bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex Difference in Daily Rhythms of Clock Gene Expression in the Aged Human Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Lim Andrew S.P. , Myers Amanda J. , Yu Lei , Buchman Aron S. , Duffy Jeanne F. , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A.
Published: April 2013

Studies using self-report and physiological markers of circadian rhythmicity have demonstrated sex differences in a number of circadian attributes including morningness-eveningness, entrained phase, and intrinsic period. However, these sex differences have not been examined at the level of the molecular clock and not in human cerebral cortex. The authors tested the hypothesis that there are detectable daily rhythms of clock gene expression in human cerebral cortex and that there are significant sex differences in the timing of these rhythms. The expression levels of 3 clock genes— PER2, PER3, and ARNTL1—were quantified in samples of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from 490 deceased individuals in 2 cohort studies of older individuals, the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project, using mRNA microarray data. Clock gene expression at death was parameterized as a function of time of death using cosine curves and was examined for sex differences in the phase of these curves. Significant daily variation was seen in the expression of PER2 ( p = 0.004), PER3 ( p = 0.003), and ARNTL1 ( p = 0.0005). PER2/3 expression peaked at 10:38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 09:20-11:56) and 10:44 (95% CI, 09:29-11:59), respectively, and ARNTL1 expression peaked in antiphase to this at 21:23 (95% CI, 20:16-22:30). The timing of the expression of all 3 genes was significantly earlier in women than in men ( PER2 6.8 h, p = 0.002; PER3 5.5 h, p = 0.001; ARNTL1 4.7 h, p = 0.007). Daily rhythms of clock gene expression are present in human cerebral cortex and can be inferred from postmortem samples. Moreover, these rhythms are relatively delayed in men compared with women.
Nocturnal Light and Nocturnal Rodents
Authors: Morin Lawrence P.
Published: April 2013

Investigators typically study one function of the circadian visual system at a time, be it photoreception, transmission of photic information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), light control of rhythm phase, locomotor activity, or gene expression. There are good reasons for such a focused approach, but sometimes it is advantageous to look at the broader picture, asking how all the parts and functions complete the whole. Here, several seemingly disparate functions of the circadian visual system are examined. They share common characteristics with respect to regulation by light and, to the extent known, share a common input neuroanatomy. The argument presented is that the 3 hypothalamically mediated effects of light for which there are the most data, circadian clock phase shifts, suppression of nocturnal locomotion (“negative masking”), and suppression of nocturnal pineal function, are regulated by a common photic input pathway terminating in the SCN. For each, light triggers a relatively fixed interval response that is irradiance-dependent, the effective stimulus can be very brief light exposure, and the response continues to completion in the absence of additional light. The presence of a triggered, fixed-length response interval is of particular importance to the understanding of the circuitry and mechanisms regulating circadian rhythm phase shifts because it implies that the SCN clock response to light is not instantaneous. It also may explain why certain stimuli (neuropeptide Y or novel wheel running) administered many minutes after light exposure are able to block light-induced phase shifts. The understanding of negative masking is complicated by the fact that it can be represented as a positive change, that is, light-induced sleep, not just as a reduction in locomotion. Acute nocturnal light exposure also induces adrenal hormone secretion and a rapid drop in body temperature, physiological responses that appear to be regulated similarly to the other light effects. The likelihood of a common regulatory basis for the several responses suggests that additional light-induced responses will be forthcoming and raises questions about the relationships between light, SCN cellular anatomy, the molecular clockworks of SCN neurons, and SCN throughput mechanisms for regulating disparate downstream activities.
Pulsed laser deposition and in vitro characteristics of triphasic – HASi composition on titanium
Authors: Palangadan Rajesh , Sukumaran Anil , Fernandez Francis B , John Annie , Varma Harikrishna
Published: April 2013

Pulsed laser deposition was used to deposit bioactive triphasic glass-ceramic composition (HASi) over titanium substrate using dense HASi target. Bioactive glass compositions are considered the most useful synthetic materials for immediate bone attachment because of its bioresorption, osteoconduction and osteointegration characteristics under in vivo conditions. The disadvantage of its brittleness associated with bioactive glass-ceramics has prompted its coating over metallic implants for the combination of duo mechanical and bioactive properties. The hard HASi target was able to undergo laser ablation under ambient gas pressure without bulk erosion of the target. Laser deposition was found to be efficient in depositing triphasic composition for immediate bone integration. The target and deposits were analyzed for the phase, composition and microstructural characteristics by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Simultaneously, the adherent nature and mechanical behaviour of deposits were confirmed by scratch test and micro-indentation methods. Further, the in vitro dissolution and bioactivity were assessed by soaking in simulated body fluid followed by elemental analysis using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. The deposits were found to be cell-friendly, which was indicated by the phenomenology of stem cells under in vitro conditions.
Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Authors: Sebald Ann
Published: April 2013

