bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High resolution chromosomal microarray in undiagnosed neurological disorders
Authors: Howell Katherine B , Kornberg Andrew J , Harvey A Simon , Ryan Monique M , Mackay Mark T , Freeman Jeremy L , Rodriguez Casero M Victoria , Collins Kevin J , Hayman Michael , Mohamed Ahmad , Ware Tyson L , Clark Damian , Bruno Damien L , Burgess Trent , Slater Howard , McGillivray George , Leventer Richard J
Published: June 2013

Aim

Despite advances in medical investigation, many children with neurological conditions remain without a diagnosis, although a genetic aetiology is often suspected. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) screens for copy number variants (CNVs) and long continuous stretches of homozygosity (LCSH) and may further enhance diagnostic yield. Although recent studies have identified pathogenic CNVs in intellectual disability, autism and epilepsy, the utility of CMA testing in a broader cohort of children with neurologic disorders has not been reported.

Methods

Two hundred fifteen patients with neurological conditions of unknown aetiology were seen over a 6‐month period and were prospectively tested by CMA using high‐resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarrays (Illumina HumanCytoSNP‐12 v2.1 or Affymetrix 2.7M).

Results

Thirty of 215 (14%) patients tested had an abnormal CMA. Twenty‐nine had CNVs (13%) and one (0.5%) a clinically significant stretch of homozygosity. Twenty (9.3%) had a CMA finding considered to be pathogenic or involved in susceptibility to the condition of interest, and 10 (4.7%) had findings of unknown significance. Their phenotypes included infantile spasms and other epilepsies, neuromuscular conditions, ataxia, movement disorders, microcephaly and malformations of cortical development. At least one third of patients did not meet national funding criteria for CMA at the time of presentation.

Conclusions

CMA detected clinically significant abnormalities in a broad range of neurologic phenotypes of unknown aetiology. This test should be considered a first‐tier investigation of children with neurologic disorders in whom the initial clinical assessment does not indicate a likely aetiology, especially those with severe epilepsies and neurologically abnormal neonates.
Ultrasonographic Findings of the Pancreas in Cats with Elevated Serum Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity
Authors: Williams J.M. , Panciera D.L. , Larson M.M. , Werre S.R.
Published: June 2013

Background

Pancreatitis is a common disease in cats that is difficult to diagnose.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic changes of the pancreas with serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) as the standard for diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Animals

35 cats with clinical signs consistent with pancreatitis with an abdominal ultrasound examination and serumfPLIconcentration measured within 3 days of the ultrasound.

Methods

Retrospective study: Pancreatic thickness, pancreatic margination, pancreatic echogenicity, and peripancreatic fat echogenicity were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with an elevated serumfPLIconcentration indicative of pancreatitis as the standard for diagnosis.

Results

SerumfPLIwas elevated and diagnostic for pancreatitis in 19 of 35 cats. The single ultrasound characteristic with the highest sensitivity was hyperechoic peripancreatic fat at 68% (95% confidence interval = 44–87%), indicating a moderate probability that cats with pancreatitis will have this abnormality on ultrasonographic examination. Specificity was >90% for each of increased pancreatic thickness, abnormal pancreatic margin, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 84% (95% confidence interval = 60–97%) and 75% (95% confidence interval = 48–93%), respectively, in cats with elevated serumfPLIindicative of pancreatitis.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The presence of a thick left limb of the pancreas, severely irregular pancreatic margins, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat in cats with appropriate clinical signs and elevated serumfPLIare highly supportive of pancreatitis.
Reproductive traits of Euterpina acutifrons in a coastal area of Southeastern Brazil
Authors: de Melo Júnior Mauro , Miyashita Leonardo K. , Silva Naira J. , Gaeta Salvador A. , Lopes Rubens M.
Published: June 2013

We investigated the reproductive biology of the planktonic harpacticoid copepod Euterpina acutifrons, including morphometric data, egg production rates (EPR) and viability, and weight‐specific egg production. Experiments were carried out during 1 year in an inner‐shelf area off Ubatuba (SE Brazil), a site seasonally influenced by bottom intrusions of the relatively cold and nutrient‐rich South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). We hypothesized that E. acutifrons attain higher reproductive rates when SACW penetrates in this region. Live females were incubated individually in cell culture plates during two periods of 24 h each, under controlled temperature and light conditions. Euterpina acutifrons carried on average 16.9 ± 6.9 eggs·sac−1, ranging between 10.8 ± 5.7 and 30.8 ± 7.4 eggs·sac−1. Estimated EPRs ranged from 6.3 ± 3.4 to 13.6 ± 4.2 eggs·female−1·day−1, with mean weight‐specific egg production rates of 0.06 ± 0.04 and 0.17 ± 0.08 per day. Euterpina acutifrons was not directly influenced by SACW intrusions, but body length and clutch size were positively related to temperature and chlorophyll content. Egg hatching time was clearly dependent on water temperature, as a 2 °C increase resulted in a decrease of 15 h in egg hatching time. This shows that even a small variation in temperature may considerably affect E. acutifrons population dynamics. Reproductive traits of this pelagic harpacticoid seem, therefore, to be controlled by the trade‐offs between increased food supply and the metabolic demands at low temperatures associated with SACW bottom intrusions toward this coastal area.
Comment on “Parent body depth‐pressure‐temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite anatexis” by P. H. Warren (MAPS 47:209–227)
Authors: Goodrich Cyrena Anne , Wilson Lionel , Van Orman James A. , Michel Patrick
Published: June 2013

