bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Radiographic Comparison between Platform‐Shifted and Nonplatform‐Shifted Implant: A One‐Year Prospective Study
Authors: Glibert Maarten , Vervaeke Stijn , De Bruyn Hugo , Östman Pär‐Olov
Published: September 2014

Background

Developments in implant hardware and biologic understanding improved treatment predictability in terms of implant survival. Current research focuses on accelerated loading protocols and crestal bone preservation.

Purpose

This prospective, monocenter study analyzed the clinical and radiographic outcome of a novel parallel‐walled implant, with and without platform shift.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐eight consecutively treated patients (30 women, 18 men) with crowns/bridges supported by 115 implants were included. Eighty‐three percent of implants were nonocclusal, immediately loaded, and 17% were subjected to one‐stage surgery and delayed loading after 10 weeks; 39.1% were of diameter 5.0 mm, enabling platform shifting with a 4.0 mm‐wide prosthetic component; 60.9% were of diameter 4.0 mm with a 4.0 mm component. Radiographic crestal bone levels were assessed at baseline and 1 year. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed to determine factors affecting crestal bone loss after 1 year.

Results

All implants survived and mean marginal bone loss was 0.73 mm (SD: 0.13; range: −0.60 to 5.0 mm). There was a statistically significant difference between platform‐shifted (0.63 mm; SD: 0.18) and nonplatform‐shifted (1.02 mm; SD: 0.14) implants. Implants in abundant bone volume lost significant less crestal bone (0.45 mm; SD: 0.14) compared with implants in small volume (1.20 mm; SD: 0.21). Implant diameter, loading time, anatomical position, smoking, and bone quality did not affect crestal bone loss.

Conclusion

After 1 year of loading, both implant‐prosthetic features yield a high survival and limited crestal bone loss. Crestal bone loss is minimized using platform‐shifted implants placed in sufficiently voluminous bone. To limit the crestal bone loss, an adopted implant diameter with platform shifting should be considered.
Depth and lateral deviations in guided implant surgery: an RCT comparing guided surgery with mental navigation or the use of a pilot‐drill template
Authors: Vercruyssen M. , Coucke W. , Naert I. , Jacobs R. , Teughels W. , Quirynen M.
Published: September 2014

Aim

To assess the accuracy of guided surgery compared with mental navigation or the use of a pilot‐drill template in fully edentulous patients.

Material and methods

Sixty consecutive patients (72 jaws), requiring four to six implants (maxilla or mandible), were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment modalities: Materialise Universal® mucosa, Materialise Universal® bone, Facilitate™ mucosa, Facilitate™ bone, mental navigation, or a pilot‐drill template. Accuracy was assessed by matching the planning CT with a postoperative CBCT. Deviations were registered in a vertical (depth) and horizontal (lateral) plane. The latter further subdivided into BL (bucco‐lingual) and MD (mesio‐distal) deviations.

Results

The overall mean vertical deviation for the guided surgery groups was 0.9 mm ± 0.8 (range: 0.0–3.7) and 0.9 mm ± 0.6 (range: 0.0–2.9) in a horizontal direction. For the non‐guided groups, this was 1.7 mm ± 1.3 (range: 0.0–6.4) and 2.1 mm ± 1.4 (range 0.0–8.5), respectively (P < 0.05). The overall mean deviation for the guided surgery groups in MD direction was 0.6 mm ± 0.5 (range: 0.0–2.5) and 0.5 mm ± 0.5 (range: 0.0–2.9) in BL direction. For the non‐guided groups, this was 1.8 mm ± 1.4 (range: 0.0–8.3) and 0.7 mm ± 0.6 (range 0.0–2.9), respectively. The deviation in MD direction was significantly higher in the non‐guided groups (P = 0.0002).

Conclusion

The most important inaccuracy with guided surgery is in vertical direction (depth). The inaccuracy in MD or BL direction is clearly less. For non‐guided surgery, the inaccuracy is significantly higher.
Protein Kinase C is Essential for Kainate‐Induced Anxiety‐Related Behavior and Glutamatergic Synapse Upregulation in Prelimbic Cortex
Authors: Liu Bei , Feng Jing , Wang Jin‐Hui
Published: September 2014

Aim

Anxiety is one of common mood disorders, in which the deficit of serotonergic and GABAergic synaptic functions in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex is believed to be involved. The pathological changes at the glutamatergic synapses and neurons in these brain regions as well as their underlying mechanisms remain elusive, which we aim to investigate.

Methods

An agonist of kainate‐type glutamate receptors, kainic acid, was applied to induce anxiety‐related behaviors. The morphology and functions of glutamatergic synapses in the prelimbic region of mouse prefrontal cortex were analyzed using cellular imaging and electrophysiology.

