bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene2DGE: A Perl Package for Gene Model Renewal with Digital Gene Expression Data
Authors: Tang Xiaoli , Deng Libin , Zhang Dake , Lin Jiari , Wei Yi , Zhou Qinqin , Li Xiang , Li Guilin , Liang Shangdong
Published: March 2012

For transcriptome analysis, it is critical to precisely define all the transcripts across the whole genome. More and more digital gene expression (DGE) scannings have indicated the presence of huge amount of novel transcripts in addition to the known gene models. However, almost all these studies still depend crucially on existing annotation. Here, we present Gene2DGE, a Perl software package for gene model renewal with DGE data. We applied Gene2DGE to the mouse blastomere transcriptome, and defined 98,532 read-enriched regions (RERs) by read clustering supported by more than four reads for each base pair. Taking advantage of this ab initio method, we refined 2,104 exonic regions (4% of a total of 48,501 annotated transcribed regions) with remarkable extension into un-annotated regions (>50 bp). For 5% of uniquely mapped reads falling within intron regions, we identified 13,291 additional possible exons. As a result, we renewed 4,788 gene models, which account for 39% of a total of 12,277 transcribed genes. Furthermore, we identified 12,613 intergenic RERs, suggesting the possible presence of novel genes outside the existing gene models. In this study, therefore, we have developed a suitable tool for renewal of known gene models by ab initio prediction in transcriptome dissection. The Gene2DGE package is freely available at http://bighapmap.big.ac.cn/.
On the Flow Structures Under a Partially Inundated Bridge Deck
Authors: Lin C. , Kao M.-J. , Hsieh S.-C. , Lo L.-F. , Raikar R. V.
Published: March 2012

This paper presents the flow structure under a partially inundated bridge deck measured by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and flow visualization techniques. The approaching flow was subcritical having Froude number F in the range 0.12 ∼ 0.55. The proximity ratio Pr (= ratio of clearance below the bridge deck h to the total depth of deck D) was varied from 0.57 to 2. Depending upon the Froude number F and proximity ratio Pr, four types of flow structures under the bridge deck were recognized. In flow Type I, the water surface elevation on the downstream side of bridge deck is slightly lower than the counterpart on the upstream side, and the shear layer formed at the bottom of upstream girder continuously fluctuates and touches soffit of all girders. In the case of flow Type II, the water surface on downstream side of bridge deck is lower than that on the upstream side and the shear layer originating from the upstream girder impinges near the third cavity between girders. However, in both the cases, the cavities between the girders are completely occupied by vortices. On the contrary, in the cases of flow Type III and flow Type IV, the flow is separated from the upstream girder edge. However, in flow Type III, the separated flow impinges on successive girders and cavities are partially filled by water; while in flow Type IV, the flow is totally separated from the deck bottom like orifice flow. The phenomena of vortex formation within the cavities are discussed for the cases of flow Type I and flow Type II. Also, for the vertical distribution of mean streamwise velocity in the shear layer below bridge deck, the nonlinear regression equations are developed. Using the distributions of measured mean streamwise velocity within the shear layer below the bridge deck at different streamwise distances, the similarity profile is obtained. The mean velocity deficit (usl – usu) and representative thickness bs are considered as the appropriate characteristic velocity and length scales for developing similarity profile. The proposed characteristic scales provided unique similarity profiles having promising regression coefficient. The similarity profile proposed is suitable for more general case of bridge deck having different bridge girders and even for rectangular block without girder. Further, the turbulence characteristics for the flow below the bridge deck are also presented.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Micro Cantilever Beam Under Electrostatic Loading
Authors: Liu C.-C. , Yang S.-C. , Chen C.-K.
Published: March 2012

A hybrid differential transformation / finite difference scheme is used to analyze the complex nonlinear behavior of an electrostatically-actuated micro cantilever beam which high aspect ratios (length/width). The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by comparing the numerical results obtained for the tip displacement and pull-in voltage of the cantilever beam with the analytical and experimental results presented in the literature. The hybrid scheme is then applied to analyze both the steady-state and the dynamic deflection behavior of the cantilever beam as a function of the applied voltage. Overall, the results confirm that the hybrid method provides an accurate and computationally-efficient means of analyzing the complex nonlinear behavior of both the current micro cantilever beam system and other micro-scale electrostatically-actuated structures.
Iron supplementation is positively associated with increased serum ferritin levels in 9-month-old Danish infants
Authors: Gondolf Ulla Holmboe , Tetens Inge , Michaelsen Kim F. , Trolle Ellen
Published: March 2012

