bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SESAMOIDECTOMY AND VOLAR PLATE REPAIR USING SUTURE ANCHOR FOR HYPEREXTENSION INJURY OF THE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT OF THE THUMB
Authors: Kim Byung-Sung , Yoon Hong-Gi , Park Kang-Hee , Kim Chang-geun , Song Hyun-Seok
Published: July 2013

A retrospective study for the combination of suture anchor and selective sesamoidectomy for treating volar instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of the thumb. Eleven patients with hyperextension of the MCPJ of the thumb underwent volar plate repair using a volar or voloradial approach. All the patients were reviewed radiologically and clinically using both objective and subjective criteria. The patients presented with sesamoid fractures (n = 2), sesamoid subluxation (n = 1), isolated volar plate laxity (n = 4), isolated sesamoid fracture (n = 4), and metacarpal condyle fracture (n = 2). The inner intersesamoid distance was 4.6 mm and the outer intersesamoid distance was 14.2 mm. The Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores showed improvement. Volar plate repair using a suture anchor and selective sesamoidectomy is effective with regard to pain relief and stabilisation of volar instability of the thumb.
FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF THE THERMAL FLUCTUATIONS OF A SINGLE ANISOTROPIC POLYMER
Authors: POELERT SANDER L. , WEINANS HARRIE H. , ZADPOOR AMIR A.
Published: July 2013

Thermal fluctuations of microtubules (MTs) and other cytoskeletal filaments govern to a great extent the complex rheological properties of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. In recent years, much effort has been put into capturing the dynamics of these fluctuations by means of analytical and numerical models. These attempts have been very successful for, but also remain limited to, isotropic polymers. To correctly interpret experimental work on (strongly) anisotropic semiflexible polymers, there is a need for a numerical modeling tool that accurately captures the dynamics of polymers with anisotropic material properties. In the current study, we present a finite element (FE) framework for simulating the thermal dynamics of a single anisotropic semiflexible polymer. First, we demonstrated the accuracy of our framework by comparison of the simulated mean square displacement (MSD) of the end-to-end distance with analytical predictions based on the worm-like chain model. Then, we implemented a transversely isotropic material model, characteristic for biopolymers such as MTs, and studied the persistence length for various ratios between the longitudinal shear modulus, G12, and corresponding Young's modulus, E1. Finally, we put our findings in context by addressing a recent experimental work on grafted transversely isotropic MTs. In that research, a simplified static mechanical model was used to deduce a very high level of MT anisotropy to explain the observation that the persistence length of grafted MTs increases as contour length increases. We showed, by means of our FE framework, that the anisotropic properties cannot account for the reported length-dependent persistence length.
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF GAIT DISORDERS IN HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE: A NEW HORIZON TO EARLY DIAGNOSIS
Authors: SARBAZ YASHAR , POURHEDAYAT ABBAS
Published: July 2013

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the neural diseases with movement disorders like chorea, ballism, and athetosis. These symptoms play an important role on gait asymmetry, thus gait recordings are considered important resources for studying this disease. Diagnosing HD in its early stages is important and critical. We aimed to discover differences between HD and normal behavior. As the gait is semi-periodic, analyzing frequency could reveal disorders. We made an attempt to extract some proper features using power spectra density. Studies revealed that HD adds high frequencies to the spectrum on all gait phases. Statistical analysis of the gait features showed significant differences between normal and HD groups. At the end, we tried to separate the patients and healthy individuals using a new intelligent mathematical system. An artificial neural network classifier was used for this reason,and our best separation accuracy was 96.6%. This study could be the basis of designing a practical decision support system. This system can diagnose patients at the first stages of the disease, and it also can recommend suspected persons to the specialist.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINED GROOVE PRESSING OF PURE ALUMINUM SHEETS
Authors: SATHEESH KUMAR S. S. , BALASUNDAR I. , RAGHU T.
Published: July 2013

Constrained groove pressing (CGP) is an attractive severe plastic deformation technique capable of processing ultrafine grained/nanostructured sheet materials. The deformation behavior of pure aluminum during constrained groove pressing is investigated by carrying out a two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). FEA predicted deformation behavior observed during each stages of pressing indicated almost negligible deformation in flat regions, whereas the inclined shear regions revealed diverse deformation characteristics. The plastic strain distributions unveiled inhomogeneous strain distribution at the end of one pass. Detailed examination of plastic strain evolution during CGP along various sections divulged superior strain distribution along middle surfaces when compared to top and bottom surfaces. The degree of strain homogeneity is evaluated quantitatively along different regions of the sheet and is correlated to the deformation characteristics. Load–stroke characteristics obtained during corrugating and flattening of sheets exhibited three stages and two stages behavior, respectively. The results obtained from the analysis are experimentally validated by processing pure aluminum sheets by CGP and the measured deformation homogeneity is benchmarked with FEA results.
Building Bayesian networks from basin-modelling scenarios for improved geological decision making
Authors: Martinelli Gabriele , Eidsvik Jo , Sinding-Larsen Richard , Rekstad Sara , Mukerji Tapan
Published: July 2013