Results

After kainate‐induced anxiety is onset, the signal transmission at the glutamatergic synapses is upregulated, and the dendritic spine heads are enlarged. In terms of the molecular mechanisms, the upregulated synaptic plasticity is associated with the expression of more protein kinase C (PKC) in the dendritic spines. Chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, reverses kainate‐induced anxiety and anxiety‐related glutamatergic synapse upregulation.

Conclusion

The activation of glutamatergic kainate‐type receptors leads to anxiety‐related behaviors and glutamatergic synapse upregulation through protein kinase C in the prelimbic region of the mouse prefrontal cortex.
A comparison of rectal, oesophageal and gastro‐intestinal tract temperatures during moderate‐intensity cycling in temperate and hot conditions
Authors: Mündel Toby , Carter James M. , Wilkinson David M. , Jones David A.
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare three of the most commonly used methods of core temperature (Tcore) measurement during cycling under different environmental conditions as there are practical problems associated with each method and, sometimes, uncertainty as to which is the appropriate measure. Eight trained males (O2max: 60 ± 7 ml kg−1 min−1) completed two 60‐min cycling trials at ~70% O2max at 20°C (MOD) and 35°C (HOT). Measures of Tcore were made every 5 min with oesophageal (Toes) and rectal (Trec) thermistors and of the gastro‐intestinal tract temperature (Tgi) with a temperature‐sensitive disposable radio pill. During MOD Toes initially plateaued after 10 min, Tgi after 25 min and Trec after 50 min, whereas during HOT these times had increased to 25 min for Toes and 55 min for both Tgi and Trec. Toes consistently provided lower readings than Trec (0·24–0·26°C) and Tgi (0·26–0·28°C) with Tgi and Trec similar (0·02°C). Readings for Tgi displayed closer agreement with Trec (ICC = 0·92) than Toes (ICC = 0·86) with less agreement between Trec and Toes (ICC = 0·84). 95% of all Tgi readings were within ±0·5°C of Trec and within ±0·6°C of Toes with 95% of all Toes readings being within ±0·7°C of Trec. These results demonstrate distinct response times, absolute values and agreement between Tcore measured at different body locations under different ambient conditions. Implications and considerations are discussed.
Safe and efficient colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection in European settings: Is successful implementation of the procedure possible?
Authors: Spychalski Michal , Dziki Adam
Published: September 2014

Background and Aim

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is gaining worldwide recognition as valuable alternative to treat early colorectal neoplasia. Although the method is perceived as technically difficult and carries a higher risk of complications than conventional endoscopy, the oncological results are very promising. Herein we aim to present the treatment outcomes of ESD for lesions in the colon and rectum at the beginning of our learning curve.

Methods

Seventy consecutive cases of colorectal ESD carried out in our center between June 2013 and May 2014 were analyzed. Effectiveness of dissection, complications and tumor recurrence after 3 months of treatment were investigated.

Results

Of the 70 ESD procedures, 39 were in the rectum, 10 in the sigmoid, eight in the descending colon, six in the ascending colon and seven in the cecum. Average size of removed tumors was 38.1 mm. In 50 cases, en‐block resection was achieved. In this group, 97% cases were R0 resection. Perforation occurred in four cases (5.7%) of which three were managed with endoclips. In four cases, significant bleeding occurred. In a follow‐up examination, two of 41 patients (4.9%) had recurrent adenoma that was successfully endoscopically removed.

Conclusions

The results confirm that ESD is an effective and safe modality for treatment of colorectal epithelial neoplasia in the colon and rectum even at the beginning of the learning curve. After proper training, results in Europe and Japan may be comparable.
YOUTH DEPRESSION AND FUTURE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Authors: Anderson D. Mark , Cesur Resul , Tekin Erdal
Published: September 2014

While the contemporaneous association between mental health problems and criminal behavior has been explored in the literature, the long‐term consequences of such problems, depression in particular, have received much less attention. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we examine the effect of depression during adolescence on the probability of engaging in a number of criminal behaviors later in life. In our analysis, we control for a rich set of individual‐, family‐, and neighborhood‐level factors to account for conditions that may be correlated with both childhood depression and adult criminality. One novelty in our approach is the estimation of school and sibling fixed effects models to account for unobserved heterogeneity at the neighborhood and family levels. Furthermore, we exploit the longitudinal nature of our data set to account for baseline differences in criminal behavior. The empirical estimates show that adolescents who suffer from depression face a substantially increased probability of engaging in property crime. We find little evidence that adolescent depression predicts the likelihood of engaging in violent crime or the selling of illicit drugs. Our estimates imply that the lower‐bound economic cost of property crime associated with adolescent depression is approximately 227 million dollars per year. (JEL I10, K42)
The effect of the dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 on tumour growth and osteolytic bone disease in multiple myeloma
Authors: Gan Zhen Ying , Fitter Stephen , Vandyke Kate , To Luen B. , Zannettino Andrew C.W. , Martin Sally K.
Published: September 2014

The plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma (MM) is unique among haematological malignancies in its capacity to cause osteoclast‐mediated skeletal destruction. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway mediates proliferation, survival and drug resistance in MM plasma cells and is also involved in regulating the formation and activity of bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. NVP‐BEZ235 is a dual pan class I PI3K and mTOR inhibitor that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in several tumour settings. In this study, we examined the anti‐tumorigenic effects of BEZ235 in an immunocompetent mouse model of MM and assessed the effects of BEZ235 on osteoblast and osteoclast formation and function. BEZ235 treatment (50 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in serum paraprotein and tumour burden, and μCT analysis of the proximal tibia revealed a significant reduction in the number of osteolytic bone lesions in BEZ235‐treated animals. Levels of the serum osteoblast marker P1NP were significantly higher in BEZ235‐treated animals, while levels of the osteoclast marker TRAcP5 were reduced. In vitro, BEZ235 decreased MM plasma cell proliferation, osteoclast formation and function and promoted osteoblast formation and function. These findings suggest that, in addition to its anti‐tumour properties, BEZ235 could be useful in treating osteolytic bone disease in MM patients.
Epilepsy prevalence and socioeconomic deprivation in England
Authors: Steer Samuel , Pickrell William O. , Kerr Michael P. , Thomas Rhys H.
Published: September 2014

Objective

Epilepsy is more prevalent in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation; however, the factors that comprise this deprivation are not understood. We aimed to investigate the association between epilepsy, individual elements of deprivation, and geographic region in order to identify modifiable elements.

Methods

Epilepsy prevalence was calculated via retrospective analysis of data recorded by general practitioners via the Quality and Outcomes Framework. The Index of Multiple Deprivation scores at Local Authority level for the entire population of England was employed. Epilepsy prevalence was evaluated for correlation against all seven indicators within the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Data were analyzed including and excluding the city of London.

Results

Of the 37,699,503 patients in this study, 304,331 were registered as having epilepsy (prevalence 8 per 1,000; range 4.3–11.6). Positive correlation was seen with total Index of Multiple Deprivation score (r = 0.468, p < 0.01); education skills and training (r = 0.665, p < 0.01); employment deprivation (r = 0.629, p < 0.01); health deprivation and disability (r = 0.617, p < 0.01); income deprivation (r = 0.358, p < 0.01); crime (r = 0.232, p < 0.01); but not living environment (r = 0.079, p = 0.08). Negative correlation was seen between epilepsy prevalence and barriers to housing and services (r = −0.415, p < 0.01). When the data were analyzed excluding London, all correlations were strengthened. Epilepsy prevalence in adults varies by 2.5‐fold across England, from 4.3 per 1,000 in Kensington and Chelsea to 11.6 per 1,000 in Blackpool.

Significance

This study shows a strong correlation between epilepsy prevalence and specific measures of socioeconomic deprivation. Many of these deprivation factors are potentially remediable. We hypothesize that people with epilepsy may move into urban areas and toward their general practitioner. This predominantly means an urban location but avoiding areas where the cost of living—particularly housing—is prohibitive, such as central London. The existing negative impact of epilepsy on employment and higher education may be exacerbated when people with epilepsy live in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation.
Mexican American College Students' Communication with Their Siblings
Authors: Killoren Sarah E. , Alfaro Edna C. , Lindell Anna K. , Streit Cara
Published: September 2014

This study examined method and frequency of sibling communication among Mexican American college students (N = 186) and associations between relationship quality and sibling communication. Findings revealed that siblings were most likely to communicate face‐to‐face and by text and least likely to communicate using video chat and e‐mail. Further, sisters were more likely than brothers to call and text one another, and sisters communicated more frequently than older brother–younger sister dyads. Familism moderated the relation between sibling intimacy and frequency of communication, showing a stronger positive association for those with low (compared to high) familism values. Our findings reveal that values central to the importance of family and orientations to Mexican culture are protective for maintaining sibling communication when siblings report negativity in their relationships. Results highlight the need to consider sibling structural characteristics and the cultural context when studying relationship dynamics among Mexican American college students and their siblings.
Postdivorce Coparenting Typologies and Children's Adjustment
Authors: Beckmeyer Jonathon J. , Coleman Marilyn , Ganong Lawrence H.
Published: September 2014

The authors performed a cluster analysis on data from 270 divorced or separated parents to classify their perceived coparental relationship with their ex‐spouse and test if parents' perceptions of their children's postdivorce adjustment differed based on their perceptions of their postdivorce coparental relationship. The cluster analysis resulted in three types of coparenting relationships: cooperative and involved, moderately engaged, and infrequent but conflictual. Despite the expectation that children fare better if their divorced parents' develop a cooperative coparenting relationship, the authors found that parents' reports of their children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors and their social skills did not significantly differ by type of postdivorce coparental relationships. Results, therefore, suggest that the direct influence of postdivorce coparenting on children's adjustment may not as robust as predicted in the literature.
Relationship between quality of root canal obturation and periapical lesion in elderly patients: a systematic review
Authors: Rutz da Silva Fabrício , Padilha Edna Zakrzevski , Cândido Valéria Silva , Cavassim Rodrigo , Pereira Antonio Carlos , Hebling Eduardo
Published: September 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between quality of root canal obturations and the presence/absence of periapical lesion in elderly patients.