Seventy-six teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing within a western state of the United States were surveyed to explore their perceptions of the (a) importance of self-determination, (b) skills taught to students, (c) skills used by students, and (d) benefits associated with teaching self-determination. Results indicated that teachers believed self-determination to be important, however, may not intentionally teach those identified skills. For example, 96% reported that problem solving was an important component of self-determination, 87% taught this skill to students, and 74% observed students using problem solving in the classroom. Basic statistics (frequencies, medians, means, and standard deviations) were used to analyze how participants responded and aided in establishing an overall picture of teachers’ perceptions. Reliabilities were established in the design of the instrument. Finally, multiple response items were analyzed using cross-tabulations presented as percentages. Findings suggest that more investigation is needed regarding the discrepancies among self-determination skills identified, taught, and used.
“I Have Faith in My Milk”
Authors: Rossman Beverly , Kratovil Amanda L. , Greene Michelle M. , Engstrom Janet L. , Meier Paula P.
Published: April 2013

Background:

Mothers who deliver a premature infant often choose to provide milk because it is the “one thing that only the mother can do” to optimize her infant’s outcome, helps mothers feel a connection with their infants, and helps relieve the guilt associated with the preterm birth.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of milk for mothers who are providing milk for their very low birth weight (VLBW; < 1500 g) infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods:

Using a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 mothers of VLBW infants hospitalized in a level III NICU. Mothers were asked to share their perceptions about what providing milk meant to them.

Results:

Mothers had faith in the healing properties of their milk and equated providing milk with “giving life” to their infants, mitigating the effects of complications, keeping their infants healthy and stable, and helping themselves address the feelings of failure and guilt associated with the premature birth. Mothers’ faith in their milk to achieve these outcomes was a maternal motivator to continue pumping, even for mothers who had not intended to provide milk or who experienced the paradox of disliking pumping but wanting to provide their milk.

Conclusion:

The experiences of these mothers reflect the importance of acknowledging mothers’ faith in the healing properties of their milk as a motivating factor for sustaining lactation while coping with the stress and anxiety inherent during the infant’s NICU hospitalization.
Cognitive Probes in Web Surveys
Authors: Behr Dorothée , Bandilla Wolfgang , Kaczmirek Lars , Braun Michael
Published: April 2013

In this study, we explore to what extent the visual presentation of open-ended probes, in connection with different prior probing exposure, impacts on response quality. We experiment with two text box sizes for a specific immigrant probe ( Which type of immigrants were you thinking of when you answered the question?). On the one hand, we use a standard size equal to the other text box sizes in the survey but oversized for the specific response task. On the other hand, we use a smaller text box which fits the response task. The other probes in the survey that use the standard text box are mainly category-selection probes that ask for a reasoning for the chosen answer value. Due to randomized rotation of questions, respondents receive different numbers of category-selection probes prior to the immigrant probe, resulting in different degrees of exposure to category-selection probing prior to the immigrant probe. For the immigrant probe, we find that respondents who receive the standard text box and who have had a high exposure to category-selection probing are more likely to provide mismatching answers: The mismatch consists of not answering the specific immigrant probe but rather providing a reasoning answer as typically expected for a category-selection probe. Thus, previous experience with probing in the questionnaire can override the actual probe wording. This problem can be minimized by considering possible carryover effects of prior probes and using an appropriate survey design strategy.
Wear mechanism analysis in milling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy
Authors: Jaffery Syed HI , Khan Mushtaq , Sheikh Nadeem A , Mativenga Paul
Published: April 2013

This article presents an investigation into the wear of cutting tool during milling operation of Ti-6Al-4V using H13A carbide inserts. Wear tests were conducted using machining parameters (feed, speed, and depth of cut) falling in the permissible range recommended by the supplier of the inserts. A wear map was created to identify different regions that characterize the tool wear intensity. The wear map revealed a region of avoidance characterized by higher wear for cutting speed of around 55 m/min and feedrate of 0.15 mm/tooth. The Ti:Al ratio reached values between 4:1 and 6:1 for the cutting parameters that resulted in lower–tool wear rate. However, for higher wear rates, the ratio of Ti:Al did not exhibit any stability across the flank wear land. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis were performed on the worn inserts to identify the high–tool wear regions and material composition at different locations. Titanium aluminides (TiAl and TiAlN) were found just in the low–tool wear regions, and titanium nitride was found across the avoidance region in the wear map. Microscope and x-ray analysis of inserts in the safety zone clearly revealed a built-up edge on the cutting edge of the tools.
Modeling and prediction of wear at revolute clearance joints in flexible multibody systems
Authors: Zhao Bo , Zhang Zhi-Nan , Dai Xu-Dong
Published: April 2013