Ureilites are carbon‐rich ultramafic (olivine + dominantly low‐Ca pyroxene) achondrites with poorly understood petrogenesis. One major problem concerns the origin of extensive variation in FeO content (olivine core Fo values ranging from approximately 75 to 95) among the individual ureilites. The two main competing hypotheses to explain this variation are: (1) equilibrium smelting, in which ureilite Fo values were established by pressure‐dependent (depth‐linked) carbon redox reactions on the ureilite parent body during partial melting; or (2) nebular inheritance, in which the variation in FeO contents was derived from ureilite precursors and was preserved during partial melting. The paper “Parent body depth‐pressure‐temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite anatexis” by Warren (2012) discusses a series of topics related to ureilite petrogenesis. In each case, an argument is presented within the context of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Collectively, these arguments create the impression that there are many valid arguments against smelting. The purpose of this comment is to point out flaws in some of these arguments, and/or to show that the issues they address are independent of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Both equilibrium smelting and nebular inheritance (simple anatexis) models face challenges in explaining all the properties of ureilites, but both remain viable.
Treatment failure in automated peritoneal dialysis and double‐bag continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Katavetin Pisut , Theerasin Yuwadee , Treamtrakanpon Worapot , Saiprasertkit Nalinee , Kanjanabuch Talerngsak
Published: June 2013

Aim

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and double‐bag continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are the two current standard modalities of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Outcomes of these two modalities have not been well described.

Methods

A single‐centre, retrospective review was carried out to compare the treatment failure rate of APD and double‐bag CAPD. Treatment failure was a combined endpoint including death and technique failure. Cox regression was used to compare risk (hazard ratio, HR) of treatment failure in APD and CAPD.

Results

There were 121 patients included in this study, 55 with APD and 66 with CAPD. APD patients had significantly lower risk of treatment failure (death and technique failure) than CAPD patients (HR 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37–0.91, P = 0.02). The lower risk of treatment failure in APD compared to CAPD was mainly caused by the significantly lower risk of technique failure (HR 0.30, 95%CI: 0.10–0.93, P = 0.04). The mortality rates of the two modalities were not significantly different (HR 0.69, 95%CI: 0.42–1.12, P = 0.13).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that APD may have lower risk of treatment failure compared with double‐bag CAPD. These potential benefits of APD might justify the use of this modality despite its higher cost.
Clinical and pathologic characteristics of hereditary apolipoprotein A‐I amyloidosis in Ireland
Authors: Traynor Carol A , Tighe Donal , O'Brien Frank J , Leavey Sean F , Dorman Anthony M , Denton Mark D , Magee Colm , Conlon Peter J
Published: June 2013

Aim

Apolipoprotein A‐I amyloidosis is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive accumulation of amyloid fibrils in tissues, leading to renal and hepatic disease. We describe the clinical manifestations and pathologic features of kidney disease in three Irish families.

Methods

This observational study examines all known cases of chronic kidney disease due to hereditary apolipoprotein A‐I amyloidosis in Ireland. Patients were identified by physician interview. In all of the affected individuals the disease was caused by the Gly26Arg heterozygous mutation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that amyloid deposits were composed of apolipoprotein A‐I fibrils. Family trees and clinical data were obtained via analysis of patient medical records.

Results

The vast majority of affected cases had demonstrable kidney disease, with variable liver disease. Renal disease most commonly manifested as slowly progressive renal impairment with mild proteinuria. In one kindred, a severe, debilitating peripheral neuropathy was common among affected family members. Histology demonstrated tubulointerstitial fibrosis with amyloid deposition in the medulla. There was very high penetrance within affected families. Of five patients who were transplanted, one transplant was lost after 5 years due to recurrent disease. One patient died from sepsis shortly after transplant.