Fe deficiency is still common in infancy, even in affluent societies, and has prompted Fe fortification of food products and use of Fe supplements in many populations. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Fe status among 9-month-old infants following the Danish Fe supplementation recommendation (>400 ml Fe-fortified formula or 8 mg Fe/d) is associated with more favourable levels of Fe status indicators compared to those not following the recommendation. A random sample of 9-month-old infants living in Copenhagen was established and 312 healthy term infants were examined at 9·1 (sd0·3) months of age. Blood samples were available from 278 infants. Overall, twenty infants (7·8 %) had Fe deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 μg/l) and < 1 % had Fe deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin < 12 μg/l and Hb < 100 g/l). Serum ferritin was positively associated with birth weight (P < 0·001), intake of fortified formula and follow-on formula (P = 0·001), and female sex (P < 0·001). Cow's milk intake and length of exclusive breast-feeding were negatively associated with Hb levels (P = 0·013 andP < 0·001). Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher (P < 0·0001) and transferrin receptor (TfR) was significantly lower (P = 0·003) among infants (n188) meeting the Fe supplementation recommendation compared to those (n67) not meeting the recommendation. No significant difference between these two groups was found for Hb. In conclusion, this study confirmed that Fe status of infants following the Danish Fe supplementation recommendation was significantly associated with increased serum ferritin and decreased levels of TfR indicating more favourable Fe status, compared to infants not following the recommendation.
A Standard Fit for Neoliberalism
Authors: Gibbon Peter , Henriksen Lasse Folke
Published: March 2012

Social scientists and historians writing on techniques of contemporary rule, particularly those influenced by post-Marxist paradigms such as governmentality, have become increasingly preoccupied by the expanding role of standardization and the subjection of an ever-expanding array of spheres of activity to inspection (or self-inspection), audit, and certification. In the course of their investigations, the elements of a common narrative are emerging. This links standardization, audit, and certification with neoliberalism and contraction of the state, on one hand, with a reconfiguration of everyday life in business, communication, and social provision on the other (see Power 1997; Brunsson and Jakobsen 2000; Strathern 2000; and Higgins and Larner 2010).
The Nation, Rescaled: Theorizing the Decentralization of Memory in Contemporary France
Authors: Kowalski Alexandra
Published: March 2012

For more than forty years now, the French state has produced, legitimized, and supported local identities through national policies of historic preservation and public discourses about heritage. Rather than simply replaying the old, anxious, and nostalgic tune of national identity, the advent of heritage in France marked a singular moment of cultural transformation and rupture. The national past became articulated, in public speech and political practice, with the cultures and identities of local and regional territories. Given France's centralist tradition, and its political culture that is often cast as the archetype of “an ideology concerned with boundedness, continuity, and homogeneity” (Handler 1988: 6), this historical transformation presents a puzzle, to which this paper provides answers through historical and theoretical inquiry.
The Virgin Made Visible: Intercessory Images of Church Territory in Egypt
Authors: Heo Angie
Published: March 2012

In the dark midnight hours of 11 December 2009, the Virgin Mary (al-‘adhra) burst into visibility against the skyline of al-Warraq, a working-class district on the neglected peripheries of Giza, Egypt. Hovering within a glowing triad of crosses, the apparition attracted spectators to the Church of the Virgin and the Archangel Michael along the main thoroughfare, Nile Street, even in the inconvenient hours between dusk and dawn. Within days, the Virgin was being discussed far and wide by Christians and Muslims, Egyptians and foreigners, skeptics and believers. Reactions were diverse: A journalist announced to his friends, “Even if the Virgin appeared before my very eyes, I would deny her.” A cab driver explained, “It is a trick, a big laser show in the sky.” A young mother urged, “Why [forbid oneself] the joy that the Virgin brings?”
Religious Freedom, the Minority Question, and Geopolitics in the Middle East
Authors: Mahmood Saba
Published: March 2012

The right to religious freedom is widely regarded as a crowning achievement of secular-liberal democracies, one that guarantees the peaceful coexistence of religiously diverse populations. Enshrined in national constitutions and international laws and treaties, the right to religious liberty promises to ensure two stable goods: (1) the ability to choose one's religion freely without coercion by the state, church, or other institutions; and (2) the creation of a polity in which one's economic, civil, legal, or political status is unaffected by one's religious beliefs. While all members of a polity are supposed to be protected by this right, modern wisdom has it that religious minorities are its greatest beneficiaries and their ability to practice their traditions without fear of discrimination is a critical marker of a tolerant and civilized polity. The right to religious freedom marks an important distinction between liberal secularism and the kind practiced in authoritarian states (such as China, Syria, or the former Soviet Union): while the latter abide by the separation of religion and state (a central principle of political secularism), they also regularly abrogate religious freedoms of their minority and majority populations. Despite claims to religious neutrality, liberal secular states frequently regulate religious affairs but they do so in accord with a strong concern for protecting the individual's right to practice his or her religion freely, without coercion or state intervention.
Genetic parameters for test-day yield of milk, fat and protein in buffaloes estimated by random regression models
Authors: Aspilcueta-Borquis Rúsbel R. , Araujo Neto Francisco R. , Baldi Fernando , Santos Daniel J. A. , Albuquerque Lucia G. , Tonhati Humberto
Published: March 2012