This article proposes a numerical approach for the modeling and prediction of wear at revolute clearance joints in flexible multibody systems by integrating the procedures of wear prediction with multibody dynamics. In the approach, the flexible component is modeled based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation. The contact force in the clearance joint is applied using the continuous contact force model proposed by Lankanrani and Nikravesh and the friction effect is considered using the LuGre friction model. The simulation of wear is performed by an iterative wear prediction procedure based on Archard’s wear model. The radial basis function neural network technique is employed to deal with the pin-on-disc experimental data for obtaining the wear coefficient used in the wear prediction procedure at different contact conditions. The comparison of the wear predicted at the clearance joint in the rigid and flexible planar slider-crank mechanisms demonstrates that the proposed approach can be used to model and predict wear at revolute clearance joints in flexible multibody systems, and the wear result predicted is slightly reduced after taking the flexibility of components into account.
An experimental and numerical study of piezoceramic actuator hysteresis in helicopter active vibration control
Authors: Mallick Rajnish , Ganguli Ranjan , Bhat M. Seetharama
Published: April 2013

An aeroelastic analysis is used to investigate the rate dependent hysteresis in piezoceramic actuators and its effect on helicopter vibration control with trailing edge flaps. Hysteresis in piezoceramic materials can cause considerable complications in the use of smart actuators as prime movers in applications such as helicopter active vibration control. Dynamic hysteresis of the piezoelectric stack actuator is investigated for a range of frequencies (5 Hz (1/rev) to 30 Hz (6/rev)) which are of practical importance for helicopter vibration analysis. Bench top tests are conducted on a commercially available piezoelectric stack actuator. Frequency dependent hysteretic behavior is studied experimentally for helicopter operational frequencies. Material hysteresis in the smart actuator is mathematically modeled using the theory of conic sections. Numerical simulations are also performed at an advance ratio of 0.3 for vibration control analysis using a trailing edge flap with an idealized linear and a hysteretic actuator. The results indicate that dynamic hysteresis has a notable effect on the hub vibration levels. It is found that the theory of conic sections offers a straight forward approach for including hysteresis into aeroelastic analysis.
A stochastic automaton approach to discriminate intermittent from permanent faults
Authors: Guanqian Deng , Jing Qiu , Guanjun Liu , Kehong LV
Published: April 2013

The conventional model-based diagnosis usually potentially presumes faults are persistent and does not take intermittent faults into account, which is the major cause of the problems of false alarms, cannot duplicate and no fault found in aircraft avionics and present a tremendous challenge to prognostics and health management. Aiming at the problem that the logical automaton proposed by Sampath et al. cannot distinguish between strings or states that are highly probable and those that are less probable, a stochastic automaton approach is given to distinguish the fault types by extending the fault model to include both permanent faults and intermittent faults. The notions of A- and AA-diagnosability of permanent faults and intermittent faults for stochastic automaton are defined. Thereafter, the diagnoser with a probability matrix appended to each transition that can be used to update the probability distribution on the state estimate is constructed. Finally, an example of aeronautic gyroscope is presented to demonstrate the proposed approach, and the analysis results show that this approach is able to discriminate the fault types within bounded delay if the system is A- and AA-diagnosable. In our previous paper, we have extended the logical automaton model, and investigated the stochastic automaton approach in this article.
Reduced Temporal Fusion in Near-Hand Space
Authors: Goodhew Stephanie C. , Gozli Davood G. , Ferber Susanne , Pratt Jay
Published: April 2013

Object-substitution masking (OSM) is thought to reflect a failure of object individuation. That is, a briefly presented target surrounded by four dots is perceptually fused with the four-dot mask when the mask is visible after the target has disappeared, thereby obscuring the visibility of the target. If OSM depends on the inability to temporally segregate objects, then increasing the temporal precision of the visual system should reduce OSM. In the study reported here, we manipulated temporal precision by varying the proximity of participants’ hands to visual stimuli, because stimuli in near-hand space have been found to enjoy enhanced attentional processing, and attention is known to speed visual processing. Hand placement was indeed found to affect OSM: Placing participants’ hands near the visual stimuli reduced the magnitude of the masking. This finding demonstrates that object individuation can be facilitated by increasing the temporal resolution of vision via increasing the proximity of visual stimuli to the hands.
Toxic assets, turbulence and biopolitical security: Governing the crisis of global financial circulation
Authors: Langley Paul
Published: April 2013

