bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Uniaxial Tensile Response of Porous and Microcracked Ceramic Materials
Authors: Pandey Amit , Shyam Amit , Watkins Thomas R. , Lara‐Curzio Edgar , Stafford Randy J. , Hemker Kevin J.
Published: December 2013

The uniaxial tensile stress–strain behavior of three porous ceramic materials was determined at ambient conditions. Test specimens in the form of thin beams were obtained from the walls of diesel particulate filter honeycombs and tested using a microtesting system. A digital image correlation technique was used to obtain full‐field 2D in‐plane surface displacement maps during tensile loading, and in turn, the 2D strains obtained from displacement fields were used to determine the Secant modulus, Young's modulus, and initial Poisson's ratio of the three porous ceramic materials. Successive unloading–reloading experiments were performed at different levels of stress to decouple the linear elastic, anelastic, and inelastic response in these materials. It was found that the stress–strain response of these materials was nonlinear and that the degree of nonlinearity is related to the initial microcrack density and evolution of damage in the material.
Double‐duty caregivers: healthcare professionals juggling employment and informal caregiving. A survey on personal health and work experiences
Authors: Boumans Nicolle P.G. , Dorant Elisabeth
Published: December 2013

Aims

This study compared the work‐related experiences and personal health status of double‐duty caregivers with those of caregivers who do not provide informal care to a family member or close friend in need.

Background

The interest in providing informal care alongside employment is growing. However, little attention has been paid to the dual role of the healthcare professional who also has caregiving responsibilities for a needy person in his/her private situation. It is important to study the negative and positive consequences of this combination of professional and family care giving.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

In 2011, we distributed a digital questionnaire to employees with a professional care function working at a healthcare organization in the Netherlands. Descriptive statistics, analyses of covariance and tests of linearity were performed.

Results

Analyses of variance demonstrated that as professional healthcare workers provide more hours of informal care in their private lives, their mental and physical health significantly worsens, while their need for recovery increases. Also, statistical significant increases were seen for emotional exhaustion, presenteeism and negative experiences with Work–Home and Home–Work Interferences. Remarkably, positive Home–Work Interference increased significantly with increasing hours of informal care. Double‐duty caregivers appeared to be equally motivated and satisfied with their work as their co‐workers. No differences were seen with respect to absenteeism.

Conclusion

Double‐duty caregivers prove to be employees who are at risk of developing symptoms of overload. This finding calls for special attention, with long‐term solutions at both legislative and organizational level.
Dietary intake in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: Analysis from Japan Diabetes Complications Study
Authors: Horikawa Chika , Yoshimura Yukio , Kamada Chiemi , Tanaka Shiro , Tanaka Sachiko , Takahashi Akane , Hanyu Osamu , Araki Atsushi , Ito Hideki , Tanaka Akira , Ohashi Yasuo , Akanuma Yasuo , Yamada Nobuhiro , Sone Hirohito
Published: December 2013

Aims/Introduction

Though there are many differences in dietary habits and in the metabolic basis between Western and Asian people, the actual dietary intake in Asian patients with diabetes has not been investigated in a nationwide setting, unlike in Western countries. We aimed to clarify dietary intake among Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes, and identify differences in dietary intake between Japanese and Western diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods

Nutritional and food intakes were surveyed and analyzed in 1,516 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 40–70 years from outpatient clinics in 59 university and general hospitals using the food frequency questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg).

Results

Mean energy intake for all participants was 1737 ± 412 kcal/day, and mean proportions of total protein, fat, and carbohydrate comprising total energy intake were 15.7, 27.6 and 53.6%, respectively. They consumed a ‘low‐fat energy‐restricted diet’ compared with Western diabetic patients, and the proportion of fat consumption was within the suggested range that has been traditionally recommended in Western countries. As a protein source, consumption of fish (100 g) and soybean products (71 g) was larger than that of meat (50 g) and eggs (29 g). These results imply that dietary content and food patterns among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes are quite close to those reported as suitable for prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and total mortality in Europe and America.

