bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Uncertainty about War Outcomes Affects War Onset
Authors: Bas Muhammet A. , Schub Robert J.
Published: October 2014

In canonical accounts of war, conflict outcomes are inherently uncertain. Contesting literatures posit that this uncertainty, arising from stochastic elements of the war-fighting process, may induce conflict due to greater risks of miscalculation or foster peace by breeding caution. We theorize that states, on average, exhibit prudence when confronting greater uncertainty. Despite its conceptual importance, extant proxies for uncertainty at various levels of analysis—such as polarity, balance of power, system concentration, and dyadic relative capabilities—are imprecise and theoretically inappropriate indicators. To overcome this shortcoming, we theorize the conditions that elevate the magnitude of uncertainty over conflict outcomes and introduce a novel measure that captures this uncertainty within any k-state system. Through extensive empirical analysis, we confirm uncertainty’s pacifying effect and show how this effect operates at different levels of analysis.
A 5-Year Randomized Trial to Compare 1 or 2 Implants for Implant Overdentures
Authors: Bryant S.R. , Walton J.N. , MacEntee M.I.
Published: October 2014

The hypothesis of this 5-y randomized clinical trial was that there would be no significant difference in the satisfaction of edentulous participants with removable complete overdentures attached to 1 or 2 mandibular implants. Secondary aims were to test changes in satisfaction between and within the groups from baseline to 5 y and differences between the groups in implant survival and prosthodontic maintenance over 5 y. Each of the 86 participants (mean age, 67 y) was randomly allocated to receive either 1 implant in the midline (group 1) or 2 implants in the canine areas (group 2) attached to a mandibular overdenture opposing a maxillary complete denture. Satisfaction was self-assessed by participants on a visual analog scale at baseline prior to implants, as well as at 2 mo and 1, 3, and 5 y with implant overdentures, whereas implant survival and prosthodontic maintenance were assessed by clinical examination. After 5 y, 29 participants in group 1 and 33 in group 2 were available, with most dropouts due to death. Satisfaction with the implant denture after 5 y was significantly ( P < 0.001) higher than at baseline in both groups and remained with no significant difference ( P = 0.32) between the groups. No implants failed in group 1 but 5 failed before loading in 4 participants in group 2. Most participants required maintenance or occasionally denture replacement, and although differences between the groups were not statistically significant, group 1 experienced almost twice as many fractured dentures usually adjacent to the implant attachment. We conclude that there were no significant differences after 5 y in satisfaction or survival of implants with mandibular overdentures retained by 1 implant or 2 implants. Additional research is required to confirm long-term treatment effectiveness of single-implant dentures and the implications of prosthetic maintenance with implant overdentures (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02117856).
Biochemical Indicators of Implantation Success of Tissue-Engineered Oral Mucosa
Authors: Kuo S. , Zhou Y. , Kim H.M. , Kato H. , Kim R.Y. , Bayar G.R. , Marcelo C.L. , Kennedy R.T. , Feinberg S.E.
Published: October 2014

Real-time (RT) determination of the health of in vitro tissue-engineered constructs prior to grafting is essential for prediction of success of the implanted tissue-engineered graft. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration requires specific release criteria in RT prior to the release of tissue-engineered devices for human use. In principle, assessing the viability and functionality of the cellular component can be achieved by quantifying the secretion of growth factors and chemokines of tissue-engineered constructs. Ex vivo–produced oral mucosa equivalents (EVPOMEs) were fabricated under thermally stressed conditions at 43 °C for 24 h to create a functionally compromised EVPOME. We used microchannel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the functionality of the cellular component, oral keratinocytes, of stressed and unstressed EVPOMEs by measuring the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and -2) into the spent medium, which was collected on the same day prior to graft implantation into severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Implanted EVPOMEs’ histology on the seventh postimplantation day was used to correlate outcomes of grafting to secreted amounts of IL-8, hBD-1, VEGF, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 from corresponding EVPOMEs. Our findings showed that significantly higher levels of IL-8, hBD-1, and TIMP-2 were secreted from controls than from thermally stressed EVPOMEs. We also found a direct correlation between secreted VEGF and IL-8 and blood vessel counts of implanted EVPOMEs. We concluded that measuring the constitutive release of these factors can be used as noninvasive predictors of healthy tissue-engineered EVPOMEs in RT, prior to their implantation.
Examining Associations Among ADHD, Homework Behavior, and Reading Comprehension
Authors: Little Callie W. , Hart Sara A. , Schatschneider Christopher , Taylor Jeanette
Published: October 2014