Basin models are used to gain insights about a petroleum system, and to simulate geological processes required to form oil and gas accumulations. The focus of such simulations is usually on charge and timing-related issues, although uncertainty analysis about a wider range of parameters is becoming more common. Bayesian networks (BNs) are useful for decision making in geological prospect analysis and exploration. In this paper we propose a framework for merging these two methodologies: by doing so, we explicitly account for dependencies between the geological elements. The probabilistic description of the BN is trained by using multiple scenarios of Basin and Petroleum Systems Modelling (BPSM). A range of different input parameters are used for total organic content, heat flow, porosity and faulting to span a full categorical design for the BPSM scenarios. Given the consistent BN for trap, reservoir and source attributes, we demonstrate important decision-making applications, such as evidence propagation and the value of information.

Supplementary material:
Tables and figures of analyses and data are available at:
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18607
.
The membrane estrogen receptor ligand STX rapidly enhances GABAergic signaling in NPY/AgRP neurons: role in mediating the anorexigenic effects of 17β-estradiol
Authors: Smith A. W. , Bosch M. A. , Wagner E. J. , Rønnekleiv O. K. , Kelly M. J.
Published: July 2013

Besides its quintessential role in reproduction, 17β-estradiol (E2) is a potent anorexigenic hormone. E2 and the selective Gq-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (Gq-mER) ligand STX rapidly increase membrane excitability in proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons by desensitizing the coupling of GABAB receptors to G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels (GIRKs), which upon activation elicit a hyperpolarizing outward current. However, it is unknown whether E2 and STX can modulate GABAB signaling in neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons. We used single-cell RT-PCR and whole cell patch clamping with selective pharmacological reagents to show that NPY/AgRP cells of mice express the GABAB-R1 and -R2 receptors and are hyperpolarized by the GABAB agonist baclofen in an E2-dependent manner. In males, E2 rapidly attenuated the coupling of GABAB receptors to GIRKs, which was blocked by the general PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY-294002 or the selective p110β subunit inhibitor TGX-221. The ERα-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol mimicked the effects of E2. STX, in contrast, enhanced the GABAB response in males, which was abrogated by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780. In gonadectomized mice of both sexes, E2 enhanced or attenuated the GABAB response in different NPY/AgRP cells. Coperfusing wortmannin with E2 or simply applying STX always enhanced the GABAB response. Thus, in NPY/AgRP neurons, activation of the Gq-mER by E2 or STX enhances the GABAergic postsynaptic response, whereas activation of ERα by E2 attenuates it. These findings demonstrate a clear functional dichotomy of rapid E2 membrane-initiated signaling via ERα vs. Gq-mER in a CNS neuron vital for regulating energy homeostasis.
Decisional Outcomes of Maternal Disclosure of BRCA1/2 Genetic Test Results to Children
Authors: Tercyak Kenneth P. , Mays Darren , DeMarco Tiffani A. , Peshkin Beth N. , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis B. , Schneider Katherine A. , Garber Judy E. , Patenaude Andrea Farkas
Published: July 2013

Background: Although BRCA1/2 genetic testing is discouraged in minors, mothers may disclose their own results to their children. Factors affecting patients' disclosure decisions and patient outcomes of disclosure are largely unknown.

Methods: Mothers (N = 221) of children aged 8 to 21 years enrolled in this prospective study of family communication about cancer genetic testing. Patients underwent BRCA1/2 genetic counseling and testing, and completed standardized behavioral assessments before and 1-month following receipt of their results.

Results: Most patients (62.4%) disclosed BRCA1/2 test results to their child. Patients were more likely to disclose if they received negative or uninformative versus positive results [OR = 3.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–8.71; P = .03], their child was 13 years of age or more versus younger (OR = 5.43; 95% CI, 2.18–13.53; P < .001), and as the ratio of patients' perceived benefits of disclosure outweighed potential risks (OR = 2.40; 95% CI, 1.63–3.54; P < .001). Postdecision satisfaction about disclosure was lowest among nondisclosing patients (P < .001) and those reporting greater decisional conflict (P < .001).

Conclusions: Patients commonly discuss their BRCA1/2 results with their teenage and young adult children, especially if the information is perceived as beneficial. Satisfaction with disclosure decision making remains lowest among nondisclosing and conflicted patients. Family communication decision support adjuncts to genetic counseling are needed to help ameliorate these effects.

