bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children's prosocial behavioural intentions towards outgroup members
Authors: Abrams Dominic , Van de Vyver Julie , Pelletier Joseph , Cameron Lindsey
Published: March 2015

When will children decide to help outgroup peers? We examined how intergroup competition, social perspective taking (SPT), and empathy influence children's (5–10 years,N = 287) prosocial intentions towards outgroup members. Study 1 showed that, in a minimal group situation, prosociality was lower in an intergroup competitive than in a non‐competitive or interpersonal context. Study 2 revealed that, in a real groups situation involving intergroup competition, prosociality was associated with higher empathy and lower competitive motivation. In a subsequent non‐competitive context, there were age differences in the impact of SPT and competitive motivation. With age, relationships strengthened between SPT and prosociality (positively) and between competitiveness and prosociality (negatively). Among older children, there was a carry‐over effect whereby feelings of intergroup competitiveness aroused by the intergroup competitive context suppressed outgroup prosociality in the followingnon‐competitivecontext. Theoretical and practical implications for improving children's intergroup relationships are discussed.
Using computer‐assisted assessment heuristics for usability evaluations
Authors: Sim Gavin , Read Janet C.
Published: March 2015

Teaching practices within educational institutions have evolved through the increased adoption of technology to deliver the curriculum and the use of computers for assessment purposes. For educational technologists, there is a vast array of commercial computer applications available for the delivery of objective tests, and in some instances, organisations have opted to develop bespoke systems to meet their individual pedagogical requirements. However, there is very little research published on the usability of these systems and on the possible usability problems that could ultimately affect users' learning or users' marks in summative tests. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of the heuristic evaluation method for the evaluation of computer‐assisted assessment (CAA) systems and proposes a set of CAA heuristics for evaluating assessment tools. The results of these tests show that, with little training, novice evaluators can effectively perform an evaluation and could, using this heuristic set, identify genuine usability problems within the assessment tool. Therefore, educational technologists or software developers could use the new CAA heuristic set to aid their procurement or inform their design decisions.
Interaction between gaming and multistage guiding strategies on students' field trip mobile learning performance and motivation
Authors: Chen Chih‐Hung , Liu Guan‐Zhi , Hwang Gwo‐Jen
Published: March 2015

In this study, an integrated gaming and multistage guiding approach was proposed for conducting in‐field mobile learning activities. A mobile learning system was developed based on the proposed approach. To investigate the interaction between the gaming and guiding strategies on students' learning performance and motivation, a 2 × 2 experiment was conducted on an elementary school natural science course. Four groups of students were situated in a field trip to learn with different mobile learning approaches (ie, gaming or nongaming) and guiding mechanisms (ie, multistage or single‐stage). The experimental results showed that both the gaming and multistage guiding mechanisms proposed in this study significantly enhanced the students' learning achievements. Moreover, the interaction between the two showed that the lead‐in of the gaming strategy could significantly improve the learning motivation of the students who learned with the multistage guiding mechanism; on the contrary, their learning motivation could be significantly decreased without the gaming approach, although the multistage guiding mechanism was effective. The findings imply that “gamification” could be a good approach for helping students accept learning support or tools provided in mobile learning scenarios.
Factors associated with early childhood caries incidence among high caries‐risk children
Authors: Ghazal Tariq , Levy Steven M. , Childers Noel K. , Broffitt Barbara , Cutter Gary R. , Wiener Howard W. , Kempf Mirjam C. , Warren John , Cavanaugh Joseph E.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To assess the relationships between different behavioral factors and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in African‐American pre‐school children.

Methods

Ninety‐six African‐American children aged 3–22 months old at baseline were recruited from a high caries risk, non‐fluoridated African‐American community in Uniontown, Alabama. The children had dental examinations annually following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria at mean ages 1.1, 2.0, 3.1 and 4.0 years. All children received fluoride varnish application at each study visit. Parents provided oral hygiene and dietary information semiannually by completing questionnaires. Area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) with the trapezoidal rule was used to summarize longitudinal exposure data. Bivariate and multivariable relationships between ECC incidence and behavioral risk factors were assessed using logistic regression and negative binomial modeling for dichotomous and count dependent variables, respectively, with the independent variables defined at age 1, age 3 and as the AUC.

Results

Greater frequency of toothbrushing and greater AUC composite of daily frequency of consumption of 100% juices were associated with lower incidence of dental caries (P‐values = 0.01 and 0.049, ORs = 0.34 and 0.37, respectively). Greater AUC of daily frequency of consumption of sweetened foods and history of a previous visit to a dentist by age 3 were associated with greater incidence of ECC (ORs = 9.22 and 4.57, P‐values = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

For these children living in a non‐fluoridated community, more frequent consumption of sweetened food, less frequent consumption of 100% juice, less frequent toothbrushing, and reporting a previous visit to a dentist were significantly associated with greater ECC incidence.
Developing innovative models of practice at the interface between the NHS and child and family social work where children living at home are at risk of abuse and neglect: a scoping review
Authors: Luckock Barry , Barlow Jane , Brown Chris
Published: March 2015