The test-day yields of milk, fat and protein were analysed from 1433 first lactations of buffaloes of the Murrah breed, daughters of 113 sires from 12 herds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, born between 1985 and 2007. For the test-day yields, 10 monthly classes of lactation days were considered. The contemporary groups were defined as the herd-year-month of the test day. Random additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual effects were included in the model. The fixed effects considered were the contemporary group, number of milkings (1 or 2 milkings), linear and quadratic effects of the covariable cow age at calving and the mean lactation curve of the population (modelled by third-order Legendre orthogonal polynomials). The random additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were estimated by means of regression on third- to sixth-order Legendre orthogonal polynomials. The residual variances were modelled with a homogenous structure and various heterogeneous classes. According to the likelihood-ratio test, the best model for milk and fat production was that with four residual variance classes, while a third-order Legendre polynomial was best for the additive genetic effect for milk and fat yield, a fourth-order polynomial was best for the permanent environmental effect for milk production and a fifth-order polynomial was best for fat production. For protein yield, the best model was that with three residual variance classes and third- and fourth-order Legendre polynomials were best for the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, respectively. The heritability estimates for the characteristics analysed were moderate, varying from 0·16±0·05 to 0·29±0·05 for milk yield, 0·20±0·05 to 0·30±0·08 for fat yield and 0·18±0·06 to 0·27±0·08 for protein yield. The estimates of the genetic correlations between the tests varied from 0·18±0·120 to 0·99±0·002; from 0·44±0·080 to 0·99±0·004; and from 0·41±0·080 to 0·99±0·004, for milk, fat and protein production, respectively, indicating that whatever the selection criterion used, indirect genetic gains can be expected throughout the lactation curve.
Drinking water is a significant predictor ofBlastocystisinfection among rural Malaysian primary schoolchildren
Authors: ABDULSALAM AWATIF M. , ITHOI INIT , AL-MEKHLAFI HESHAM M. , AHMED ABDULHAMID , SURIN JOHARI , MAK JOON-WAH
Published: March 2012

Blastocystisinfection has a worldwide distribution especially among the disadvantaged population and immunocompromised subjects. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the association ofBlastocystisinfection with the socio-economic characteristics among 300 primary schoolchildren, living in rural communities in Lipis and Raub districts of Pahang state, Malaysia. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence ofBlastocystisusing direct smear microscopy afterin vitrocultivation in Jones' medium. The overall prevalence ofBlastocystisinfection was found to be as high as 25·7%. The prevalence was significantly higher among children with gastrointestinal symptoms as compared to asymptomatic children (x2=4·246;P=0·039). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that absence of a piped water supply (OR=3·13; 95% CI=1·78, 5·46;P<0·001) and low levels of mothers’ education (OR=3·41; 95% CI=1·62, 7·18;P<0·01) were the significant predictors ofBlastocystisinfection. In conclusion,Blastocystisis prevalent among rural children and the important factors that determine the infection were the sources of drinking water and mothers' educational level. Interventions with provision of clean water supply and health education especially to mothers are required.
Intrusions in trauma and psychosis: information processing and phenomenology
Authors: Marks E. M. , Steel C. , Peters E. R.
Published: March 2012

Background

Intrusions are common symptoms of both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia. It has been suggested that an information processing style characterized by weak trait contextual integration renders psychotic individuals vulnerable to intrusive experiences. This ‘contextual integration hypothesis’ was tested in individuals reporting anomalous experiences in the absence of a need for care.

Method

Twenty-six low schizotypes and 23 individuals reporting anomalous experiences were shown a traumatic film with and without a concurrent visuospatial task (VST). Participants rated post-traumatic intrusions for frequency and form, and completed self-report measures of information processing style. It was predicted that, because of their weaker trait contextual integration, the anomalous experiences (AE) group would (1) exhibit more intrusions following exposure to the trauma film, (2) display intrusions characterized by more PTSD qualities and (3) show a greater reduction of intrusions with the concurrent VST.

Results

As predicted, the AE group reported a lower level of trait contextual integration and more intrusions than the low schizotypes, both immediately after watching the film and during the following 7 days. Their post-traumatic intrusive memories were more PTSD-like (more intrusive, vivid and associated with emotion). The VST had no effect on the number of intrusions in either group.

Conclusions

These findings provide some support for the proposal that weak trait contextual integration underlies the development of intrusions within both PTSD and psychosis.
Predictors of suicide attempts in patients with borderline personality disorder over 16 years of prospective follow-up
Authors: Wedig M. M. , Silverman M. H. , Frankenburg F. R. , Reich D. Bradford , Fitzmaurice G. , Zanarini M. C.
Published: March 2012

Background

It is clinically important to understand the factors that increase the likelihood of the frequent and recurrent suicide attempts seen in those with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although several studies have examined this subject in a cross-sectional manner, the aim of this study was to determine the most clinically relevant baseline and time-varying predictors of suicide attempts over 16 years of prospective follow-up among patients with BPD.

Method

Two-hundred and ninety in-patients meeting Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB-R) and DSM-III-R criteria for BPD were assessed during their index admission using a series of semistructured interviews and self-report measures. These subjects were then reassessed using the same instruments every 2 years. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach was used to model the odds of suicide attempts in longitudinal analyses, controlling for assessment period, yielding an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each predictor.