Impact: This study describes the prevalence of family communication about maternal BRCA1/2 genetic testing with minor children, and decisions and outcomes of disclosure. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(7); 1260–6. ©2013 AACR.
A 26-Gene Hypoxia Signature Predicts Benefit from Hypoxia-Modifying Therapy in Laryngeal Cancer but Not Bladder Cancer
Authors: Eustace Amanda , Mani Navin , Span Paul N. , Irlam Joely J. , Taylor Janet , Betts Guy N.J. , Denley Helen , Miller Crispin J. , Homer Jarrod J. , Rojas Ana M. , Hoskin Peter J. , Buffa Francesca M. , Harris Adrian L. , Kaanders Johannes H.A.M. , West Catharine M.L.
Published: July 2013

Purpose: Tumor hypoxia is associated with a poor prognosis, hypoxia modification improves outcome, and hypoxic status predicts benefit from treatment. Yet, there is no universal measure of clinical hypoxia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a 26-gene hypoxia signature predicted benefit from hypoxia-modifying treatment in both cancer types.

Experimental Design: Samples were available from 157 T2–T4 laryngeal cancer and 185 T1–T4a bladder cancer patients enrolled on the accelerated radiotherapy with carbogen and nicotinamide (ARCON) and bladder carbogen nicotinamide (BCON) phase III randomized trials of radiotherapy alone or with carbogen and nicotinamide (CON) respectively. Customized TaqMan low density arrays (TLDA) were used to assess expression of the 26-gene signature using quantitative real-time PCR. The median expression of the 26 genes was used to derive a hypoxia score (HS). Patients were categorized as TLDA-HS low (≤median) or TLDA-HS high (>median). The primary outcome measures were regional control (RC; ARCON) and overall survival (BCON).

Results: Laryngeal tumors categorized as TLDA-HS high showed greater benefit from ARCON than TLDA-HS low tumors. Five-year RC was 81% (radiotherapy alone) versus 100% (CON) for TLDA-HS high (P = 0.009). For TLDA-HS low, 5-year RC was 91% (radiotherapy alone) versus 90% (CON; P = 0.90). TLDA-HS did not predict benefit from CON in bladder cancer.

Conclusion: The 26-gene hypoxia signature predicts benefit from hypoxia-modifying treatment in laryngeal cancer. These findings will be evaluated in a prospective clinical trial. Clin Cancer Res; 19(17); 4879–88. ©2013 AACR.
Expression of CREB in Primary Pterygium and Correlation with Cyclin D1, ki-67, MMP7, p53, p63, Survivin and Vimentin
Authors: Nubile Mario , Curcio Claudia , Lanzini Manuela , Calienno Roberta , Iezzi Manuela , Mastropasqua Alessandra , Di Nicola Marta , Mastropasqua Leonardo
Published: July 2013

Aim: Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation induces gene expression that leads to skin cancer. Among the transcription factors induced by UVB radiation exposure, the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is significant. Since several factors downstream of CREB signaling are known to be involved in pterygium pathogenesis, we investigated CREB expression in pterygial and human conjunctival tissues to evaluate if a similar expression pattern is present. Moreover, we analyzed the correlation with CREB expression and other known pterygium markers. Methods: Primary pterygium samples and normal bulbar conjunctivas surgically removed were analyzed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were stained by immunohistochemistry with anti-CREB, anti-vimentin, anti-ki-67, anti-survivin, anti-MMP7, anti-p63, anti-cyclin D1, or anti-p53 antibodies. Results: 94.4% of pterygium samples were positive for CREB with a significant difference compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The staining was localized in the epithelium and absent in the stroma. An increased expression was found for cyclin D1 (p = 0.019), ki-67 (p = 0.005), vimentin (p = 0.003), survivin (p < 0.001), p63 (p = 0.003), and MMP7 (p = 0.002). CREB expression showed a significant correlation with cyclin D1 (ρ = 0.49; p = 0.035), ki-67 (ρ = 0.61; p = 0.007), and p53 (ρ = 0.57; p = 0.013) in pterygium. Conclusions: These results permit to hypothesize that CREB is involved in pterygium pathogenesis. Since various molecules have been discovered to inhibit CREB, these data could be of interest for pterygium treatment.
Magnetic Resonance T
1
Relaxation Time of Venous Thrombus Is Determined by Iron Processing and Predicts Susceptibility to Lysis
Authors: Saha Prakash , Andia Marcelo E. , Modarai Bijan , Blume Ulrike , Humphries Julia , Patel Ashish S. , Phinikaridou Alkystis , Evans Colin E. , Mattock Katherine , Grover Steven P. , Ahmad Anwar , Lyons Oliver T. , Attia Rizwan Q. , Renné Thomas , Premaratne Sobath , Wiethoff Andrea J. , Botnar René M. , Schaeffter Tobias , Waltham Matthew , Smith Alberto
Published: July 2013

Background—

The magnetic resonance longitudinal relaxation time (T
1
) changes with thrombus age in humans. In this study, we investigate the possible mechanisms that give rise to the T
1
signal in venous thrombi and whether changes in T
1
relaxation time are informative of the susceptibility to lysis.