Focusing on a highly significant governmental intervention in the global financial market crisis – the US Treasury Department’s Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) of autumn 2008 – this article makes a threefold contribution to the growing literature concerned with the interstices of finance and security. First, the TARP is shown to have attempted to govern the turbulence not simply as a crisis of the markets, the banks and Wall Street, but as a problem of the biopolitical security of the US population. US$700 billion worth of toxic assets were to be purchased by the TARP in order to restore the opportunities afforded by uncertain global financial circulations for individual wealth and well-being. Second, by conceptualizing and exploring the TARP in Foucauldian terms as an ‘apparatus of security’, the article demonstrates how this concept can hold together analytical concerns with the biopolitical rationality of power, on the one hand, and the contingent, processual and lively forms taken by specific governmental orderings, on the other. The TARP apparatus certainly amounted to a biopolitical intervention in the crisis, but it only emerged from the relation between the discursive, material and institutional elements that made it possible. Third, the unplanned transformation of the TARP into an apparatus that targeted bank solvency and recapitalization rather than toxic assets is held, in effect, to have been a key moment that heralded a move towards techniques of preparedness and resilience designed to mitigate the dangers of uncertain global financial circulations.
Location, timing, and flexibility: Positioning inclusivity in higher education career services
Authors: Simpson Andrea , Ferguson Kerry
Published: April 2013

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been reported to use university career services in smaller numbers than their peers. In order to address this, services have been advised to “establish ways of identifying, within their first term of study, those students who are particularly likely to need help and guidance from the Careers Service” (Harris, 2001, p. 8). By analysing two career programs—traditional stand-alone career workshops and an alternative service, which incorporates employability skills as part of a service learning program—the inclusivity of career programs and the kinds of students programs attract was explored. It was found that the program that had greater flexibility in terms of location, choice, and timing attracted a statistically significantly larger number of disadvantaged students. It is recommended that services consider contextually and critically analysing programs, systems, and methods of working to ensure that these are not disadvantaging one or more student groups.
Parents’ occupation and difficult childhood experiences of managers
Authors: Kaspi-Baruch Oshrit
Published: April 2013

The current study examined the background of managers. The theoretical perspective is demographic and psychoanalytic. The findings indicate that parents’ occupation is correlated with the career choices of their children. It was also found that difficult childhood experiences are related to the way managers perceive management. The research makes important theoretical and practical contributions to understanding the factors related to choosing a career in management, which are discussed based on demographic and psychoanalytic models.
Influence of clients’ personality and individual characteristics on the effectiveness of a career counselling intervention
Authors: Stauffer Sarah D , Perdrix Sophie , Masdonati Jonas , Massoudi Koorosh , Rossier Jérôme
Published: April 2013

Clients’ personality traits and individual characteristics, such as age, gender, reason for seeking counselling, and further compounding problems in their personal or academic lives, may pose risk factors that render career decision making difficult and may also impact the overall effectiveness of a career counselling intervention. Neuroticism and conscientiousness as well as clients’ age and gender directly affected clients’ satisfaction with life and certain aspects of their career indecision scores before participating in our short-term career counselling intervention. Career counsellors can use personality and career-specific and career-non-specific instruments to tailor career counselling interventions to meet clients’ individual needs.
Using documentary to explore the interwoven strands of self-concept and happiness through work: Findings and reflections
Authors: Haines Gina
Published: April 2013

How does who you think you are influence what you do vocationally? Exploration of this led to eight participants agreeing to identify and consider how their self-concept affected their work satisfaction. Their responses formed the basis of “Project Happiness – The Lived Experience”, which comprised a written report and an accompanying audio-visual documentary. Presenting the study through the medium of a digital audio-video documentary allowed exploration of a more creative way of presenting the research findings and made the data accessible and seemingly more meaningful to a wider audience than traditional paper-based reporting. This qualitative investigation used a phenomenologically informed narrative approach incorporating the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths Survey. Findings led to all participants acknowledging the importance of “self-satisfaction”, “following one's own path”, “developing a strong knowledge base”, and “being authentic” (true to self) in their lives and work. This paper brings this arts-based enquiry research method to the field and discusses its epistemological and pragmatic value.
On the advantage of a bistable energy harvesting oscillator under band-limited stochastic excitation
Authors: Meimukhin Danila , Cohen Nadav , Bucher Izhak
Published: April 2013

Oscillation-based linear energy harvesters are often excited by random, band-limited, slowly varying forces. When the excitation bandwidth is limited such that natural frequencies of electromechanical energy harvester are not excited, linear devices lose their efficiency, and nonlinear structures with negative stiffness can be used to enhance the conversion efficiency by performing frequency up-conversion. It is shown here that nonlinear, bistable oscillators perform considerably better than their linear counterpart under band-limited excitation, in certain regions. This is contrary to commonly modeled, wideband, or white noise excitation, where nonlinear potential has no or little effect on the energy output. A sharp increase in performance is observed for band-limited random excitation along a well-defined region in the input-level and bandwidth plane. Having defined this region, the harvesting device can be adaptively tuned in order to keep the power output levels high. The results of simulated, partially analytical, and experimental studies are compared and analyzed to obtain cross-validation.
Parent Interest in a School-Based, School Nurse-Led Weight Management Program
Authors: Kubik Martha Y. , Lee Jiwoo
Published: April 2013

