bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fear of childbirth in expectant fathers, subsequent childbirth experience and impact of antenatal education: subanalysis of results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bergström Malin , Rudman Ann , Waldenström Ulla , Kieler Helle
Published: April 2013

Objective

To explore if antenatal fear of childbirth in men affects their experience of the birth event and if this experience is associated with type of childbirth preparation.

Design

Data from a randomized controlled multicenter trial on antenatal education.

Setting

15 antenatal clinics in Sweden between January 2006 and May 2007.

Sample

762 men, of whom 83 (10.9%) suffered from fear of childbirth. Of these 83 men, 39 were randomized to psychoprophylaxis childbirth preparation where men were trained to coach their partners during labor and 44 to standard care antenatal preparation for childbirth and parenthood without such training.

Methods

Experience of childbirth was compared between men with and without fear of childbirth regardless of randomization, and between fearful men in the randomized groups. Analyses by logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic variables.

Main outcome measures

Self‐reported data on experience of childbirth including an adapted version of the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ B).

Results

Men with antenatal fear of childbirth more often experienced childbirth as frightening than men without fear: adjusted odds ratio 4.68, 95% confidence interval 2.67–8.20. Men with antenatal fear in the psychoprophylaxis group rated childbirth as frightening less often than those in standard care: adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.10–0.95.

Conclusions

Men who suffer from antenatal fear of childbirth are at higher risk of experiencing childbirth as frightening. Childbirth preparation including training as a coach may help fearful men to a more positive childbirth experience. Additional studies are needed to support this conclusion.
E‐pharmacovigilance: development and implementation of a computable knowledge base to identify adverse drug reactions
Authors: Neubert Antje , Dormann Harald , Prokosch Hans‐Ulrich , Bürkle Thomas , Rascher Wolfgang , Sojer Reinhold , Brune Kay , Criegee‐Rieck Manfred
Published: April 2013

Aims

Computer‐assisted signal generation is an important issue for the prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, due to poor standardization of patients' medical data and a lack of computable medical drug knowledge the specificity of computerized decision support systems for early ADR detection is too low and thus those systems are not yet implemented in daily clinical practice. We report on a method to formalize knowledge about ADRs based on the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) and linking them with structured patient data to generate safety signals automatically and with high sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

A computable ADR knowledge base (ADR‐KB) that inherently contains standardized concepts for ADRs (WHO‐ART), drugs (ATC) and laboratory test results (LOINC) was built. The system was evaluated in study populations of paediatric and internal medicine inpatients.

Results

A total of 262 different ADR concepts related to laboratory findings were linked to 212 LOINC terms. The ADR knowledge base was retrospectively applied to a study population of 970 admissions (474 internal and 496 paediatric patients), who underwent intensive ADR surveillance. The specificity increased from 7% without ADR‐KB up to 73% in internal patients and from 19.6% up to 91% in paediatric inpatients, respectively.

Conclusions

This study shows that contextual linkage of patients' medication data with laboratory test results is a useful and reasonable instrument for computer‐assisted ADR detection and a valuable step towards a systematic drug safety process. The system enables automated detection of ADRs during clinical practice with a quality close to intensive chart review.
Effects of Aripiprazole, an Atypical Antipsychotic, on the Motor Alterations Induced by Acute Ethanol Administration in Mice
Authors: Viana Thercia G. , Almeida‐Santos Ana F. , Aguiar Daniele C. , Moreira Fabricio A.
Published: April 2013

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic that acts as a partial agonist at dopamine receptors. As the effects of most drugs of abuse converge to enhance dopamine‐mediated neurotransmission, the present study was designed to test the hypothesis that aripiprazole would inhibit the acute effects of ethanol, a widely abused substance. Male Swiss mice received acute injections and were evaluated for motor activity in three distinct tests. In the open field, ethanol (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 g/kg) induced an increase in locomotion in a U‐shaped dose‐related fashion, whereas aripiprazole (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) did not affect this parameter. All the doses of the antipsychotic were able to prevent the stimulant effects of 2.5 g/kg of ethanol. In the rotarod test, ethanol (2.5 and 3.5 g/kg) reduced the latency to fall from the apparatus, an effect also observed with the higher dose of aripiprazole. Contrary to what was observed in the open field, this antipsychotic did not interfere with the effects of ethanol in motor balance. Finally, we tested animals in the wire hang test, in which ethanol, but not aripiprazole, reduced latency to fall at all doses. In this test, aripiprazole did not change ethanol effects. The present data lead to the conclusion that aripiprazole prevents the stimulant effects of ethanol on locomotion, without interfering with the motor impairment induced by this drug.
Chronic Administration of Infliximab (TNF‐α Inhibitor) Decreases Depression and Anxiety‐like Behaviour in Rat Model of Chronic Mild Stress
Authors: Karson Ayşe , Demirtaş Tuğçe , Bayramgürler Dilek , Balcı Fuat , Utkan Tijen
Published: April 2013