Previous literature has indicated an important association between reading comprehension and both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and homework habits. This investigation sought to extend previous knowledge by providing information about how ADHD and homework behavior (i.e., completing homework regularly) may jointly influence reading comprehension. Using a genetically sensitive design, this study examined the genetic and environmental influences on and between ADHD, homework behavior and reading comprehension. Participants for this study included 691 twin pairs (351 monozygotic, 340 same-sex dizygotic) from the Florida Twin Project on Behavior and Environment (FTP-BE) and 2647 twin pairs (865 monozygotic, 1782 dizygotic) from the larger Florida Twin Project on Reading (FTP-R) in Grades 3 through 7. Three separate models, each representing a different definition of ADHD (full ADHD, inattention only, and hyperactivity/impulsivity only), showed similar patterns of results; therefore, results of the full ADHD model are discussed. Overlapping genetic influences were found between ADHD, homework behavior, and reading comprehension, but no shared environmental influences among all three. However, shared environmental influences overlapped between homework behavior and reading comprehension. Although the sources of this environmental overlap are unknown, these results have implications for improving homework practices and their subsequent influence on literacy skills through homework environments.
Thyroglossal surgery in Scotland 1981–2010
Authors: Townsley Richard B , Hilmi Omar J
Published: October 2014

Background and aims

Thyroglossal surgery is not common in Scotland with 0.013 procedures performed per 1000 population in 2010. There is a growing practice in surgery to consolidate service providers to ensure a minimum ‘case volume’, with the belief that this will raise standards and improve co-ordination of services. We investigated thyroglossal surgery to see if this had occurred.

Methods and results

Data on thyroglossal surgery performed in Scotland from 1981 to 2010 were obtained from the Information Services Division of NHS Scotland. This was analysed to investigate the number of procedures involving thyroglossal tissue, the surgical speciality of operating surgeon and the health board in which the procedure was performed. Whilst the number of thyroglossal operations has remained essentially static over the study period, there has been a steady trend of consolidation of the surgical speciality performing the procedure. In 1981, 58% of thyroglossal surgery was performed by general surgeons, 18% by paediatric surgeons and 15% by ENT surgeons nationally. In 2010, ENT surgeons are performing 81%.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the provision of thyroglossal surgery is being consolidated in Scotland by speciality and that ENT surgeons are providing this service in the majority of cases.
A Careful Look at Modern Case Selection Methods
Authors: Herron Michael C. , Quinn Kevin M.
Published: October 2014

Case studies appear prominently in political science, sociology, and other social science fields. A scholar employing a case study research design in an effort to estimate causal effects must confront the question, how should cases be selected for analysis? This question is important because the results derived from a case study research program ultimately and unavoidably rely on the criteria used to select the cases. While the matter of case selection is at the forefront of research on case study design, an analytical framework that can address it in a comprehensive way has yet to be produced. We develop such a framework and use it to evaluate nine common case selection methods. Our simulation-based results show that the methods of simple random sampling, influential case selection, and diverse case selection generally outperform other common methods. And, when a research design mandates that only a very small number of cases, say one or two, be selected in the course of a research program, the very simple method of sampling from the largest cell of a 2 × 2 table is competitive with other, more complicated, case selection methods. We show as well that a number of common case selection strategies work well only in idiosyncratic situations, and we argue that these methods should be abandoned in favor of the more powerful and robust case selection methods that our analytical framework identifies.
Case Selection via Matching
Authors: Nielsen Richard A.
Published: October 2014

This article shows how statistical matching methods can be used to select “most similar” cases for qualitative analysis. I first offer a methodological justification for research designs based on selecting most similar cases. I then discuss the applicability of existing matching methods to the task of selecting most similar cases and propose adaptations to meet the unique requirements of qualitative analysis. Through several applications, I show that matching methods have advantages over traditional selection in “most similar” case designs: They ensure that most similar cases are in fact most similar; they make scope conditions, assumptions, and measurement explicit; and they make case selection transparent and replicable.
An Efficient Alternative Mixed Randomized Response Procedure
Authors: Singh Housila P. , Tarray Tanveer A.
Published: October 2014

In this article, we have suggested a new modified mixed randomized response (RR) model and studied its properties. It is shown that the proposed mixed RR model is always more efficient than the Kim and Warde’s mixed RR model. The proposed mixed RR model has also been extended to stratified sampling. Numerical illustrations and graphical representations are also given in support of this study.
Kuk’s Model Adjusted for Protection and Efficiency
Authors: Su Shu-Ching , Sedory Stephen A. , Singh Sarjinder
Published: October 2014

In this article, we adjust the Kuk randomized response model for collecting information on a sensitive characteristic for increased protection and efficiency by making use of forced “yes” and forced “no” responses. We first describe Kuk’s model and then the proposed adjustment to Kuk’s model. Next, by means of a simulation study, we compare the efficiency of the adjusted Kuk model relative to the pioneer Kuk model while maintaining at least equal protection of respondents.
Intrathoracic gossypiboma presenting 52 years later as a chest mass
Authors: Parra Marcelo , Oppliger Federico , Berríos Raúl , Schiappacasse Giancarlo
Published: October 2014