Results

Nineteen variables were found to be significant bivariate predictors of suicide attempts. Eight of these, seven of which were time-varying, remained significant in multivariate analyses: diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), substance use disorder (SUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), presence of self-harm, adult sexual assault, having a caretaker who has completed suicide, affective instability, and more severe dissociation.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that prediction of suicide attempts among borderline patients is complex, involving co-occurring disorders, co-occurring symptoms of BPD (self-harm, affective reactivity and dissociation), adult adversity, and a family history of completed suicide.
Activation Work: Policy Programme Administration or Professional Service Provision?
Authors: VAN BERKEL RIK , VAN DER AA PAUL
Published: March 2012

This article focuses on the design of frontline work in public agencies involved in the delivery of activation programmes and services. More specifically, it raises the following questions: should we think of activation work as an administrative function or as a form of professional service provision? And does the design of activation work matter in terms of the effectiveness of activation services? In answering these questions, the article provides a meta-analysis of two strands of literature. First, we analyse the available literature reporting on studies of activation frontline work and its organisation and management in public agencies responsible for delivering activation programmes. Secondly, we look at those studies of the effectiveness of activation that focus on the impact of characteristics of frontline work and its organisation and management on activation policy outcomes. We conclude that although the desirability of a professional design of activation work meets relatively wide support among scholars, the feasibility of this professionalisation project is highly contested. In addition, the debate on the nature of the activation profession has only just started. Finally, evaluation studies show that activation work characteristics do affect the outcomes of activation programmes. Against this background, we conclude that a more prominent place of activation work on the research agenda of social policy scholars is recommendable.
Reaching the Hard-to-Reach: Conceptual Puzzles and Challenges for Policy and Practice
Authors: MACKENZIE MHAIRI , REID MAGGIE , TURNER FIONA , WANG YINGYING , CLARKE JULIA , SRIDHARAN SANJEEV , PLATT STEPHEN , O'DONNELL CATHERINE
Published: March 2012

The concept of systematic inequalities in social and health outcomes has come to form part of contemporary policy discourse. This rhetoric is deployed even in the face of policy decisions widely viewed as iniquitous. Moreover, there is a widespread view, expressed across the political spectrum, that those in more deprived circumstances are less likely than their more affluent counterparts to be in receipt of optimal public services. Such individuals and communities are variously described as excluded, disadvantaged, underserved or hard to reach. Across countries and policy domains the term ‘hard to reach’ is used to refer to those deemed not to be in optimal receipt of public sector services which are intended to increase some aspect of material, social or physical wellbeing. It is increasingly used in health policy documents which aim to address health inequalities. However, it is an ill-defined and contested term. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it offers a critical commentary on the concept of hard-to-reachness and asks: who are viewed as hard to reach and why? Second, using a case-study of a Scottish health improvement programme that explicitly aims to reach and engage the ‘hard to reach’ in preventive approaches to cardiovascular disease, it tests the policy and practice implications of the concept. It finds that a lack of conceptual clarity leads to ambiguous policy and practice and argues for possible theoretical refinements.
The voice of others: Identity, alterity and gender normativity among gay men in Israel
Authors: Levon Erez
Published: March 2012

This article presents an analysis of a slang variety, calledoxtšit, as it is described and used by a cohort of gay men in Israel. Unlike many previous analyses of gay slang, I argue that the men described do not use the variety to help construct and affirm an alternative gay identity, but rather that they use it as a form of in-group mockery through which normative and nonnormative articulations of Israeli gay male sexuality are delineated. It is suggested that this discussion has implications for sociolinguistic understandings of “groupness” more broadly, and particularly the relationship between macro-level social categories (like “gay”) and individual lived experience. (Gay slang, Israel, vari-directional voicing, identity/alterity)*
Why are the oldest old less generous? Explanations for the unexpected age-related drop in charitable giving
Authors: WIEPKING PAMALA , JAMES RUSSELL N.
Published: March 2012

Previous research has demonstrated that the generally positive relationship between age and the presence of charitable giving becomes negative at the oldest ages. We investigate potential causes of this drop in charitable giving among the oldest old including changes in health, cognition, egocentric networks, religious attendance, and substitution of charitable bequest planning. A longitudinal analysis of data from the United States Health and Retirement Survey indicates that the drop in charitable giving is mediated largely by changes in the frequency of church attendance, with only modest influences from changes in health and cognition.
Dancing Otherness: Nationalism, Transnationalism, and the Work of Uday Shankar
Authors: Purkayastha Prarthana
Published: March 2012