The case has been made for introducing a rights‐based, public health approach to child protection in England. A continuum of prevention is proposed, with multi‐agency responses calibrated more carefully to the level of risk identified by children, parents and practitioners. The aim was to allocate inter‐professional authority and resources in such a way as to ensure the safeguarding response is proportionate to the nature and level of concerns expressed and reliable in achieving good outcoSmes for children and parents alike. Recent research findings confirm the need for new models of service alignment and inter‐professional responsibility at the interface of ‘primary’ and ‘specialist’ health‐care services and ‘children's social care’, where significant safeguarding concerns are raised. This paper reports the findings of a scoping study, designed to establish the extent to which innovative practice methodologies have been implemented and evaluated in England to date. While the evidence to support the effectiveness of specific practice methodologies and contrasting logics of service design and implementation is shown to be very limited still, achieving reliability and legitimacy in the safeguarding relationships established at the service interface seems to depend on the integrity of the dialogue facilitated in each case.
New insights into dye chemistry and physics
Authors: Batchelor Stephen N.
Published: March 2015

A review of the academic dye research performed by the Port Sunlight group and its coworkers over the past 15 years is presented. The work is focused on three areas: (1) substrate structure; (2) dye interactions in aqueous solution and on substrates; (3) dye degradation and products. For substrates, a detailed model of the nanoenvironment experienced by chemicals within cellulose fibre is given, showing the different environments and remarkable mobility of absorbed chemicals. Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion measurements provide the complex pathways by which compounds find their way in and out of the fibre. For dye interaction, detailed theoretical and experimental studies are reported on three model dye systems, the anionic monoazo dye Orange II, the bisazo anionic dye CI Direct Blue 1, and cationic monoazo thiazolium dyes, providing a comprehensive picture of their structure. A quantitative mechanism of dye binding to cellulose is shown. Resonance Raman provides an effective forensic tool for dye identification, even from single fibres. The products and kinetics of Orange II dye degradation by one‐electron reduction in aqueous solution is given, with the identification of an indophenol dye end‐product. In cellulosic materials the reduction mechanism is similar to solution, when the higher microviscosity is accounted for. Hydrolysis of thiazolium dyes occurs at both aromatic rings of the dye but on different timescales. Measurement and calculations of the electronic structures of one‐electron‐reduced and ‐oxidised dyes are presented. The mechanism of photooxidation by sunlight of azo dyes in cotton is delineated.
Making Democracy Legible? Voter Registration and the Permanent Electronic Electoral List in Benin
Authors: Piccolino Giulia
Published: March 2015

A core component of the infrastructural power of the modern state is the capacity to make its population ‘legible’, through the development of accurate registration and identification mechanisms. In discussing the relationship between democratization and state building, little attention has been paid to the electoral process as a technical process. Yet, the introduction of competitive elections presupposes the registration of voters and thus requires the development of the ‘legibility’ capacities of states. This is particularly evident in sub‐Saharan Africa, where democratizing states have been confronted with the weakness of their existing records and forced to develop new mechanisms for registering voters in a reliable manner. This article looks at the experience of the Liste Electorale Permanente Informatisée (the Permanent Electronic Electoral List) in Benin and discusses the potentialities and limits of voter registration as a state‐building tool.
Effects of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Delivered through a Graft Vessel for Patients with Previous Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure: An Echocardiographic Study of Left Atrium Function
Authors: Qi Zhi , Liu Sheng , Lv Xiuzhang , Duan Fujian , Wang Hao , Gao Yiming , Wang Jianpeng
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The graft of stem cells to treat ischemic cardiomyopathy is popular in many clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isolated coronary artery bypass graft combined with bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) delivered through the graft vessels to improve left atrium (LA) function of patients with previous myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure using echocardiography.

Methods

Forty‐two patients with previous myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure were randomly allocated to one of the two groups: coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) only (18 in CABG group) or CABG with BMMNC transplantation (24 in CABG + BMMNC group). Echocardiographic parameters were measured on two‐dimensional (2D) imaging, three‐dimensional imaging, 2D strain, and strain rate imaging, eight parameters were measured totally.

Results

Postoperative LA global strain (LAGS) versus Preoperative LAGS were 24.875 ± 1.588% versus 14.250 ± 1.281% (P < 0.05) in CABG + BMMMNC group and 17.556 ± 1.834% versus 13.111 ± 1.479% (P < 0.05) in CABG group, LVEF was 49.083 ± 1.914% versus 36.042 ± 1.185% (P < 0.05) in CABG + BMMMNC group and 41.389 ± 2.210% versus 34.667 ± 1.369% (P < 0.05) in CABG group, and LA volume (LAV) was 15.651 ± 0.631 mL versus 23.894 ± 0.831 mL (P < 0.05) in CABG + BMMMNC group and 21.429 ± 0.707 mL versus 22.379 ± 0.959 mL (P < 0.05) in CABG group. LAGS, LVEF, and LAV were significantly improved postoperatively in both groups. The degree of the improvement was significantly different between the two groups with the CABG + BMMNC group improved more versus the group of CABG only (P < 0.05). Postoperative LVEDV and LVESV were significantly improved compared with those obtained prior to operation in CABG + BMMNC group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The improvement of LA function in CABG + BMMNC group is better than CABG group. 2D strain imaging is a more sensitive tool to evaluate LA function.
Trade Policy in Lobbying Equilibrium: With Non‐Traded and Traded Final Goods and Intermediate Inputs
Authors: Acharya Ram C.
Published: March 2015