We describe the rare case of a 71-year-old man with a chest mass that was found to be an intrathoracic gossypiboma left 52 years earlier during an emergency lung bilobectomy. This mass was complicated by extension across the chest wall. There are no reports in the literature of a patient carrying a thoracic gossypiboma for such a long period of time, let alone with extension across the chest wall.
On the impact of L2 speech rhythm on syntactic ambiguity resolution
Authors: Roncaglia-Denissen M Paula , Schmidt-Kassow Maren , Heine Angela , Kotz Sonja A
Published: October 2014

In an event-related potential (ERP) study we investigated the role of age of acquisition (AoA) on the use of second language rhythmic properties during syntactic ambiguity resolution. Syntactically ambiguous sentences embedded in rhythmically regular and irregular contexts were presented to Turkish early and late second language (L2) learners of German and to German monolingual controls. Regarding rhythmic properties, Turkish is syllable-timed and prefers the iamb as its metric foot, while German is stress-timed, relying on the trochee. To utilize rhythm during the processing of syntactic ambiguity in L2, Turkish early and late L2 learners of German must master different rhythmic properties than in their first language. ERPs reveal a reduction in the P600 response to object-first sentences presented in rhythmically regular, but not in rhythmically irregular contexts for early learners and monolinguals only. No such effect was found for late L2 learners. Results indicate an interactive use of rhythmic information during the processing of syntactic ambiguity by monolinguals and early learners. Further, data from late L2 learners suggest that the acquisition of rhythmic properties may have to occur in a sensitive learning period.
Cancer Information Seeking in the Digital Age
Authors: Noar Seth M. , Althouse Benjamin M. , Ayers John W. , Francis Diane B. , Ribisl Kurt M.
Published: October 2014

Objective. This study used digital surveillance to examine the impact of Angelina Jolie’s prophylactic mastectomy announcement on cancer information seeking. Methods. We analyzed 4 categories of breast cancer–related Internet search queries from 2010 to 2013 in the United States. Results. Compared with the preceding 6 weeks, general information queries were 112% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79–146) higher the day of the announcement and remained 35% (95% CI, 22–49) higher over the week after the editorial. Risk assessment queries were 165% (95% CI, 110–222) higher the day of the announcement and 52% (95% CI, 31–75) higher across the week. Genetics and treatment queries showed little volume before the announcement but increased 2154% (95% CI, 1550–7076) and 9900% (95% CI, 3196–1,064,000) the day of, respectively, and remained higher across the week (812% [95% CI, 402–3913] and 2625% [95% CI, 551–317,000]). All query categories returned to normal volumes by the beginning of the second week. Conclusion. Jolie’s unique announcement spurred significant information seeking about breast cancer genetic testing and treatment procedures, although the surge in queries returned to preannouncement levels after 1 week. Future research should apply digital methods to advance our understanding of cancer information seeking in the digital age.
Cost-Effectiveness Uncertainty Analysis Methods
Authors: Campbell Jonathan D. , McQueen R. Brett , Libby Anne M. , Spackman D. Eldon , Carlson Joshua J. , Briggs Andrew
Published: October 2014

Objectives. To compare model input influence on incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) across 3 uncertainty methods: 1) 1-way sensitivity analysis; 2) probabilistic analysis of covariance (ANCOVA); and 3) expected value of partial perfect information (EVPPI). Methods. In a preliminary model, we used a published cost-effectiveness model and assumed £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) willingness-to-pay (Case 1: lower decision uncertainty) and £8000/QALY willingness-to-pay (Case 2: higher decision uncertainty). We conducted 1-way sensitivity, ANCOVA (10,000 Monte Carlo draws), and EVPPI for each model input (1000 inner and 1000 outer draws). We ranked inputs based on influence of INMB and compared input ranks across methods within case using Spearman’s rank correlation. We replicated this approach in 3 follow-up models: an additional linear model, a less linear model with uncorrelated inputs, and a less linear model with correlated inputs. Results. In the preliminary model, lower and higher decision uncertainty cases had the same top 3 influential parameters across uncertainty methods. The 2 most influential inputs contributed 78% and 49% of variation in outcome based on ANCOVA for lower decision uncertainty and higher decision uncertainty cases, respectively. In the follow-up models, input rank order correlations were higher across uncertainty methods in the linear model compared with both of the less linear models. Conclusions. Evidence across models suggests influential input rank agreement between 1-way and more advanced uncertainty analyses for relatively linear models with uncorrelated parameters but less agreement for less linear models. Although each method provides unique information, the additional resources needed to generate and communicate advanced analyses should be weighed, especially when outcome decision uncertainty is low. For less linear models or those with correlated inputs, performing and reporting deterministic and probabilistic uncertainty analyses appear prudent and conservative.
Semantic parsing for priming object detection in indoors RGB-D scenes
Authors: Cadena César , Košecká Jana
Published: October 2014