Because one in three children is already overweight or obese, school-based interventions targeting secondary obesity prevention merit consideration. This study assessed parent interest in participating in a school-based, school nurse-led weight management program for young school-aged children. A random sample of parents ( n = 122) of second and fourth grade students in one large midwestern suburban school district completed a mailed survey. Associations between parent and child characteristics and interest in a school nurse-led after school weight management program for children, parent support group, and school nurse meeting with parent and child for weight management education were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Non-White parents, parents concerned about their child’s weight, and parents of girls were significantly more likely to express interest in program components than their counterparts. Future studies that develop, implement, and evaluate school-based, school nurse-led weight management programs targeting children who are overweight and obese merit attention.
Observing Anthropometric and Acanthosis Nigrican Changes Among Children Over Time
Authors: Law Jennifer , Northrup Karen , Wittberg Richard , Lilly Christa , Cottrell Lesley
Published: April 2013

This study assessed the anthropometrics and acanthosis nigricans (AN) in a sample of 7,337 children at two assessments. Four groups of children were identified based on the presence of AN at both time points: those who never had the marker, those who gained the marker, those who lost the marker, and those who maintained the marker. Group differences in height, weight, body composition, and the amount of change in these variables over time were explored. Our findings demonstrated that children who maintain or gain the AN marker had the greatest height, weight, and body composition changes over time. It is apparent that the AN marker does disappear in some children and that this is associated with lower weight gain and body composition loss. If interventions can be developed targeting children who present with the marker, it is likely that their risk of developing type 2 diabetes could be reduced.
Decreasing Uncorrected Refractive Error in the Classroom Through a Multifactorial Pilot Intervention
Authors: Kodjebacheva Gergana , Maliski Sally , Yu Fei , Oelrich Faye , Coleman Anne L.
Published: April 2013

The study assessed the effectiveness of a pilot intervention to promote the use of eyeglasses in one school in California. The intervention used a one-group pretest, posttest design. Between January and June 2011, during the intervention, all first- and second-grade children received eye evaluations and the children with refractive error received two pairs of attractive eyeglasses. Parents received eye care education. Teachers monitored the use of eyeglasses in the classroom. Prior to the intervention in January 2011, 1 of the 15 children with refractive error (6.7%) wore eyeglasses in the classroom and the remaining 14 (93.3%) lacked eyeglasses altogether; 6 months following the end of the intervention in December 2011, 11 of the 15 children (73.3%) wore eyeglasses in the classroom and the remaining 4 (26.7%) did not ( p = .002). The multifactorial intervention increased the use of eyeglasses in the classroom even months after the end of the summer vacation.
Private Middle School Parents’ Perspectives Regarding School-Located Immunization Programs (SLIPs)
Authors: Venkatesh Sheila R. , Acosta Amy B. , Middleman Amy B.
Published: April 2013

The perspectives of parents of private middle school students regarding the use of school-located immunization programs (SLIPs) are unknown. Parents of private middle school students in a large, urban setting were surveyed ( N = 1,210) regarding their willingness to use SLIPs. Analyses included frequencies and chi-square analyses. Data from prior work with public school parents were included for comparison. Of the 1,210 questionnaires, 219 were returned; only 19% of respondents reported they were willing to use a SLIP, compared to 41% of public middle school parents. However, 54% of private school parents were willing to consider using SLIPs for influenza vaccine, and 6% would use SLIPs for human papillomavirus vaccine. Hispanic (Mexican) ethnicity ( p = .014) was associated with greater willingness to utilize SLIPs. Private middle school parents, in this sample, are relatively unwilling to utilize SLIPs compared to public school parents. These data should be considered when implementing SLIPs in the future.
Factors Associated With Screen Time Among School-Age Children in Korea
Authors: Ham Ok Kyung , Sung Kyung Mi , Kim Hee Kyung
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics with screen time among school-age children in Korea. This study employed a nonexperimental, cross-sectional study design. A total of 370 children attending four elementary schools participated in the study. Self-report method was used, and instruments included screen time (time spent on TV/video/computer/video games), sleep duration, eating behavior, pros and cons of exercise, and exercise self-efficacy. According to the results, 45.7% of the children had screen time of 1–2.9 hr/day and 8.9% had 3 or more hr/day. Increased screen time showed an association with gender (boy), higher body mass index, fast food consumption, higher cons of exercise, having a working mother, and attendance at a school in an inner city area ( p < .05). Understanding the factors associated with screen time may provide useful information in the development of health promotion programs aimed at decreasing sedentary behaviors.
The Impact of Economic Perceptions on Work-Related Decisions
Authors: Fouad Nadya A. , Liu Jane P. , Cotter Elizabeth W. , Gray-Schmiedlin India
Published: April 2013

