bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of hyperthermic hyperventilation during passive heating and prolonged light and moderate exercise in the heat
Authors: Tsuji Bun , Honda Yasushi , Fujii Naoto , Kondo Narihiko , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: August 2012

Elevation of core temperature leads to increases in ventilation in both resting subjects and those engaged in prolonged exercise. We compared the characteristics of the hyperthermic hyperventilation elicited during passive heating at rest and during prolonged moderate and light exercise. Twelve healthy men performed three trials: a rest trial in which subjects were passively heated using hot-water immersion (41°C) and a water-perfused suit and two exercise trials in which subjects exercised at 25% (light) or 50% (moderate) of peak oxygen uptake in the heat (37°C and 50% relative humidity) after first using water immersion (18°C) to reduce resting esophageal temperature ( Tes). This protocol enabled detection of a Tes threshold for hyperventilation during the exercise. When minute ventilation (V̇e) was expressed as a function of Tes, 9 of the 12 subjects showed Tes thresholds for hyperventilation in all trials. The Tes thresholds for increases in V̇e during light and moderate exercise (37.1 ± 0.4 and 36.9 ± 0.4°C) were both significantly lower than during rest (38.3 ± 0.6°C), but the Tes thresholds did not differ between the two exercise intensities. The sensitivity of V̇e to increasing Tes (slope of the Tes-V̇e relation) above the threshold was significantly lower during moderate exercise (8.7 ± 3.5 l·min−1·°C−1) than during rest (32.5 ± 24.2 l·min−1·°C−1), but the sensitivity did not differ between light (10.4 ± 13.0 l·min−1·°C−1) and moderate exercise. These results suggest the core temperature threshold for hyperthermic hyperventilation and the hyperventilatory response to increasing core temperature in passively heated subjects differs from that in exercising subjects, irrespective of whether the exercise is moderate or light.
Neuromuscular factors influencing the maximum stretch limit of the human plantar flexors
Authors: Blazevich A. J. , Cannavan D. , Waugh C. M. , Fath F. , Miller S. C. , Kay A. D.
Published: August 2012

Maximum joint range of motion is an important parameter influencing functional performance and musculoskeletal injury risk. Nonetheless, a complete description of the muscle architectural and tendon changes that occur during stretch and the factors influencing maximum range of motion is lacking. We measured muscle-tendon elongation and fascicle lengthening and rotation sonographically during maximal plantar flexor stretches in 21 healthy men. Electromyogram (EMG) recordings were obtained synchronously with ultrasound and joint moment data, and H-reflex measurements were made with the ankle at neutral (0°) and dorsiflexed (50% maximal passive joint moment) positions; the maximum H amplitude (normalized to maximum M-wave amplitude; Mmax) and H-amplitude elicited at a stimulation intensity that evoked 10% Mmaxwere obtained. Maximal stretch was accomplished through significant muscle (14.9%; 30 mm) and tendon lengthening (8.4%; 22 mm). There were similar relative changes in fascicle length and angle, but planimetric modeling indicated that the contribution of fascicle rotation to muscle lengthening was small (<4 mm). Subjects with a greater range of motion showed less resistance to stretch and a greater passive joint moment at stretch termination than less flexible subjects (i.e., greater stretch tolerance). Also, greater fascicle rotation accompanied muscle elongation (9.7 vs. 5.9%) and there was a greater tendon length at stretch termination in more flexible subjects. Finally, a moderate correlation between the angle of EMG onset and maximum range of motion was obtained ( r = 0.60, P < 0.05), despite there being no difference in H-reflex magnitudes between the groups. Thus clear differences in the neuromuscular responses to stretch were observed between “flexible” and “inflexible” subjects.
Threonine 2609 Phosphorylation of the DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Is a Critical Prerequisite for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Mediated Radiation Resistance
Authors: Javvadi Prashanthi , Makino Haruhiko , Das Amit K. , Lin Yu-Fen , Chen David J. , Chen Benjamin P. , Nirodi Chaitanya S.
Published: August 2012

The EGF receptor (EGFR) contributes to tumor radioresistance, in part, through interactions with the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKc), a key enzyme in the nonhomologous end joining DNA repair pathway. We previously showed that EGFR-DNA-PKcs interactions are significantly compromised in the context of activating mutations in EGFR in non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and human bronchial epithelial cells. Here, we investigate the reciprocal relationship between phosphorylation status of DNA-PKcs and EGFR-mediated radiation response. The data reveal that both the kinase activity of DNA-PKcs and radiation-induced phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs by the ataxia telangiectasia–mutated (ATM) kinase are critical prerequisites for EGFR-mediated radioresponse. Alanine substitutions at seven key serine/threonine residues in DNA-PKcs or inhibition of DNA-PKcs by NU7441 completely abrogated EGFR-mediated radioresponse and blocked EGFR binding. ATM deficiency or ATM inhibition with KU55933 produced a similar effect. Importantly, alanine substitution at an ATM-dependent DNA-PKcs phosphorylation site, T2609, was sufficient to block binding or radioresponse of EGFR. However, mutation of a DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation site, S2056 had no such effect indicating that DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation is not necessary for EGFR-mediated radioresponse. Our data reveal that in both NSCLCs and human bronchial epithelial cells, activating mutations in EGFR specifically abolished the DNA-PKcs phosphorylation at T2609, but not S2056. Our study underscores the critical importance of a reciprocal relationship between DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and EGFR-mediated radiation response and elucidates mechanisms underlying mutant EGFR-associated radiosensitivity in NSCLCs. Mol Cancer Res; 10(10); 1359–68. ©2012 AACR.
Home-monitoring of oral anticoagulation vs. dabigatran
Authors: Zhou Qi , Guyatt Gordon , Alonso-Coello Pablo
Published: August 2012