The semantic mapping of the environment requires simultaneous segmentation and categorization of the acquired stream of sensory information. The existing methods typically consider the semantic mapping as the final goal and differ in the number and types of considered semantic categories. We envision semantic understanding of the environment as an on-going process and seek representations which can be refined and adapted depending on the task and robot’s interaction with the environment. In this work we propose a novel and efficient method for semantic parsing, which can be adapted to the task at hand and enables localization of objects of interest in indoor environments. For basic mobility tasks we demonstrate how to obtain initial semantic segmentation of the scene into ground, structure, furniture and props categories which constitute the first level of hierarchy. Then, we propose a simple and efficient method for predicting locations of objects that based on their size afford a manipulation task. In our experiments we use the publicly available NYU V2 dataset and obtain better or comparable results than the state of the art at a fraction of the computational cost. We show the generalization of our approach on two more publicly available datasets.
Improved image quality at 256-slice coronary CT angiography in patients with a high heart rate and coronary artery disease: comparison with 64-slice CT imaging
Authors: Oda Seitaro , Katahira Kazuhiro , Utsunomiya Daisuke , Takaoka Hiroko , Honda Keiichi , Noda Katsuo , Oshima Shuichi , Yuki Hideaki , Namimoto Tomohiro , Yamashita Yasuyuki
Published: October 2014

Background

The 256-slice computed tomography (CT) scanners with wider detector coverage and faster gantry rotation speed are now available. The performance of scanners that feature a rotation speed of 270 ms at coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has not been evaluated in patients with a higher heart rate.

Purpose

To evaluate the image quality of 256-slice CT with faster gantry rotation speed in patients undergoing CCTA.

Material and Methods

We enrolled 886 patients; 357(40.3%) underwent study on a 64-slice CT at a rotation speed of 420 ms, the other 529 (59.7%) were examined using a 256-slice CT scanner at 270 ms. Two observers judged the image quality of 2658 imaged coronary arteries on a 4-point scale.

Results

The mean image quality score was significantly higher for the 256 - than the 64-slice CT scans (3.94 ± 0.28 vs. 3.73 ± 0.61; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the image quality scores between 64 - and 256-slice scans in patients whose heart rate (HR) was <60 bpm. However, in patients whose HR exceeded 60 bpm these scores were significantly higher for 256-slice CT images ( P < 0.01).

Conclusion

CCTA performed on the 256-slice CT scanner yielded significantly better image quality in patients with an HR exceeding 60 bpm.
Volumetric measurements in patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot: comparison of short-axis versus axial cardiac MRI and echocardiography
Authors: Schelhorn Juliane , Neudorf Ulrich , Schemuth Haemi , Nensa Felix , Nassenstein Kai , Schlosser Thomas W
Published: October 2014

Background

Patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot (cToF) are prone to develop pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular enlargement resulting in long-term complications, thus correct right ventricular volumetric monitoring is crucial. However, it remains controversial which cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) slice orientation is most appropriate in cToF for the analysis of the right ventricular volume.

Purpose

To investigate which slice orientation is most suited for right ventricular volumetry in cToF we compared short-axis and axial slices, and furthermore we compared right ventricular data between CMRI and echocardiography.

Material and Methods

Thirty CMRI examinations of 27 patients with cToF were included retrospectively. Right ventricular end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were derived from short-axis and axial cine CMRI planes. Furthermore, pulmonary trunk forward flow in phase-contrast CMRI and right ventricular inner diastolic diameter in echocardiography (R VIDdiast) were measured. By Bland-Altman and variance analysis intra- and inter-observer agreement were assessed for cine CMRI data. By Pearson correlation CMRI cine and phase-contrast data and CMRI cine and echocardiographic data were compared.

Results

Intra- and inter-observer variability for right ventricular EDV were significantly lower in axial slices ( P = 0.016, P = 0.010). For right ventricular ESV a trend towards a lower intra- and inter-observer variability in axial slices was found ( P = 0.063, P = 0.138). Right ventricular stroke volume in short-axis (r = 0.872, P < 0.001) and in axial (r = 0.914, P < 0.001) planes correlated highly, respectively very highly with pulmonary trunk forward flow in phase-contrast CMRI. R VIDdiast correlated highly with right ventricular EDV assessed by short-axis and axial CMRI ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Due to lower intra- and inter-observer variability, axial slices are recommended for right ventricular volumetry in cToF.
IDEAL 3D spoiled gradient echo of the articular cartilage of the knee on 3.0 T MRI: a comparison with conventional 3.0 T fast spin-echo T2 fat saturation image
Authors: Han Chul Hee , Park Hee Jin , Lee So Yeon , Chung Eun Chul , Choi Seon Hyeong , Yun Ji Sup , Rho Myung Ho
Published: October 2014

Background

Many two-dimensional (2D) morphologic cartilage imaging sequences have disadvantages such as long acquisition time, inadequate spatial resolution, suboptimal tissue contrast, and image degradation secondary to artifacts. IDEAL imaging can overcome these disadvantages.

Purpose

To compare sound-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and quality of two different methods of imaging that include IDEAL 3D SPGR and 3.0-T FSE T2 fat saturation (FS) imaging and to evaluate the utility of IDEAL 3D SPGR for knee joint imaging.