Methods and Results—

Venous thrombosis was induced in the vena cava of BALB/C mice, and temporal changes in T
1
relaxation time correlated with thrombus composition. The mean T
1
relaxation time of thrombus was shortest at 7days following thrombus induction and returned to that of blood as the thrombus resolved. T
1
relaxation time was related to thrombus methemoglobin formation and further processing. Studies in inducible nitric oxide synthase (
iNOS
−/−
)–deficient mice revealed that inducible nitric oxide synthase mediates oxidation of erythrocyte lysis–derived iron to paramagnetic Fe
3+
, which causes thrombus T
1
relaxation time shortening. Studies using chemokine receptor-2–deficient mice (
Ccr2
−/−
) revealed that the return of the T
1
signal to that of blood is regulated by removal of Fe
3+
by macrophages that accumulate in the thrombus during its resolution. Quantification of T
1
relaxation time was a good predictor of successful thrombolysis with a cutoff point of <747 ms having a sensitivity and specificity to predict successful lysis of 83% and 94%, respectively.

Conclusions—

The source of the T
1
signal in the thrombus results from the oxidation of iron (released from the lysis of trapped erythrocytes in the thrombus) to its paramagnetic Fe
3+
form. Quantification of T
1
relaxation time appears to be a good predictor of the success of thrombolysis.
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1–Deficiency Results in Altered Blood–Brain Barrier Breakdown After Experimental Stroke
Authors: Strecker Jan-Kolja , Minnerup Jens , Schütte-Nütgen Katharina , Gess Burkhard , Schäbitz Wolf-Rüdiger , Schilling Matthias
Published: July 2013

Background and Purpose—

Stroke-induced blood–brain barrier (BBB)-disruption can contribute to further progression of cerebral damage. There is rising evidence for a strong involvement of chemokines in postischemic BBB-breakdown. In a previous study, we showed that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)–deficiency results in a markedly reduced inflammatory reaction with decreased levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor after experimental stroke. With MCP-1 as one of the key players in stroke-induced inflammation, in this study, we investigated the influence of MCP-1 on poststroke BBB-disruption as well as transcription/translation of BBB-related genes/proteins after cerebral ischemia.

Methods—

Sixteen wild-type and 16 MCP-1
−/−
mice were subjected to 30 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion. By injecting high molecular-tracer, we compared the degree of BBB-disruption after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blot technique were used to compare tight-junction gene expression, protein secretion, and BBB-leakage.

Results—

Here, we report that MCP-1–deficiency results in a reduced BBB-leakage and a diminished expression of BBB-related genes occludin, zonula occludens-1, and zonula occludens-2. Real-time polymerase chain reactions and Western blot analysis revealed elevated claudin-5–levels in MCP-1
−/−
animals. MCP-1–deficiency resulted in reduced infarct sizes and an increased vascular accumulation of fluorescein-isothiocyanate-albumin.

Conclusions—

The results of the study provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms of BBB-opening and may help to better understand the mechanisms of infarct development after cerebral ischemia.
Satisfaction With Palliative Care After Stroke
Authors: Blacquiere Dylan , Bhimji Khadija , Meggison Hilary , Sinclair John , Sharma Michael
Published: July 2013

Background and Purpose—

The determinants of satisfaction for families of acute stroke patients receiving palliative care have not been extensively studied. We surveyed families to determine how they perceived palliative care after stroke.

Methods—

Families of patients palliated after ischemic stroke, intracerebral, or subarachnoid hemorrhage were approached. Four weeks after the patient’s death, families were administered the After–Death Bereaved Family Member Interview to determine satisfaction with the care provided.

Results—

Fifteen families participated. Families were most satisfied with participation in decision making and least satisfied with attention to emotional needs. In stroke-specific domains, families had less satisfaction with artificial feeding, hydration, and communication. Overall satisfaction was high (9.04 out of 10).

Conclusions—

Families of patients receiving palliative care at our institution showed generally high satisfaction with palliation after stroke; specific domains were identified for improvement. Further study in larger populations is required.
Wind Energy Meteorology: Insight into Wind Properties in the Turbine-Rotor Layer of the Atmosphere from High-Resolution Doppler Lidar
Authors: Banta Robert M. , Pichugina Yelena L. , Kelley Neil D. , Hardesty R. Michael , Brewer W. Alan
Published: July 2013

Addressing the need for high-quality wind information aloft in the layer occupied by turbine rotors (~30–150 m above ground level) is one of many significant challenges facing the wind energy industry. Without wind measurements at heights within the rotor sweep of the turbines, characteristics of the flow in this layer are unknown for wind energy and modeling purposes. Since flow in this layer is often decoupled from the surface, near-surface measurements are prone to errant extrapolation to these heights, and the behavior of the near-surface winds may not reflect that of the upper-level flow.
NOAA'S Hurricane Intensity Forecasting Experiment: A Progress Report
Authors: Rogers Robert , Aberson Sim , Aksoy Altug , Annane Bachir , Black Michael , Cione Joseph , Dorst Neal , Dunion Jason , Gamache John , Goldenberg Stan , Gopalakrishnan Sundararaman , Kaplan John , Klotz Bradley , Lorsolo Sylvie , Marks Frank , Murillo Shirley , Powell Mark , Reasor Paul , Sellwood Kathryn , Uhlhorn Eric , Vukicevic Tomislava , Zhang Jun , Zhang Xuejin
Published: July 2013