Methodology

This was a systematic conducted by means analysing studies on the quality of root canal obturations and their relationship with periapical health in elderly patients. The methodological procedures were based on Cochrane. The inclusion criteria for selection of the titles were the following: (i) studies in humans; (ii) sample consisting of individuals aged 60 years or older; (iii) intending criteria defined for the evaluation of quality of root canal obturations; (iv) intending criteria defined for the evaluation of periapical health; (v) determination of the relationship between quality of endodontic treatment and presence of periapical lesions; and (vi) articles published between 1st March 2003 and 1st March 2013.

Results

A total of 3161 potentially relevant studies were found in three databases chosen for the literature review, with 1669 being repeated and 395 duplicated. Therefore, the abstracts of 1097 studies were read. A total of 1022 studies were excluded, resulting in 75 articles for full analysis. However, no study could be included in the present literature review.

Conclusion

There is no consensus on the relationship between the quality of root canal obturations and periapical health in older patients.
Falling and fall risk factors in adults with haemophilia: an exploratory study
Authors: Sammels M. , Vandesande J. , Vlaeyen E. , Peerlinck K. , Milisen K.
Published: September 2014

Falls are a particular risk in persons with haemophilia (PWH) because of damaged joints, high risk of bleeding, possible impact on the musculoskeletal system and functioning and costs associated with treatment for these fall‐related injuries. In addition, fall risk increases with age and PWH are increasingly entering the over 65 age group. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of falls during the past year and to explore which fall risk factors are present in community‐dwelling PWH. Dutch speaking community‐dwelling adults were included from the age of 40 years with severe or moderate haemophilia A or B, independent in their mobility and registered at the University Hospitals Leuven. They were asked to come to the haemophilia centre; otherwise a telephone survey was conducted. Demographic and social variables, medical variables, fall evaluation and clinical variables were queried. From the 89 PWH, 74 (83.1%) participated in the study. Twenty‐four (32.4%) fell in the past year, and 10 of them (41.7%) more than once with an average of four falls. Living conditions, physical activity, avoidance of winter sports due to fear of falling, orthopaedic status, urinary incontinence and mobility impairments are potential fall risk factors in adult PWH. This exploratory study indicates that PWH are attentive to falling since they are at higher risk for falls and because of the serious consequences it might have. Screening and fall prevention should be stimulated in the daily practice of haemophilia care.
Prolonged survival by combined treatment with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor in a rat small‐for‐size liver transplantation model
Authors: Hsu Li‐Wen , Nakano Toshiaki , Huang Kuang‐Tzu , Chen Chien‐Chih , Chen Kuang‐Den , Lai Chia‐Yun , Yang Shih‐Ming , Lin Chih‐Che , Wang Chih‐Chi , Cheng Yu‐Fan , Chiu King‐Wah , Kuo Yur‐Ren , Goto Shigeru , Chen Chao‐Long
Published: September 2014

Aim

Despite the great advances and excellent outcomes of liver transplantation (LT), small‐for‐size (SFS) graft syndrome is a life‐threatening complication that remains to be overcome. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of combined treatment with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) inhibitor on SFS liver graft syndrome.

Methods

The transplantation of small‐sized Lewis donor livers into green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic Wistar rats was performed and the recipients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (without treatment, DPP‐IV inhibitor treatment, G‐CSF treatment and G‐CSF/DPP‐IV inhibitor combination). Recombinant human G‐CSF was injected s.c. at a dose of 2 μg/kg per day starting 5 days prior to transplantation. G‐CSF was combined with the p.o. administration of a DPP‐IV inhibitor (2 mg/kg per day) after transplantation until the end of the observation period.

Results

The post‐transplant survival and liver function of rats treated with G‐CSF/DPP‐IV inhibitor combination therapy were significantly improved with an increased number of recipient‐derived GFP positive cells into the liver grafts. A confocal microscopy study showed cytokeratin (CK)‐18 and GFP positive hepatic progenitor cells in the parenchyma of the liver allografts. Untreated rats and rats treated with either G‐CSF or DPP‐IV inhibitor did not exhibit the prolonged survival and had less GFP and CK‐18 positive cells in the liver grafts after SFS LT.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that combined treatment with G‐CSF and DPP‐IV inhibitor may synergistically induce migration and differentiation of recipient‐derived stem cells into the hepatic progenitor cells, resulting in the amelioration of SFS liver graft syndrome.
Is Money Enough?: The Effect of Migrant Remittances on Parental Aspirations and Youth Educational Attainment in Rural Mexico
Authors: Sawyer Adam
Published: September 2014