Oral anticoagulation with vitamin k antagonists (VKAs) requires regular testing and dose adjustment. Home-monitoring (self-testing or self-management) is more effective than usual management. Dabigatran, does not require dose-adjustment and appears to be more effective at reducing the risk of stroke with similar risks of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dabigatran, however, has not been compared to the home-monitoring. It was the objective to evaluate the efficacy of dabigatran compared with home-monitoring of oral anticoagulation with VKAs. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing usual management of oral anticoagulation with home-monitoring, dabigatran with usual management, and RCTs comparing dabigatran with home-monitoring and including patient-important outcomes (thromboembolic events, death and major bleeding) were eligible. For our direct comparison we calculated pooled relative risks (RRs) using the Mantzel-Haenzel random effect model. For the indirect comparison we estimated lnRRs and back transformed to RR. We evaluated the quality of the evidence with the GRADE system. Dabigatran, compared with warfarin, was associated with lower rates of stroke or thromboembolism and systemic embolism but similar rates of major haemorrhage and death. Dabigatran 150 mg also increased non-significantly the rate of myocardial infarction. The quality of the evidence was high. Our indirect comparison of home-monitoring of oral anticoagulation versus dabigatran showed no convincing differences in the risk of thromboembolism, death or major bleeding. The estimates for self-management vs. dabigatran showed stronger but still non-significant trends. The quality of the evidence was low. In conclusion, the indirect comparison of home monitoring of oral anticoagulation with dabigatran suggests that the treatments have similar impact on thrombosis, bleeding and death. However, the confidence in the estimate of effect is low to very low. Our analyses contrast with the available comparison of dabigatran with conventional warfarin monitoring.
Polymorphisms in antithrombin and in tissue factor pathway inhibitor genes are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Bertinato Juliano , Bueno Carolina , da Silva Kelma , de Carvalho Mário , Francisco Rossana , Zugaib Marcelo , Cerda Alvaro , Morelli Vânia , Guerra-Shinohara Elvira M.
Published: August 2012

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a multifactorial condition. The effect of antithrombin (SERPINC1), protein C (PROC), thrombomodulin (THBD) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the risk of RPL is thus far unknown. Our objective was to determine the association of SNPs in the above mentioned genes with RPL. We included 117 non-pregnant women with three or more consecutive losses prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy without a previous history of carrying a fetus to viability, and 264 healthy fertile non-pregnant women who had at least two term deliveries and no known pregnancy losses. The PROC (rs1799809 and rs1799808), SERPINC1 (rs2227589), THBD (rs1042579) and TFPI (rs10931292, rs8176592 and rs10153820) SNPs were analysed by Real Time PCR. Genotype frequencies for PROC 2418A>G, PROC 2405C>T, THBD 1418C>T, TFPI (T-33C and TFPI C-399T) SNPs were similar in cases and controls. The carriers of SERPINC1 786A allele (GA + AA genotypes) had an increased risk for RPL (odds ratio [OR]: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 – 3.00, p= 0.034) while women carrying the TFPI –287C allele (TC + CC genotypes) had a protection effect on having RPL (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26 – 0.83, p= 0.009). The TCC haplotype for TFPI T-33C/ TFPI T-287C/ TFPI C-399T SNPs was less frequent in cases (5.7%) than in controls (11.6%) (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.23 – 0.90, p= 0.025). In conclusion, our data indicate that SERPINC1 786G>A variant increases the risk for RPL, while TFPI T-287C variant is protective; however, further studies are required to confirm our findings.
Extracardiac Neural Remodeling in Humans With Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ajijola Olujimi A. , Wisco Jonathan J. , Lambert H. Wayne , Mahajan Aman , Stark Elena , Fishbein Michael C. , Shivkumar Kalyanam
Published: August 2012

Background—

Intramyocardial nerve sprouting after myocardial infarction is associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Whether human stellate ganglia remodel in association with cardiac pathology is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiac pathology is associated with remodeling of the stellate ganglia in humans.