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines have been proposed to be associated with the pathogenesis of depression. Consistent with this notion, several clinical observations have suggested the antidepressant efficacy of TNF‐α inhibitors in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of chronic TNF‐α inhibitor (infliximab, 5 mg/kg, i.p., weekly) administration in the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression. Rats were divided into three groups: saline‐control (no stress), saline‐CMS, and infliximab‐CMS. Rats in the latter two groups were exposed to CMS for 8 weeks. Saline (former two groups) or infliximab was injected weekly during this period. After CMS, total locomotor activity, anxiety‐like behaviour and depression‐like behaviours were evaluated using automated locomotor activity cage, elevated plus maze (EPM), and sucrose preference (SPT) and forced swimming (FS) tests, respectively. As expected, the saline‐CMS group exhibited higher depression‐like behaviours in FS and SPT tests compared with the saline‐control group. There were no differences between these two groups in terms of the anxiety‐like behaviour or total locomotor activity. Infliximab reduced the depression‐like behaviour of CMS rats compared with saline‐CMS group, and anxiety‐like behaviour of CMS rats compared with saline‐CMS and saline‐control groups. Our findings suggest that chronic and systemic TNF‐α inhibition reduced depression and anxiety‐like behaviour in the CMS model of depression in rats.
Acute CO Poisoning is Associated with Impaired Fibrinolysis and Increased Thrombin Generation
Authors: Gawlikowski Tomasz , Gomolka Ewa , Piekoszewski Wojciech , Jawień Wojciech , Undas Anetta
Published: April 2013

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in many countries. In ex vivo studies, CO released from carbon monoxide‐releasing molecules has been shown to attenuate fibrinolysis via increased alpha‐2‐antiplasmin activity. Hypofibrinolysis is associated with coronary ischaemia, which is also commonly observed in CO poisoning. We examined fibrin clot properties in acutely poisoned CO patients. Ex vivo plasma fibrin clot permeability, turbidimetry and efficiency of fibrinolysis were investigated in 48 patients and controls matched for age and sex. CO‐poisoned patients had 11.6% longer clot lysis time than the controls (p < 0.0001). No intergroup differences in clot permeability or turbidimetric variables were observed. Plasma tissue‐type plasminogen antigen (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) antigen and activity and F1.2 prothrombin fragments were higher in the patients than in the controls (all p < 0.0001). Plasma tPA activity was lower in the CO‐poisoned group. Multiple linear regression showed that a thrombin generation marker, F1.2, is the strongest predictor of clot lysis time, followed by PAI‐1 activity and carboxyhaemoglobin levels. In conclusion, this report is the first to demonstrate that acute CO poisoning in human beings is linked to increased thrombin generation and impaired fibrinolysis, which might contribute to ischaemic complications.
From Soluble Aβ to Progressive Aβ Aggregation: Could Prion‐Like Templated Misfolding Play a Role?
Authors: Eisele Yvonne S.
Published: April 2013

Accumulation, aggregation and deposition of Aβ peptides are pathological hallmarks in the brains of individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) or by cerebral β‐amyloid angiopathy (Aβ‐CAA). While Aβ is a peptide of yet largely unknown function, it is constantly produced in the human brain where it normally remains in a soluble state. However, Aβ peptides are aggregation prone by their intrinsic ability to adopt alternative conformations rich in β‐sheet structure that aggregate into oligomeric as well as fibrillar formations. This transition from soluble to aggregated state has been hypothesized to initiate the pathological cascade and is therefore subject to intensive research. Mounting evidence suggests prion‐like templated misfolding as the biochemical phenomenon responsible for promoting progressive Aβ aggregation. Here, we review studies in vitro and in vivo that suggest that cerebral Aβ aggregation may indeed progress via prion‐like templated misfolding. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to understanding initiation and progression of the disease and to developing therapeutics.
Lost therapeutic potential of monocyte-derived dendritic cells through lost tissue homing: stable restoration of gut specificity with retinoic acid
Authors: Bernardo D , Mann E R , Al-Hassi H O , English N R , Man R , Lee G H , Ronde E , Landy J , Peake S T C , Hart A L , Knight S C
Published: April 2013

Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) (MoDC) are utilized for immunotherapy. However, in-vitro immunological effects are often not mirrored in vivo. We studied the tissue-homing potential of MoDC. Circulating monocytes and DC expressed different tissue-homing markers and, during in-vitro development of MoDC, homing marker expression was lost resulting in a ‘homeless’ phenotype. Retinoic acid (RA) induced gut-homing markers (β7 and CCR9) and a regulatory phenotype and function [decreased human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) and increased ILT3 and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-dextran uptake) in MoDC]. RA-MoDC were less stimulatory and primed conditioned T cells with a gut-homing profile (β7+CLA−). Unlike the normal intestinal microenvironment, that from inflamed colon of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients did not induce regulatory properties in MoDC. However, RA-MoDC maintained their regulatory gut-specific properties even in the presence of UC microenvironment. Therefore, MoDC may be ineffectual for immunotherapy because they lack tissue-homing and tissue-imprinting specificity. However, MoDC rehabilitation with gut-homing potential by RA could be useful in promoting immunotherapy in pathologies such as UC.
Two‐year‐old children interpret abstract, purely geometric maps
Authors: Winkler‐Rhoades Nathan , Carey Susan C. , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: April 2013