Conclusions

A large difference was shown between dietary intake by Japanese and Western patients. These differences are important to establish ethnic‐specific medical nutrition therapy for diabetes.
Basal insulin requirement of youth with type 1 diabetes differs according to age
Authors: Urakami Tatsuhiko , Kuwabara Remi , Habu Masako , Okuno Misako , Suzuki Junichi , Takahashi Shori
Published: December 2013

We investigated the percentage of total basal insulin dose to total daily insulin dose (%TBD) among Japanese youth of different ages with type 1 diabetes. The study enrolled 69 patients with type 1 diabetes who were treated with multiple daily injections of insulin. The participants were divided into the following age groups: group A, 0 to <10 years (n = 18); group B, 10 to <20 years (n = 31) and group C, 20 to <25 years (n = 20). We found no difference in the sex ratio, body mass index, and glycated hemoglobin and 2‐h postprandial C‐peptide levels among the three groups. Participants assigned to group B had a significantly higher percentage of total daily insulin dose than those in group A and group C (49.7 ± 10.4% vs 38.5 ± 13.7% and 38.3 ± 8.2%, P = 0.0005). In conclusion, the basal insulin requirements of Japanese youth with type 1 diabetes might have an age effect that is associated with puberty.
Correlation between sudomotor function, sweat gland duct size and corneal nerve fiber pathology in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ishibashi Fukashi , Kojima Rie , Kawasaki Asami , Yamanaka Emi , Kosaka Aiko , Uetake Harumi
Published: December 2013

Aims/Introduction

To study the correlation between sudomotor function, sweat gland duct size and corneal nerve fiber pathology in type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Sudomotor function was quantified by Neuropad test, and sweat gland duct and corneal nerve fibers were visualized by confocal microscopy in 78 patients with type 2 diabetes stratified by diabetic neuropathy and 28 control participants.

Results

In patients with diabetic neuropathy, sudomotor function, as judged by the time required for complete color change of a Neuropad, was impaired compared with that of controls (P < 0.0001), thereby showing deterioration was related to the severity of diabetic neuropathy (P < 0.0001). Sweat gland ducts were smaller in patients without neuropathy than in controls (P < 0.0001), and further shrinking was seen in patients with severe diabetic neuropathy (P < 0.05). Patients without diabetic neuropathy showed reduced density and length (P < 0.001) of corneal nerve fibers and beading frequency (P < 0.0001), and increased tortuosity (P < 0.0001) compared with controls, and these changes deteriorated in patients with severe diabetic neuropathy. Sudomotor function was negatively associated with corneal nerve fibers (P < 0.002) and branches (P < 0.01), and influenced by the severity of diabetic neuropathy (P < 0.0001); sweat gland duct size correlated with serum triglycerides (P < 0.02), uric acid (P < 0.01), corneal nerve branch (P < 0.03), sudomotor function (P < 0.03) and severity of neuropathy (P < 0.03).

Conclusions

Type 2 diabetic patients had sudomotor dysfunction and smaller sweat gland ducts compared with controls. The stage of diabetic neuropathy and corneal nerve fiber pathology were independent predictors of sudomotor dysfunction, and serum triglycerides, uric acid, corneal nerve branch, stage of diabetic neuropathy and sudomotor function were predictors of sweat gland duct size.
Prevalence and clinical profile of diabetes mellitus in productive aged urban Indonesians
Authors: Mihardja Laurentia , Soetrisno Uken , Soegondo Sidartawan
Published: December 2013

Aims/Introduction

To estimate the prevalence and clinical profile of diabetes mellitus in productive aged urban Indonesians based on the National Basic Health Research 2007.

Materials and Methods

The statistical analyses of a cross‐sectional survey included the data of 15,332 adults, aged 18–55 years, living in an urban area. Blood glucose was measured by an automatic clinical chemistry analyzer by 2‐h, 75‐g post glucose load after an overnight fast. Weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure data were measured and recorded, whereas the sociodemographic and prior illness data were collected by interviewing the participants.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in productive age urban Indonesians was 4.6%, consisting of 1.1% previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus and 3.5% undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus affected more women than men, which increased with age, was higher among the high socioeconomic group and increased with increasing body mass index. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was higher in centrally obese people. Hypertension was highly related with diabetes mellitus occurrence. The prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus with overweight or obese was 68.4%, with central obesity 41.7%, with hypertension 41.4% and with dyslipidemia more than 50%. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes respondents with overweight or obese was 68,7%, with central obesity 43.8%, with hypertension 49.4% and with dyslipidemia more than 50%.