This research compares remittance-receiving families in rural Mexico to non-remittance receiving households in terms of how the presence of this financial source relates to variation in parent educational aspirations for their children and youth enrollment and completion at the non-compulsory upper secondary schooling level. Using multivariate analysis of a comprehensive survey collected in a significant migrant-sending state, no evidence is found of a remittance effect on the selected outcomes. Rather, other socio-demographic background factors — namely, maternal education levels and to a lesser extent household wealth — are the factors most associated with variation in these educational outcomes. Implications for migration and education public policy and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Social Position and Place-Protective Action in a New Immigration Context: Understanding Anti-Mosque Campaigns in Catalonia
Authors: Astor Avi
Published: September 2014

This article examines the structural conditions and cultural narratives underlying the high frequency and intensity of anti-mosque campaigns in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Drawing on Blumer's theory of prejudice as a sense of group position, as it has been elaborated and extended to multi-ethnic settings by subsequent scholarship, I contend that local reactions to mosques in Catalonia have been shaped by context-specific configurations of identity and urban space. I show how longstanding socio-economic and cultural divisions within Catalonia's native population, as well as the inscription of these divisions within the spatial ordering of the region, have heightened feelings of threat elicited by the large-scale arrival of Muslim immigrants to working-class neighborhoods in recent years. In advancing this argument, I build on the insights of geographers and urban sociologists to develop a spatially sensitive understanding of social position and perceived group threat that considers the importance of place identities and the interaction between distinct registers of territorial belonging.
Competing for Talent: Diffusion of An Innovation in New Zealand's Immigration Policy
Authors: Bedford Richard , Spoonley Paul
Published: September 2014

In 2003, New Zealand introduced a novel “expression of interest” (EOI) system for selecting skilled migrants. In 2012, Australia adopted a similar approach while the Canadian government is proposing to adopt a variant of the EOI system in 2015. From being a follower of Canadian and Australian immigration policy initiatives, New Zealand has become the innovator. This paper examines the reasons for this significant policy shift and reviews some outcomes of the EOI system during the first decade of operation. As the international competition for talent intensifies, such policy innovation is essential if countries are going to attract skilled migrants.
Tax without Design: Recent Developments in UK Tax Policy
Authors: Johnson Paul
Published: September 2014

This paper considers the development of tax policy in the UK over the last decade or so and assesses policy change against a low bar – consistency and coherence. While this government has followed some consistent policies – notably, in some aspects of corporation tax and in increasing the income tax personal allowance – there are few signs of a wider coherent strategy. The same has been true of other recent governments. Many aspects of the system have become more complex. There have been numerous policy reversals. And few of those aspects of the system in most need of reform have been tackled. The need for reform, and a clear strategy for reform, remain as pressing as ever.
“Silence and Cowardice” at the University of Michigan: World War I and the Pursuit of Un-American Faculty
Authors: Cain Timothy Reese
Published: September 2014

In September 1915, Minne Allen traveled from her native Germany to the United States, where her new husband Edward was set to begin a position as math instructor in the University of Michigan's College of Engineering. Although Minne was nervous about moving from cosmopolitan Berlin to a small college town and worried about the war ravaging Europe, she was excited to begin her married life. Four years later, the University of Michigan Board of Regents initiated dismissal proceedings against her husband, alleging that he had supported Germany in the recently concluded war. Even before Edward's removal, Minne had grown tired of the constant suspicion and surveillance that the university and her hyper-patriotic neighbors forced her and her husband to endure. She wrote to her mother:

The unwillingness to subscribe voluntarily to the purchase of war bonds was and is still enough to dismiss an employee, especially if he is an independently thinking and acting employee who dares openly to criticize and to make suggestions for an honorable government policy and to work for peace and reconciliation…. Forced by many considerations, the educational institutions, which should have the greatest freedom of thought, have become places of silence and cowardice.
Local Equating Using the Rasch Model, the OPLM, and the 2PL IRT Model—or—What Is It Anyway if the Model Captures Everything There Is to Know About the Test Takers?
Authors: von Davier Matthias , B. Jorge González , von Davier Alina A.
Published: September 2014

Local equating (LE) is based on Lord's criterion of equity. It defines a family of true transformations that aim at the ideal of equitable equating. van der Linden (this issue) offers a detailed discussion of common issues in observed‐score equating relative to this local approach. By assuming an underlying item response theory model, one of the main features of LE is that it adjusts the equated raw scores using conditional distributions of raw scores given an estimate of the ability of interest. In this article, we argue that this feature disappears when using a Rasch model for the estimation of the true transformation, while the one‐parameter logistic model and the two‐parameter logistic model do provide a local adjustment of the equated score.
Statistical Models and Inference for the True Equating Transformation in the Context of Local Equating
Authors: B. Jorge González , von Davier Matthias
Published: September 2014