The paper derives trade policies endogenously for final consumption and intermediate input industries in the presence of a non‐traded sector. Contrary to what the existing literature suggests, results show that there is no definite relation between lobbying status and the direction of trade policy of an industry. Trade protection of an industry depends on how its consumption (horizontal) and production (vertical) linkages with other industries reinforce or cancel out its lobbying efforts. To cite a few results, (i) an organized industry may face trade tax, whereas an unorganized one may obtain protection; (ii) an organized downstream industry may not be able to impose trade tax to an unorganized upstream industry, (iii) an organized upstream industry may not hurt unorganized downstream industry, (iv) lobby for non‐traded industry alone can influence trade policies, and (v) lobby for traded industry affects the size of the non‐traded sector in the economy.
Timing of maxillofacial–oral injuries in an individual of the ancient city of Herculaneum (79 AD, Naples, Italy): a case report
Authors: Viciano Joan , D'Anastasio Ruggero , Capasso Luigi
Published: March 2015

Background

This study is based on the skeletal remains of an adult female from the ancient city of Herculaneum (Naples, Italy), who was a victim of the eruption of the nearby Vesuvius Volcano on 24–25 August, AD 79.

Results and Discussion

Examination of the maxillofacial region revealed evidence of unilateral condylar fracture and dislocation, as well as traumatic dental injuries. The injuries observed might have been the consequence of a direct blow to the mental region that was transmitted in a direction that raised the mandible, causing an indirect fracture in the right condylar neck when the condylar head collided directly with the temporal glenoid fossa. This indirect impact also resulted in partial fracture of three dental crowns due to the violent impact of the arches between them, and the sharp impact together of the upper and lower teeth. It is suggested that these injuries were sustained due to an accidental fall when the individual was between 7 and 15 years old, which is supported by the morphology, location and extension of the injuries, and the characterization of the impact.

Conclusion

These results are an illustration of how dental anthropology and forensic approaches can be applied with great benefit to archaeological skeletal remains.
A systematic review on definitions and assessments of psychotic‐like experiences
Authors: Lee Kit‐Wai , Chan Kit‐Wa , Chang Wing‐Chung , Lee Edwin Ho‐Ming , Hui Christy Lai‐Ming , Chen Eric Yu‐Hai
Published: March 2015

Aims

Psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) or subclinical psychotic experiences have received increased attention as some studies have suggested continuity between PLEs and psychotic disorders. However, epidemiological and correlational studies of PLEs showed mixed findings – it is observed that different studies use a wide variety of definitions of PLEs, as well as different assessment tools that are designed to capture such described experiences. The differences in definitions and assessment tools adopted could contribute to the discrepancy of findings. The current review aims to examine the definitions and assessment tools adopted in the studies of PLEs.

Methods

Literature search was conducted between October 2013 and February 2014 using three search engines: Medline, Web of Science and PubMed.

Results

A total of 76 papers met the selection criteria and were included in the current review. It is found that the majority of papers reviewed defined PLEs quantitatively using assessment tools and do not have a specific phenomenological definition, whereas assessment tools adopted have a wide variety. Furthermore, phenomenological studies of PLEs were rare.

Conclusions

The variations in definitions and assessment tools of PLEs might contribute to mixed findings in researches. Reaching to a consensus through the study of phenomenology of PLEs is essential to further advancement of the research in this area.
Combined lesions of direct and indirect basal ganglia pathways but not changes in dopamine levels explain learning deficits in patients with Huntington's disease
Authors: Schroll Henning , Beste Christian , Hamker Fred H.
Published: March 2015

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease of the basal ganglia that causes severe motor, cognitive and emotional dysfunctions. In the human basal ganglia, these dysfunctions are accompanied by a loss of striatal medium spiny neurons, dysfunctions of the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus, and changes in dopamine receptor binding. Here, we used a neuro‐computational model to investigate which of these basal ganglia dysfunctions can explain patients’ deficits in different stimulus–response learning paradigms. We show that these paradigms are particularly suitable for scrutinising the effects of potential changes in dopamine signaling and of potential basal ganglia lesions on overt behavior in HD. We find that combined lesions of direct and indirect basal ganglia pathways, but none of these lesions alone, reproduce patients’ learning impairments. Degeneration of medium spiny neurons of the direct pathway accounts for patients’ deficits in facilitating correct responses, whereas degeneration of indirect pathway medium spiny neurons explains their impairments in inhibiting dominant but incorrect responses. The empirical results cannot be explained by lesions of the subthalamic nucleus, which is part of the hyperdirect pathway, or by changes in dopamine levels. Overall, our simulations suggest combined lesions of direct and indirect pathways as a major source of HD patients’ learning impairments and, tentatively, also their motor and cognitive deficits in general, whereas changes in dopamine levels are suggested to not be causally related to patients’ impairments.
The incidence of SCN1A‐related Dravet syndrome in Denmark is 1:22,000: A population‐based study from 2004 to 2009
Authors: Bayat Allan , Hjalgrim Helle , Møller Rikke S.
Published: March 2015