Conclusions

These results show that comprehensive strategies for the prevention and control of the problem of diabetes are urgently required.
Siblings of Individuals With Disabilities: Reframing the Literature Through a Bioecological Lens
Authors: Saxena Mamta , Adamsons Kari
Published: December 2013

In the United States alone, there are almost 300,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. Researchers have focused primarily on such individuals and their parents; however, the developmental outcomes of such individuals' siblings have been understudied. Research on siblings frequently is atheoretical, which makes it difficult to organize findings in ways that enhance understanding of the multiple influences on sibling development and to predict and promote siblings' outcomes. Application of a theoretical framework is crucial, as it has implications for supports available to siblings and families, as well as for research, programs, and policy. Here, a bioecological framework is used to organize existing research about siblings of individuals with disabilities and the factors that help or hinder their development and to highlight areas needing further study.
Edible Insects Acceptance by Belgian Consumers: Promising Attitude for Entomophagy Development
Authors: Caparros Megido Rudy , Sablon Ludovic , Geuens Mélodie , Brostaux Yves , Alabi Taofic , Blecker Christophe , Drugmand Didier , Haubruge Éric , Francis Frédéric
Published: December 2013

Entomophagy is not well accepted in Western European populations but it is common in the world. In the future, populations from developed countries should adapt to other sources of animal proteins because traditional breeding of beef, poultry or pork will become unsustainable.

This study was performed to assess the perception of entomophagy in the Belgian population. A slight neophobia was detected but people agreed to evaluate insect preparations. Various insect formulations (mealworms and house crickets) were prepared, and insects associated with known flavors and crispy textures were preferred. After a hedonic test, people seemed to be willing to eat and cook insects in the near future.

The opportunity to introduce entomophagy in food habits of Western European populations was positively concluded. Integration of edible insects in human food is a potential solution to replace other animal protein sources in a much more sustainable development and will deserve more attention in the future.

Practical Applications

This study shows the edible insects' potential to become a usual food ingredient in Western European populations. Our results show that consumers are ready to buy and cook insects at home if they are able to associate them with familiar flavors.
The inheritance of extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunts and elevated bile acid concentrations in Maltese dogs
Authors: O'Leary C. A. , Parslow A. , Malik R. , Hunt G. B. , Hurford R. I. , Tisdall P. L. C. , Duffy D. L.
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVES

To determine the heritability of extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunts and elevated post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations in Maltese dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Maltese dogs were recruited and investigated by a variable combination of procedures including dynamic bile acid testing, rectal ammonia tolerance testing, ultrasonography, portal venography, surgical inspection or necropsy. In addition, nine test matings were carried out between affected and affected dogs, and affected and unaffected dogs.

RESULTS

In 135 variably related Maltese, shunt status could be confirmed in 113, including 19 with an extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunt (17 confirmed at surgery, 2 at necropsy). Rectal ammonia tolerance testing results and post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations were retrievable for 50 and 88 dogs, respectively. Pedigree information was available for these 135 and an additional 164 related dogs. Two consecutive test matings were carried out between two affected animals (whose shunts had been attenuated), with 2 of 8 (25%) of offspring having an extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunt. Six test matings were carried out between an affected and an unaffected animal, with 2 of 22 (9%) offspring affected. Heritability of extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunt was 0·61 calculated using variance components analysis [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·14 to 1·0,P=0·001]. The best fitting model from segregation analysis was a common, partially penetrant, recessive model (allele frequency 0·34, penetrance 0·99,CI0·09 to 1·0). The heritability of elevated post‐prandial serum bile acid (and thus likely portal vein hypoplasia) was 0·81 (CI0·43 to 1·0,P=0·2) after logarithmic transformation of post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

There is strong support for extra‐hepatic portosystemic shunts and elevated post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations both being inherited conditions in Maltese.
Effects of Multiple Sclerosis on Female Sexuality: A Controlled Study
Authors: Gumus Haluk , Akpinar Zehra , Yilmaz Halim
Published: December 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on female sexuality.

Methods

Present study included 142 females (70 MS patients, 72 healthy controls). MS patients were evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for functional status, by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for severity of depression, by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for severity of pain, and by Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) for sexual function.

Main Outcome Measures

FSFI, BDI, EDSS, and VAS were the main outcome measures.

Results

The number of weekly sexual intercourse, total FSFI, and FSFI subscale scores were lower in MS women compared with controls. FSFI total and FSFI subscale scores were statistically significantly lower in MS women with BDI score ≥17 compared with those with BDI score <17. A negative correlation was found between total FSFI score and BDI, EDSS, VAS, age, and duration of complaint, but a positive correlation was found with education level in MS women.