Conclusion

Hereditary apolipoprotein A‐I amyloidosis is characterized by slowly progressive renal disease. Amyloid is deposited in the renal medulla highlighting the need to examine the medulla on renal biopsy. Overall, kidney transplantation conferred a survival advantage.
Efficacy of a group‐based parenting program on stress and self‐efficacy amongJapanese mothers: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Kendall Sally , Bloomfield Linda , Appleton Jane , Kitaoka Kazuyo
Published: June 2013

Early child development and the impact of parenting on later life are of global concern. The rise in child abuse and maltreatment inJapan suggests that measures to increase self‐efficacy and reduce stress would benefitJapanese parents. In this study, we explored ifJapanese parents attending a 123Magic parenting program reported reduced stress and enhanced self‐efficacy. Questionnaire data were collected from 49 mothers attending a parenting program conducted in public nursery schools in one prefecture inJapan. There were significant changes in parenting self‐efficacy scores (P < 0.001) and parenting stress scores (P < 0.01). Focus groups with 16 parents also found that there were benefits to parents in terms of increased confidence and less stress. The findings provide support for the role of public health nurses in delivering group‐based parenting support inJapan.
Effects of short‐chain fatty acids on Actinomyces naeslundii biofilm formation
Authors: Yoneda S. , Kawarai T. , Narisawa N. , Tuna E.B. , Sato N. , Tsugane T. , Saeki Y. , Ochiai K. , Senpuku H.
Published: June 2013

Actinomyces naeslundii is an early colonizer and has important roles in the development of the oral biofilm. Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) are secreted extracellularly as a product of metabolism by gram‐negative anaerobes, e.g. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum; and the SCFA may affect biofilm development with interaction between A. naeslundii and gram‐negative bacteria. Our aim was to investigate the effects of SCFA on biofilm formation by A. naeslundii and to determine the mechanism. We used the biofilm formation assay in 96‐well microtiter plates in tryptic soy broth without dextrose and with 0.25% sucrose using safranin stain of the biofilm monitoring 492 nm absorbance. To determine the mechanism by SCFA, the production of chaperones and stress‐response proteins (GrpE and GroEL) in biofilm formation was examined using Western blot fluorescence activity with GrpE and GroEL antibodies. Adding butyric acid (6.25 mm) 0, 6 and 10 h after beginning culture significantly increased biofilm formation by A. naeslundii, and upregulation was observed at 16 h. Upregulation was also observed using appropriate concentrations of other SCFA. In the upregulated biofilm, production of GrpE and GroEL was higher where membrane‐damaged or dead cells were also observed. The upregulated biofilm was significantly reduced by addition of anti‐GroEL antibody. The data suggest biofilm formation by A. naeslundii was upregulated dependent on the production of stress proteins, and addition of SCFA increased membrane‐damaged or dead cells. Production of GroEL may physically play an important role in biofilm development.
Refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia after intestinal transplant responding to conversion from a calcineurin to mTOR inhibitor
Authors: Acquazzino Melissa A. , Fischer Ryan T. , Langnas Alan , Coulter Don W.
Published: June 2013

AIHA is a rare and serious complication of solid organ transplantation. Herein, we report four cases of warm or mixed AIHA in pediatric patients following combined liver, small bowel and pancreas transplant. The hemolysis was refractory to multiple treatment modalities including steroids, rituximab, IVIG, plasmapheresis, cytoxan, discontinuation of prophylactic penicillin, and a change in immunosuppression from tacrolimus to cyclosporine. All patients had resolution or marked improvement of hemolysis after discontinuation of maintenance of CNI and initiation of sirolimus immunosuppression. One patient developed nephrotic syndrome but responded to a change in immunosuppression to everolimus. Three of the four patients continue on immunosuppression with sirolimus or everolimus without further hemolysis, evidence of rejection or medication side effects. Based on our experience and review of similar cases in the literature, we have proposed a treatment algorithm for AIHA in the pediatric intestinal transplant patient population that recommends an early change in immunosuppressive regimen from CNIs to sirolimus therapy.
Association of Birth Length and Risk of Hospitalisation among Full‐term Babies in Japan
Authors: Kato Tsuguhiko , Yorifuji Takashi , Inoue Sachiko , Doi Hiroyuki , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: June 2013

Background

Barker's fetal programming hypothesis suggests that disproportionate size at birth may have a lifelong impact on one's health. However, the literature on birth length is considerably more sparse compared with birthweight. We, therefore, examined the relationship between birth length and hospitalisation early in life among Japanese children.

Methods

We used the nationwide Longitudinal Survey of Babies in 21st Century and restricted the study subjects to full‐term singleton babies (n = 44 057). We estimated the effects of birth length and birthweight on the risk of hospitalisation using log linear regression models. We controlled for a set of neonatal and maternal factors.

Results

Birth length was associated with the chance of hospitalisation due to all causes between 6 and 18 months of age. In addition, the association was stronger than that with birthweight. Adjusted risk ratios showed that the relationship between birth length and hospitalisation was U‐shaped: 1.16 [95% confidence intervals, 1.08, 1.25] at 30–48 cm, 1 [Reference] at 49 cm, 1.13 [1.04, 1.22] at 50 cm, and 1.11 [1.02, 1.20] at 51–60 cm. Short babies with low or high weight, as well as long babies with low weight, seem to be at increased risk of hospitalisation.