Uday Shankar's career as a dancer and choreographer has been under frequent inspection by dance historians and scholars in both the South Asian and Euro-American worlds. To date, some articles, books, and biographies have documented various aspects Shankar's life, which provide factual details about his performance career (Banerji 1982; Khokar 1983; Mukhopadhyay 2004; Singha and Massey 1967). While these biographies serve as an important source in their delineation of Shankar's life and his works, there have been few attempts at critical analyses and evaluation of Shankar's body of choreographic works. Scant scholarly interests in Shankar have mostly described him as one of the many exotic “oriental” dancers in Europe.
Multi-Constellation GNSS Performance Evaluation for Urban Canyons Using Large Virtual Reality City Models
Authors: Wang Lei , Groves Paul D , Ziebart Marek K
Published: March 2012

Positioning using the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unreliable in dense urban areas with tall buildings and/or narrow streets, known as ‘urban canyons’. This is because the buildings block, reflect or diffract the signals from many of the satellites. This paper investigates the use of 3-Dimensional (3-D) building models to predict satellite visibility. To predict Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance using 3-D building models, a simulation has been developed. A few optimized methods to improve the efficiency of the simulation for real-time purposes were implemented. Diffraction effects of satellite signals were considered to improve accuracy. The simulation is validated using real-world GPS and GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) observations.

The performance of current and future GNSS in urban canyons is then assessed by simulation using an architectural city model of London with decimetre-level accuracy. GNSS availability, integrity and precision is evaluated over pedestrian and vehicle routes within city canyons using different combinations of GNSS constellations. The results show that using GPS and GLONASS together cannot guarantee 24-hour reliable positioning in urban canyons. However, with the addition of Galileo and Compass, currently under construction, reliable GNSS performance can be obtained at most, but not all, of the locations in the test scenarios. The modelling also demonstrates that GNSS availability is poorer for pedestrians than for vehicles and verifies that cross-street positioning errors are typically larger than along-street due to the geometrical constraints imposed by the buildings. For many applications, this modelling technique could also be used to predict the best route through a city at a given time, or the best time to perform GNSS positioning at a given location.
Modified GPS/Pseudolite Navigation Message
Authors: Rapinski Jacek , Cellmer Slawomir , Rzepecka Zofia
Published: March 2012

One of the issues regarding integrated GPS/pseudolite measurements is how to deliver a pseudolite's position to a receiver or to post-processing software and how to manage it. This paper presents a proposed solution to this problem. The standard navigation message is modified in such way that without changing receivers (or post-processing software), the calculated position of a transmitter is fixed at a pseudolite's known position. The formulae for modification of standard Ephemeris Data are also derived. This algorithm can be implemented in a transmitter's firmware or a navigation data file can be modified for post-processing.
Prevalence and population structure of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in healthcare workers in a general population. The Tromsø Staph and Skin Study
Authors: OLSEN K. , SANGVIK M. , SIMONSEN G. S. , SOLLID J. U. E. , SUNDSFJORD A. , THUNE I. , FURBERG A.-S.
Published: March 2012

Healthcare workers (HCWs) may be a reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus transmission to patients. We examined whether HCW status is associated with S. aureus nasal carriage and population structure (spa types) in 1302 women (334 HCWs) and 977 men (71 HCWs) aged 30–69 years participating in the population-based Tromsø Study in 2007–2008. Multivariable logistic regression models were used. While no methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was isolated, overall, 26·2% of HCWs and 26·0% of non-HCWs were S. aureus nasal carriers. For women overall and women residing with children, the odds ratios for nasal carriage were 1·54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·09–2·19] and 1·86 (95% CI 1·14–3·04), respectively, in HCWs compared to non-HCWs. Moreover, HCWs vs. non-HCWs had a 2·17 and 3·16 times higher risk of spa types t012 and t015, respectively. This supports the view that HCWs have an increased risk of S. aureus nasal carriage depending on gender, family status and spa type.
Set Families With a Forbidden Induced Subposet
Authors: BOEHNLEIN EDWARD , JIANG TAO
Published: March 2012

For each posetHwhose Hasse diagram is a tree of heightk, we show that the largest size of a familyof subsets of [n]={1,. . .,n} not containingHas an induced subposet is asymptotic to$(k - 1)(\scriptsize{\begin{array}{c}{n}\\[-1.5pt] {\fl{n/2}} \end{array}})$. This extends a result of Bukh [1], which in turn generalizes several known results including Sperner's theorem.
Tornado Hazard Communication Disparities among Spanish-Speaking Individuals in an English-Speaking Community
Authors: Ahlborn Leslie , Franc Jeffrey Michael , Med D Sport
Published: March 2012

Background: The state of Oklahoma, known for destructive tornados, has a native Spanish-speaking (NSS) population of approximately 180,241, of which 50% report being able to speak English “very well” (US Census Bureau). With almost 50% of these native Spanish-speaking persons being limited English proficient (LEP), their reception of tornado hazard communications may be restricted. This study conducted in northeast Oklahoma (USA) evaluates the association between native language and receiving tornado hazard communications.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among a convenience sample of NSS and native English-speaking (NES) adults at Xavier Clinic and St. Francis Trauma Emergency Center in Tulsa, OK, USA from September 2009 through December 2009. Of the 82 surveys administered, 80 were returned, with 40 NES and 40 NSS participants. A scoring system (Severe Weather Information Reception (SWIR)) was developed to quantify reception of hazard information among the study participants (1–3 points = poor reception, 4–5 = adequate reception, 6–8 = excellent reception). Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to calculate differences between groups with Yates’ continuity correction applied where appropriate, and SWIR scores were analyzed using ANOVA. P-values <.05 were considered significant.