In two experiments, 2.5‐year‐old children spontaneously used geometric information from 2D maps to locate objects in a 3D surface layout, without instruction or feedback. Children related maps to their corresponding layouts even though the maps differed from the layouts in size, mobility, orientation, dimensionality, and perspective, and even when they did not depict the target objects directly. Early in development, therefore, children are capable of noting the referential function of strikingly abstract visual representations.
The association between adherence to oral anti‐diabetic drugs and hypoglycaemia in persons with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Quilliam B. J. , Ozbay A. B. , Sill B. E. , Kogut S. J.
Published: April 2013

Aim

To quantify the relationship between adherence to oral anti‐diabetic drugs and incident hypoglycaemia in Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Utilizing a claims database, we identified patients with Type 2 diabetes initiating metformin, sulphonylureas or thiazolidinediones and classified adherence over the next 6 months, creating markers of changes in therapy (switches/additions). We created nine mutually exclusive exposure groups, including: metformin ≥ 80% adherence; metformin < 80% adherence; sulphonylurea ≥ 80% adherence; sulphonylurea < 80% adherence; thiazolidinediones ≥ 80% adherence; thiazolidinediones < 80% adherence; switching to a new class; adding on therapy; and switching to two or more different classes of medication. We followed patients for incident hypoglycaemia medical visits and developed a Cox proportional hazards model to compare rates of hypoglycaemia across exposure groups.

Results

Adherence to monotherapy was high (86.0 ± 17.8% for metformin, 87.2 ± 17.5% for sulphonylureas and 87.8 ± 16.9 for thiazolidinediones). The incidence of hypoglycaemia ranged from 93.1 to 259.9 per 10 000 person‐years in the nine exposure groups. Relative to metformin users with ≥ 80% adherence, those switching from any monotherapy to combination therapy had a 32% increased rate (hazard ratio 1.32; 95% CI 1.07–1.64) of hypoglycaemia. Thiazolidinediones users with ≥ 80% adherence had a decreased hazard rate (hazard ratio 0.67; 95% CI 0.46–0.98) relative to metformin users with ≥ 80% adherence. All other groups on oral anti‐diabetic drugs, regardless of adherence, were not associated with hypoglycaemia

Conclusions

We found that the relative rate of hypoglycaemia was highest in patients switching from monotherapy to combination therapy, while rates of hypoglycaemia in monotherapy users were largely unrelated to level of adherence.
Images ofMuslims inWestern Scholarship and Media after 9/11
Authors: el‐Aswad el‐Sayed
Published: April 2013

This article endeavors to trace changes in the images of theMuslim of theOrient, a product ofOrientalism, to contemporary images of theMuslim post 9/11, marking a transition from classicalOrientalism to a newOrientalism orIslamism. The study demonstrates how most Western scholarship and media, through the construction of so‐called Islamophobia, have portrayedMuslims in terms of global terrorism,Islamic jihadism, fanaticIslamism, fundamentalism, fascism, andIslamic authoritarianism. Much of the scholarship and media dealing withIslam andMuslims require critical assessment and revision. The article also addresses ways through whichMuslims in academia and the media have opposed negative images ofMuslims. For instance, in response to the irrational acts of extremists that have fostered negative stereotypes ofIslam, public lectures, sermons, conferences, and media programs have recently and abundantly been made byMuslim scholars and media activists to presentMuslims positively at both the national and global levels.
Pious Way to Politics: The Rise of Political Salafism in Post‐Mubarak Egypt
Authors: al‐Anani Khalil , Malik Maszlee
Published: April 2013

The Arab Spring has reshaped the Islamist landscape in the Middle East drastically. After decades of repression and exclusion, Islamist parties have taken power in Egypt, Tunis, and Morocco. However, the startling rise of Salafism (Salafiyya) remains the most visible feature of the new Islamist scene in the region. After decades of eschewing politics for theological and political reasons, Salafi movements and groups have rushed into electoral politics enthusiastically. They became keen to form political parties, contest elections, and vie for power. In Egypt, the Salafi parties fared well in the post‐revolution parliamentary elections and are a key player in drafting Egypt's new constitution. This article explores the rise of Salafism after Mubarak and examines its effects on the democratic transition in Egypt. It investigates the ideological and theological stance of Salafi movements and parties on politics and democracy in particular. The argument put forward is that the extraordinary political openness in Egypt after the revolution has pushed Salafis into everyday politics. Subsequently, Salafis have become more inclined to adopt a pragmatic and practical discourse. Based on field research, this article provides a thematic analysis of Egyptian Salafism and assesses its political future.
Cholesterol affects retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis with optic neuritis
Authors: Kardys A. , Weinstock‐Guttman B. , Dillon M. , Masud M. W. , Weinstock N. , Mahfooz N. , Lang J. K. , Weinstock A. , Lincoff N. , Zivadinov R. , Ramanathan M.
Published: April 2013