Material and Methods

SNR and CNR of the patellar and femoral cartilages were measured and calculated. Two radiologists performed subjective scoring of all images for three measures: general image quality, FS, and cartilage evaluation. SNR and CNR values were compared by paired Student’s t-tests.

Results

Mean SNRs of patellar and femoral cartilages were 90% and 66% higher, respectively, for IDEAL 3D SPGR. CNRs of patellar cartilages and joint fluids were 2.4 times higher for FSE T2 FS, and CNR between the femoral cartilage and joint fluid was 2.2 times higher for FSE T2 FS. General image quality and FS were superior using FSE T2 FS compared to those of IDEAL 3D SPGR imaging according to both readers, while cartilage evaluation was superior using IDEAL 3D SPGR. Additionally, cartilage injuries were more prominent in IDEAL 3D SPGR than in FSE T2FS according to both readers.

Conclusion

IDEAL 3D SPGR images show excellent visualization of patellar and femoral cartilages in 3.0 T and can compensate for the weaknesses of FSE T2 FS in the evaluation of cartilage injuries.
Analysis of the changes induced by bevacizumab using a high temporal resolution DCE-MRI as prognostic factors for response to further neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Etxano Jon , Insausti Luis Pina , Elizalde Arlette , López Vega José Manuel , Plazaola Arrate , Martínez Purificación
Published: October 2014

Background

Antiangiogenic drugs are being used in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer. The effect of these drugs can be monitorized using high temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).

Purpose

To evaluate changes in tumor microvasculature induced by bevacizumab and the usefulness of these changes predicting response to further neoadjuvant therapy.

Material and Methods

Seventy patients with locally advanced breast cancers were treated with one cycle of bevacizumab followed by neoadjuvant therapy, combining bevacizumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Two DCE-MRI were performed before and after bevacizumab. Changes in tumoral volume, pharmacodynamic curves, and pharmacokinetic variables (Ktrans, Kep, Ve, AUC90) in a ROI (ROI 1) encompassing the entire tumor and in another ROI (ROI 2) in the area of higher values of Ktrans were analyzed. Correlations with pathological response were made: parametrical and non-parametrical statistical analysis and ROC curves were used; a P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Significant changes in tumoral volume (−4%), pharmacodynamic curves, and pharmacokinetic variables in ROI 1 Ktrans (−45%), Kep (−38%), Ve (−11%), and AUC90 (−44%) and ROI 2 Ktrans (−43%), Kep (−39%), Ve (−5%), and AUC90 (−45%) were observed after bevacizumab ( P < 0.05). The effect of bevacizumab was not different between responders and non-responders ( P > 0.05), and these changes could not predict response to further neoadjuvant therapy.

Conclusion

Bevacizumab induces remarkable tumoral volume, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetic changes. However, these changes could not be used as early predictors for response to further neoadjuvant therapy.
Modern multimodality diagnosis of portal vein infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma and expected changes during current therapies
Authors: Kaufmann Sascha , Schulze Maximilian , Spira Daniel , Horger Marius
Published: October 2014

Diagnosis of malignant portal vein infiltration and especially differentiation from bland thrombosis is challenging for most imaging techniques. The use of contrast-enhanced real-time modern imaging modalities like contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), volume perfusion CT (VPCT), or dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with dedicated postprocessing tools provides additional support in difficult cases and is therefore recommended.

The purpose of this review is to present a practical overview of strengths and limitations of modern imaging techniques in the diagnosis of malignant infiltration of the portal vein by hepatocellular carcinoma and to describe subsequent changes during therapy.
Three-dimensional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging with and without an endorectal coil: a prostate phantom study
Authors: Ma Chao , Chen Luguang , Scheenen Tom WJ , Lu Jianping , Wang Jian
Published: October 2014

Background

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the prostate has been used with only a combination of external surface coils. The quality of spectral fitting of the (choline + creatine)/citrate ([Cho + Cr]/Cit) ratio at different field strengths and different coils is important for quantitative/semi-quantitative diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Purpose

To evaluate the quality of spectral fitting of the (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio of a prostate phantom using MRSI at different field strengths and various coils.

Material and Methods

Experiments were using 1.5-T and 3.0-T MR systems. Measurements were taken on a homemade prostate phantom with different coils: spinal array; abdominal array; and endorectal. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of choline, creatine, and citrate peaks as well as the (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio in each voxel were compared among groups using multi-way analysis of variance.