Conclusions

We found a U‐shaped relationship between birth length and risk of hospitalisation due to all causes during the period from 6 to 18 months.
The Impact of a Child's Special Health Care Needs on Maternal Work Participation during Early Motherhood
Authors: Hauge Lars Johan , Kornstad Tom , Nes Ragnhild Bang , Kristensen Petter , Irgens Lorentz M. , Eskedal Leif T. , Landolt Markus A. , Vollrath Margarete E.
Published: June 2013

Background

Many women temporarily reduce work hours or stop working when caring for small children. However, mothers of children with special health care needs may face particular challenges balancing childrearing responsibilities and employment demands. This study examines how the work participation among mothers of children with special health care needs compares with that of mothers in general during early motherhood, focusing in particular on the extent of the child's additional health care needs.

Methods

By linkage of the population‐based Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study with national registers on employment, child health care needs, and social background factors, 41 255 mothers employed prior to childbirth were followed until child age 3 years to investigate associations between the child's care needs and mother's dropping out of employment.

Results

In total, 16.3% of the formerly employed mothers were no longer employed at child age 3 years. Mothers of children with mild care needs did not differ from mothers in general, whereas mothers of children with moderate [Risk Ratio (RR) 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17, 1.80] and severe care needs [RR 2.19; 95% CI 1.67, 2.87] were at substantial risk of not being employed at follow‐up. The impact of the child's health care needs remained strong also after adjusting for several factors associated with employment in general.

Conclusions

Extensive childhood health care needs are associated with reduced short‐term employment prospects and remain a substantial influence on mothers' work participation during early motherhood, irrespective of other important characteristics associated with maternal employment.
Insights, attitudes and perceptions about asthma and its treatment: Findings from a multinational survey of patients from 8 Asia‐Pacific countries and Hong Kong
Authors: Thompson Philip J. , Salvi Sundeep , Lin Jiangtao , Cho Young Joo , Eng Philip , Abdul Manap Roslina , Boonsawat Watchara , Hsu Jeng‐Yuan , Faruqi Rab A. , Moreno‐Cantu Jorge J. , Fish James E. , Ho James Chung‐Man
Published: June 2013

Background and objective

The Asthma Insight and Management (AIM) survey was conducted in North America, Europe, the Asia‐Pacific region and Latin America to characterize patients’ insights, attitudes and perceptions about their asthma and its treatment. We report findings from the Asia‐Pacific survey.

Methods

Asthma patients (≥12 years) from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand were surveyed. Patients answered 53 questions exploring general health, diagnosis/history, symptoms, exacerbations, patient burden, disease management, medications/treatments and patient's attitudes. The Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were used to assess asthma control. The survey was conducted by random digit telephone dialling (Australia, China and Hong Kong) or by random face‐to‐face interviews (India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand).

Results

There were 80 761 households screened. Data from 3630 patients were collected. Wide disparity existed between objective measures of control and patient perception. Reported exacerbations during the previous year ranged from 19% (Hong Kong) to 67% (India). Reported unscheduled urgent/emergency visits to a doctor's office/hospital/clinic in the previous year ranged from 15% (Hong Kong) to 46% (Taiwan). Patients who reported having controlled asthma in the previous month ranged from 27% (South Korea) to 84% (Taiwan). Substantial functional and emotional limitations due to asthma were identified by 13% (South Korea) to 78% (India) of patients.

Conclusions

Asthma has a profound impact on patients’ well‐being despite the availability of effective treatments and evidence‐based management guidelines. Substantial differences across the surveyed countries exist, suggesting unmet, country‐specific cultural and educational needs. A large proportion of asthma patients overestimate their level of control.
Spatial Comparisons of Poverty and Inequality in Living Standards in Malawi
Authors: Mussa Richard
Published: June 2013

The paper looks at poverty and inequality across areas in Malawi. The focus is on both monetary (consumption) and non‐monetary (health and education) dimensions of well‐being. Stochastic poverty dominance tests show that rural areas are poorer in the three dimensions regardless of poverty line chosen. Stochastic inequality dominance tests find that the north and south dominate the centre in health inequality, and there is no dominance between the north and south. With respect to education inequality, dominance is declared for the south‐centre pair only. A subgroup decomposition analysis finds that the south contributes the most to consumption and education poverty, while the centre is the largest contributor to health poverty. We establish that within‐area inequalities (vertical inequalities) rather than between‐area inequalities (horizontal inequalities) are the major driver of consumption, health and education inequality in Malawi.
How to Select Representative Samples
Authors: Grafström Anton , Schelin Lina
Published: June 2013

We give a formal definition of a representative sample, but roughly speaking, it is a scaled‐down version of the population, capturing its characteristics. New methods for selecting representative probability samples in the presence of auxiliary variables are introduced. Representative samples are needed for multipurpose surveys, when several target variables are of interest. Such samples also enable estimation of parameters in subspaces and improved estimation of target variable distributions. We describe how two recently proposed sampling designs can be used to produce representative samples. Both designs use distance between population units when producing a sample. We propose a distance function that can calculate distances between units in general auxiliary spaces. We also propose a variance estimator for the commonly used Horvitz–Thompson estimator. Real data as well as illustrative examples show that representative samples are obtained and that the variance of the Horvitz–Thompson estimator is reduced compared with simple random sampling.
The Missing‐Desires Objection to Hybrid Theories of Well‐Being
Authors: Lauinger William
Published: June 2013