An update of the progress achieved as part of the NOAA Intensity Forecasting Experiment (IFEX) is provided. Included is a brief summary of the noteworthy aircraft missions flown in the years since 2005, the first year IFEX flights occurred, as well as a description of the research and development activities that directly address the three primary IFEX goals: 1) collect observations that span the tropical cyclone (TC) life cycle in a variety of environments for model initialization and evaluation; 2) develop and refine measurement strategies and technologies that provide improved real-time monitoring of TC intensity, structure, and environment; and 3) improve the understanding of physical processes important in intensity change for a TC at all stages of its life cycle. Such activities include the real-time analysis and transmission of Doppler radar measurements; numerical model and data assimilation advancements; characterization of tropical cyclone composite structure across multiple scales, from vortex scale to turbulence scale; improvements in statistical prediction of rapid intensification; and studies specifically targeting tropical cyclogenesis, extratropical transition, and the impact of environmental humidity on TC structure and evolution. While progress in TC intensity forecasting remains challenging, the activities described here provide some hope for improvement.
In Situ, Doppler Radar, and Video Observations of the Interior Structure of a Tornado and the Wind–Damage Relationship
Authors: Wurman Joshua , Kosiba Karen , Robinson Paul
Published: July 2013

Direct observations of the winds inside a tornado were obtained with an instrumented armored vehicle, the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), and integrated with finescale mobile Doppler radar (Doppler on Wheels) data revealing, for the first time, the structure of the near-ground three-dimensional wind field in and around the core region of a strong tornado, and permitting comparison with conceptual models. Inward and upward spiraling near-surface flow, upward motion near the surface, and an axial downdraft aloft are documented, as well as a periodic oscillation in tornado intensity. Simultaneous video documentation of damage occurring during the tornado is related to the direct wind observations, permitting the first comparisons of the time history of damage to the time history of directly measured winds and a limited evaluation of the underlying assumptions and quantitative relationships in the enhanced Fujita (EF) scale.
Bullying victimisation and adolescents: Implications for school-based intervention programs
Authors: Lester Leanne , Cross Donna , Dooley Julian , Shaw Thérèse
Published: July 2013

Schools have become increasingly aware of the prevalence, seriousness and negative impacts of bullying. Investigation into the direction and strength of the relationship between social health factors and bullying victimisation during early adolescence and the determination of a critical time to focus school-based bullying intervention programs is a high priority. Data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire four times over 3 years from 3459 students aged 11–14 years during the transition from primary to the end of the second year of secondary school. Results show the path coefficients for bullying victimisation to social heath factors were stronger at the beginning of secondary school than the reverse paths, with bullying victimisation associated with greater loneliness, less peer support, less connectedness to school and feeling less safe at school. Reciprocal relationships between bullying victimisation and social health were found during the first 2 years of secondary school. Consequently, the time prior to the transition to secondary school and within the first 2 years of secondary school appears to be a critical time to implement a whole-school bullying intervention program to reduce victimisation.
Indian higher education students in Australia: Their patterns and motivations
Authors: Rafi Bilal , Lewis Phil
Published: July 2013

Australia has proven to be a popular destination for Indian students seeking higher education qualifications. In recent years, the influx of Indian students into Australia has shown considerable volatility and so has their enrollment mix between the further, vocational and higher education sectors. An understanding of the motivations and characteristics of potential and current Indian international students along with the changing dynamics of the global higher education sector is important to be able to analyse this volatility and to ensure effective and sustainable marketing of higher education to Indian students. This paper provides a profile of Indian students studying in Australia and provides insight into their course preferences and motivations for choosing Australia. A key finding of this paper is that apart from traditional motivators such as higher rates of returns and employability associated with a foreign qualification, Indian students are very responsive to changes in Australia’s labour market, immigration and student visa policies relative to other international alternatives.
Elitism for sale: Promoting the elite school online in the competitive educational marketplace
Authors: Drew Christopher
Published: July 2013

Australia’s neoliberal education agenda drives a competitive market climate where schools compete for potential clientele. In this climate, school impression management and self-promotion has become an important factor in maintaining a financially viable school. Schools produce image management texts including school prospectuses, newspapers advertisements, and school websites. Examining fifteen elite school websites from New South Wales Australia, this paper argues that the websites construct elite ideological discourses in order to position themselves as desirable within the neoliberal education context. The placement of promotional images and hyperlinks in salient places on the websites reveals the importance of self-promotion and the production of images of elitism in the marketised education climate. The school websites examined are found to have multiple animated and interactive functions that are used in the promotion of the schools as elite.
‘Hanging out with mates’: Friendship quality and its effect on academic endeavours and social behaviours
Authors: Irwin Michael
Published: July 2013