Dravet syndrome is a severe infantile‐onset epileptic encephalopathy associated with mutations in the sodium channel alpha‐1 subunit gene SCN1A. We aimed to describe the incidence of Dravet syndrome in the Danish population. Based on a 6‐year birth cohort from 2004 to 2009, we propose an incidence of 1:22,000, which is higher than what has been established earlier. We identified 17 cases with SCN1A mutation–positive Dravet syndrome. Fifteen patients were found, by conventional Sanger sequencing. Two additional patients with clinical Dravet syndrome, but without a detectable SCN1A mutation by Sanger sequencing, were diagnosed with a SCN1A mutation after using a targeted next‐generation sequencing gene panel.
Equine platelet lysate as an alternative to fetal bovine serum in equine mesenchymal stromal cell culture – too much of a good thing?
Authors: Russell K. A. , Koch T. G.
Published: March 2015

Reasons for performing study

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are often culture‐expanded in vitro. Presently, expansion medium (EM) for MSC is supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, increasing cost, variable composition and potential risks associated with bovine antigens call for alternatives. Platelet lysate (PL) has shown promise as an alternative supplement.

Objectives

To determine how equine umbilical cord blood (CB) MSC proliferate in EM enriched with PL or FBS at various concentrations.

Study design

Randomised dose escalation study.

Methods

Platelet concentrate was generated from 5 equine whole blood samples through a double centrifugation method and standardised to 1 × 1012 platelets/l prior to a freeze/thaw cycle to produce PL. Pooled PL or pooled FBS was added to EM at concentrations of 5% to 60%. Proliferation of 4 equine CB‐MSC cultures was determined after 4 days using a resazurin semiquantitative assay.

Results

Cord blood‐MSC proliferated with a dose‐dependent response with no significant difference found between PL and FBS up to a 30% concentration. Beyond 30%, proliferation fell in the PL‐cultured cells, while continued dose‐dependent proliferation was noted in the FBS‐cultured cells. Despite reduced cell numbers in high PL concentrations, live/dead staining revealed that adherent cells remained viable.

Conclusions

Expansion medium enriched with PL can support short‐term equine CB‐MSC proliferation at conventional culture concentrations. Based on the unexpected suppression of CB‐MSC at higher PL concentrations, an in vivo dose study is indicated to investigate if combinational therapies of CB‐MSC and platelet‐rich plasma are associated with synergistic or antagonistic effect on CB‐MSC function.
Analysis on the fatigue damage evolution of notched specimens with consideration of cyclic plasticity
Authors: Shen F. , Voyiadjis G. Z. , Hu W. , Meng Q.
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a damage mechanics method applied successfully to assess fatigue life of notched specimens with plastic deformation at the notch tip. A damage‐coupled elasto‐plastic constitutive model is employed in which nonlinear kinematic hardening is considered. The accumulated damage is described by a stress‐based damage model and a plastic strain‐based damage model, which depend on the cyclic stress and accumulated plastic strain, respectively. A three‐dimensional finite element implementation of these models is developed to predict the crack initiation life of notched specimens. Two cases, a notched plate under tension‐compression loadings and an SAE notched shaft under bending‐torsion loadings including non‐proportional loadings, are studied and the predicted results are compared with experimental data.
Evaluation of the effect of stock enhancement in the coastal waters of Guangdong, China
Authors: Chen P. , Qin C. , Yu J. , Shu L. , Li X. , Zhou Y. , Yuan H.
Published: March 2015

A total of 14.573 million fish fry and 96.32 million shrimp larvae were released across 31 locations into the coastal waters off Guangdong, China, in 2010. The released fish and shrimp were sampled through a combination of market and fishing log‐book surveys. The combined fishery production reached 362 868 kg. The input–output ratio was 1:5.99 for released fish (over 3 years) and 1:11.01 for released shrimp (over 2 years). The average increase in income was 721 RMB per capita. Approximately 240 thousand fish (after 3 years) and 1.2 million shrimp (after 2 years) survived to sexual maturity and could contribute to the spawning stock. The stockings were approximately one‐seventh of the fish and one‐half of the shrimp stocking carrying capacities, respectively. Based on these results, the intensity of stocking could be increased. Stocking and recapture strategies should be adjusted to align with the optimal stocking carrying capacity determined from this study.
Spatiotemporal variation in life history traits of three small fishes in streams of south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Lourenço L. S. , Souza U. P. , Fernandes I. M. , Petrere M.
Published: March 2015