Results: NSS fluency in English was 25.6%. No significant association was found between native language and those who watch television, listen to radio, have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All Hazards radio or telephone, or are in audible range of a tornado siren. NSS were less likely to have Internet access (P < .004), and less likely to know of local telephone warning programs (P < .03). The mean NSS SWIR score was 3.2 (95% CI, 2.8-3.7) while LEP NSS averaged 2.8 (95% CI, 2.4-3.2). The mean NES SWIR score was 4.5 (95% CI, 4.1-5.0).

Conclusion: Results demonstrate a disparity in tornado warning reception between NSS and NES. Poor English proficiency was noted to be 75% among NSS, which is approximately 25% more than estimated by the US Census Bureau. This study demonstrates a need for emergency managers to recognize when appropriate and overcome communication disparities among limited English proficient populations.
Protection against Cold in Prehospital Care: Evaporative Heat Loss Reduction by Wet Clothing Removal or the Addition of a Vapor Barrier—A Thermal Manikin Study
Authors: Henriksson Otto , Lundgren Peter , Kuklane Kalev , Holmér Ingvar , Naredi Peter , Bjornstig Ulf
Published: March 2012

Introduction: In the prehospital care of a cold and wet person, early application of adequate insulation is of utmost importance to reduce cold stress, limit body core cooling, and prevent deterioration of the patient’s condition. Most prehospital guidelines on protection against cold recommend the removal of wet clothing prior to insulation, and some also recommend the use of a waterproof vapor barrier to reduce evaporative heat loss. However, there is little scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these measures.

Objective: Using a thermal manikin with wet clothing, this study was conducted to determine the effect of wet clothing removal or the addition of a vapor barrier on thermal insulation and evaporative heat loss using different amounts of insulation in both warm and cold ambient conditions.

Methods: A thermal manikin dressed in wet clothing was set up in accordance with the European Standard for assessing requirements of sleeping bags, modified for wet heat loss determination, and the climatic chamber was set to -15 degrees Celsius (°C) for cold conditions and +10°C for warm conditions. Three different insulation ensembles, one, two or seven woollen blankets, were chosen to provide different levels of insulation. Five different test conditions were evaluated for all three levels of insulation ensembles: (1) dry underwear; (2) dry underwear with a vapor barrier; (3) wet underwear; (4) wet underwear with a vapor barrier; and (5) no underwear. Dry and wet heat loss and thermal resistance were determined from continuous monitoring of ambient air temperature, manikin surface temperature, heat flux and evaporative mass loss rate.

Results: Independent of insulation thickness or ambient temperature, the removal of wet clothing or the addition of a vapor barrier resulted in a reduction in total heat loss of 19-42%. The absolute heat loss reduction was greater, however, and thus clinically more important in cold environments when little insulation is available. A similar reduction in total heat loss was also achieved by increasing the insulation from one to two blankets or from two to seven blankets.

Conclusion: Wet clothing removal or the addition of a vapor barrier effectively reduced evaporative heat loss and might thus be of great importance in prehospital rescue scenarios in cold environments with limited insulation available, such as in mass-casualty situations or during protracted evacuations in harsh conditions.
Nutritional quality and acceptability of a weekly vegetarian lunch in primary-school canteens in Ghent, Belgium: ‘Thursday Veggie Day’
Authors: De Keyzer Willem , Van Caneghem Sven , Heath Anne-Louise M , Vanaelst Barbara , Verschraegen Mia , De Henauw Stefaan , Huybrechts Inge
Published: March 2012

Objectives

To determine the nutritional adequacy and acceptability to children of vegetarian lunches served on ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ – a public health initiative in Ghent (Belgium) primary schools.

Design

A comparison of food leftovers from main courses on regular days and Thursdays was made using a visual plate waste method. The nutritional value of the vegetarian meat analogue and meat components of main courses served on five ‘Thursday Veggie Days’ and five comparable conventional main courses was evaluated using three criteria (maximum 30 % of energy from fat, maximum of one-third of fat as saturated fat and minimum 1·5 g of dietary fibre per 420 kJ).

Setting

Two canteens from primary schools in Ghent, Belgium, participating in the ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ campaign.

Subjects

Primary-school children aged between 6 and 12 years.

Results

In total, 1242 and 472 main course plate waste observations of conventional and vegetarian menus, respectively, were evaluated. There was no significant difference in plate waste between vegetarian (16·7 %) and conventional (17·3 %) main courses. Overall, the five vegetarian components were found to be nutritionally adequate with a mean score of 2·2 out of 3, compared with 0·4 for the meat component. However, three of the vegetarian components provided >30 % of energy from fat and, in one, the amount of saturated fat exceeded one-third of total fat.