This article examines what it means to ‘hang out with mates’ and the effect that ‘hanging out’ has on boys’ academic success and behaviours. The research was conducted in three geographic and socio-economic diverse secondary schools within New Zealand using 200 boys aged between 12 and 18 years both as participants and researchers. The research participants claimed that ‘hanging out with mates’ was a crucial activity during adolescence and an important reason for going to school. Adolescent boys who developed close male friendships perceived a variety of benefits that strengthened and protected them from the many social and academic pressures that arise during adolescence. ‘Hanging out with mates’ was perceived to have positive effects on school retention and achievement as boys moved into the upper levels of schooling. Boys claimed their mates acted as a buffer between peer group and academic stressors; as well as offering a secure environment from which to develop concepts of self.
The quality teaching movement in Australia encounters difficult terrain: A personal perspective
Authors: Dinham Stephen
Published: July 2013

There has been a major and growing international focus on improving the quality of teaching for decades. In Australia, there have been numerous key national initiatives introduced since 2007 with the aim of improving school, teacher and student performance. These include national testing and reporting of student achievement, national professional standards for teachers, a national curriculum, national accreditation of teacher education courses and a national framework for teacher development and performance. However, there are growing concerns over Australia's performance on international measures of student achievement and growing criticism of teacher education, teachers and schools from various sectors. Educators themselves, however, have largely been silent. Various simplistic solutions to the perceived problem of teacher quality have been promulgated, yet these have not been successful elsewhere. The paper calls for educators to find their voices in this current debate and to argue from a position of evidence to counter the misinformed and misguided views that currently predominate and influence government policy.
Trends in Revision Circumcision at Pediatric Hospitals
Authors: Kokorowski Paul J. , Routh Jonathan C. , Hubert Katherine , Graham Dionne A , Nelson Caleb P.
Published: July 2013

Background. We sought to determine the incidence of revision circumcision at freestanding children’s hospitals, and examine trends over time. Methods. We searched the Pediatric Health Information Systems database to identify boys undergoing revision circumcision (RC), primary non-newborn circumcision (PC), or lysis of penile adhesions (LPA) from 2004 to 2009. Rates of RC procedures were calculated by dividing the incidence of procedures by the total male ambulatory surgical volume. Results. We identified 34 568 patients of whom 5632 underwent RC, 25 768 PC, and 3168 LPA. The rate of RC increased 119%, which was significantly more than PC (19%; P < .001) or LPA (37%; P < .001). Urologists performed 76% of RC and 12% were performed with other genitourinary procedures. Boys undergoing RC were predominately white (60%) and publicly insured (61%). Conclusions. There was a disproportionate increased rate of RC performed at Pediatric Health Information Systems hospitals compared with PC or LPA. Wide variation exists in rate increases among hospitals.
Intravenous Dihydroergotamine Therapy for Pediatric Abdominal Migraines
Authors: Raina Madiha , Chelimsky Gisela , Chelimsky Thomas
Published: July 2013

Abdominal migraines present with debilitating symptoms in adolescence. At our institution, the gastroenterology, neurology, and autonomic departments collaborated in treating patients with such presentations. This case series describes 6 patients who were given intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE) for presumed abdominal migraines. DHE was only used when other agents like amitriptyline, verapamil, topiramate, or depakote had proved ineffective. DHE was started at 0.5 mg dose and on average 7 to 9 mg were given on each hospitalization. Patient ages ranged from 13 to 19 years with the majority being female. One patient did not respond to treatment. One patient was admitted 4 times for symptoms of abdominal migraines resolving with DHE. The average time between symptom relapse was about 5 to 12 months. Five of our 6 patients responded to the infusion without significant side effects. Based on these case series, DHE may be a treatment option in children with intractable abdominal migraine.
Is Bigger Really Better? Obesity Among High School Football Players, Player Position, and Team Success
Authors: Skinner Asheley Cockrell , Hasty Stephanie E. , Turner Robert W. , Dreibelbis Mark , Lohr Jacob A.
Published: July 2013

Objective. American football is one of the most common high school sports in the United States. We examine obesity among high school football players, and variations based on positions, team division, and team success. Patients and methods. We used 2 data sets from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (n = 2026) and MaxPreps (n = 6417). We examined body mass index, calculated using coach-reported height and weight, by player position, division, and success based on win–loss percentage. Results. Most players (62%) were skill players, with 35% linemen and 3% punters/kickers. Most skill players (62%) were healthy weight and 4% obese or morbidly obese. In contrast, only 8% of linemen were healthy weight, with 21% morbidly obese. Team success was correlated with size only for skill players. Conclusions. Obesity is a significant problem for high school football players. Pediatricians should consider the context of football playing in assessing long-term health risks for these young men.
Association of Screen Time Use and Language Development in Hispanic Toddlers
Authors: Duch Helena , Fisher Elisa M. , Ensari Ipek , Font Marta , Harrington Alison , Taromino Caroline , Yip Jonathan , Rodriguez Carmen
Published: July 2013