Background and purpose

To evaluate the associations between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and lipid profiles in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

This study enrolled 136 patients with MS (n = 272 eyes; 108 females, 28 males, mean age: 46.7 ± 8.9 years); 45% had a history of optic neuritis (ON). Subjects received optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing to assess RNFL thickness and visual acuity testing with Snellen charts. A subset of 88 patients received pattern reversal visual‐evoked potential (PRVEP) testing. Lipid profiles consisting of serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol (TC) levels were obtained within ± 6 months of OCT. Regression analyses were used to assess the associations between RNFL thickness and lipid profile variables.

Results

Low RNFL thickness (P = 0.008) and higher PRVEP latency (P = 0.017) were associated with high LDL cholesterol > 100 mg/dl status. Low RNFL thickness (P = 0.008) and higher PRVEP latency (P = 0.043) were associated with high HDL cholesterol levels. Low RNFL thickness was also associated with HDL cholesterol > 60 mg/dl status (P = 0.001) and with TC > 200 mg/dl status (P = 0.015). The probability of average RNFL thickness in the lowest tertile (≤ 33rd percentile) was associated with interactions between TC > 200 mg/dl status (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 7.5, 95% confidence interval = 2.7–21) with affected/unaffected by ON status.

Conclusions

High cholesterol adversely affects RNFL thickness in patients with MS with ON.
Rules for Rights: European Law, Health Care and Social Citizenship
Authors: Greer Scott L. , Sokol Tomislav
Published: April 2013

Social citizenship is about equality. The obvious problem for European social citizenship in a very diverse Union is that Member States will not be able or willing to bear the cost of establishing equal rights to health care and similar aspects of social citizenship. Health care is a particularly good case of this tension between EU citizenship and Member State diversity. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) strengthened the right to health care in other Member States, but this cannot create an equal right to health care when Member States are so different. In its efforts to balance a European right, the Court has formulated ‘rules for rights’—not so much European social citizenship rights, as a set of legal principles by which it judges the decisions of the Member States.
Plasma fructosamine concentrations in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction with and without laminitis
Authors: Knowles E. J. , Menzies‐Gow N. J. , Mair T. S.
Published: April 2013

Reasons for performing study

Plasma fructosamine concentration ([fructosamine]) is believed to reflect medium term, average blood glucose concentration and in a previous study was higher in horses with active laminitis than in normal horses. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is associated with hyperglycaemia and laminitis.

Objectives

To test the hypotheses that: [fructosamine] is higher in PPID cases than normal animals; furthermore, that within cases of PPID [fructosamine] is higher in those with active laminitis than nonlaminitic cases and in cases that have been affected by active laminitis in the preceding year than those that have not.

Study design

Observational, case–control/cross‐sectional study.

Methods

[Fructosamine] was measured in cases of PPID (n = 46) and normal animals (n = 139). A normal range was calculated; values were compared between the 2 groups and within the PPID group, between cases with and without active laminitis and between cases that had and had not been affected by active laminitis in the preceding year.

Results

In normal animals mean [fructosamine] was 248.7 μmol/l; the normal range (mean ± 2 s.d.) was 195.5–301.9 μmol/l. Plasma [fructosamine] was not higher in PPID cases than in normal animals. In PPID cases, [fructosamine] was significantly (P = 0.006) higher in cases with active laminitis (mean ± s.d. 261.2 ± 39.2 μmol/l) compared with those without active laminitis (234.5 ± 32.9 μmol/), but [fructosamine] was not higher in cases that had been affected by active laminitis in the preceding year than those that had not.

Conclusions

In horses affected by PPID, [fructosamine] is higher in cases with active laminitis than in cases without active laminitis.

Potential relevance

Clinical use of [fructosamine] is limited due to overlap with the normal range. Further studies into glucose and protein metabolism in cases of PPID are warranted.

The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
Techniques of Structural Family Assessment: A Qualitative Analysis of How Experts Promote a Systemic Perspective
Authors: Nichols Michael , Tafuri Sydney
Published: April 2013

The trajectory of assessment in structural family therapy moves from a linear perspective, in which problems are located in the identified patient, to an interactional perspective, in which problems are seen as involving other members of the family. Minuchin, Nichols, & Lee (2007) developed a 4‐step model for assessing couples and families consisting of: (1) broadening the definition of the presenting complaint to include its context, (2) identifying problem‐maintaining interactions, (3) a structurally focused exploration of the past, and (4) developing a shared vision of pathways to change. To study how experts actually implement this model, judges coded video recordings of 10 initial consultations conducted by three widely recognized structural family therapists. Qualitative analyses identified 25 distinct techniques that these clinicians used to challenge linear thinking and move families toward a systemic understanding of their problems. We discuss and locate these techniques in the framework of the 4‐step model.
Experimental study of crack propagation in polymethyl methacrylate material with double holes under the directional controlled blasting
Authors: Yue Z. W. , Yang L. Y. , Wang Y. B.
Published: April 2013