Methods and Results—

Left stellate ganglia were collected from patients undergoing sympathetic denervation for intractable ventricular arrhythmias and from cadavers, along with intact hearts. Clinical data on patients and cadaveric subjects were reviewed. We classified ganglia from normal, scarred, and nonischemic cardiomyopathic hearts without scar as NL (n=3), SCAR (n=24), and NICM (n=7), respectively. Within left stellate ganglia, neuronal size, density, fibrosis, synaptic density, and nerve sprouting were determined. Nerve density and sprouting were also quantified in cadaveric hearts. Mean neuronal size in normal, scarred, and nonischemic cardiomyopathic hearts without scar groups were 320±4 μm
2
, 372±10 μm
2
, and 435±10 μm
2
(
P
=0.002), respectively. No significant differences in neuronal density and fibrosis were present between the groups. Synaptic density in ganglia from SCAR and NICM groups were 57.8±11.2 μm
2
/mm
2
(
P
=0.084) and 44.5±7.9 μm
2
/mm
2
(
P
=0.039), respectively, compared with the normal group, 17.8±7 μm
2
/mm
2
(overall
P
=0.162). There were no significant differences in left stellate ganglia nerve sprouting or myocardial nerve density between the groups.

Conclusions—

Neuronal hypertrophy within left stellate ganglia is associated with chronic cardiomyopathy in humans. Ganglionic and myocardial nerve sprouting and nerve density were not significantly different. These changes may be related to increased cardiac sympathetic signaling and ventricular arrhythmias. Further studies are needed to determine the electrophysiological consequences of extracardiac neuronal remodeling in humans.
Regulation of Ambient GABA Levels by Neuron-Glia Signaling for Reliable Perception of Multisensory Events
Authors: Hoshino Osamu
Published: August 2012

Activities of sensory-specific cortices are known to be suppressed when presented with a different sensory modality stimulus. This is referred to as cross-modal inhibition, for which the conventional synaptic mechanism is unlikely to work. Interestingly, the cross-modal inhibition could be eliminated when presented with multisensory stimuli arising from the same event. To elucidate the underlying neuronal mechanism of cross-modal inhibition and understand its significance for multisensory information processing, we simulated a neural network model. Principal cell to and GABAergic interneuron to glial cell projections were assumed between and within lower-order unimodal networks (X and Y), respectively. Cross-modality stimulation of Y network activated its principal cells, which then depolarized glial cells of X network. This let transporters on the glial cells export GABA molecules into the extracellular space and increased a level of ambient (extrasynaptic) GABA. The ambient GABA molecules were accepted by extrasynaptic GABAareceptors and tonically inhibited principal cells of the X network. Cross-modal inhibition took place in a nonsynaptic manner. Identical modality stimulation of X network activated its principal cells, which then activated interneurons and hyperpolarized glial cells of the X network. This let their transporters import (remove) GABA molecules from the extracellular space and reduced tonic inhibitory current in principal cells, thereby improving their gain function. Top-down signals from a higher-order multimodal network (M) contributed to elimination of the cross-modal inhibition when presented with multisensory stimuli that arose from the same event. Tuning into the multisensory event deteriorated if the cross-modal inhibitory mechanism did not work. We suggest that neuron-glia signaling may regulate local ambient GABA levels in order to coordinate cross-modal inhibition and improve neuronal gain function, thereby achieving reliable perception of multisensory events.
The Hippocampus as a Stable Memory Allocator for Cortex
Authors: Valiant Leslie G.
Published: August 2012

It is suggested here that mammalian hippocampus serves as an allocator of neurons in cortex for memorizing new items. A construction of a shallow feedforward network with biologically plausible parameters is given that possesses the characteristics needed for such an allocator. In particular, the construction is stabilizing in that for inputs within a range of activity levels spanning more than an order of magnitude, the output will have activity levels differing as little as 1%. It is also noise tolerant in that pairs of input patterns that differ little will generate output patterns that differ little. Further, pairs of inputs that differ by much will be mapped to outputs that also differ sufficiently that they can be treated by cortex as distinct.
The Basal Ganglia Optimize Decision Making over General Perceptual Hypotheses
Authors: Lepora Nathan F. , Gurney Kevin N.
Published: August 2012

The basal ganglia are a subcortical group of interconnected nuclei involved in mediating action selection within cortex. A recent proposal is that this selection leads to optimal decision making over multiple alternatives because the basal ganglia anatomy maps onto a network implementation of an optimal statistical method for hypothesis testing, assuming that cortical activity encodes evidence for constrained gaussian-distributed alternatives. This letter demonstrates that this model of the basal ganglia extends naturally to encompass general Bayesian sequential analysis over arbitrary probability distributions, which raises the proposal to a practically realizable theory over generic perceptual hypotheses. We also show that the evidence in this model can represent either log likelihoods, log-likelihood ratios, or log odds, all leading proposals for the cortical processing of sensory data. For these reasons, we claim that the basal ganglia optimize decision making over general perceptual hypotheses represented in cortex. The relation of this theory to cortical encoding, cortico-basal ganglia anatomy, and reinforcement learning is discussed.
The Indian Ocean: The Region of Highest Skill Worldwide in Decadal Climate Prediction*
Authors: Guemas Virginie , Corti Susanna , García-Serrano J. , Doblas-Reyes F. J. , Balmaseda Magdalena , Magnusson Linus
Published: August 2012