Each species has a reproductive strategy that is adapted to the intensity and predictability of spatial and temporal variations in local environmental conditions. This study sets out to evaluate the temporal and spatial variations in some life history traits, including maturation time and length at first maturity, of three small fish species from streams of south‐eastern Brazil. Environmental factors and fishes were sampled in streams across four sub‐basins during twelve months and were measured for both traits. Statistical models indicated both spatial and temporal differences in maturation time for all species. This variation was related to a different combination of environmental factors for each species. Finally, length at first maturity exhibited spatial variation for all species. The results suggest that all species have the ability to alter life history parameters, and this may be a factor contributing to their persistence in each habitat.
Identifying relationships between symptom clusters and quality of life in adults with chronic mixed venous and arterial leg ulcers
Authors: Do Hien Thi Thu , Edwards Helen , Finlayson Kathleen
Published: March 2015

The objective of this study was to identify symptom clusters and their effect on quality of life (QOL) of adults with chronic leg ulcers of mixed venous and arterial aetiology. A secondary analysis of data from four existing prospective longitudinal studies conducted by a wound healing research group in Australia was undertaken. A total of 110 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify symptom clusters and correlational analyses to examine relationships between the identified symptom clusters and QOL. The EFA identified two distinct symptom clusters: a ‘systemic symptom cluster’ consisting of pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms; and a ‘localised‐leg symptom cluster’ including pain, fatigue, oedema, lower limb inflammation and exudate. Physical QOL correlated significantly with the systemic symptom cluster (r = −0·055, P < 0·0001) and the localised‐leg symptom cluster (r = −0·054, P < 0·0001), whereas mental QOL was associated only with the systemic symptom cluster (r = −0·038, P = 0·01). The results suggest that appropriate intervention strategies targeting specific symptom clusters should be developed. Targeting patients with symptom clusters is particularly important because they are at high risk and the most vulnerable for reduced QOL.
Stated goals and their influence on helping behavior toward ingroups and outgroups
Authors: Lorenz Mitchell M. , Warner Ruth H. , VanDeursen Molly J.
Published: March 2015

When seeking to motivate individuals to help, helping behavior may be framed in terms of power‐oriented, results focused, goals or value‐oriented, ideologically based, goals. In two studies, participants were presented with a call for assistance benefitting an ingroup or an outgroup. The stated goal associated with helping behavior was power‐oriented or value‐oriented. Participants showed more willingness to help on behalf of an outgroup when they believed the charitable organization had value‐oriented goals and more willingness to help on behalf of their ingroup when they believed the charitable organization had power‐oriented goals. The results suggest that organizations should consider the relationship between who will benefit and who is providing assistance to maximize the likelihood that assistance will be provided.
Temporal Changes in Streamflow and Attribution of Changes to Climate and Landuse in Wisconsin Watersheds
Authors: Gyawali Rabi , Greb Steve , Block Paul
Published: March 2015

Previous historic trends analyses on 21st Century hydrologic data in the United States generally focus on annual flow statistics and have continued to use USGS hydro‐climatic data network (HCDN) stations, although post‐1988 diversions and runoff regulations are not reflected in the HCDN. Using a more recent dataset, Geospatial Attributes of Gages for Evaluating Streamflow, version II (GAGES II), compiled by Falcone (2012), which includes more watersheds with reference conditions, a comprehensive analysis of changes in seasonal, and annual streamflow in Wisconsin watersheds is demonstrated. Given the pronounced influence of seasonal hydrology in Wisconsin watersheds, the objective of this study is to elucidate the nature of temporal (annual, seasonal, and monthly) changes in runoff. Considerable temporal and regional variability was found in annual and seasonal streamflow changes between the two historic periods 1951‐1980 and 1981‐2010 considered in the study. For example, the northern watersheds show relatively small changes in streamflow discharge ranging from −6.0 to 4.2%, while the southern watersheds show relatively large increases in streamflow discharge ranging from 13.1 to 18.2%. To apportion streamflow changes to climate and nonclimatic factors, a method based on potential evapotranspiration changes is demonstrated. Results show that nonclimatic factors account for more than 60% of changes in annual runoff in Wisconsin watersheds considered in the study.
Streamside Management Zones Compromised by Stream Crossings, Legacy Gullies, and Over‐Harvest in the Piedmont
Authors: Lang A.J. , Aust W.M. , Bolding M.C. , Barrett S.M. , McGuire K.J. , Lakel W.A.
Published: March 2015