The most recent economic downshift demands that researchers gain a better understanding of the type of decisions individuals are making regarding work and the basis for those decisions. The state of the economy over the past few years warrants further examination, as the economic downturn has resulted in a dramatic shift in the availability of jobs in the workforce. The current study examined the impact of the economic downturn on the emotional and cognitive processing of individuals in regard to the decisions they make about work in two separate studies ( N = 179 and N = 82), using two measures (Perceptions of Economy [POE] scale and Work Decisions scale) that allowed us to assess economic perceptions and work-related decisions quantitatively. Results indicated support for the instruments and that POEs account for 5% of the variance in work-related decisions.
Maximizing Safety in Screw Placement for Posterior Facet Fixation in Calcaneus Fractures
Authors: Phisitkul Phinit , Sullivan Jaron P. , Goetz Jessica E. , Marsh John L.
Published: April 2013

Background:

Successful screw fixation of reduced posterior facet fragments to the unexposed, nondisplaced sustentaculum tali avoids breaching the subtalar joint or disrupting surrounding soft tissue structures. Safe passage for screw fixation through this narrow bony corridor has not been rigorously defined.

Methods:

Computed tomography scans of 8 cadaveric feet were digitally reconstructed in 3-D; 3.5-mm-diameter screws were simulated, aiming at the center of the sustentaculum tali from 5 locations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) along the posterolateral facet joint. The range of entry points, screw paths trajectories, and screw lengths that did not breach the subtalar joint or the medial calcaneal cortex were evaluated.

Results:

To prevent violation of the subtalar joint or the medial calcaneal cortex while reaching the center of the sustentaculum tali, screws must be inserted at least 5 mm below the joint line. Screw placement 15 ± 1 mm below the posterior facet measured perpendicular to the joint line provided the widest safe corridor with the trajectory of the ranges from 6 to 36 degrees parallel to the joint depending on the location along the posterior facet and 20 ± 2 degrees perpendicular to the joint at all locations. The average maximal length of screws placed at the ideal entry points ranged from 44 to 46 mm, longest at the 100% location and shortest at the 25% location.

Conclusions:

Operative guidelines facilitating instrumentation into the sustentaculum tali have been defined applying to most calcanei, assuming the fractures are well reduced: screws, approximately 40 mm in length, should be started 15 mm below the posterior facet measured perpendicular to the joint line and aimed 20 degrees perpendicular to the joint line toward the joint and 6 to 36 degrees anteversion parallel to the joint line increasing at each position from anterior to posterior.

Clinical Relevance:

The operative guidelines described in this study may assist surgeons in the placement of screws for the fixation of posterior facet fragments to the sustentaculum tali.
News Stereotypes, Time, and Fading Priming Effects
Authors: Arendt Florian
Published: April 2013

Although there is evidence that the media priming effect fades with time, we lack empirical evidence from experimental designs. We investigated the media priming effect of reading crime tabloid articles that overrepresented foreigners as criminals on a subsequent real-world reality judgment (i.e., estimated frequency of criminal foreigners). We utilized a factorial experimental design ( N = 465) with the between-subjects factors treatment and temporal delay of the postmeasurement. We found that the media priming effect followed an exponential decay function and that vigilance (i.e., the tendency to intensify the intake and processing of threat-relevant information) moderated the decay.
Soap Operas as a Matchmaker
Authors: Vu Hong Tien , Lee Tien-Tsung
Published: April 2013

This cultivation study examined the effects of South Korean soap operas on Vietnamese female audiences. It also assessed cultivation effects in combination with the theory of reasoned action. Based on a survey of 439 female viewers, it explicated the link between South Korean soap opera consumption and the emergent phenomenon of transnational marriages involving Vietnamese women and South Korean men. Cultivation effects were confirmed in an international setting. Results also have important real-world implications.
Evaluating Organizational Performance
Authors: Martz Wes
Published: April 2013

As the definition of organization has evolved, so have the approaches used to evaluate organizational performance. During the past 60 years, organizational theorists and management scholars have developed a comprehensive line of thinking with respect to organizational assessment that serves to inform and be informed by the evaluation discipline. This article examines five extant models to assess organizational performance developed by researchers in the fields of organizational theory and management including the goal model, systems model, process model, strategic constituencies model, and competing values framework. Each model is based on a specific organizational paradigm, yet no model has displaced another in terms of its applicability or superiority for assessing performance. Instead, an accretive effect can be found as each subsequent model expanded upon select attributes of previous models as conceptualizations of organization were refined. Following the examination of the extant models, a checklist approach to evaluate organizational performance is proposed that specifically incorporates evaluation logic into its framework; building on the strengths of the extant models while mitigating the more prominent limitations.
Cats with Cancer
Authors: Blackwood Laura
Published: April 2013

Practical relevance:

Many cats develop cancer and may or may not present with an obvious mass lesion. As our feline patients are living longer and their owners are increasingly seeking veterinary care, the apparent incidence and prevalence of cancer is increasing.