Conclusions

Sexual functions are negatively affected in MS women. Sexual functions in MS women seem to be associated with enhanced disability, pain, duration of the disease, and degree of concomitant depression. Therefore, women with MS should also be evaluated in terms of sexual function during routine follow-ups.
‘Becoming a species by becoming a pest’ or how two maize pests of the genus Ostrinia possibly evolved through parallel ecological speciation events
Authors: Bourguet Denis , Ponsard Sergine , Streiff Rejane , Meusnier Serge , Audiot Philippe , Li Jing , Wang Zhen‐Ying
Published: December 2013

New agricultural pest species attacking introduced crops may evolve from pre‐existing local herbivores by ecological speciation, thereby becoming a species by becoming a pest. We compare the evolutionary pathways by which two maize pests (the Asian and the European corn borers, ACB and ECB) in the genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) probably diverged from an ancestral species close to the current Adzuki bean borer (ABB). We typed larval Ostrinia populations collected on maize and dicotyledons across China and eastern Siberia, at microsatellite and mitochondrial loci. We found only two clusters: one on maize (as expected) and a single one on dicotyledons despite differences in male mid‐tibia morphology, suggesting that all individuals from dicotyledons belonged to the ABB. We found evidence for migrants and hybrids on both host plant types. Hybrids suggest that field reproductive isolation is incomplete between ACB and ABB. Interestingly, a few individuals with an ‘ABB‐like’ microsatellite profile collected on dicotyledons had ‘ACB’ mtDNA rather than ‘ABB‐like’ mtDNA, whereas the reverse was never found on maize. This suggests asymmetrical gene flow directed from the ACB towards the ABB. Hybrids and backcrosses in all directions were obtained in no‐choice tests. In laboratory conditions, they survived as well as parental strain individuals. In Xinjiang, we found ACB and ECB in sympatry, but no hybrids. Altogether, our results suggest that reproductive isolation between ACB and ABB is incomplete and mostly prezygotic. This points to ecological speciation as a possible evolutionary scenario, as previously found for ECB and ABB in Europe.
Surrogate‐Based Optimization of Expensive‐to‐Evaluate Objective for Optimal Highway Toll Charges in Transportation Network
Authors: Chen Xiqun (Michael) , Zhang Lei , He Xiang , Xiong Chenfeng , Li Zhiheng
Published: December 2013

This article adopts a family of surrogate‐based optimization approaches to approximate the response surface for the transportation simulation input–output mapping and search for the optimal toll charges in a transportation network. The computational effort can thus be significantly reduced for the expensive‐to‐evaluate optimization problem. Meanwhile, the random noise that always occurs through simulations can be addressed by this family of approaches. Both one‐stage and two‐stage surrogate models are tested and compared. A suboptimal exploration strategy and a global exploration strategy are incorporated and validated. A simulation‐based dynamic traffic assignment model DynusT (Dynamic Urban Systems in Transportation) is utilized to evaluate the system performance in response to different link‐additive toll schemes implemented on a highway in a real road transportation network. With the objective of minimizing the network‐wide average travel time, the simulation results show that implementing the optimal toll predicted by the surrogate model can benefit society in multiple ways. The travelers gain from the 2.5% reduction (0.45 minutes) of the average travel time. The total reduction in the time cost during the extended peak hours would be around US$65,000 for all the 570,000 network users assuming a US$15 per hour value of time. Meanwhile, the government benefits from the 20% increase of toll revenue compared to the current situation. Thus, applying the optimized pricing scheme in real world can be an encouraging policy option to enhance the performance of the transportation system in the study region.
Complexity and robustness of the flavonoid transcriptional regulatory network revealed by comprehensive analyses of MYB–bHLH–WDR complexes and their targets in Arabidopsis seed
Authors: Xu Wenjia , Grain Damaris , Bobet Sophie , Le Gourrierec José , Thévenin Johanne , Kelemen Zsolt , Lepiniec Loïc , Dubos Christian
Published: December 2013

In Arabidopsis thaliana, proanthocyanidins (PAs) accumulate in the innermost cell layer of the seed coat (i.e. endothelium, chalaza and micropyle). The expression of the biosynthetic genes involved relies on the transcriptional activity of R2R3‐MYB and basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) proteins which form ternary complexes (‘MBW’) with TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1) (WD repeat protein). The identification of the direct targets and the determination of the nature and spatio‐temporal activity of these MBW complexes are essential steps towards a comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional mechanisms that control flavonoid biosynthesis.