The crack propagation behaviours of polymethyl methacrylate material with double holes under the directional controlled blasting are studied using dynamic caustic method. A series of dynamic caustic patterns at the propagating crack tip under the explosive loading are recorded using the digital high‐speed camera. Some important dynamic fracture characterizations and parameters about two main cracks are determined including the crack path, the propagating speed and the crack tip stress intensity factors. The fracture mechanisms of the double blasting holes are analysed. The results provide the important experimental basis for evaluating and designing the directional controlled blasting for the rock tunnel and the rock face excavation.
Graphite nodules and fatigue crack propagation micromechanisms in a ferritic ductile cast iron
Authors: Di Cocco V. , Iacoviello F. , Rossi A. , Cavallini M. , Natali S.
Published: April 2013

Since 1948, ductile cast irons (DCIs) are able to combine the toughness of steels with the good castability of grey irons. They are widely used in a number of applications, for example wheels, gears, and crankshafts in cars and trucks. Their fatigue crack propagation resistance depends on loading conditions, chemical composition, matrix microstructure and graphite elements morphology (graphite volume fraction, graphite elements nodularity, graphite elements distribution and dimensions).

In this work, a ferritic DCI was investigated focusing fatigue crack propagation micromechanisms: step by step fatigue crack propagation tests were performed considering compact‐type specimens, and crack propagation micromechanisms were investigated by means of scanning electron microscope and digital microscope lateral surfaces observations, considering different loading conditions. Furthermore, overloads were also considered during fatigue crack propagation, investigating their influence on DCI fatigue crack propagation micromechanisms.
Residual Stress Distribution and Characterization on Multi‐Curved Armor Tiles
Authors: Wang Liang , Li Keyu , Munn Brian , Halls Virginia , Zheng James
Published: April 2013

Residual stresses were measured on numerous multi‐curved, ballistic tiles made from either silicon carbide or boron carbide. Residual stresses were measured at 155 locations to determine what affect parameters such as material, material processing, tile geometry, and manufacturer had on residual stress type and magnitude. 23% of data points had tensile residual stress. The highest residual stresses were measured in tiles with either the largest surface area or smallest plate thickness. Higher stresses were measured in silicon carbide tiles compared with boron carbide tiles. Residual stresses in tiles consolidated by hot pressing measured on average 10 MPa higher than those by pressureless sintering.
Preparation and Property of Solid‐Solution Cu(In,Ga)Se2‐Cu2ZnSnSe4 Films Obtained from the Paste Printing of Nanosized Cermet Pastes and Subsequent Selenization
Authors: Kuo Dong‐Hau , Chen Jian‐Jhih , Chen Wei‐Liang
Published: April 2013

Cu‐deficient Cu[(In,Ga)(Zn,Sn)]Se2 (CIGZTSe) films with the expected composition of 60% Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) and 20% Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) were prepared by paste printing of cermet nanopowder and selenization at 550–650°C for 1 h. The cermet powder contained metallic Cu, Zn, and Sn and ceramic In2Se3, and Ga2Se3 nanopowders. The CIGZTSe films were single phase and had dense and larger grain size of 1–3 μm. Composition analyses of this CIGZTSe films were executed to demonstrate the defect behavior and the variations of electrical properties with selenization temperature. Our solar cell device made with this film as absorption layer showed power conversion efficiency of 0.86%.
Religion as A Context of Reception: The Case of Haitian Immigrants in Miami, Montreal and Paris
Authors: Mooney Margarita A.
Published: April 2013

In this article, I use cross‐national comparative and ethnographic methods to explore how religion influences the incorporation of Haitian immigrants into theUS, Quebec and France. First, I explore the ideological, legal and institutional forces that shape religion‐state differentiation in theUS, Quebec and France. Using census and immigration data from each site as well as interviews with Haitian leaders and government officials in Miami, Montreal and Paris, I show that the general pattern of consensual differentiation between religion and state in theUSfavours the more successful symbolic and socio‐economic incorporation of Haitians in Miami, whereas secular nationalism in Quebec and assertive secularism in France weaken the incorporation of Haitian immigrants in Montreal and Paris, respectively.
Religious Dimensions of Contexts of Reception: Comparing Two New England Cities
Authors: Cadge Wendy , Levitt Peggy , Jaworsky Bernadette Nadya , Clevenger Casey
Published: April 2013

We compare how religion is present in Portland, Maine and Danbury, Connecticut and how it influences the ways organizations provide social services to recently arrived immigrants. We find that a range of municipal, civic, and religious organizations shape contexts of reception in each city. In Portland, municipal organizations provide most of the services for the large refugee population. Religious organizations are more central in Danbury, and providers speak more often about religion in their work with the city's economic migrants. Collaboration among organizations is common, although religion sometimes acts as a barrier to collaboration in Portland. We argue that the religious dimensions of cities as contexts of reception are not homogenous and that variation between them is best explained by local factors including history, demographics and organizational ecology.
God Bless Our Children? The Role of Generation, Discrimination and Religious Context for Migrants in Europe
Authors: Van der Bracht Koen , Van de Putte Bart , Verhaeghe Pieter‐Paul
Published: April 2013