The Indian Ocean stands out as the region where the state-of-the-art decadal climate predictions of sea surface temperature (SST) perform the best worldwide for forecast times ranging from the second to the ninth year, according to correlation and root-mean-square error (RMSE) scores. This paper investigates the reasons for this high skill by assessing the contributions from the initial conditions, greenhouse gases, solar activity, and volcanic aerosols. The comparison between the SST correlation skill in uninitialized historical simulations and hindcasts initialized from estimates of the observed climate state shows that the high Indian Ocean skill is largely explained by the varying radiative forcings, the latter finding being supported by a set of additional sensitivity experiments. The long-term warming trend is the primary contributor to the high skill, though not the only one. Volcanic aerosols bring additional skill in this region as shown by the comparison between initialized hindcasts taking into account or not the effect of volcanic stratospheric aerosols and by the drop in skill when filtering out their effect in hindcasts that take them into account. Indeed, the Indian Ocean is shown to be the region where the ratio of the internally generated over the externally forced variability is the lowest, where the amplitude of the internal variability has been estimated by removing the effect of long-term warming trend and volcanic aerosols by a multiple least squares linear regression on observed SSTs.
Interdecadal Relationship between the Mean State and El Niño Types*
Authors: Chung Pei-Hsuan , Li Tim
Published: August 2012

The interdecadal change of the mean state and two types of El Niño was investigated based on the analysis of observational data from 1980 to 2010. It was found that easterly trades and sea surface temperature (SST) gradients across the equatorial Pacific undergo a regime change in 1998/99, with enhanced trades and a significant cooling (warming) over tropical eastern (western) Pacific in the later period. Accompanying this mean state change is more frequent occurrence of central Pacific (CP) El Niño during 1999–2010. The diagnosis of air–sea feedback strength showed that atmospheric precipitation and wind responses to CP El Niño are greater than those to the eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño for given a unit SST anomaly (SSTA) forcing. The oceanic response to the same wind forcing, however, is greater in the EP El Niño than in the CP El Niño. A mixed layer heat budget analysis reveals that zonal advection (thermocline change induced vertical advection) primarily contributes to the CP (EP) El Niño growth.

The role of the mean SST zonal gradient in El Niño selection was investigated through idealized numerical experiments. With the increase of the background zonal SST gradient, the anomalous wind and convection response to a specified EP or CP SSTA shift to the west. Such a difference results in a bifurcation of maximum SSTA tendency, as shown from a simple ocean model. The numerical results support the notion that a shift to the La Niño–like interdecadal mean state is responsible for more frequent occurrence of CP-type El Niño.
Sensitivity of the Track and Intensity Forecasts of Typhoon Megi (2010) to Satellite-Derived Atmospheric Motion Vectors with the Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Kieu Chanh Q. , Truong Nguyen Minh , Mai Hoang Thi , Ngo-Duc Thanh
Published: August 2012

In this study, sensitivities of the track and intensity forecasts of Typhoon Megi (2010) to the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) University of Wisconsin satellite atmospheric motion vector (AMV) dataset are examined. Assimilation of the CIMSS AMV dataset using the local ensemble transform Kalman filter implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting model shows that the AMV data can significantly improve the track forecast of Typhoon Megi, especially the sharp turn from west-northwest to north after crossing the Philippines. By broadening the western Pacific subtropical high to the west, the AMV data can help reduce the eastward bias of the track, thus steering the storm away inimical shear environment and facilitating its subsequent development.

Further sensitivity experiments with separated assimilation of the low- to midlevel (800–300 hPa) and upper-level (300–100 hPa) AMV winds reveal that, despite the sparse distribution of the low-level AMV winds with most of the data points located in the periphery of Megi’s main circulation, the track forecasts tend to be more sensitive to the low-level than to the upper-level wind observations. This indicates that the far-field low-level observations can improve the large-scale environmental flow that storms are to move in, giving rise to a better representation of the steering flow and subsequent intensity change. While much of the recent effort in tropical cyclone research focuses on inner-core observations to improve the intensity forecast, the results in this study show that the peripheral observations outside the storm center could contribute considerably to the intensity and track forecasts and deserve attention for better typhoon forecast skills.
Religion in Politics
Authors: Karakoç Ekrem , Başkan Birol
Published: August 2012