Results

Magnetic field strength, coils, and plane position had a significant effect on the SNR or (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio, and there were interactions among groups (all P = 0.000). The 1.5-T (0.228 ± 0.044) exhibited a higher (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio than the 3.0-T (0.125 ± 0.041) magnetic field strength (F = 3238, P = 0.000). The (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio of both surface coils (0.183 ± 0.065) and all coils (0.181 ± 0.057) was significantly lower than that of the endorectal coil (0.195 ± 0.077) (both P < 0.05), but significant differences in the mean (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratio were not observed if surface coils and all coils were used ( P > 0.05). No significant differences were found among the (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratios of all voxels in the middle planes by the post-hoc analyses (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Three-dimensional proton MRSI of prostate metabolites in a phantom using surface coils is feasible and reliable, but (Cho + Cr)/Cit ratios acquired at different magnetic fields and coils were different. This difference should be taken into account when calculating this ratio in a field strength-independent way.
Self-regulation and music learning: A systematic review
Authors: Varela Wynnpaul , Abrami Philip C , Upitis Rena
Published: October 2014

Recent research into how individuals achieve their musical goals has been enriched by studies investigating music practice through the lens of self-regulation, or the goal-orientated planning, cyclical adaptation, and reflection of an individual’s thoughts, feelings and actions. The article aims to review the available empirical evidence in order to identify the relationship between processes contained within Zimmerman’s (2000) model of self-regulation and specific music learning variables. It also attempts to discover how self-regulatory behavior relates to both general music instruction and interventions designed to enhance self-regulation. Findings indicate weak, positive relationships with the variables of interest, but suggest self-regulation instruction is the most strongly related variable. The discussion proposes that future research may benefit from investigations of self-regulation within a broader spectrum of musicians and an exploration of participant-driven understandings of self-regulation theory.
‘The artist’s piece is already in the stone’: Constructing creativity in paleontology laboratories
Authors: Wylie Caitlin Donahue
Published: October 2014

Laboratory technicians are typically portrayed as manual workers following routine procedures to produce scientific data. However, technicians in vertebrate paleontology laboratories often describe their work in terms of creativity and artistry. Fossil specimens undergo extensive preparation – including rock removal, damage repair, and reconstruction of missing parts – to become accessible to researchers. Technicians called ‘fossil preparators’ choose, apply, and sometimes invent these preparation methods. They have no formal training, no standard protocols, and few publications to consult on techniques. Despite the resulting diversity of people and practices, preparators and their work are usually absent from research publications, making them ‘invisible technicians’ in Steven Shapin’s sense. But preparators reject the view of their work as predictable or simple; in particular, many preparators value art training, the aesthetics of prepared fossils, and the process of creative problem-solving in their work. Based on interviews and participant observation and drawing from literature in science studies, sociology of work, and anthropology of craft, I ask why these technicians compare themselves with artists and how this portrayal affects scientific practice and social order in laboratories. I argue that associating artistry and creativity with their work distances preparators from ideas of unskilled technical work and technicians’ low status, thus improving their social role in the laboratory community and preserving their power over laboratory practices.
Vermicomposting grape marc yields high quality organic biofertiliser and bioactive polyphenols
Authors: Domínguez Jorge , Martínez-Cordeiro Hugo , Álvarez-Casas Marta , Lores Marta
Published: October 2014

Grape is the largest fruit crop in the world, and most (80%) of the harvested fruit is used to make wine. The main by-product of the wine industry is called grape marc, which consists of the stalks, skin, pulp and seeds that remain after pressing the grapes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether grape marc could be processed by vermicomposting on an industrial scale to yield both a high-quality organic, polyphenol-free fertiliser and grape seeds (as a source of bioactive polyphenols). Vermicomposting reduced the biomass of grape marc substantially (by 58%), mainly as a result of the loss of volatile solids. After 2 weeks, the process yielded a nutrient-rich, microbiologically active and stabilised peat-like material that was easily separated from the seeds by sieving. Although the polyphenol content of the seeds was considerably reduced, this disadvantage was outweighed by the ease of separation of the seeds. Separation of the seeds also eliminated the polyphenol-associated phytotoxicity from the vermicompost. The seeds still contained useful amounts of polyphenols, which could be directly extracted for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The procedure described is effective, simple and economical, and could easily be scaled up for industrial application.
Susceptibility-Based Differentiation of Intracranial Calcification and Hemorrhage in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Gumus Kazim , Koc Gonca , Doganay Selim , Gorkem Sureyya B. , Dogan Mehmet S. , Canpolat Mehmet , Coskun Abdulhakim , Bilgen Mehmet
Published: October 2014

Differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage versus calcification on conventional magnetic resonance images (MRIs) is often challenging. Although computed tomography (CT) confirms calcification, phase information obtained during susceptibility-weighted imaging can be useful in distinguishing between 2 pathologies. Fourteen patients previously diagnosed to have hemorrhage or calcification with imaging were included in the study retrospectively. Phase shift values of hemorrhage and calcification were compared by using Student t test. The pathologies identified were tuberous sclerosis, Sturge-Weber syndrome, craniopharyngioma, congenital cytomegalovirus, subependymal hemorrhages, and hemorrhagic microembolic infarction. Calcifications appeared hypointense whereas hemorrhages were hyperintense on phase maps (left-handed magnetic resonance system). Statistical comparison of phase shift values yielded significant difference between hemorrhage versus calcification ( P < .01). Phase maps were found to offer valuable data to differentiate 2 pathologies when used complementary to conventional magnetic resonance images. Considering the relatively higher risks of radiation exposure in children, susceptibility-weighted imaging with phase maps may help to waive radiation exposure from CT.
Maternal Characteristics Associated with Milk Leptin Content in a Sample of Filipino Women and Associations with Infant Weight for Age
Authors: Quinn Elizabeth A. , Largado Fe , Borja Judith B. , Kuzawa Christopher W.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Human milk contains many metabolic hormones that may influence infant growth. Milk leptin is positively associated with maternal adiposity and inversely associated with infant growth. Most research has been conducted in populations with higher leptin levels; it is not well understood how milk leptin may vary in lean populations or the associations that reduced leptin may have with infant size for age. It is also largely unknown if associations between maternal body composition and milk leptin persist past 1 year of age.