Many philosophers have claimed that we might do well to adopt a hybrid theory of well‐being: a theory that incorporates both an objective‐value constraint and a pro‐attitude constraint. Hybrid theories are attractive for two main reasons. First, unlike desire theories of well‐being, hybrid theories need not worry about the problem of defective desires. This is so because, unlike desire theories, hybrid theories place an objective‐value constraint on well‐being. Second, unlike objectivist theories of well‐being, hybrid theories need not worry about being overly alienating. This is so because, unlike objectivist theories, hybrid theories place a pro‐attitude constraint on well‐being. However, from the point of view of objectivists, hybrid theories are not objectivist enough, and this can be seen clearly in missing‐desires cases. For instance, hybrid theories entail that, if someone lacks the desire for health, then health is not a component of her well‐being. This, objectivists say, is implausible. It is obvious, objectivists say, that someone's life goes better for herself inasmuch as she is healthy, and, hence, that health is a component of her welfare. This paper focuses on the missing‐desires objection (as leveled by objectivists) to hybrid theories of well‐being. My argument is that the missing‐desires objection can be answered in a way that is generally convincing and, in particular, in a way that pays a good deal of respect to objectivist intuitions about well‐being. My hope, then, is that this paper will help to persuade objectivists about well‐being to become hybrid theorists.
Effect of a school environment intervention on adolescent adiposity and physical fitness
Authors: Christiansen L. B. , Toftager M. , Boyle E. , Kristensen P. L. , Troelsen J.
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intervention targeting the physical and organizational school environment for noncurricular physical activity (SPACE) on adiposity, aerobic fitness, and musculo‐skeletal strength in Danish adolescents. The study used a cluster randomized controlled design. Fourteen schools and 1348 adolescents aged 11–14 years were included at baseline. Seven schools were randomized to the intervention, which was designed to change the organizational and physical environment of the school. The analysis revealed no significant differences between the adolescents in the intervention group compared to the comparison group after a 2‐year follow‐up. Adjusted for baseline, sex, age, and clustering within schools, the difference between the intervention schools compared to the comparison schools was 6 m in the shuttle run test [95% confidence interval (CI): −21; 33], 0.2 cm in waist circumference (95% CI: −2.6; 3.1), and −1.1 kg in handgrip strength (95% CI: −2.2; −0.1). The results did not provide evidence for the effect of the intervention on adiposity, aerobic fitness, or musculo‐skeletal strength in adolescents. Reasons for not finding an effect could be related to both the design and the implementation of the intervention.
Changes in Americans’ Views of Prayer and Reading the Bible in Public Schools: Time Periods, Birth Cohorts, and Religious Traditions
Authors: Schwadel Philip
Published: June 2013

I use repeated cross‐sectional survey data spanning the years 1974 to 2010 to examine changes in Americans’ views of prayer and reading the Bible in public schools. Results from logistic regression models show that support for prayer and reading the Bible in public schools was relatively high in the 1970s and that differences between evangelical Protestants and both Catholics and mainline Protestants grew from the 1970s to the first decade of the twenty‐first century. Hierarchical age‐period‐cohort models demonstrate that changes in support for school prayer are due to both period and birth cohort changes, that baby boom cohorts are relatively likely to oppose prayer and reading the Bible in school, and that growing differences in support for prayer and reading the Bible in school between evangelical Protestants and both Catholics and mainline Protestants are predominantly due to changes across birth cohorts. Although religious liberals and conservatives have become more alike in many ways, evangelical Protestants have diverged from affiliates of other major religious traditions in their support for prayer in public schools. These results are relevant to debates regarding the social impact of religious affiliation, generational differences, and Americans’ views of the role of religion in the public sphere.
Developmental Trajectories of Sympathy, Moral Emotion Attributions, and Moral Reasoning: The Role of Parental Support
Authors: Malti Tina , Eisenberg Nancy , Kim Hyunji , Buchmann Marlis
Published: June 2013

We examined the role of parental support to children's sympathy, moral emotion attribution, and moral reasoning trajectories in a three‐wave longitudinal study of Swiss children at 6 years of age (N = 175; Time 1), 7 years of age (Time 2), and 9 years of age (Time 3). Sympathy was assessed with self‐report measures. Moral emotion attributions and moral reasoning were measured with children's responses to hypothetical moral transgressions. Parental support was assessed at all assessment points with primary caregiver and child reports. Three trajectory classes of sympathy were identified: high‐stable, average‐increasing, and low‐stable. Moral emotion attributions exhibited high‐stable, increasing, and decreasing trajectories. Moral reasoning displayed high‐stable, increasing, and low‐stable trajectories. Children who were in the high‐stable sympathy group had higher self‐reported support than children in the increasing and low‐stable trajectory groups. Children who were in the high‐stable moral emotion attribution group or the high‐stable moral reasoning group had higher primary caregiver‐reported support than children in the corresponding increasing trajectory groups. Furthermore, children who were members of the high‐stable group in all three moral development variables (i.e., sympathy, moral emotion attribution, and moral reasoning) displayed higher levels of self‐reported parental support than children who were not.
Do Peers Contribute to the Achievement Gap between Vietnamese‐American and Mexican‐American Adolescents?
Authors: Duong Mylien T. , Schwartz David , McCarty Carolyn A.
Published: June 2013