Based on Lord's criterion of equity of equating, van der Linden (this issue) revisits the so‐called local equating method and offers alternative as well as new thoughts on several topics including the types of transformations, symmetry, reliability, and population invariance appropriate for equating. A remarkable aspect is to define equating as a standard statistical inference problem in which the true equating transformation is the parameter of interest that has to be estimated and assessed as any standard evaluation of an estimator of an unknown parameter in statistics. We believe that putting equating methods in a general statistical model framework would be an interesting and useful next step in the area. van der Linden's conceptual article on equating is certainly an important contribution to this task.
Comments on “Some Conceptual Issues in Observed‐Score Equating” by Wim J. van der Linden
Authors: Bradlow Eric T.
Published: September 2014

The van der Linden article (this issue) provides a roadmap for future research in equating. My belief is that the roadmap begins and ends with collecting auxiliary data that can be utilized to provide improved equating, especially when data are sparse or equating beyond simple moments is desired.
More Issues in Observed‐Score Equating
Authors: van der Linden Wim J.
Published: September 2014

This article is a response to the commentaries on the position paper on observed‐score equating by van der Linden (this issue). The response focuses on the more general issues in these commentaries, such as the nature of the observed scores that are equated, the importance of test‐theory assumptions in equating, the necessity to use multiple equating transformations, and the choice of conditioning variables in equating.
A Study of Maltreated Children and Their Families in Juvenile Court. III. Case Plans
Authors: Karatekin Canan , Gehrman Richard , Lawler Jamie
Published: September 2014

We reviewed publicly available court records of 88 cases referred to juvenile court for maltreatment in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The goal of the current study was to examine the content of, and extent of compliance with, case plans. There was an average of 9.5 items per child on the case plan. About half the case plans did not address at least one presenting maltreatment type. Compliance was generally high for items ordered for the children, and for cases that ended in family preservation. However, information on compliance was not included in the court records for many of the items.
DOES EQUITY‐BASED COMPENSATION MAKE CEOS MORE ACQUISITIVE?
Authors: Boulton Thomas J. , Braga‐Alves Marcus V. , Schlingemann Frederik P.
Published: September 2014

Theory is conflicted on the impact of equity‐based compensation on managerial risk taking. We explore this issue by studying the relation between equity‐based compensation and firms' propensity to make acquisitions. Consistent with the notion that equity‐based compensation encourages managerial risk taking, we report a positive relation between equity‐based compensation and CEO acquisitiveness. Additionally, we find that the number of acquisitions, acquisition size, use of equity as payment, and propensity to acquire private firms are all positively associated with equity‐based compensation. Abnormal returns around acquisition announcements suggest that the impact of equity‐based compensation is not uniformly positive for acquiring‐firm shareholders.
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumor: A single‐center experience
Authors: Al‐Badawi Ismail A. , Abu‐Zaid Ahmed , Azzam Ayman , AlOmar Osama , AlHusaini Hamed , Amin Tarek
Published: September 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to retrospectively report our experience (efficacy/morbidity) with cytoreductive surgery+hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) for the management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCT).

Material and Methods

From 2010 to 2013, six patients underwent CRS+HIPEC. CRS was performed with standard peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections directed towards complete elimination of tumors from the abdominopelvic cavity. HIPEC was performed with cisplatin (50 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (15 mg/m2) and allowed to circulate in the abdominopelvic cavity for 90 min at 41.0–42.2°C.

Results

Cytoreduction completeness (CC‐0) was achieved in all except one patient (CC‐1). Five patients had OGCT recurrences in abdomen+pelvis and one patient in abdomen only. No grade V morbidity (Clavien–Dindo classification) occurred. Two patients developed lung atelectasis, which was managed by mere chest physiotherapy (grade I). One patient developed urinary tract infection (grade II) and another patient developed pneumonia (grade II) – both of which were managed by antibiotics. One patient developed splenic bed and anterior abdominal wall collections requiring ultrasound‐guided aspiration without general anesthesia (grade III). One patient developed pulmonary embolism requiring intensive care‐unit management (grade IV). Four chemo‐naïve patients received adjuvant chemotherapy whereas the remaining two previously chemo‐exposed patients received no adjuvant therapy. All patients were alive and disease‐free without proof of recurrence/relapse at 40, 32, 27, 24, 20 and 16 months. The average interval of follow‐up after CRS+HIPEC was roughly 27 months (range: 16–40 months).

Conclusion

CRS+HIPEC appears to be an efficacious and morbidly well‐tolerated therapeutic modality for recurrent/relapsed OGCT. Long‐term follow‐up data and further research are needed.
Overexpression of myosin is associated with the development of uterine myoma
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Cheng Zhongping , Qu Xiaoyan , Dai Hong , Ke Xiaoping , Chen Zijiang
Published: September 2014

Aim

Myosin is involved in cell contraction and motility, but it is unclear whether it is involved in cell proliferation in uterine myoma. In this study therefore we aimed to explore the role of myosin in uterine myoma.