This study investigates the factors that affect variations in secular attitudes toward politics. The literature suggests that modernization may weaken traditional bonds with religious adherence and the state can assume an important role in this endeavor through mass education, industrialization, and other factors. However, this explanation is incomplete in light of the resurgence of religious movements. This study argues that economic inequality increases the positive evaluation of the role of religion in politics through its effect on religiosity and participation in religious organizations. Employing a multilevel analysis on 40 countries, this study demonstrates that inequality decreases attitudes toward support for two dimensions of public secularization: the secularization of public office holders and the influence of religious leaders in politics. Simultaneously, the effect of modernization on these attitudes varies. The results also suggest that although inequality diminishes secular attitudes of all socioeconomic groups, its effect is nonlinear, with a greater effect on the poor.
Asian American Acculturation and Enculturation
Authors: Zhang Shengying , Moradi Bonnie
Published: August 2012

An overview of the evolution of Asian American acculturation and enculturation theory and measurement is offered, focusing on major theoretical advancements and methodological issues that are salient for measuring these constructs. Informed by these considerations, an empirical approach is taken to clarifying the dimensions of Asian American acculturation and enculturation in existing measures. Existing measures of Asian American acculturation and enculturation as well as items from some population-nonspecific measures were selected for consolidation, with attention to item content, uniqueness, and format variability. Exploratory factor analyses of data from 275 Asian and Asian American participants in the United States suggested that the measures reflected three factors of acculturation and enculturation: (a) Language-related Behavior, (b) Cultural and Sociopolitical Knowledge, and (c) Pride and Cultural Group Association. Results suggested that values measures assessed distinct (but correlated) constructs relative to these three acculturation and enculturation constructs.
Modeling filtration of particulate flow during impregnation of dual-scale fabrics
Authors: Lundström TS , Frishfelds V
Published: August 2012

Filtration of particles during impregnation of dual-scale fabrics is studied numerically for a number of geometries and initial positions of the particles by improving a previously derived model for a high density of the particles. The initial position and size of the particles are varied. The main result is that structural composites can be tailor-made as to additional properties by such an approach.
The Influence of Democratic Legitimacy on Outcomes in Governance Networks
Authors: Klijn Erik Hans , Edelenbos Jurian
Published: August 2012

Drawing on different theories of democracy, this article distinguishes three dimensions of democratic legitimacy: political accountability, voice, and due deliberation. The article operationalizes each form of democratic legitimacy and then looks at how these various forms influence the outcomes in governance networks. The authors test this with a survey conducted in the first half of 2010 among respondents in environmental projects/water management projects ( n = 166). The analysis shows that democratic legitimacy in general has a significant positive effect on outcomes in governance networks and that voice and due deliberation have a much stronger impact than political accountability.
A pilot study comparing two polymethylpentene extracorporeal membrane oxygenators
Authors: Rambaud J , Guilbert J , Guellec I , Renolleau S
Published: August 2012

Objective:

We compared two polymethylpentene oxygenators being used in our unit: the Maquet Quadrox-iD paediatric® and the Medos Hilite 800LT®.

Study design:

A mono-centric, prospective pilot study was conducted on ten consecutive newborn patients who had been admitted to our hospital service for extracorporeal circulation (EC) treatment. We examined the rate of oxygen transfer, the CO2 removal capacity and the average sweep gas flow required to produce this result. We also assessed the disturbances of haemostasis, the need for labile blood products and the membrane oxygenator lifetime and cost of use.

Conclusions:

According to our study, it seems to us that Medos Hilite 800LT® membrane oxygenators demonstrate greater oxygen transfer and CO2 removal capacity than Maquet Quadrox-iD paediatric® membrane oxygenators, at a similar cost. These results lead us to conclude that it is reasonable to continue using Medos Hilite 800LT® membrane oxygenators. A broader comparison study would be necessary in order to support these initial results.
Clients’ Perspectives on a Technology-Based Food Assistance Application System
Authors: Heflin Colleen M. , London Andrew S. , Mueser Peter R.
Published: August 2012

The expansion of e-government is reshaping how disadvantaged groups access the social safety net, yet very little is known about clients’ experiences with modernized systems. We examine client experiences applying to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program in one state that has recently moved to an “online-only” system. Overall, more than half of the 26 applicants stated a preference for the traditional caseworker model, even though some of them identified benefits to the modernized, online system. Based on respondents’ experiences, we identified four points where the system proved problematic for applicants: (a) Accessing the call centers; (b) completing an eligibility interview; (c) using the paperless system to submit documentation; and (d) obtaining personal assistance to complete the application materials. Findings are relevant for state administrators of social safety net programs, e-government researchers in the public management and public administration fields, and social stratification researchers interested in how institutional processes influence patterns of inequality.
Postnatal Unit Bassinet Types When Rooming-In after Cesarean Birth
Authors: Tully Kristin P. , Ball Helen L.
Published: August 2012

Background:

Postnatal unit rooming-in promotes breastfeeding. Previous research indicates that side-cars (3-sided bassinets that lock onto the maternal bed frame) facilitate breastfeeding after vaginal birth more than stand-alone bassinets (standard rooming-in). No study has previously investigated side-car bassinet use after cesarean, despite the constraints on maternal-infant interactions that are inherent in recovery from this birth mode.