This article deals with individual and contextual effects on the religiosity of first and second generation migrants in Europe. Noticing that little attention has been directed towards intergenerational transmission of religion in processes of integration, we argue for an intergenerational perspective on immigrant religiosity. Social integration theory is used to derive the hypothesis that second generation immigrants are less religious than the first generation. Perceived discrimination is introduced in the immigrant‐religion research to account for the stress buffering capacities of religion. On the contextual level we expect a positive effect of native religiosity and religious diversity. Three aspects of religiosity are examined: (1) religious affiliation, (2) inner religiosity and (3) praying. We use four waves (2002–2008) of the European Social Survey (ESS) in a 3‐level random intercept multilevel model with 19,567 individuals, 235 regions and 26 countries. Among others, the most interesting results are that (1) second generation immigrants are less religious than their first generation counterparts, (2) perceived discrimination has a positive effect on immigrant religiosity and the effect is greater for the second generation, (3) native religiosity has a positive effect on immigrant religiosity with a greater effect on the second generation as well and (4) the influence on migrant religiosity is more salient at the regional than at the national level.
Bailouts, Monitoring, and Penalties: An Integrated Framework of Government Policies to Manage the Too‐Big‐to‐Fail Problem
Authors: Gong Ning , Jones Kenneth D.
Published: April 2013

This paper discusses optimal government bailout policy where the costs of systemic failures and moral hazard problems are considered. We find that a three‐tiered bailout policy that includes anex postmonitoring and bailout scheme for financial institutions with large systemic impacts (‘too big to fail’) is optimal. The optimal policy also requires a randomized bailout for medium‐impact institutions (‘Constructive Ambiguity’), and no bailout for institutions that have only minimal systemic consequences (‘too small to save’). However, in a volatile, innovative market environment where individual institutions may know more than the government regulator, monitoring error could contribute to risk taking, leaving the government regulator to always play a ‘catch‐up’ role in revising policy. Moreover, the optimal bailout policy may not be time‐consistent: institutions not deemed ‘too big to fail’ may still have an incentive to take excessive risks and expect to be bailed out in case of insolvency, primarily due to the short‐term orientation of the government. Finally, because an institution's systemic cost affects the probability of a bailout, we show that the boundary of an institution may be extended by the government subsidy.
Long‐term survivor of relapsed stage IV malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
Authors: Kato Motohiro , Koh Katsuyoshi , Oshima Koichi , Oguma Eiji , Uchida Hiroo , Kishimoto Hiroshi , Kikuchi Akira , Hanada Ryoji
Published: April 2013

The prognosis for metastatic malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is poor, and metastatic (stage IV) MRT was resistant to conventional treatment, with less than 20% of cure rate. Moreover, there have been no reports of patients who have survived relapsed stage IV MRT. Here we report a long‐term survivor of relapsed MRT with lung metastasis at diagnosis. He was diagnosed as MRT of the kidney at 5‐month‐old. After resection of the renal tumor, he was treated with ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide), total abdominal irradiation 10.8Gy and high‐dose chemotherapy using thiotepa and melphalan. Six months after initial treatment, a relapse in the lung was detected, and he received chemotherapy including doxorubicin/pirarubicin for 78 weeks. He is alive at five years of follow up, without any evidence of disease. Our report suggests the important role of anthracycline in treatment of MRT.
Continuous regional arterial infusion effective for children with acute necrotizing pancreatitis even under neutropenia
Authors: Fukushima Hiroko , Fukushima Takashi , Suzuki Ryoko , Enokizono Takashi , Matsunaga Maki , Nakao Tomohei , Koike Kazutoshi , Mori Kensaku , Matsueda Kiyoshi , Sumazaki Ryo
Published: April 2013

Severe acute pancreatitis is one of the critical conditions that may develop in children with cancer. The leading cause of death due to acute pancreatitis is infectious pancreatitis or circulation collapse. Therefore, patients who develop acute pancreatitis while undergoing chemotherapy or after hematopoietic transplantation are at risk for a life‐threatening and fatal course. We treated 140 patients with malignancy from April 2002 to March 2009 at our hospital and encountered 3 patients under neutropenia who developed severe acute pancreatitis. Two of them were successfully treated with continuous regional arterial infusion of a protease inhibitor and antibiotic even under agranulocytosis. Another patient was treated with conventional therapy with intravenous antibiotics plus a protease inhibitor and total or partial parenteral nutrition. Even though the two patients treated with continuous regional arterial infusion presented much more severe conditions, their symptoms resolved earlier. In conclusion, acute pancreatitis is one of the severe complications of childhood malignancy. Even under agranulocytosis, continuous regional arterial infusion of a protease inhibitor and antibiotic was well tolerated and effective among our cases and might reduce early death due to pancreatitis.
Successful use of BiPAP in infants with congenital myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Chau Shuk‐Kuen , Lee So‐Lun
Published: April 2013