In this study, various molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches were used.

Here, we have demonstrated that, of the 12 studied genes of the pathway, only dihydroflavonol‐4‐reductase (DFR), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX), BANYULS (BAN), TRANSPARENT TESTA 19 (TT19), TT12 and H+‐ATPase isoform 10 (AHA10) are direct targets of the MBW complexes. Interestingly, although the TT2–TT8–TTG1 complex plays the major role in developing seeds, three additional MBW complexes (i.e. MYB5–TT8–TTG1, TT2–EGL3–TTG1 and TT2–GL3–TTG1) were also shown to be involved, in a tissue‐specific manner. Finally, a minimal promoter was identified for each of the target genes of the MBW complexes.

Altogether, by answering fundamental questions and by demonstrating or invalidating previously made hypotheses, this study provides a new and comprehensive view of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling PA and anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.
Habits, rituals, and addiction: an inquiry into substance abuse in older persons
Authors: Gray Mary Tod
Published: December 2013

Older people enter the final phases of their lives with well‐established habits and rituals, some of which might be or become substance abuse. This inquiry focused on the relationship between habits, rituals, and the compulsive addictive behaviours evident in older persons' substance abuse. Habits and rituals, examined as adaptive and limiting functions in older persons, revealed changes in autonomy, social inclusion, and emotional responses to such changes as older persons experience declining energy reserves and physical debilities. Older persons' ebbing sense of control and passionate responses to change illustrate the perennial struggle between the will and emotions when habits and rituals transform to compulsive addictive behaviours. Two concepts, germane to this struggle both in older persons' addictive behaviours and nurses' response, emerged from this inquiry: temperance, a balance between the will's freely chosen actions and passionate desire, and discipline, the means to achieve such balance. The focused attention demanded in discipline can be realized in spiritual exercises and daily care of the soul. Disciplined actions engage the older persons' imaginative capacities to manage and abandon the self in goals consistent with end‐of‐life issues: meaningful fulfillment of human potential and the need for daily joy and pleasure in living the final years.
The long‐run relationship between savings and investment in oil‐exporting developing countries: a case study of theGulfArab states
Authors: Basher Syed Abul , Fachin Stefano
Published: December 2013

The relationship between national saving and investment over the long term is examined for six Gulf Arab oil‐exporting developing countries—Bahrain,Kuwait,Oman,Qatar,SaudiArabia and theUnitedArabEmirates. We show that, provided some large outliers are properly accounted for, long‐run equilibrium relationships between saving and investment (both total and fixed) exist in these countries. Because these countries have typically large current account surpluses, such relationships cannot be explained by standard arguments. Our hypothesis is that the response of investment to saving largely depends on domestic absorptive capacity.
Causality‐in‐variance of prices of oil products
Authors: Ben Sita Bernard , Abosedra Salah
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates causality‐in‐variance between the price of crude oil and the prices of refined oil products using US data. The cross‐correlation function is applied on both normal and abnormal squared standardized residuals. We found that causality‐in‐variance has a lead from crude price to gasoline prices for not more than 2 days, and has a lag from gasoline to crude of not more than 2 days. In addition to the daily causality pattern, the monthly causality pattern reveals that the lead‐in‐variance causation from crude price to refined products' prices and the lag‐in‐variance causation from refined products' prices to crude prices persist longer with abnormal squared shocks. These patterns suggest that market participants can advantageously adjust their positions within and across these markets.
Economic growth and electricity consumption: MS‐VAR and MS‐Granger causality analysis
Authors: Bildirici Melike E.
Published: December 2013

This study estimates the causality relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth by Markov Switching VAR (MS‐VAR) method for some emerging countries: Argentina, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and South Africa. Knowledge of the direction of causality between electricity consumption and economic growth is of primary importance if appropriate energy policies and energy conservation measures are to be devised. The results from MS‐VAR models show that in first, second and third regime, electricity consumption is the Granger cause of the economic growth and economic growth is the Granger cause of the electricity consumption. In sum, we found some evidence of bidirectional Granger causality between the electricity consumption and the economic growth.
Infant atopic eczema and subsequent attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder – A prospective birth cohort study
Authors: Genuneit Jon , Braig Stefanie , Brandt Stephanie , Wabitsch Martin , Florath Ines , Brenner Hermann , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: December 2013

Background

Comorbidity between childhood atopic eczema (AE) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been observed, but temporal relationships remain unclear.