Objective:

To test the effect of the side-car bassinet on postnatal unit breastfeeding frequency and other maternal-infant behaviors compared to a stand-alone bassinet following cesarean birth.

Methods:

Participants were recruited and prenatally randomized to receive the side-car or stand-alone bassinet for their postnatal unit stay between January 2007 and March 2009 in northeastern England. Mother-infant interactions were filmed over the second postpartum night. Participants completed face-to-face interviews before and after filming. The main outcome measures were infant location, bassinet acceptability, and breastfeeding frequency. Other outcomes assessed were breastfeeding effort, maternal-infant contact, sleep states, midwife presence, and infant risk.

Results:

Differences in breastfeeding frequency, maternal-infant sleep overlap, and midwife presence were not statistically significant. The 20 dyads allocated to side-car bassinets breastfed a median of 0.6 bouts/ hour compared to 0.4 bouts/hour for the 15 stand-alone bassinet dyads. Participants expressed overwhelming preference for the side-car bassinets. Bed sharing was equivalent between the groups, although the motivation for this practice may have differed. Infant handling was compromised with stand-alone bassinet use, including infants positioned on pillows while bed sharing with their sleeping mothers.

Conclusions:

Women preferred the side-car, but differences in breastfeeding frequency were not statistically significant. More infant risks were observed with stand-alone bassinet use.
Animals as Lifechangers and Lifesavers
Authors: Irvine Leslie
Published: August 2012

This paper examines personal narratives in which homeless and formerly homeless people construct their companion animals as having changed or saved their lives. The analysis considers selfhood a narrative accomplishment, the strategic outcome rather than the source of the stories people tell. These particular stories employ the theme of redemption, in which tellers describe overcoming adversity to face a better future, with animals playing key roles. The analysis reveals the narrative elements through which animals become vehicles for redemption. As dependent others, animals encourage a sense of responsibility. As the providers of unconditional love, they reward the fulfillment of responsibility. And as silent witnesses, they keep the tellers from lapsing into risky behavior. Narratives that describe animals in these ways allow for the construction of a positive moral identity. They also indicate that commitment belongs among the recognized languages of redemption and highlight the social embeddedness of autobiographical experience.
Emergency Pharmacist Impact on Health Care-Associated Pneumonia Empiric Therapy
Authors: DeFrates Sean R. , Weant Kyle A. , Seamon Jason P. , Shirakbari Alicia , Baker Stephanie N.
Published: August 2012

Purpose: Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a serious infection dependent on proper treatment that often presents in the emergency department (ED) and deviation from treatment guidelines appears to be high. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of emergency medicine pharmacists (EPhs) on adherence of empiric antibiotic therapy to guideline recommendations. Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients with HCAP who presented to an academic medical center ED from September 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010 was conducted. The control group included those patients with HCAP who presented to the ED outside of the EPhs’ hours (23:00-13:00), and the treatment group consisted of those patients who presented during the EPhs’ hours (13:00-23:00). Results: The 81 patients presenting inside the EPhs’ hours were significantly more likely to receive guideline adherent empiric antibiotics than the 70 patients presenting outside the EPhs’ hours (49.38% vs 25.7%, P = .005). Also, patients in the treatment group received antibiotics in a shorter amount of time (11.37 vs 15.56 hours, P = .272) and at more appropriate doses (85.2% vs 77.1%, P = .29) although these outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The presence of the EPh significantly increased the likelihood of at-risk patients receiving empiric antimicrobial therapy consistent with guideline recommendations.
Efficacy and safety of multitarget therapy with mizoribine and tacrolimus for systemic lupus erythematosus with or without active nephritis
Authors: Nomura A , Shimizu H , Kishimoto M , Suyama Y , Rokutanda R , Ohara Y , Yamaguchi K , Okada M
Published: August 2012

The prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) has improved since the introduction of immunosuppressant therapies, but the safety and effectiveness of treatments can also be improved. We retrospectively assessed the treatment courses of 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were treated with glucocorticoid, mizoribine (MZR) and tacrolimus. This regimen was used as initial therapy for active LN in six patients (mean glucocorticoid dose, 66.6 mg); four of these six patients also received pulse methylprednisolone therapy. The starting doses of MZR and tacrolimus were 150 and 3 mg, respectively, and they were titrated as required. Five of six patients achieved complete remission and one achieved partial remission at 6 months. Five patients who completed 12-month analysis achieved complete remission. Another six patients were given the combination regimen for treating minor flares or for steroid sparing. The mean prednisolone doses were reduced from 11.0 mg at baseline to 6.6 mg at 12 months. Six patients experienced minor adverse events, including three minor infections. One patient stopped tacrolimus because of suspected toxicity. All 12 patients were successfully treated, and none experienced severe adverse events. Multitarget therapy combining glucocorticoid, MZR and tacrolimus may have the potential to become a treatment option which is effective and safe.
Decisions of psychiatric nurses about duty to warn, compulsory hospitalization, and competence of patients
Authors: Sehiralti Mine , Er Rahime A
Published: August 2012