Streamside management zone (SMZ) breakthroughs were identified and characterized to determine frequency and potential causes, in order to provide enhanced guidance for future water quality protection. Ten kilometers ofSMZs were carefully examined for partial or complete breakthroughs. With partial breakthroughs theSMZtrapped sediment before it reached the stream, while complete breakthroughs appeared to have allowed sediment to have passed through with minimal restriction. A total of 41 breakthroughs occurred (33 complete, 8 partial) across 16 sites, averaging 1 complete breakthrough per 0.3 km ofSMZlength. The most common complete breakthroughs were caused by stream crossings (42%), reactivation of legacy agricultural gullies (27%), and harvest related soil disturbances near/withinSMZs (24%). Pearson correlations of site characteristics at breakthroughs indicated no strong relationships between breakthrough sites, representing the variable nature of these unique circumstances. Stream crossings are an intentional breakthrough for access purposes, but resulting environmental impacts can be reduced with best management practice implementation. Current recommendations forSMZs tend to work in most situations, yet further research is needed to identify causal factors and quantify breakthrough severity.
Genetic differentiation in the ice‐dependent fish Pleuragramma antarctica along the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Agostini Cecilia , Patarnello Tomaso , Ashford Julian R. , Torres Joseph J. , Zane Lorenzo , Papetti Chiara
Published: March 2015

Aim

Pleuragramma antarctica is an Antarctic notothenioid fish with a pelagic life‐cycle. It plays a major trophic role in coastal Antarctic waters as a predator of krill and as prey for penguins and seals. A previous study, using mtDNA to investigate Pleuragramma population structure at multiple Antarctic sites was unable to discriminate between hypotheses of panmixia, with occasional fluctuations of allelic frequencies, and population structure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the population structure of P. antarctica along the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) shelf by microsatellite genotyping.

Location

Four areas along the AP shelf: Charcot Island, Marguerite Bay, Joinville Island and the Larsen Ice Shelf.

Methods

A total of 562 individuals from nine population samples were genotyped at 16 expressed sequence tag (EST)‐linked microsatellites. Genetic variability, Hardy–Weinberg probabilities and F‐statistics were calculated, and a hierarchical analysis of molecular variance was carried out. A Bayesian method was applied to estimate the migration rates between geographical localities.

Results

We found one genetically homogeneous population with no interannual variability in the south‐western AP and one off the northern tip of the AP. Significant differences were recorded between the two geographical regions, which also differed from the eastern AP. The extent of differentiation changed between years and significant genetic differentiation was found between clusters of individuals of different length modes collected at Joinville Island in 2010. Bayesian analysis suggested weak gene flow along the western AP, with a prevailing direction from north to south, following the anticlockwise‐flowing Coastal Current.

Main conclusions

Population genetic structure can be detected in AP shelf samples of P. antarctica. Thus, even in this area characterized by strong oceanographic currents, genetic mixing is not complete. Temporal fluctuations of allelic frequencies and genetic differentiation between individuals of different length collected at the same location suggest the importance of genetic drift in this highly abundant species.
Impact of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring on Reclassification of Hypertension Prevalence and Control in Older People in Spain
Authors: Banegas José R. , de la Cruz Juan J. , Graciani Auxiliadora , López‐García Esther , Gijón‐Conde Teresa , Ruilope Luis M. , Rodriguez‐Artalejo Fernando
Published: March 2015

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) accurately classifies blood pressure (BP) status but its impact on the prevalence and control of hypertension is little known. The authors conducted a cross‐sectional study in 2012 among 1047 individuals 60 years and older from the follow‐up of a population cohort in Spain. Three casual BP measurements and 24‐hour ABPM were performed under standardized conditions. Approximately 68.8% patients were hypertensive based on casual BP (≥140/90 mm Hg or current BP medication use) and 62.1% based on 24‐hour ABPM (≥130/80 mm Hg or current BP medication use) (P=.009). The proportion of patients with treatment‐eligible hypertension who met BP goals increased from 37.4% based on the casual BP target to 54.1% based on the 24‐hour BP target (absolute difference, 16.7%; P<.01). These results were consistent across alternative BP thresholds. Therefore, compared with casual BP, 24‐hour ABPM led to a reduction in the proportion of older patients recommended for hypertension treatment and a substantial increase in the proportion of those with hypertension control.
Acute Effects of Submaximal Endurance Training on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Middle‐ and Long‐Distance Runners
Authors: Müller Jan , Wilms Michael , Oberhoffer Renate
Published: March 2015

Measures of arterial stiffness are indicators for cardiovascular health and predictors of cardiovascular events. Arterial stiffness is responsive to acute physiologic stressors such as exercise. However, the acute effects of intensive exercise and recovery on arterial stiffness are controversial. Thirty‐seven healthy middle‐ and long‐distance runners (33 men, mean age 26.5±6.6 years) underwent evaluation of their cardiovascular stiffness at rest, after a 15‐minute warm‐up, immediately after vigorous running 3 km at the pace of their 10‐km personal best, and finally 30 minutes after terminating their workout. Peripheral and central systolic blood pressure, as well as augmentation index and pulse wave velocity (PWV), increased during exercise in comparison to baseline (P<.001, general linear model). Thirty minutes after terminating the workout, a drop in peripheral blood pressure (P<.001), central blood pressure (P<.001), and PWV (P=.001) below baseline was observed. Therefore, the authors found that exercise of either moderate or vigorous intensity causes a temporary increase in arterial stiffness in middle‐ and long‐distance runners.
Development of a novel observational measure for anxiety in young children: The Anxiety Dimensional Observation Scale
Authors: Mian Nicholas D. , Carter Alice S. , Pine Daniel S. , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J.
Published: March 2015

Background

Identifying anxiety disorders in preschool‐age children represents an important clinical challenge. Observation is essential to clinical assessment and can help differentiate normative variation from clinically significant anxiety. Yet, most anxiety assessment methods for young children rely on parent‐reports. The goal of this article is to present and preliminarily test the reliability and validity of a novel observational paradigm for assessing a range of fearful and anxious behaviors in young children, the Anxiety Dimensional Observation Schedule (Anx‐DOS).