Reported herein are two cases of severe phenotype of congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) with presentation of respiratory insufficiency at birth. The infants were successfully managed with bi‐level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) via nasal mask. The use of BiPAP in infants with CDM has not been reported before. The rationale for using BiPAP is discussed. BiPAP may be more effective than continuous positive airway pressure in managing respiratory insufficiency, especially in infants with the more severe phenotype of CDM.
Mask face: Bilateral simultaneous facial palsy in an 11‐year‐old boy
Authors: Güngör Serdal , Güngör Raif Sabiha , Arslan Müjgan
Published: April 2013

Bilateral facial paralysis is an uncommon clinical entity especially in the pediatric age group and occurs frequently as a manifestation of systemic disease. The most important causes are trauma, infectious diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic, neoplastic, autoimmune diseases and idiopathic disease (Bell's palsy). We report a case of an 11‐year‐old boy presenting with bilateral simultaneous peripheral facial paralysis. All possible infectious causes were excluded and the patient was diagnosed as having Bell's palsy (idiopathic). The most important approach in these cases is to rule out a life‐threatening disease.
Principle of Proportionality as Principle of Economic Efficiency
Authors: Portuese Aurelien
Published: April 2013

The principle of proportionality is at the cornerstone of EU law, and precisely of the case‐law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

In the law and economics literature, the general principles of law are commonly opposed to legal rules in terms of efficiency. On the one hand, the legal formalistic approach consists of apprehending the law as principled, whereby principles of law do not and should not encompass an efficiency rationale and should be self‐sufficient. On the other hand, the legal nihilism denying the existence or relevance of the general principles of law favours legal rules that are said to incorporate an efficiency rationale. I intend to analyse the efficiency rationale of probably the most important general principles of EU law—the proportionality principle.

In this paper, I shall assert that not only does the EU proportionality principle encapsulate an efficiency rationale, but most importantly, it has been interpreted by the ECJ as such—hence, I propose the representation of the principle of proportionality as a principle of economic efficiency.

After having introduced the principle of proportionality (1), I shall decipher the proportionality principle both from a law and economics perspective, and from a comparative perspective (2). Then, I shall delve into the jurisprudence of the ECJ so that the judicial reasoning of the Court as this reasoning proves the relevance of the proposed representation (3). Finally, I conclude in light of the findings of this paper (4).
Weaving new meanings: evaluating children's written responses to a story telling resource package
Authors: Brady Josephine , Millard Elaine
Published: April 2013

This paper documents an evaluation of children's written responses to a story telling package used in an intervention project set up by the National Association for the Teaching of English as part of the larger Inspire Rotherham literacy campaign. The brief was to provide a group of primary teachers with innovative and inspirational approaches to raise the aspiration of Key Stage 2 children (age range 7‐9) and to improve their skills in story writing. The schools, who were self‐ selecting, were given a DVD of a professional story teller narrating tales appropriate to the age group, used alongside drama and role play workshops which helped the teachers engage children in aspects of narrative. The children were asked to retell one of their own favourite stories in writing before hearing the DVD stories and then to repeat this activity at the end of the 6‐week project. They were asked to include both pictures and writing. Their texts were analysed to provide both quantitative and textual data. Children were shown to have adopted many features of the language of the oral narratives they had heard in the second task improving both the structure and imagery of the stories they produced.
Simulation Studies of the Phase Stability of the Ruddlesden–Popper Phases
Authors: Ramadan Amr H. H. , Allan Neil L. , De Souza Roger A.
Published: April 2013

Atomistic simulation techniques are used to examine the stability of Ruddlesden–Popper (R–P) phases Sr(n = 1, 2, 3, 4 and ∞). Various sets of empirical pair potentials are employed to determine the formation energies of the R–P phases. Formation energies are also calculated with Density Functional Theory (DFT). The tendency of a given R–P phase to dissociate into a lower order R–P phase plus SrTiO3 perovskite is found to increase with increasing n. The results obtained are compared with experiment and previous computational studies. The stability of intergrowth phases with respect to the pure R–P compounds is examined. In all cases the intergrowths are calculated to be thermodynamically less stable than the pure R–P phase, but the differences are in some cases negligible. Finally, the energy for SrO partial Schottky disorder in strontium titanate is computed taking the formation of R–P phases into account.
Patient perceptions of buccal gingival recessions and requests for treatment
Authors: Nieri Michele , Pini Prato Giovan Paolo , Giani Monica , Magnani Nada , Pagliaro Umberto , Roberto Rotundo
Published: April 2013

Aims

The aims of this study were to verify patients’ perception of buccal recessions and their requests for treatment.