Conclusions

Vegetarian canteen meals offered as part of ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ appear to be nutritionally appropriate and as acceptable as conventional main courses to children in primary schools in Ghent.
Variety in fruit and vegetable consumption and 10-year incidence of CHD and stroke
Authors: Oude Griep Linda M , Verschuren WM Monique , Kromhout Daan , Ocké Marga C , Geleijnse Johanna M
Published: March 2012

Objective

Consuming a variety of fruit and vegetables provides many different micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Whether this contributes to the beneficial association between fruit and vegetables and incident CHD and stroke is unknown.

Design

Prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting

The Netherlands.

Subjects

Men and women (n 20 069) aged 20–65 years. Participants completed a validated 178-item FFQ, including nine fruit and thirteen vegetable items. Variety in fruit and vegetables was defined as the sum of different items consumed at least once per 2 weeks over the previous year. Hazard ratios (HR) for variety in relation to incident CHD and stroke were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models additionally adjusted for quantity of fruit and vegetables.

Results

Variety and quantity in fruit and vegetables were highly correlated (r = 0·81). Variety was not associated with total energy intake (r = −0·01) and positively associated with nutrient intakes, particularly vitamin C (r = 0·70). During 10 years of follow-up, 245 cases of CHD and 233 cases of stroke occurred. Variety in vegetables (HR per 2 items = 1·05; 95 % CI 0·94, 1·17) and in fruit (HR per 2 items = 1·00; 95 % CI 0·87, 1·15) were not related to incident CHD. Variety in vegetables (HR per 2 items = 0·93; 95 % CI 0·83, 1·04) and in fruit (HR per 2 items = 1·03; 95 % CI 0·89, 1·18) were also not related to incident stroke.

Conclusions

More variety in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with higher intakes of fruit and vegetables and micronutrients. Independently of quantity, variety in fruit and vegetables was related neither to incident CHD nor to incident stroke.
Vitamin A intake and infection are associated with plasma retinol among pre-school children in rural Zambia
Authors: Hotz Christine , Chileshe Justin , Siamusantu Ward , Palaniappan Uma , Kafwembe Emmanuel
Published: March 2012

Objective

To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, infection and adequacy of vitamin A intakes among Zambian children, and the contribution of dietary vitamin A and infection to vitamin A status.

Design

A cross-sectional survey of vitamin A intakes by the 24 h recall method, vitamin A status by plasma retinol and the modified relative dose-response test, and infection by acute-phase proteins.

Setting

Rural communities in Central and Eastern Provinces of Zambia.

Subjects

Children 2–5 years of age.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 56 % by plasma retinol, 48 % with infection-adjusted plasma retinol and 22 % by the modified relative dose-response test. The majority of children (61 %) had a current infection. Vitamin A intakes were relatively high (331 to 585 μg retinol activity equivalents/d in the harvest/early post-harvest and late post-harvest seasons, respectively) and the prevalence of inadequate intakes was <1 % when compared with the Estimated Average Requirement (210 and 275 μg retinol activity equivalents/d for children aged 1–3 and 4–8 years, respectively). Elevated α-1-acid glycoprotein was negatively associated with plasma retinol (P< 0·0 0 1) and vitamin A intake was positively associated with plasma retinol (P< 0·05), but only when estimated assuming a 26:1 retinol equivalence for provitamin A from green and yellow vegetables.

Conclusions

Infection and vitamin A intakes were significant determinants of plasma retinol. We cannot conclude which indicator more accurately represents the true vitamin A status of the population. Reasons for the persistent high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in the presence of adequate vitamin A intakes are unclear, but the high rates of infection may play a role.
Neuroprotective effects of chronic exposure of SH-SY5Y to low lithium concentration involve glycolysis stimulation, extracellular pyruvate accumulation and resistance to oxidative stress
Authors: Nciri Riadh , Desmoulin Frank , Allagui Mohamed Saleh , Murat Jean-Claude , Feki Abdelfattah El , Vincent Christian , Croute Françoise
Published: March 2012

Recent studies suggest that lithium protects neurons from death induced by a wide array of neurotoxic insults, stimulates neurogenesis and could be used to prevent age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, SH-SY5Y human neuronal cells were cultured in the absence (Con) or in the presence (Li+) of a low lithium concentration (0.5 mm Li2CO3, i.e. 1 mm lithium ion) for 25–50 wk. In the course of treatment, growth rate of Con and Li+ cells was regularly analysed using Alamar Blue dye. Resistance to oxidative stress was investigated by evaluating: (1) the adverse effects of high concentrations of lithium (4–8 mm) or glutamate (20–90 mm) on cell growth rate; (2) the levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and total glutathione; (3) the expression levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, glucose metabolism was investigated by analysing selected metabolites in culture media and cell extracts by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. As compared to Con, Li+ cells multiplied faster and were more resistant to stress, as evidenced by a lower dose-dependent decrease of Alamar Blue reduction and dose-dependent increase of TBARS levels induced by toxic doses of lithium and glutamate. Total glutathione content and Bcl-2 level were increased in Li+ cells. Glucose consumption and glycolytic activity were enhanced in Li+ cells and an important release of pyruvate was observed. We conclude that chronic exposure to lithium induces adaptive changes in metabolism of SH-SY5Y cells involving a higher cell growth rate and a better resistance to oxidative stress.
Development and implementation of a palliative care consultation tool
Authors: Trout Alexei , Kirsh Kenneth L. , Peppin John F.
Published: March 2012