Documented associations between academic and social functioning have been inconsistent. These discrepancies may reflect the moderating role of sociocultural context. In this study, we examined ethnicity and gender as moderators of this relation. We collected peer nominations, GPA from school records, and self‐report questionnaires for 519 Vietnamese‐American and Mexican‐American middle school students (mean age = 12.7 years). Using general linear modeling, we found that academic and social functioning were more strongly and positively linked for Vietnamese‐Americans relative to Mexican‐Americans, and for girls relative to boys. We also examined group differences in achievement values, and found that Vietnamese‐Americans were more likely to admire and be friends with high‐achieving peers. The results suggest that peers provide one context in which ethnic and gender differences in achievement values emerge, and interventions aimed at reducing the achievement gap may benefit from incorporating a focus on peers.
Understanding the Self Through Siblings: Self‐awareness Mediates the Sibling Effect on Social Understanding
Authors: Taumoepeau Mele , Reese Elaine
Published: June 2013

This study addresses the role of sibling influence on social understanding in the second year of life, in a sample of families living inNewZealand who identify asPacificIsland (N= 43). We tested toddlers at 20 and 26 months on social understanding tasks, as well as their levels of self‐awareness on theStipek self‐concept questionnaire. We hypothesized that the presence of siblings provides a rich resource from which to learn about the mind. There were significant differences in children's social understanding and self‐awareness as a function of having older siblings. Further analyses revealed that the relation between older siblings and social understanding was mediated by toddlers' level of self‐awareness.
How Mood and Task Complexity Affect Children's Recognition of Others' Emotions
Authors: Cummings Andrew J. , Rennels Jennifer L.
Published: June 2013

Previous studies examined how mood affects children's accuracy in matching emotional expressions and labels (label‐based tasks). This study was the first to assess how induced mood (positive, neutral, or negative) influenced five‐ to eight‐year‐olds' accuracy and reaction time using both context‐based tasks, which required inferring a character's emotion from a vignette, and label‐based tasks. Both tasks required choosing one of four facial expressions to respond. Children responded more accurately to label‐based questions relative to context‐based questions at the age of five to seven, but showed no differences at the age of eight, and when the emotional expression being identified was happiness, sadness, or surprise, but not disgust. For the context‐based questions, children were more accurate at inferring sad and disgusted emotions compared with happy and surprised emotions. Induced positive mood facilitated five‐year‐olds' processing (decreased reaction time) in both tasks compared with induced negative and neutral moods. Results demonstrate how task type and children's mood influence children's emotion processing at different ages.
Experimental comparison of pathogenic potential of two sibling species Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii in Wistar rat
Authors: del Carmen Romero María , Valero Adela , Navarro‐Moll María Concepción , Martín‐Sánchez Joaquina
Published: June 2013

Objectives

There are little data available on the pathology caused by the sibling species Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii. The differences shown in their ability to penetrate the muscle of fish may also be manifested in humans. The purpose of this study is to confirm possible differences in pathogenicity between A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii using an experimental model which simulates infection in humans.

Methods

Female Wistar rats were infected with 190 Anisakis type I L3 larvae from the Iberian coastline. After the animal was sacrificed, these L3 larvae were then recovered and identified via PCR‐RFLP of the ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2. A logistic regression analysis was performed searching for association between experimental pathogenic potential and species.

Results

The distribution of A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii between Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of the Iberian Peninsula showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) which were not observed in the hybrid genotypes (P > 0.3). 21.6% showed pathogenic potential, interpreted as the capacity of the larvae to cause lesions, stick to the gastrointestinal wall or penetrate it. The species variable showed association with the pathogenic role of the larva (P = 0.008). Taking A. simplex s.s. as our reference, the OR for A. pegreffii is 0.351 (P = 0.028).

Conclusions

Despite this difference, A. pegreffii is also capable of causing anisakiasis, being responsible for 14.3% of the penetrations of the gastric mucosa found in rats, which justifies both species being considered aetiologic agents of this parasitic disorder.
A review of the effects of crop agronomy on the management of Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: Lutman P J W , Moss S R , Cook S , Welham S J
Published: June 2013