This study examined the association between screen media use, media content, and language development among 119 Hispanic infants and toddlers. Children and their caregivers were recruited through an urban, Early Head Start program. Duration and content of screen media exposure was measured through a 24-hour recall questionnaire, and language development was measured at baseline and at 1-year follow up. Children in the sample spent an average of 3.29 hours engaged with screen media (median 2.5 hours per day). In both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, children who watched over 2 hours of television per day had increased odds of low communication scores. Whereas child-directed media was associated with low language scores, adult-directed media was not. Our findings support the mounting literature on the deleterious impacts of screen media in toddler’s language development. Guidance and alternatives to screen media use should be available to families in pediatric practices and early childhood centers.
Growth of Healthy Term Infants Fed an Extensively Hydrolyzed Casein-Based or Free Amino Acid–Based Infant Formula
Authors: Borschel Marlene W. , Ziegler Ekhard E. , Wedig Rita Thomas , Oliver Jeffery S.
Published: July 2013

A masked, randomized, parallel growth study was conducted in infants fed an amino acid–based formula (AF) or an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula (HF). Infants were enrolled between 0 and 9 days and studied to 112 days of age. Growth, formula intake, stool patterns, and serum albumin concentrations were assessed. There were no significant differences between groups in weight, length, or head circumference, gains in weight or length, or study formula intake. The number of stools parents rated as being formed, and the mean daily number of stools were greater in the HF than in the AF group at 14 and 28 days of age. Mean serum albumin concentrations were not significantly different between groups and were within the normal range. This study demonstrates that AF supports normal growth of infants comparable to that of infants fed HF during the critical first 4 months of life.
Coefficient Omega Bootstrap Confidence Intervals
Authors: Padilla Miguel A. , Divers Jasmin
Published: July 2013

The performance of the normal theory bootstrap (NTB), the percentile bootstrap (PB), and the bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) for coefficient omega was assessed through a Monte Carlo simulation under conditions not previously investigated. Of particular interests were nonnormal Likert-type and binary items. The results show a clear order in performance. The NTB CI had the best performance in that it had more consistent acceptable coverage under the simulation conditions investigated. The results suggest that the NTB CI can be used for sample sizes larger than 50. The NTB CI is still a good choice for a sample size of 50 so long as there are more than 5 items. If one does not wish to make the normality assumption about coefficient omega, then the PB CI for sample sizes of 100 or more or the BCa CI for samples sizes of 150 or more are good choices.
Analytical micromechanics equations for elastic and viscoelastic properties of strand-based composites
Authors: Malekmohammadi Sardar , Tressou Benjamin , Nadot-Martin Carole , Ellyin Fernand , Vaziri Reza
Published: July 2013

Using the principles of classical micromechanics, analytical equations are developed in this paper to estimate the effective orthotropic properties of a unit cell of strand-based composites according to their constituent phase properties and their microstructural features such as resin thickness, void content and strand geometrical characteristics. Although a special type of strand-based wood composite product, Parallel Strand Lumber, is considered here as an illustrative example, the methodology can be used for other wood composites consisting of high volume fraction of wood strands. The predictive accuracy of the derived analytical equations is investigated through comparisons with numerical results. Finally, applications of these equations in a linear viscoelastic analysis are discussed. The analytical micromechanics models developed here provide an efficient means of computing effective properties of a unit cell of strand-based composites. These models can then be used within a multi-scale modelling framework that has been developed previously to simulate the macroscopic behaviour of structures made of such materials.
A Phenomenological Psychological Study of the Police Officer’s Lived Experience of the Use of Deadly Force
Authors: Broomé Rodger E.
Published: July 2013

A police officer is sometimes required to literally make a potentially life or death decision and act on it under rapidly evolving and dynamic circumstances involving a variety of mental, physical, and emotional aspects of the deadly force experience. Because the act of using deadly force is so personally influencing, the descriptive phenomenological psychological method was used in this study to provide a qualitative, holistic, and personal viewpoint from the officers’ perspective in their lived experiences. Three city police officers were interviewed and each gave a descriptive account of their experiences with deadly force. It was found that police officers experience complex decision-making challenges requiring rapid interpretations and understandings of the situation as a lethal encounter. The phenomenological psychologically pertinent constituents found in the general structure of their experiences are Perceptions of Bullets Hitting the Suspect, Surreal Experience, Noticing Body Damage to the Suspect, Making Meaning out of the Experience, and Officer’s Understanding the Suspect(s) as Adversaries. Police officers are forced to confront death and later reflect on its personal and social meanings. The emotional impact of deadly force encounters seems to transform the officer and the deep emotional impacts may not ever become resolved.
Personal Transformation
Authors: Weiss Tzipi
Published: July 2013