Clinical challenges:

Neoplasia is a differential for many clinical presentations in cats. Often tumours are relatively advanced at the point of presentation, and this can make management difficult. In addition, many cats find clinic visits stressful and this can influence owners’ decisions about treatment.

Audience:

This review provides an overview of the approach to the feline cancer patient, and is aimed at all veterinary practitioners that see cats. It is intended as a starting point for more detailed discussions in accompanying articles in this special issue on feline oncology.

Evidence base:

There is limited data on most feline tumours compared with tumours in canine or human patients, so a robust evidence base is often lacking.
Mammary Tumours in the Cat
Authors: Morris Joanna
Published: April 2013

Practical relevance:

Mammary tumours are among the most common neoplasms in both cats and dogs, but the prevalence of malignant histological types is far higher in cats (ratio of malignant:benign is at least 4:1).

Clinical challenges:

The more aggressive nature of mammary neoplasia in cats poses challenges for management. Prognosis is affected by tumour size and, therefore, early recognition and treatment of mammary tumours is paramount. Although the primary tumour can be excised surgically, no studies have shown that chemotherapy significantly extends survival time; hence, metastatic spread remains an important clinical problem.

Patient group:

Mammary tumours usually affect older female cats, mainly entire females. Siamese and Oriental breeds may be predisposed. Male cats can develop mammary neoplasia, but this is rare.

Evidence base:

This review summarises the current literature relating to aetiology, pathology, presentation, diagnosis, staging, treatment and prognosis of feline mammary tumours.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Cat
Authors: Murphy Suzanne
Published: April 2013

Practical relevance:

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a tumour that commonly involves the skin or oral cavity and is, therefore, an important differential diagnosis for any cutaneous lesion(s), especially any non-healing scabbing lesions on the eyelids, nasal planum or ears of light-coloured cats.

Clinical challenges:

Superficial lesions of the nasal planum, discrete small eyelid lesions and lesions on the tips of pinnae are relatively easily treated, but higher stage lesions are more challenging to manage and may compromise the cosmetic appearance of the cat.

Audience:

This review article is aimed at all veterinary practitioners that see cats.

Evidence base:

The review summarises the peer-reviewed literature relating to our understanding of feline cutaneous SCC. Unfortunately, the literature is limited and in need of updating in areas.
Digital media, the developing brain and the interpretive plasticity of neuroplasticity
Authors: Choudhury Suparna , McKinney Kelly A.
Published: April 2013

The use and misuse of digital technologies among adolescents has been the focus of fiery debates among parents, educators, policy-makers and in the media. Recently, these debates have become shaped by emerging data from cognitive neuroscience on the development of the adolescent brain and cognition. “Neuroplasticity” has functioned as a powerful metaphor in arguments both for and against the pervasiveness of digital media cultures that increasingly characterize teenage life. In this paper, we propose that the debates concerning adolescents are the meeting point of two major social anxieties both of which are characterized by the threat of “abnormal” (social) behaviour: existing moral panics about adolescent behaviour in general and the growing alarm about intense, addictive, and widespread media consumption in modern societies. Neuroscience supports these fears but the same kinds of evidence are used to challenge these fears and reframe them in positive terms. Here, we analyze discourses about digital media, the Internet, and the adolescent brain in the scientific and lay literature. We argue that while the evidential basis is thin and ambiguous, it has immense social influence. We conclude by suggesting how we might move beyond the poles of neuro-alarmism and neuro-enthusiasm. By analyzing the neurological adolescent in the digital age as a socially extended mind, firstly, in the sense that adolescent cognition is distributed across the brain, body, and digital media tools and secondly, by viewing adolescent cognition as enabled and transformed by the institution of neuroscience, we aim to displace the normative terms of current debates.
A socioeconomic deprivation index for small areas in Denmark
Authors: Meijer Mathias , Engholm Gerda , Grittner Ulrike , Bloomfield Kim
Published: April 2013