This study reviews 52 field experiments, mostly from the UK, studying the effects of cultivation techniques, sowing date, crop density and cultivar choice on Alopecurus myosuroides infestations in cereal crops. Where possible, a statistical meta‐analysis has been used to calculate average responses to the various cultural practices and to estimate their variability. In 25 experiments, mouldboard ploughing prior to sowing winter cereals reduced A. myosuroides populations by an average of 69%, compared with non‐inversion tillage. Delaying drilling from September to the end of October decreased weed plant densities by approximately 50%. Sowing wheat in spring achieved an 88% reduction in A. myosuroides plant densities compared with autumn sowing. Increasing winter wheat crop density above 100 plants m−2 had no effect on weed plant numbers, but reduced the number of heads m−2 by 15% for every additional increase in 100 crop plants, up to the highest density tested (350 wheat plants m−2). Choosing more competitive cultivars could decrease A. myosuroides heads m−2 by 22%. With all cultural practices, outcomes were highly variable and effects inconsistent. Farmers are more likely to adopt cultural measures and so reduce their reliance on herbicides, if there were better predictions of likely outcomes at the individual field level.
Extreme variation in the reproductive phenology of the weed Ruellia nudiflora
Authors: Munguía‐Rosas M A , Parra‐Tabla V , Montiel S
Published: June 2013

Temporal variation in morphological and life‐history traits is directly linked to phenotypic plasticity in perennial plants. Phenotypic plasticity in reproductive phenology determines colonisation ability and population persistence in invasive weeds. We describe the reproductive phenology of Ruellia nudiflora (a cleistogamous weed) and assess the plasticity of its response to between‐year environmental variation in two contrasting light environments. We recorded the flower and fruit production of focal plants under two experimental levels of light intensity (open vs. shaded) over two years. Our results suggest that light differentially affects the phenology of reproductive structures, but not between‐year variation. Specifically, individual production of chasmogamous structures (flowers and fruit) ended earlier under shaded conditions than in the open, whilst production of cleistogamous fruits was not affected. At the population level, there was between‐year variation in the phenology of chasmogamous structures, which were bimodal and unimodal in the first and second year respectively. At the individual level, we found very low repeatability, suggesting high levels of phenotypic plasticity. Temporal variation in rainfall did not explain phenological variation. Although shade did not affect between‐year variation, it produced a briefer period of production of chasmogamous structures. This effect of shade may have some consequences for the genetic background of R. nudiflora's progeny, because only chasmogamous flowers can be out‐crossed, and this therefore might be an important factor to consider when designing management strategies.
Shifting Agendas, Evolving Coalitions: Advocating for Immigrant Worker Rights in Houston
Authors: Gleeson Shannon
Published: June 2013

This article examines how labor advocates in Houston, Texas, have moved beyond traditional union organizing and individual lawyering to create a wide menu of claims‐making options for low‐wage Latino immigrant workers. I examine four such moments of immigrant worker advocacy: shepherding workers through the federal bureaucracy for workplace protections, legitimating new local institutions for claims‐making, deploying direct action to force employers into compliance, and lastly lobbying for municipal policy change to strengthen penalties for wage theft. Each of these options relies on a coalition that brokers the relationship between aggrieved workers and the bureaucracies entrusted with enforcing their rights. These strategic alliances, I argue, are tenuous and at times antagonistic, but exceedingly necessary in a hostile political context such as Houston. Although they are dynamic and subject to change, these partnerships endure in the short run by defining member organizations' mutual needs for material resources and symbolic legitimacy.
Testing the Effects of Striker Replacement and Employer Implementation of Final Offers on Employer and Union Bargaining Power
Authors: Dannin Ellen , Wagar Terry , Singh Gangaram , Dean Michelle
Published: June 2013

Some important issues affecting the workplace cannot be studied directly for a number of reasons. For example, they may subject humans to unacceptable risks; theories may be tested before investing the time and money required for a full study; or funding may be more readily available for a novel investigation after investigators can show that an issue merits study. Simulations were used to compress time and collect enough data to permit robust statistical analysis. In this case, simulations were used to compress time and collect enough data to. Simulations are not without problems, the most important of which is how accurately they capture the collective bargaining issues being studied. This article examines whether the views and actions of the participants in our bargaining simulations reasonably reflect the conduct of actual bargainers. It finds that the participants in the simulation did take on their assigned roles. As a result, not only can this method be useful in exploring issues such as collective bargaining, but it can also potentially be useful for other social science issues.
Friction Loss and Wear in a Meso Scale Wankel Compressor
Authors: Zhang Yilin , Wang Wen
Published: June 2013

In a meso scale Wankel compressor, the surface-to-volume ratio and the contact surfaces with friction are larger compared with conventional scale Wankel compressor. The analysis of friction loss is highly important for the design of a meso scale Wankel compressor. In this paper, we comprehensively analyze seven kinds of friction losses of a meso scale Wankel compressor. The rationality of the friction losses equations is verified by the friction loss and wear experiments that are based on a Wankel compressor prototype (the dimension of prototype is about 40 × 50 × 24 mm). The two greatest contribution of total friction loss are from the friction loss between the seal apex and internal surface of the cylinder and that among the end face of the eccentric shaft, end faces of the rotor, and endplates to total friction loss. The most sensitive parameter is eccentric distance. The relative error between the simulation and experimental results is relatively small when motor speed lies within the common range of the compressor.
A method for removing arm backscatter from EPID images
Authors: King Brian W. , Greer Peter B.
Published: June 2013

Purpose:

To develop a method for removing the support arm backscatter from images acquired using current Varian electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs).