This article connects two rich but distinct literatures on personal transformation and well-being that can benefit from cross-fertilization. It explores the intersection of posttraumatic growth (PTG), a model of positive changes following traumatic events, and gerotranscendence, a theory of positive changes related to aging. The two conceptualizations of positive change are compared on multiple dimensions. These include the philosophical base, domains, trigger, mechanism, and correlates of change, as well as the connection of change with wisdom and life satisfaction. The analysis reveals many similarities between the two paths to personal transformation with the key difference being the trigger for growth. Whereas PTG connects growth to traumatic events, gerotranscendence connects the growth to normative later life experiences. The similarities identified imply that PTG could be viewed as part of normative adult development and as an accelerator of gerotranscendence. The analysis also indicates that transformation in normative development is likely fueled in part by stressful losses and existential suffering. The article suggests that PTG and gerotranscendence may be viewed as two facets of the universal human striving toward self-transcendence or emancipatory knowledge. The critical role of the sociocultural context in personal transformation is also highlighted. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Developing Sensitivity
Authors: Bosma Hielke
Published: July 2013

This article presents the results of a qualitative case study on the diaries of Etty Hillesum. The focus of this investigation is on the way her inner development leads to increased sensitivity. This research revealed that Etty’s inner development is characterized by a transformation from great opacity to transparency in three phases. Whereas she is at first lost in inner chaos, she shows an impressive serenity and inner peace at the end of her writings. It is argued that in each of the three phases, Etty adapts her strategies to the new challenges she has to face in life. The main processes involved here are “mental cleansing,” “mental slimming,” and “mental emptying.” Going through these processes, she codevelops the sensitivity as well as the firmness she needs to face reality in all its aspects.
The Politics of Temporary Work Deregulation in Europe
Authors: Vlandas Tim
Published: July 2013

Temporary work has expanded in the last three decades with adverse implications for inequalities. Because temporary workers are a constituency that is unlikely to impose political costs, governments often choose to reduce temporary work regulations. While most European countries have indeed implemented such reforms, France went in the opposite direction, despite having both rigid labor markets and high unemployment. My argument to solve this puzzle is that where replaceability is high, workers in permanent and temporary contracts have overlapping interests, and governments choose to regulate temporary work to protect permanent workers. In turn, replaceability is higher where permanent workers’ skills are general and wage coordination is low. Logistic regression analysis of the determinants of replaceability—and how this affects governments’ reforms of temporary work regulations—supports my argument. Process tracing of French reforms also confirm that the left has tightened temporary work regulations to compensate for the high replaceability.
A rare case of ovarian and pelvic filariasis
Authors: Goel Poonam , Tandon Rimpy , Saha Pradip Kumar , Prabhakar Sonil , Goel Bharti , Kaur Ravinder , Kaur Narinder , Singhal Niti
Published: July 2013

Lymphatic filariasis is an important tropic disease associated with significant morbidity. The patients in endemic areas mostly experience problems related to lymphatic obstruction. Physicians practicing in non- endemic areas rarely consider filariasis, especially if it is an uncommon presentation. We present a young woman who posed a significant problem in the diagnosis of ovarian filariasis.
Gifted Education in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Authors: Tommis Stephen
Published: July 2013

Despite its close geographical, economic, and political ties with mainland China, Hong Kong has not followed the same trajectory on gifted education but instead has preferred to adopt a more Western approach to the definitions and provision for gifted learners (Shi & Zixiu, 2000; Zou, Yang, & Greene, 2007). Hong Kong is, on most measures of international achievement, one of the highest performing educational jurisdictions in the world yet, paradoxically, it is a relatively recent convert to gifted education (GE). Not surprisingly, Hong Kong shares a common cultural tradition with China, especially in terms of the cultural capital derived from Confucianism, which encourages a strong work ethic and in which educational policy sits. This article traces the development of thinking in GE from 1990 and outlines the framework for delivery using the three-tier implementation model. It describes the current GE landscape in terms of its school-based and off-site approaches to GE provision within this model, and it briefly reviews the main strands of research on GE in recent years.
The reliability of morphological analyses in language samples
Authors: Tommerdahl Jodi , Kilpatrick Cynthia D
Published: July 2013

It is currently unclear to what extent a spontaneous language sample of a given number of utterances is representative of a child’s ability in morphology and syntax. This lack of information about the regularity of children’s linguistic productions and the reliability of spontaneous language samples have serious implications for language testing based upon natural language. This study investigates the reliability of children’s spontaneous language samples by using a test-retest procedure to examine repeated samples of various lengths (50, 100, 150, and 200 utterances) in regard to morpheme production in 23 typically developing children aged 2;6 to 3;6. Analyses indicate that out of five morphosyntactic categories studied, one of these (the contracted auxiliary) achieves an ICC for absolute agreement over .6 using 100 utterances while most others (past tense, third-person singular and the uncontracted ‘be’ in an auxiliary form) fail to reach a correlation above .52 even when samples of 200 utterances are compared. The study indicates that (1) 200-utterance samples did not provide a significantly greater degree of reliability than 100 utterance samples; (2) several structures that children were able to produce did not show up in a 200-utterance sample; and (3) earlier acquired morphemes were not used more reliably than more recently acquired items. The notion of reliability and its importance in the area of spontaneous language samples and language testing are also discussed.