Methods

A diverse sample of 403 children, aged 3 to 6 years, and their mothers was studied. Reliability and validity in relation to parent reports (Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment) and known risk factors, including indicators of behavioral inhibition (latency to touch novel objects) and attention bias to threat (in the dot‐probe task) were investigated.

Results

The Anx‐DOS demonstrated good inter‐rater reliability and internal consistency. Evidence for convergent validity was demonstrated relative to mother‐reported separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobic avoidance, trauma symptoms, and past service use. Finally, fearfulness was associated with observed latency and attention bias toward threat.

Conclusions

Findings support the Anx‐DOS as a method for capturing early manifestations of fearfulness and anxiety in young children. Multimethod assessments incorporating standardized methods for assessing discrete, observable manifestations of anxiety may be beneficial for early identification and clinical intervention efforts.
Editorial: The shape of the nosology to come in developmental psychopathology
Authors: Nigg Joel T.
Published: March 2015

The field has embarked on an effort to better integrate neurobiological and psychological dimensions of functioning with putative psychopathological syndromes. If successful, this effort aims to be a turning point as impactful as the change, a century ago, away from the study of symptom dimensions and toward the study of psychopathological syndromes. New statistical and neurobiological methods and findings hold considerable promise in this regard, and several papers in the present issue underscore these ongoing and important new directions. For this proposed direction to succeed, however, three guiding principles are necessary. First, the syndromal approach must continue to be viewed as provisional, and not reified. Second, in contrast, individual dimensions of neurobiology, psychology, personality, or symptoms should not be decontextualized but considered in relation to other traits and dimensions, syndromal configurations. Major clinical syndromes cannot be ignored. Third, following the Kraepelian insights of a century ago in addition to the more recent insights of developmental psychopathlogy, trait and dimension aspects of psychopathology need to be understood in their developmental context. Whether an integrated dimensional‐categorical‐developmental understanding of psychopathology can be extended to the entire nosology or only parts of it remains to be seen.
Association between colonic diverticulosis and bowel symptoms: A case‐control study of 1629 Asian patients
Authors: Nagata Naoyoshi , Niikura Ryota , Aoki Tomonori , Shimbo Takuro , Sekine Katsunori , Okubo Hidetaka , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Sakurai Toshiyuki , Yokoi Chizu , Yanase Mikio , Akiyama Junichi , Uemura Naomi
Published: March 2015

Background

It remains unclear whether diverticulosis, absent inflammation, is responsible for chronic bowel symptoms. We examined the association between bowel symptoms and asymptomatic diverticulosis.

Method

This case‐control study included 543 patients with diverticulosis and 1086 age and sex‐matched controls (1:2) without diverticulosis on screening colonoscopy. Eleven symptoms (abdominal discomfort, hunger discomfort, borborygmus, abdominal distension, flatus, constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, hard stools, fecal urgency, and incomplete evacuation) were evaluated using a gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS) at baseline and second questionnaire. Associations between diverticulosis and symptoms were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95 confidence interval (CI).

Results

In multivariate analysis, constipation (OR, 0.85 [0.78–0.93]) and hard stools (OR, 0.86 [0.78–0.94]) were negatively associated with diverticulosis. The other nine symptoms showed no association with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis was negatively associated with constipation (OR, 0.93 [0.74–0.93]), hard stools (OR, 0.85 [0.76–0.96]), and incomplete evacuation (OR, 0.88 [0.79–0.99]) in males, and positively associated with diarrhea (OR, 1.39 [1.14–1.69]) and loose stools (OR, 1.28 [1.05–1.55]) in females. No bowel symptoms were positively associated with any of right‐sided, left‐sided, or bilateral diverticulosis. Test–retest reliability of GSRS (mean interval, 4.4 months) was moderate (Mean Kappa, 0.568) in males and good (Mean Kappa, 0.652) in females.