Nurses who attend patients with psychiatric disorders often encounter ethical dilemmas and experience difficulties in making the right decision. The present study aimed to evaluate the decisions of psychiatric nurses regarding their duty to warn third parties about the dangerousness of the patient, the need for compulsory hospitalization, and the competence of patients. In total, 111 nurses working in the field of psychiatry in Turkey completed a questionnaire form consisting of 33 questions. The nurses generally assessed the decision-making competency of the patient correctly. However, their decisions regarding whether the patient should be compulsorily hospitalized and their understanding of their duty to warn/protect were less consistent. A significant relationship was found between the decisions of the psychiatric nurses and their work experience, them having children, and them having postgraduate education in psychiatric nursing. The nurses stated their desire to be part of the team that decided on ethical problems in psychiatry.
Time ethics for persons with dementia in care homes
Authors: Egede-Nissen Veslemøy , Jakobsen Rita , Sellevold Gerd S , Sørlie Venke
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore situations experienced by 12 health-care providers working in two nursing homes. Individual interviews, using a narrative approach, were conducted. A phenomenological–hermeneutical method, developed for researching life experiences, was applied in the analysis. The findings showed that good care situations are experienced when the time culture is flexible, the carers act in a sovereign time rhythm, not mentioning clock time or time as a stress factor. The results are discussed in terms of anthropological and sociological theory: time as event and action and flexible time cultures. Care settings for persons with dementia represent many challenges, such as a heavy workload and time strain. Time ethics is a construction, understanding time used in caring for persons suffering from dementia, which involves a mature, responsible and flexible nursing approach to these patients.
Between two volunteer cultures: Social composition and motivation among volunteers at the 2010 test event for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
Authors: Wollebæk Dag , Skirstad Berit , Hanstad Dag Vidar
Published: August 2012

This paper argues that a reflexive, late modern volunteer culture coexists with a collectivist, traditional one at major sporting events. Those who regularly volunteer at such events and are affiliated with organized sport tend to be older and male, and have higher incomes. Those who are volunteering for the first time and are unaffiliated with organized sport resemble reflexive volunteers to a greater extent: they tend to be younger and female, and their incomes are lower than those of regular sports volunteers. A factor analysis identified sports interest, social motives and qualification/work-related motives as three motivational dimensions for volunteering at sporting events. The first two intrinsic dimensions were more important to event regulars and those affiliated with organized sports. Building qualifications and work-related experience were more important motives for first-timers and unaffiliated volunteers, indicating that these volunteers view event volunteering as an appropriate way of investing in social and human capital. The data come from an Internet-based survey ( n=800, response rate 77) conducted prior to the 2010 test event for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo, Norway.
Response: Critical Realism
Authors: Briar-Lawson Katharine
Published: August 2012

This article addresses key challenges posed by critical realism, proposed by Longhofer and Floersch, as a philosophical underpinning for a science of social work. As a response to Longhofer and Floersch, it is argued that critical realism may be instructive in debates about structural conditions that dictate more inclusive interventions and research. The role of critical and feminist theories is explored as critical realism is offered by Longhofer and Floersch as a preeminent framework for a science of social work. Suggestions are offered for ways researchers might address more systemic or structural variables claimed by critical realists as often “unseen.” Concepts of emergence and stratification are explored and a self-audit is proposed for researchers. Concerns are raised about whether critical realism may sideline the building of more intervention-based knowledge for practice so urgently needed for a science for social work.
Guidelines for Graphing Data With Microsoft® Office 2007™, Office 2010™, and Office for Mac™ 2008 and 2011
Authors: Barton Erin E. , Reichow Brian
Published: August 2012

The interpretation of single-case data requires systematic visual analysis across and within conditions. Graphs are a vital component for analyzing and communicating single-case design data and a necessary tool for applied researchers and practitioners. Several articles have been published with task analyses for graphing data with the new versions of Microsoft Excel and versions of Microsoft Office software prior to Microsoft Office 2007. This article extends the previous literature on the construction of single-case graphs by providing task analyses for using Microsoft® PowerPoint 2007 and 2010, Microsoft® PowerPoint for Mac™ 2008 and 2011, Microsoft® Word 2007 and 2010, and Microsoft® Word for Mac™ 2008 and 2011. This article is a revision and update of guidelines published earlier in the Journal of Early Intervention. The current article provides updated guidelines for current software programs. Some of the narrative is similar to that of the original version.
A product module identification approach based on axiomatic design and design structure matrix
Authors: Cheng Qiang , Zhang Guojun , Gu Peihua , Shao Xinyu
Published: August 2012