Objective:

Palliative care services are becoming more commonplace in hospitals and have the potential to reduce hospital costs through length of stay reduction and remediation of symptoms. However, there has been little systematic attempt to identify when a palliative care consultation should be triggered in a hospital, and there is some evidence that these services are under-utilized and not fully understood.

Method:

In an initial attempt to address when a consultation might be appropriate, we attempted to pilot test a novel palliative care screening tool to help guide clinician judgment in this regard. A one-page, face-valid instrument was developed using expert opinion.

Results:

The sample comprised 33 men (44.6%) and 41 women (55.4%) with an average age of 63.4 years (SD = 13.8) and an average length of stay of 22.7 days (SD = 10.1). The most significant symptom was pain, indicated as moderate-to-severe in 23 patients (31%). This was followed by fatigue (n = 10, 13.5%) and nausea (n = 6, 8.1%). At unit entry, 20 patients (33%) had moderate or severe pain. Upon discharge, this number had been reduced to 12/60 (20%). Chi-Square analysis showed a significant decrease in pain rankings overall (χ2 = 36.3, p < 0.0001). The average total tool score was 7.5 (SD = 3.1). Using an initial threshold of 12 to trigger a palliative care referral, 64 patients (86.5%) would not have received a referral and 10 (13.5%) would have. Of these 10 patients, 2 (20%) did not receive a palliative care consultation while they were hospitalized.

Significance of results:

The tool we developed increased consultations over the time period in which it was used, compared with the same time period 1 year prior. Although the threshold developed for triggering referrals seemed artificially high, the implementation of the screening tool did increase referrals.
The advanced cancer patient experience of undertaking meaning and purpose (MaP) therapy
Authors: Lethborg Carrie , Schofield Penelope , Kissane David
Published: March 2012

Objective:

The objective of this study was to describe the experience of undertaking meaning and purpose (MaP) therapy for patients with advanced cancer, with an aim of refining therapeutic processes involved prior to pilot testing. Specifically, we were interested in examining the themes arising from participation in the intervention in relation to our therapeutic goals, and how acceptable both the number of sessions and processes used were.

Method:

A convenience sample of people living with advanced cancer was recruited to participate in this process, resulting in 24 therapy sessions for analysis.

Results:

A thematic analysis of each session illustrated that theprocessof MaP therapy is one that encourages reflection, offers insights, and can be confrontational, but can also allow participants to “shift” their perspective and focus onto meaningful goals. Results illustrate how the therapist creates a therapeutic frame that holds up a poignant portrayal of the meaning of life lived, and mirrors this to the patient, such that they grasp its rich texture. Participants' descriptions showed how they were buoyed forward as a result, with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, despite their illness and any physical restrictions that it imposed.

Significance of results:

A planned pilot test of this intervention will enable us to determine potential effect sizes of this therapy in reducing distress and increasing meaning prior to a full randomized controlled trial. Understanding the processes involved and the experiences of participation in meaning-based therapies is crucial to the future strength of this area of psychotherapy.
What precipitates depression in African-American cancer patients? Triggers and stressors
Authors: Zhang Amy Y. , Gary Faye , Zhu Hui
Published: March 2012

Objective:

This study examined general and cancer-related stressors of depression that are unique to African-American cancer patients.

Method:

The study used cohort design and mixed methods. Seventy-four breast and prostate cancer survivors including 34 depressed and 23 non-depressed African-Americans and 17 depressed whites were interviewed. Qualitative data analysis identified themes. The thematic codes were converted to a SPSS data set numerically. The Fisher's exact test was performed to examine group differences in the experience of stress.

Results:

Significantly more depressed African-Americans experienced a dramatic reaction to a cancer diagnosis (p = 0.03) or had concerns about functional decline (p = 0.01), arguments with relatives or friends (p = 0.02), and unemployment status (p = 0.03) than did non-depressed African-Americans, who reacted to the cancer diagnosis as a matter of reality (p = 0.02). Significantly more depressed African-Americans talked about feeling shocked by a cancer diagnosis (p = 0.04) and being unable to do things that they used to do (p = 0.02) than did depressed whites. Qualitative analysis shed light on the extent of such group differences.

Significance of results:

Distress from the initial cancer diagnosis and functional decline were likely to have triggered or worsened depression in African-American cancer patients. This study highlighted racial differences in this aspect. It is critical to screen African-American cancer patients for depression at two critical junctures: immediately after the disclosure of a cancer diagnosis and at the onset of functional decline. This will enhance the chance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of depression in this underserved population.