Methods:

The effect of arm backscatter on EPID images was modeled using a kernel convolution method. The parameters of the model were optimized by comparing on‐arm images to off‐arm images. The model was used to develop a method to remove the effect of backscatter from measured EPID images. The performance of the backscatter removal method was tested by comparing backscatter corrected on‐arm images to measured off‐arm images for 17 rectangular fields of different sizes and locations on the imager. The method was also tested using on‐ and off‐arm images from 42 intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) fields.

Results:

Images generated by the backscatter removal method gave consistently better agreement with off‐arm images than images without backscatter correction. For the 17 rectangular fields studied, the root mean square difference of in‐plane profiles compared to off‐arm profiles was reduced from 1.19% (standard deviation 0.59%) on average without backscatter removal to 0.38% (standard deviation 0.18%) when using the backscatter removal method. When comparing to the off‐arm images from the 42 IMRT fields, the mean γ and percentage of pixels with γ < 1 were improved by the backscatter removal method in all but one of the images studied. The mean γ value (1%, 1 mm) for the IMRT fields studied was reduced from 0.80 to 0.57 by using the backscatter removal method, while the mean γ pass rate was increased from 72.2% to 84.6%.

Conclusions:

A backscatter removal method has been developed to estimate the image acquired by the EPID without any arm backscatter from an image acquired in the presence of arm backscatter. The method has been shown to produce consistently reliable results for a wide range of field sizes and jaw configurations.
Violet-blue- or pure-blue-emitting triphenylamine derivatives: synthesis and properties
Authors: Wu Zhi-Ping , Liu Gui-Jun , Zhu Cai-Cai , Li Zhi-Mei , Gao Xi-Cun , Cao Qian-Yong
Published: June 2013

We report the synthesis and optoelectronic properties of a series of nine triphenylamine derivatives. They were synthesized by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions and characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet visible absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and cyclic voltammetry. All compounds exhibit reversibly electrochemical behavior. In solid state, compounds 5 and 9 emit near violet blue and compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 emit deep blue or pure blue and compound 3 emits green. Of all of these compounds, compounds 1, 3, 4, and 8 exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields (44%–68%) with the best coplanarity. Compared with them, compounds 5 and 9 have the lowest fluorescence quantum yields due to the least coplanarity. With the similarity in structure with those reported in literature, these compounds can be potentially useful for blue-emitting, host, and up-converting materials.
Rheological and chemical characteristics of warm mix asphalt binders at intermediate and low performance temperatures
Authors: Xiao Feipeng , Punith V.S. , Amirkhanian Serji N. , Putman Bradley J.
Published: June 2013

Warm asphalt has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years around the world due to many reasons including the energy reductions and environmental benefits. In the present study, the objective was to conduct a laboratory investigation of rheological properties of eight binders with four non-foaming warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives at intermediate and low performance temperatures in terms of Superpave low temperature test criteria. The conventional testing procedures such as dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR) test as well as specific Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to determine the influences of non-foaming additives on asphalt binders after a long-term aging procedure. The test results indicated that the binder type and source play key roles in determining the G*sin δ values of WMA binders with the non-foaming WMA additive. All eight binders containing Sasobit generally have higher creep stiffness values compared to the binders with other WMA additives. The FTIR tests illustrated that the absorbance of the C-O stretch and C-H bend regions of the WMA binders after a short and long-term aging procedure can be considered similar. Moreover, the WMA binders generally exhibit better performance properties than control binders at intermediate and low temperatures after a long-term aging procedure. Furthermore, FTIR analysis results indicate that the binder type and source play important roles in determining the rheological properties of WMA binders.
Combined effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on otolith chemistry: implications for environmental reconstructions
Authors: Barnes Thomas C. , Gillanders Bronwyn M.
Published: June 2013

Otolith chemistry is widely used to understand patterns of fish movement and habitat use, with significant progress made in understanding the influence of environmental factors on otolith elemental uptake. However, few studies consider the interactive effect that environmental and genetic influences have on otolith chemistry. This study assessed the influence of salinity, temperature, and genetics on the incorporation of three key elements (strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and magnesium (Mg)) into the otoliths of two discrete stocks of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) fingerlings reared in captivity. Elemental analysis via laser ablation inductively coupled – plasma mass spectrometry found that stock (genetics) had a significant interactive effect on otolith Sr:Ca (salinity × temperature × stock) and Ba:Ca (salinity × stock), but did not affect Mg:Ca incorporation. Mg:Ca showed a positive relationship with temperature for both stocks. The incorporation of some elements into the otoliths of fish is the result of complex interactions between extrinsic and intrinsic factors. These findings highlight the necessity to also consider stock along with environmental variables when using trace elemental signatures to reconstruct the environmental histories of fish.