using uterotrophic assay. A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into six groups ( n = 6 per group) as control, oestradiol (E2, 100 μg/kg), PCB 180, Aroclor 1221, endosulfan and mirex at 10 mg/kg dosage. After 3 days of injections (subcutaneous), animals were decapitated and blood samples were collected. Uteri were dissected, weighed out and then fixed in 10% formaldehyde. They were processed for histomorphometry. The serum levels of LH and FSH were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

Uterine weight was significantly increased by E2 and reduced by mirex ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Total volume of uterus was significantly raised by E2, Aroclor 1221 and endosulfan compared with that of the control group ( p < 0.01). The ratio of epithelium was significantly increased by E2, PCBs and pesticides ( p < 0.01). The uterine cavity ratio was decreased by aroclor ( p < 0.01), PCB 180 and mirex ( p < 0.05). The serum levels of LH did not significantly differ among the groups but the levels of FSH were decreased by PCB 180 and endosulfan ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). These findings suggest that PCB 180, Aroclor 1221 and endosulfan may be estrogenic in immature uterotrophic assay.
A case of severe methemoglobinemia caused by hair dye poisoning
Authors: Ryoo SM , Sohn CH , Oh BJ , Kim WY , Lim KS
Published: March 2013

Context:

Hair dyes are widely used and very popular xenobiotics. Most of these products contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD) that can cause methemoglobinemia. We here report a case of severe methemoglobinemia that we treated using large amounts of methylene blue.

Case details:

A 30-year-old man visited a regional hospital with cyanosis. He was congenitally blind and had autism. For several weeks, he had mistaken hair dye for toothpaste. When he arrived at a regional hospital, he was drowsy with cyanosis and his initial serum methemoglobin (MetHb) level was 59.5%. After being treated with 2 mg/kg methylene blue (1 mg/kg × 2 administrations), he was transferred to a tertiary university hospital. Upon presentation at the Emergency Department in the tertiary hospital, his MetHb level was found to be 49.4% and his oxygen saturation was 80%. He was then admitted to the intensive care unit. After treatment with 4 mg/kg methylene blue (1 mg/kg × 4 administrations), he successfully recovered.

Discussion:

Because PPD can result in serious methemoglobinemia, clinicians should test it in cyanotic patients who have been exposed to hair dye for an extended period.