In terms of creating customized products rapidly, modularity is deemed to be an effective developmental strategy for handling product variety and intricacy. In order to develop reasonable modular product architecture with physically detachable modules, a new systematic and structured approach for product modularization based on axiomatic design and design structure matrix is proposed. The product is decomposed hierarchically into its functional, physical, and process domains using axiomatic design method. After transformation from design matrix to design structure matrix, the pertinence design structure matrices of design parameters describing function, structure, and manufacturing process are constructed. Besides, a manufacturing process similarity matrix of design parameters is established. Finally, a genetic algorithm combined with the minimal description length is employed to realize the modularization optimization after integration of the above matrices. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, an indoor air conditioner unit is presented as a demonstrative example.
Mode III fracture analysis of an anisotropic finite wedge with an interfacial crack
Authors: Ghadiri Majid , Shahani Amir Reza
Published: August 2012

In this paper, the problem of two bonded anisotropic finite wedges with an interface crack subjected to anti-plane shear loading is investigated. The boundary conditions of radial edges are treated as traction–displacement conditions. The traction-free condition is applied on the circular segment of the wedge. Finite complex transforms, which have complex analogies to the standard finite Mellin transforms, have been used in order to solve this problem. The traction-free condition of the crack faces is expressed in an analytical form of a singular integral equation. The resultant singular integral equations are then solved numerically by use of the Chebyshev polynomial. The stress intensity factors at the crack tips are exhibited in various conditions. It is seen that, in general, the stress intensity factor is a function of the material property and apex angle of the wedge.
Setting a research agenda for progressive multiple sclerosis: The International Collaborative on Progressive MS
Authors: Fox Robert J , Thompson Alan , Baker David , Baneke Peer , Brown Doug , Browne Paul , Chandraratna Dhia , Ciccarelli Olga , Coetzee Timothy , Comi Giancarlo , Feinstein Anthony , Kapoor Raj , Lee Karen , Salvetti Marco , Sharrock Kersten , Toosy Ahmed , Zaratin Paola , Zuidwijk Kim
Published: August 2012

Despite significant progress in the development of therapies for relapsing MS, progressive MS remains comparatively disappointing. Our objective, in this paper, is to review the current challenges in developing therapies for progressive MS and identify key priority areas for research. A collaborative was convened by volunteer and staff leaders from several MS societies with the mission to expedite the development of effective disease-modifying and symptom management therapies for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. Through a series of scientific and strategic planning meetings, the collaborative identified and developed new perspectives on five key priority areas for research: experimental models, identification and validation of targets and repurposing opportunities, proof-of-concept clinical trial strategies, clinical outcome measures, and symptom management and rehabilitation. Our conclusions, tackling the impediments in developing therapies for progressive MS will require an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to enable effective translation of research into therapies for progressive MS. Engagement of the MS research community through an international effort is needed to address and fund these research priorities with the ultimate goal of expediting the development of disease-modifying and symptom-relief treatments for progressive MS.
Researching with children in Vietnam: cultural, methodological and ethical considerations
Authors: Graham Anne P , Phelps Renata A , Nhung Ha Thi Tuyet , Geeves Richard
Published: August 2012

The involvement of children in research has gathered significant momentum following the almost universal ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the emergence of new theoretical interests that challenge conceptions of children as irrational, incompetent, vulnerable and unable to know and articulate what is in their own best interests. However, seeking the views of children and responding to what they have to say are heavily circumscribed by social and cultural norms and values that must be known and respected in order to ensure that the research is ethically and methodologically sound. This article reports on the experiences of a team of researchers undertaking a project that sought the views and perspectives of children in relation to learning and education in a rural province of Vietnam. It discusses the reflexive nature of such an endeavour that required a deep recognition of the influence of Confucian culture, particularly in relation to issues of who has authority to speak and on what matters, as well as detailed attention to children’s existing experience of being consulted.
Working with vulnerable groups in social research: dilemmas by default and design
Authors: Aldridge Jo
Published: August 2012

Tensions have been highlighted, particularly in disability rights research and activism discourses, between the demands of the academy, the needs of vulnerable research participants as active contributors in research and between researchers themselves who are often caught in multiple dilemmas regarding these conflicting demands. This is particularly the case in research governance and practice terms when ‘top down’ pressures (e.g. from the academy, from funders) are often at odds with the need for a ‘bottom up’ approach to vulnerable research participants who often require adaptive, more inclusive and sometimes individualistic (case-by-case) qualitative methodological approaches. These issues are the focus of this article, which draws specifically on evidence from participatory studies with vulnerable groups and participatory photographic studies, in particular, to demonstrate the need for more collaborative and democratic approaches to research praxis.
Professional Development Through Planning for and/or Participating in an Accreditation/Approval Review
Authors: Davis Sharon , McKenzie James F. , Baldwin Sue , Mata Holly , Capwell Ellen , Seabert Denise M. , Barnes Michael , Burak Lydia
Published: August 2012

The quality of delivery of health education services is connected to landmark events in the history of health education. Quality assurance is one type of professional development in which practicing health education specialists engage. This article presents the steps of an accreditation/approval process, brief overviews of the major accreditation/approval systems, and the opportunities within the accreditation/approval process for professional development.