Conclusions

This large, colonoscopy‐based, case‐control study demonstrated that neither constipation nor hard stools were associated with an increased risk of diverticulosis, regardless of diverticulum location. In females, but not males, diarrhea and loose stools were positively associated with diverticulosis. Long‐term test–retest reliability suggested that these symptoms remain consistent over a given period.
Non‐cirrhotic thrombocytopenic patients with hepatitis C virus: Characteristics and outcome of antiviral therapy
Authors: Giannini Edoardo G , Afdhal Nezam H , Sigal Samuel H , Muir Andrew J , Reddy K Rajender , Vijayaraghavan Shanthi , Elkashab Magdy , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Dusheiko Geoffrey M , Iyengar Malini , Vasey Sandra Y , Campbell Fiona M , Theodore Dickens
Published: March 2015

Background and Aim

Thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cirrhosis, although it can also be observed in patients without cirrhosis by a virus‐mediated phenomenon. This study assessed the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection and thrombocytopenia not associated with cirrhosis.

Methods

The study included 1268 patients with HCV infection and thrombocytopenia enrolled in the phase 3 ENABLE studies that assessed the impact of eltrombopag on achieving a sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The study population was subdivided according to baseline FibroSURE test results into patients with non‐cirrhosis (FibroSURE < 0.4) and cirrhosis‐related (FibroSURE ≥ 0.75) thrombocytopenia.

Results

Compared with patients with cirrhosis‐related thrombocytopenia (n = 995; 78.5%), non‐cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia (n = 59; 4.6%) were younger (mean age [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 43.9 [40.7–47.2] vs 52.7 [52.2–53.3] years; P < 0.0001), predominantly female (64% [51–76] vs 30% [27–33]; P < 0.0001), and less frequently had a Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score ≥ 10 (24% [14–37] vs 45% [42–49]; P = 0.0012), low albumin levels (≤ 35 g/L; 2% [0–9] vs 32% [29–35]; P < 0.0001), and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (3% [0–12] vs 21% [19–24]; P = 0.0005). The sustained virologic response rate was higher in non‐cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia (46% [95% CI, 33–59] vs 16% [14–18]; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Patients with thrombocytopenia associated with HCV who have lower FibroSURE test results may have better preserved liver function and higher sustained virologic response rates than patients with cirrhosis.
Prospective cohort study on the outcomes of hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis in South Korea
Authors: Lee Sang Soo , Jeong Sook‐Hyang , Jang Eun Sun , Kim Young Seok , Lee Youn Jae , Jung Eun Uk , Kim In Hee , Bae Si Hyun , Lee Han Chu , Kee Mee‐Kyung , Kang Chun
Published: March 2015

Background and Aims

The outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related liver cirrhosis was limitedly studied in a hepatitis B virus‐endemic area. This multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted to elucidate the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality in the Korean patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis.

Methods

From January 2007 through June 2012, 196 patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled and regularly followed at six university hospitals to determine HCC occurrence and mortality. A multivariable analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to clarify the related factors to the outcomes.

Results

During a mean follow‐up period of 39.2 months, 31 (15.8%) patients developed HCC, and 33 (16.8%) patients died or underwent liver transplantation. The estimated HCC incidence was 5.8 per 100 person‐years, and the independent factors for HCC were absence of anti‐HBV surface antibody (HBs hazard ratio [HR], 5.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.710–14.726; P = 0.003) and serum albumin < 3.8 g/dL (HR, 3.051; 95% CI, 1.318–7.067; P = 0.009). The overall mortality rate was 5.1 per 100 person‐years, and the related independent factors were the presence of ascites (HR, 2.448; 95% CI, 1.142–5.210; P = 0.022), serum albumin < 3.8 g/dL (HR, 3.067; 95% CI, 1.254–8.139, P = 0.014), and nonachievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) (HR, 0.066; 95% CI, 0.001–0.484, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The incidence of HCC in HCV‐related cirrhosis seems to be high in Korea, and advanced liver disease and no achievement of SVR were associated with mortality. The absence of anti‐HBs in hepatocarcinogenesis related to HCV warrants further study.
Transvaginal genital fistula repair with insertion of Foley catheter via fistula tract
Authors: Fang Gui , Hong Li , Li Bingshu , Liu Cheng , Wu Debin , Hong Shasha , Guo Wenjun , Yang Qing , Zhao Yang , Hu Ming
Published: March 2015

Aim

Genital fistula is one of the most devastating injuries in women. Despite advances in medical care, it continues to be a distressing problem, and the success rate of repair surgery is still limited. We herein describe our experience with the surgical approach using Foley catheter to repair genital fistula after gynecological surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who had received genital fistula repair surgery with Foley catheter between October 2011 and December 2013. Based on traditional transvaginal genital fistula repair surgery, we inserted a Foley catheter into the bladder or intestine through the fistula opening. As a result, the fistula opening could be tracked, which allows for a clear view to improve fistula repair. All 29 patients were followed up at 1, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively.

Results

Of the 29 patients, 28 had successful surgical outcome (96.55% success rate). The mean operative time was 85 ± 8.1 min. The mean blood loss was 109 ± 23.4 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 10 ± 2.8 days. The follow‐up rate was 100%.

Conclusions

Repair of transvaginal genital fistula using Foley catheter had a high success rate, short operative time, minimal blood loss, low morbidity and short hospital stay. Therefore, this approach is minimally invasive and effective.