Objectives:

We investigated the association between maternal body composition and milk leptin content in a sample of lean Filipino women and the association between milk leptin content and infant size for age.

Methods:

Milk samples were collected at in-home visits from 113 mothers from Cebu, Philippines. Milk leptin content was measured using EIA techniques; anthropometric data, dietary recalls, and household information were also collected.

Results:

Mean ± standard deviation (SD) milk leptin in this sample was 300.7 ± 293.6 pg/mL, among the lowest previously reported. Mean ± SD maternal percentage body fat was 24.8% ± 3.5%. Mean ± SD infant age was 9.9 ± 7.0 months, and mean ± SD weight for age z-score was −0.98 ± 1.06. Maternal percentage body fat was a significant, positive predictor of milk leptin content. Milk leptin was a significant, inverse predictor of infant weight and body mass index z-scores in infants 1 year old or younger.

Conclusion:

The association between maternal body composition, milk leptin, and infant growth persists in mothers with lean body composition. Milk leptin is not associated with growth in older infants.
Facilitating Working Mothers’ Ability to Breastfeed
Authors: Atabay Efe , Moreno Gonzalo , Nandi Arijit , Kranz Gabriella , Vincent Ilona , Assi Tina-Marie , Vaughan Winfrey Elise Marie , Earle Alison , Raub Amy , Heymann S. Jody
Published: October 2014

Background:

Mothers who work away from home tend to stop breastfeeding earlier than their nonworking counterparts due to workplace barriers. Barriers to breastfeeding discriminate against women and may lead to inequities in children’s health outcomes. Guaranteeing paid breastfeeding breaks at work is 1 mechanism that can improve mothers’ opportunity to breastfeed in the workplace.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the trends in the share of countries guaranteeing breastfeeding breaks in the workplace and paid maternal leave that lasts until the infant is 6 months old (the World Health Organization recommended duration for exclusive breastfeeding), between 1995 and 2014.

Methods:

Legislation and secondary source data were collected and reviewed for 193 United Nations member states. Legislation was analyzed for content on breastfeeding breaks and maternal leave guarantees.

Results:

Fifty-one countries (26.7%) in 2014 did not guarantee breastfeeding breaks in any form and 4 countries provided only unpaid breaks or breaks that did not cover the first 6 months of life; since 1995, around 15 countries (10.2%) legislated for such a policy. In 2014, out of 55 countries that did not guarantee paid breastfeeding breaks for the first 6 months after birth, 7 countries guaranteed paid maternal leave for the same duration; 48 countries (25.1%) provided neither paid maternal leave nor paid breastfeeding breaks.

Conclusion:

Progress in the number of countries guaranteeing breastfeeding breaks at work is modest. Adopting measures to facilitate breastfeeding at work can be a critical opportunity for countries to increase breastfeeding rates among the growing number of women in the labor force.
Co-producing early years policy in England under the Coalition Government
Authors: Lloyd Eva
Published: October 2014

During the first half of the current Coalition Government, co-production – a form of participatory governance – was implemented widely in the conceptualization, design and implementation of early years policies. Seen as a revolutionary approach to public service reform, resulting in more effective and more cost-effective public services, the joint approach to co-production by the Department for Education and the Department of Health built on the Labour Government’s strategy to involve ‘active citizens’ as stakeholders in public policy development. Local authority early years managers, directors of children’s services and education trade union officers were among education sector stakeholders involved in this process. Co-production is defined here as sharing features of two models of participatory governance identified by Skelcher and Torfing (2010) in their institutional taxonomy of this concept. The actual experience of co-producing early childhood policy suggests that politics may trump policy-making, despite a high-level commitment to co-production.
Voices in the park
Authors: Waller Tim
Published: October 2014

This article critically reflects on the participation of young children aged 3–4 years in an ongoing outdoor learning project started in 2004. The aims of the research are to investigate children’s dispositions within the outdoor environment, to elicit children’s perspectives of their outdoor experiences and to investigate the relationship between outdoor environments and pedagogy in early childhood. The article analyses the research findings from a sociocultural perspective focusing on transformations of participation. This project has adapted the multi-method ‘Mosaic approach’ described by Clark and Moss. In particular, a variety of ‘participatory tools’ with children are used to document and reflect on learning. The article critically discusses findings from the project and identifies a number of significant implications for participatory research with young children, early childhood pedagogy and management in early childhood settings.
Monitoring and evaluation of an early childhood development programme
Authors: Hodgson Sarah , Papatheodorou Theodora , James Mary
Published: October 2014