Material and Methods

Immunohistochemistry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the expression of myosin light chain (MLC), myosin heavy chain (MHC) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in patient uterine myoma and adjacent smooth muscle tissue. Human uterine fibroid cells were isolated and cultured in vitro, myosin heavy chain 11 (MHC subtype expressed in uterine fibroid cells) was knocked down by RNA interference to reduce the expression of myosin, then cell proliferation was determined by the methyl thiazol tetrazolium bromide method. To explore the possible mechanism of reduced cell proliferation after myosin heavy chain 11 knockdown, the downstream proteins collagen I, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, fibronectin and proteoglycans were analyzed.

Results

Expression of MLC, MHC, MLCK and p‐MLCK in uterine myoma cells was significantly higher than in adjacent smooth muscle cells. After knockdown of MHC, smooth muscle cell proliferation decreased, and the production of collagen I, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and fibronectin was also reduced, but proteoglycans did not show any significant change.

Conclusion

Myosin is overexpressed in uterine myoma, and the overexpression of myosin is associated with both uterine contraction and tumor development of uterine myoma.
Maternal Employment and Parenting Through Middle Childhood: Contextualizing Factors
Authors: Buehler Cheryl , O'Brien Marion , Swartout Kevin M. , Zhou Nan
Published: September 2014

The authors used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,364) to examine maternal work hour status and parenting (sensitivity and learning opportunities) from infancy through middle childhood. Work hour status was conceptualized as nonemployment, part time, and full time. Adjusting for covariates, mothers employed part time had higher sensitivity scores and higher provision of child learning opportunity scores than did mothers who were not employed, and these differences characterized families during early childhood rather than middle childhood. Mothers' provision of child learning opportunities was greater when she was employed full time (vs. part time) during early childhood. In addition to child age, mothers' ethnic minority status and partner status moderated the association between maternal work hour status and mothers' parenting. In general, the findings supported ideas forwarded by role expansionist theory.
A Social Network Comparison of Low‐Income Black and White Newlywed Couples
Authors: Jackson Grace L. , Kennedy David , Bradbury Thomas N. , Karney Benjamin R.
Published: September 2014

Relative to White families, Black families have been described as relying on extended social networks to compensate for other social and economic disadvantages. The presence or absence of supportive social networks should be especially relevant to young couples entering marriage, but to date there has been little effort to describe the social networks of comparable Black and White newlyweds. The current study addressed this gap by drawing on interviews with 57 first‐married newlyweds from low‐income communities to compare the composition and structure of Black and White couples' duocentric social networks. The results indicated that low‐income Black couples entered marriage at a social disadvantage relative to White couples, with more family relationships but fewer positive relationships and fewer sources of emotional support (for wives), fewer connections to married individuals, and fewer shared relationships between spouses. Black couples' relative social disadvantages persisted even when various economic and demographic variables were controlled.
Work Hours, Schedules, and Insufficient Sleep Among Mothers and Their Young Children
Authors: Kalil Ariel , Dunifon Rachel , Crosby Danielle , Houston Su Jessica
Published: September 2014

Studies have linked parents' employment, work hours, and work schedules to their own sleep quality and quantity, but it is unclear whether these associations extend to children. The authors used data from the 5‐year in‐home survey of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1,818) to examine the associations between maternal work hours and schedule and insufficient sleep among disadvantaged mothers and their young children. They found that mothers who worked more than 35 hours per week were more likely to experience insufficient sleep compared to mothers who worked fewer hours, whereas children were more likely to experience insufficient sleep when their mothers worked between 20 and 40 hours. Nonstandard work schedules were associated with an increased likelihood of insufficient sleep for mothers but not their children. The results highlight a potentially difficult balance between work and family for many disadvantaged working mothers in the United States.
Assessment of masticatory function in patients with non‐sagittal occlusal discrepancies
Authors: Choi T.‐H. , Kim B.‐I. , Chung C. J. , Kim H.‐J. , Baik H.‐S. , Park Y.‐C. , Lee K.‐J.
Published: September 2014

Non‐sagittal occlusal discrepancies such as posterior cross‐bite and anterior openbite are common types of malocclusion, but studies on masticatory function related to those malocclusions have been scarce. The aim of this study was to quantify the masticatory performance in patients with non‐sagittal discrepancies compared to those with normal occlusion, using both objective and subjective measures. Maximum bite force and contact area using Dental Prescale® system as a static objective assessment, Mixing Ability Index (MAI) as a dynamic objective evaluation and food intake ability (FIA) as a subjective assessment were analysed from 21 people in normal occlusion (Group N) and 64 patients with posterior cross‐bite (Group C), anterior openbite (Group O) or both (Group B). The differences of the maximum bite force, the contact area, the MAI and the FIA were compared, and their correlations were figured out. The non‐sagittal malocclusion groups showed lower values in the maximum bite force, the contact area, the MAI and the FIA compared to those in the normal group (P < 0·0001). Compared to Group N, Groups C, O and B showed 61·5%, 42·1% and 40·1% of the maximum bite force, and 84%, 84% and 76% of hard food FIA, respectively. However, there were no significant differences among Groups C, O and B. The MAI showed higher correlation with the FIA (r = 0·38, P < 0·01), than with the maximum bite force and the contact area (both r = 0·24, P < 0·5). These results revealed that masticatory function in patients with non‐sagittal discrepancies is significantly reduced both objectively and subjectively.
INCREASING BLACK, ASIAN AND MINORITY ETHNIC (BAME) PATIENT & COMMUNITY AWARENESS – USING THE PEER EDUCATOR MODEL
Authors: Jain Neerja
Published: September 2014