Aims: To describe the development of a deprivation index for Danish parishes and to investigate its association with all-cause mortality compared with the Townsend index and individual-level factors. Methods: Nine socioeconomic factors were aggregated to the parish level from individual-level register data comprising the entire Danish population in 2005. A principal component analysis was conducted to reduce the number of factors and to apply weights. An ecological analysis investigated the association between the Danish Deprivation Index (DANDEX) and standardised mortality ratios in Danish parishes. Results were compared with the Townsend index and a possible modifying effect of population density was investigated. Sensitivity of the index was investigated with multilevel survival analyses evaluating the association between all-cause mortality and DANDEX, the Townsend Index, individual-level socioeconomic factors, and population density. Results: DANDEX consists of two components measuring socioeconomic properties of all 2119 Danish parishes. The first component measures deprivation related to housing (house and car ownership) while the second component is related to classical measures of socioeconomic status (education, income, occupation). A clear gradient in standardised mortality ratios was seen across quintiles of both index components. Modifying effects were seen when stratifying the index components by population density. In a frailty model, DANDEX accounted for 76% of the between-parish variation in all-cause mortality, while the Townsend index and individual socioeconomic factors accounted for 71 and 76%, respectively. Conclusions: The index can be used to identify Danish parishes by their levels of deprivation and it provides municipalities with a tool to allocate resources to the geographic areas where they are most needed.
COPD in Helsinki, Finland: socioeconomic status based on occupation has an important impact on prevalence
Authors: Kainu Annette , Rouhos Annamari , Sovijärvi Anssi , Lindqvist Ari , Sarna Seppo , Lundbäck Bo
Published: April 2013

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is globally a major, but often undiagnosed, cause of morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of COPD in Helsinki, Finland, with international diagnostic criteria and to analyse risk factors including socioeconomic status, and disease severity. Methods: A general population sample of 628 adults (368 women) completed flow-volume spirometry with bronchodilation test and a structured interview. Post-bronchodilation spirometry was assessed both using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria and relative to the fifth percentile of the reference value (lower limit of normal, LLN). Results: According to GOLD criteria, 37 (5.9%), and by using the LLN criteria, 43 subjects (6.8%) had airway obstruction consistent with COPD. Using the GOLD criteria, four subjects or 0.6% of the population had severe, 3.0% moderate, and 2.2% mild COPD. Of those with post-bronchodilator obstruction, 49% had no previous diagnosis of obstructive airways disease and did not use medication for any respiratory disease. The prevalence of undiagnosed COPD defined by GOLD was 2.9% (LLN 3.3%). In addition to age, smoking history, and prior history of asthma, socioeconomic status based on occupation was significantly related to COPD in the population. Manual workers in industry (GOLD 10.0%, LLN 11.7%) and non-manual assistant employees (10.2%, 10.2%) had a significantly higher prevalence of COPD than professionals (2.8%, 2.3%). Conclusions: Although smoking is the main modifiable risk factor for COPD, the disease was significantly related to manual workers and non-manual assistant employees, i.e. socioeconomic groups reflecting occupation.
A review of anterior cruciate ligament injuries and reconstructive techniques. Part 2: Treatment
Authors: Nandra R , Matharu GS , Porter K , Ashraf T , Greaves I
Published: April 2013

The aims of treatment of anterior cruciate ligament rupture are to eliminate pain, restore stability and allow early return to activity while preventing early degeneration. Ruptures can be treated conservatively, which requires careful patient selection and avoidance of high-risk activity. Each patient must be treated on an individual basis with consideration given to the level of activity, desire to return to sport, donor site morbidity and compliance with post-operative regimes. Through the evolution of single incision, arthroscopic anatomic reconstruction, our knowledge of the native anterior cruciate ligament anatomy and knee kinematics has progressed. The current gold standard uses four-stranded hamstring autograft with endobutton and interference screw fixation. Double-bundle reconstruction is technically challenging with greater risk and best reserved for larger knees with larger native ligaments. Although treatment has advanced considerably over the years, there are still a number of contentious issues which are considered in this review. Part two of this review discusses the short- and long-term objectives of surgery, the indications and timing of surgery, different graft materials, tunnel positions and rehabilitation programmes. We also evaluate the role of anatomical reconstruction and single- versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.
With a lot of help from their friends: Explaining the social logic of informational lobbying in the European Union
Authors: Chalmers Adam W
Published: April 2013

This article examines the informational advantages of interest group networking strategies and how these relate to the provision of policy-relevant information to EU decision-makers. Interest groups obtain a great deal of policy-relevant information through their network connections. In particular, weak tie networks are strong in terms of information sharing among network members. Well-informed groups are best positioned to provide much needed information to EU decision-makers and to thus influence the EU policy-making process. Using original survey and interview data, this article tests the extent to which weak tie strategies help interest groups provide information to the Commission, Parliament and Council. A central finding of this article is that strong ties, rather than weak ties, grant the most important informational advantages.