The article aims to discuss preliminary findings from a participatory monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, used in a community-based early childhood development (ECD) programme in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, and their implications for leadership and management. The purposes of the M&E were for LETCEE, the implementing organization, to enhance its own learning and M&E systems, and to gather data for use by the funding body to advocate for alternative ECD programmes. A participatory M&E framework was used, adopting a case study design, to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources. Thematic analysis and statistical analysis were employed for qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. Emerging issues from data analysis included: use of data beyond accountability to funders; new learnings for all those involved with M&E; and informing decision-making and planning. The implications of these findings are discussed for the organization’s leadership and management.
Early Childhood Studies – students’ participation in the development of a learning space in a higher education institution
Authors: Kanyal Mallika
Published: October 2014

The article argues for the participation and involvement of students in developing learning spaces within higher education. In early childhood education there is a strong emphasis upon rights, democracy and planning learning through listening to young children. Taking inspiration from this, the study explores the use of participatory approaches in developing an Early Childhood Resource and Research room within a higher education institution. The article draws from the principles and practices of participatory research, where participants are considered as researchers, and from the distributed leadership approach that encourages shared decision-making. Applications of these principles are analysed by adopting various participatory methods with an aim to create a democratic, social and politically ‘safe space’ for the students to work in. The example of methods used in this article can serve as a basis for adopting alternative approaches to traditional leadership and management, highlighting the use of more democratic practices in creating learning environments.
Remembering childhood
Authors: Horsley Karen , Penn Helen
Published: October 2014

Students on the Early Childhood Studies degree programme at the University of East London were asked to reflect on their childhood memories and how these have shaped their understandings of early childhood and practices with young children. Students’ rich and varied accounts reflect the diversity of largely non-traditional students from countries on every continent. Recurrent themes persist, but what remains constant is that memories are inescapably grounded in the sociocultural contexts of the times and places in which students grew up; a world away from traditional, reductionist ‘ages and stages’ or milestones. Drawing on Rogoff, differences and cultural influences, in the UK and elsewhere, on childhood and practice are worth exploring in developing many possible interpretations of the requirements of working with children and families. Inter-disciplinary conversations may help to identify and unpick complex relationships between childhood memories and every day work with young children, in the various practice settings students encounter.
What Young Adolescents Think About Engineering
Authors: Jennings Sybillyn , McIntyre Julie Guay , Butler Sarah E.
Published: October 2014

To explore young adolescents’ interest in engineering as a future career, we examined the influence of gender and grade level on participants’ ( N = 197, aged 10–13) views of engineering. One group (107 students) viewed a brief engineering video and wrote why they felt the same or different about engineering following the video. Qualitative analyses revealed that some reported viewing engineering differently and more positively, although most did not want to be an engineer. Girls, more than boys, noted that engineers helped people. Six months after the video intervention, participants completed quantitative measures about engineering. Quantitative analyses comparing responses of participants who had seen the video, with those who had not, revealed that the video dispelled some stereotyped beliefs, but not others, with grade-level and gender effects. The findings highlight the importance of listening to adolescents’ views about engineering as a field and as a future career.
Analysis of case-cohort designs with binary outcomes: Improving efficiency using whole-cohort auxiliary information
Authors: Noma Hisashi , Tanaka Shiro
Published: October 2014

The case-cohort design has been widely adopted for reducing the cost of covariate measurements in large prospective cohort studies. Under the case-cohort design, complete covariate data are collected only on randomly sampled cases and a subcohort randomly selected from the whole cohort. For the analysis of case-cohort studies with binary outcomes, logistic regression analysis has been routinely used. However, in many applications, certain covariates are readily measured on all samples from the whole cohort, and the case-cohort design may be regarded as a two-phase sampling design. Using this auxiliary covariate information, estimators for the regression parameters can be substantially improved. In this article, we discuss the theoretical basis of the case-cohort design derived from the formulation of the two-phase design and the improved estimators using whole-cohort auxiliary variable information. In particular, we show that the sampling scheme of the case-cohort design is substantially equivalent to that of conventional two-phase case-control studies (also known as two-stage case-control studies for epidemiologists), i.e., the methodologies of two-phase case-control studies can be directly applied to case-cohort data. Under this framework, we review and apply the following improved estimators to the case-cohort design with binary outcomes: (i) weighted estimators, (ii) a semiparametric maximum likelihood estimator, and (iii) a multiple imputation estimator. In addition, based on the framework of the two-phase design, we can obtain risk ratio and risk difference estimators without the rare-disease assumption. We illustrate these methodologies via simulations and the National Wilms Tumor Study data.