Methods

The patients filled out a questionnaire dealing with demographic variables and perception of buccal gingival recessions. A calibrated examiner checked for recessions and recorded the clinical variables. Then, the patients were asked to explain what they believed to be the causes of the recessions and whether they were interested in obtaining treatment of their lesions. Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic models were used.

Results

Of 120 enrolled patients, 96 presented 783 gingival recessions, of which 565 were unperceived. Of 218 perceived recessions, 160 were asymptomatic, 36 showed dental hypersensitivity, 13 aesthetics, 9 aesthetic + hypersensitivity issues. Only 11 patients requested treatment for their 57 recessions. Younger individuals (p = 0.0077), deeper recessions (p < 0.0001), incisors and canines (p < 0.0001) and non‐carious cervical lesions (p = 0.0441) were significantly associated with patient perception of own recessions. Younger subjects (p = 0.0118), deeper recessions (p = 0.0387) and incisors (p = 0.0232) were significantly associated with patient request of treatment.

Four hundred and sixty‐eight recessions (60%) were not ascribed to exact causes by the patients.

Conclusion

This study shows that perception of gingival recessions and the patients’ requests for treatment should be evaluated carefully before proceeding with decision making.
A one‐step molecular biology method for simple and rapid detection of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella reovirus (GCRV) HZ08 strain
Authors: Zeng W. W. , Wang Q. , Wang Y. Y. , Xu D. H. , Wu S. Q.
Published: April 2013

Six reverse‐transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) primers designed against conserved regions of segment 6 (s6) gene were used for the detection of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella reovirus (GCRV) HZ08 subtype. The entire amplification could be completed within 40 min at 62·3° C. The RT‐LAMP showed higher sensitivity than reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The RNA detection limit was 10 copies µl−1 for RT‐LAMP assay and 100 copies µl−1 for conventional RT‐PCR. In specificity tests, no cross‐reactivity was detected in other viruses from common aquatic animals. In addition, the reaction results can be visualized by using calcein fluorescent dye. Furthermore, a total of 86 samples were tested by RT‐LAMP, RT‐PCR and virus isolation. The results demonstrated that all 54 specimens identified as positive by virus isolation were also positive when detected by RT‐LAMP. Seven out of 54 samples, however, were misidentified by RT‐PCR. The RT‐LAMP method is more accurate than conventional RT‐PCR. The results indicate that RT‐LAMP has potential as a simple and rapid diagnosis technique for the detection of GCRV HZ08 subtype infection.
Contrasting patterns of morphological variation with dietary preferences inMicropogonias furnieri: insights from stable‐isotope and digestive‐trait analyses
Authors: D'Anatro A. , Naya D. E. , Lessa E. P. , Defeo O.
Published: April 2013

The dietary preferences of populations of whitemouth croakerMicropogonias furnieri, which commonly inhabit estuarine and oceanic environments of the south‐western Atlantic Ocean, were investigated using stable‐isotope analysis and digestive traits, and compared with previous genetic and morphometric surveys of this species. Isotopic and C:N‐derived data suggested that individuals from coastal lagoons are the most differentiated from the remaining localities surveyed. In contrast, the analysis of the digestive traits did not show the same differentiation pattern. The overall correlation between isotopic, molecular and morphological variations suggests that genetic and phenotypic differences among populations are accompanied by differential resource use, supporting the idea that selective forces could be playing an important role in population differentiation.
Overtreatment of Presumed Urinary Tract Infection in Older Women Presenting to the Emergency Department
Authors: Gordon Lesley B. , Waxman Michael J. , Ragsdale Luna , Mermel Leonard A.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To determine how often older women presenting to an emergency department (ED) are diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) without a positive urine culture and to investigate whether collecting urine by catheterization instead of clean catch improves the accuracy of the urinalysis (UA).

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Academic‐affiliated ED in Providence, Rhode Island.

Participants

One hundred fifty‐three women aged 70 and older with diagnosis of UTI in the ED between December 1, 2008, and March 1, 2010.

Measurements

Chief complaint, review of systems, results of UA and culture, urine procurement (clean catch, straight catheter, or newly inserted Foley catheter), antibiotic administered or prescribed, and diagnosis. A confirmed UTI was defined as a positive urine culture, with microbial growth of 10,000 colony‐forming units (CFU)/ mL or more for clean‐catch specimens and 100 CFU/mL or more for newly inserted catheter specimens; an ED diagnosis of UTI was defined as the designation by an ED physician.

Results

Of 153 individuals with an ED‐diagnosed UTI, only 87 (57%) had confirmed UTI according to culture. Of the remaining 66 with negative cultures, 63 (95%) were administered or prescribed antibiotics in the ED. The method of urine procurement affected the ability of a UA to predict the culture result (P = .02), with catheterization yielding a lower proportion of false‐positive UA (31%) than clean catch (48%).

Conclusion

Nearly half of older women diagnosed with a UTI in an ED setting did not have confirmatory findings on urine culture and were therefore inappropriately treated. Catheterization improved the accuracy of UA when assessing older women for possible UTI.