Background

Kidney Research UK, have been working since 2001 to raise health awareness, fund and oversee research into kidney related issues disproportionately affecting the BAME communities in the UK. Almost 10 years ago, the charity initiated its Peer Educator model which uses the natural skills of lay people and patients to raise awareness in these communities.

Aims

This article will describe the work of the Charity in relation to patient and public engagement, describing the Peer Educator model and providing examples of how it has been used. It will then focus on the deployment and impact of Peer Educators in an end of life project that the charity was involved in.

Materials & Methods

Peer Educators (PEs) are ordinary people from the targeted community. In the case of our health improvement work, this has largely been the BAME communities. These people do not need any prior knowledge, training or experience in the subject matter. However, they do need to have a desire to give something back to their community in terms of health messages and also be passionate about the subject matter. They tend to have a natural empathy with the target groups in terms of culture, religion and language.

Results

The Peer Educator model, is it has been found, to be a flexible and highly adaptable approach to addressing health issues in the BAME communities. It has been utilised by the charity to address everything from early disease detection, prevention, management, organ donation awareness, right through to end of life issues. The model has been well evaluated in the area of organ donation whereby its effectiveness has been proven. Moreover, there have been several notable outcomes from the end of life work including training and deployment of 10 Peer Educators who reached over 2,700 people from diverse South Asian communities, providing important information on who does what, when, and how to access it – in a culturally competent manner.

Discussion & Conclusion

Kidney Research UK's Peer Educator initiative has been well established as an effective and flexible way to raise awareness and reach out to BAME patients and the communities at risk. The model has been deployed across the kidney disease spectrum including from early detection to diabetes management, right through to addressing organ donation and end of life issues.
Viability of a Dementia Advocacy Effort for Adults with Intellectual Disability: Using a National Task Group Approach
Authors: Janicki Matthew P. , Keller Seth M.
Published: September 2014

The World Health Organization's report, Dementia: A Public Health Priority, noted that the number of people worldwide affected by dementia is significant and will continue to increase. The report called on nations to address dementia by developing national plans and undertaking public health initiatives. Special mention was made of the situation of people with intellectual disability, some of who manifest high risk for dementias. In the United States, the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (the “NTG”) was created to ensure that the needs and interests of adults with intellectual and developmental disability who are affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias—as well as their families and friends—are taken into account as part of general‐population dementia health and public policy efforts, particularly as noted in the U.S. National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. To this end, the NTG's multifaceted advocacy efforts have included (1) identifying best practices for providing care and services to affected adults with intellectual disability; (2) developing and identifying a functional workable administrative dementia early detection and screening instrument; (3) producing educational materials useful to families, adults with intellectual disability, and nongovernmental organizations; and (4) furthering public policy initiatives on dementia as they affect adults with intellectual disability. This article describes the origins of this group, its functions and accomplishments, as well its role with respect to national dementia advocacy, as a prototype for other national efforts that can be used to promote the interests of adults with intellectual disability affected by dementia and improve the quality of their lives. Suggested are means for replication of such an effort in other national environments.
Childhood sleeping difficulties and depression in adulthood: the 1970 British Cohort Study
Authors: Greene Giles , Gregory Alice M. , Fone David , White James
Published: September 2014

Sleeping difficulties in childhood have been associated with an increased risk of depression in adult life, but existing studies have not accounted for comorbid maternal sleeping difficulties and depression. This study aimed to determine the association between childhood sleeping difficulties and depression in adulthood after adjusting for the potential confounding influences of maternal depression and sleeping difficulties. Data from the British Cohort Study 1970, a prospective birth cohort with 30 years of follow‐up (1975–2005) were used. At 5 years of age, 7437 parents of participants recorded information on whether their child had sleeping difficulties, the frequency of bed‐wetting, nightmares, maternal depression and sleep difficulties. At 34 years of age, participants reported whether or not they had received medical treatment for depression in the past year. Parental reports of severe sleeping difficulties at 5 years were associated with an increased risk of depression at age 34 years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2, 3.2] whereas moderate sleeping difficulties were not (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9, 1.3). In conclusion, severe sleeping problems in childhood may be associated with increased susceptibility to depression in adult life.