Methods

We analyzed data of a population‐based, prospective birth cohort study among 770 children included at baseline in 2000/2001 with follow‐up up to age 11. Information on age at diagnosis of AE, rhinoconjunctivitis, and ADHD was obtained by questionnaires administered to parents and for AE also to caring physicians. Adjusted relative risks (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were modeled with a modified Poisson regression.

Results

Early AE up to age 4 yr was reported for 14.8% of the children by the parents and for 26.0% by the physicians with only fair agreement between these reports (kappa = 0.36). Based on parental reports, the association of early AE with early ADHD was strong (aRR: 5.17, 95% CI: 2.18; 12.28), but absent for late ADHD [aRR: 0.50 (0.13; 2.02)]. The association of late AE with late ADHD [aRR: 3.03 (0.75; 12.29)] was not statistically significant. This pattern was independent of the presence of rhinoconjunctivitis.

Conclusions

The observed comorbidity between AE and ADHD may indicate vulnerability to develop ADHD symptoms in response to AE symptoms or through a common underlying mechanism. This vulnerability seems to decrease with time since AE onset and may be greater in early life. These temporal relationships should be considered in future research investigating mechanisms linking both diseases and in clinical efforts to screen for and prevent ADHD symptoms in children with AE.
Febrile and gynecological infections during pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of childhood eczema
Authors: Pesce Giancarlo , Marcon Alessandro , Marchetti Pierpaolo , Girardi Paolo , de Marco Roberto
Published: December 2013

Background

Mounting evidence suggests that fetal exposures may exert long‐term effects on the function of the skin and of the immune system. This study aimed at assessing whether maternal complications during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of eczema during childhood.

Methods

The associations between hypertension/preeclampsia, febrile infections, or gynecological infections during pregnancy and the occurrence of childhood eczema were studied in a population (n = 3907) of children, aged 3–14 yrs, living in Italy. Their parents filled in a standardized questionnaire about the presence of children's eczema and the events that occurred during pregnancy, birth, and the first year of the child's life.

Results

7.7%, 3.8%, and 6.1% of the pregnancies were complicated by hypertension/preeclampsia, febrile infections, and gynecological infections, respectively. The prevalence of eczema was significantly higher in children born to mothers who had experienced febrile (35.5% vs. 22.0%; p < 0.001) or gynecological infections (35.3% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.001) compared with those born to mothers who had not suffered from that specific pregnancy complication, while hypertension/preeclampsia was not significantly associated with childhood eczema. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of eczema was significantly higher in children born to mothers who reported febrile infections during the 1st trimester (OR: 2.32; 95%CI: 1.11–4.82) and gynecological infections during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (OR: 2.73; 95%CI:1.73–4.31).

Conclusions

Fetal exposure to febrile and gynecological infections might enhance the risk of eczema in the offspring, especially when occurring in specific trimesters of pregnancy. These findings suggest that febrile and gynecological infections might interfere with fetal and perinatal programming of the immune function and skin through different mechanisms.
Cross‐Cultural Psychometric Assessment of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale in the Portuguese Population
Authors: Barbosa Margarida , Bennett Michael I. , Verissimo Ramiro , Carvalho Davide
Published: December 2013

Background

Chronic pain is a well‐known phenomenon. The differential diagnosis between neuropathic and nociceptive pain syndromes is a challenge. Consequently, assessment instruments that can distinguish between these conditions in a standardized way are of the utmost importance. The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) is a screening tool developed to identify chronic neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was the Portuguese language translation, linguistic adaptation of the LANSS pain scale, its semantic validation, internal consistency, temporal stability, as well its validity and discriminative power.

Methods

LANSS Portuguese version scale was applied to 165 consecutive patients attending the pain clinic: 103 fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of pain of neuropathic origin and the remaining 62 fulfilled the criteria for nociceptive pain.

Results

The scale proved to be an internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78) and reliable instrument with good test–retest stability (r = 0.7; P < 0.001). However, its validity and specificity with a cutoff point of ≥ 12, for differentiating patients with neuropathic pain from those with non‐neuropathic pain, had 89% sensitivity, 74% specificity, positive predictive value of 85%, and negative predictive value of 81%.

Conclusions

The Portuguese LANSS version pain scale properties lead us to the conclusion that such a cross‐cultural version is a reliable and valid instrument for the differentiation of this type of pain. Its usage is recommended.
Treatment of Neuropathic Pain with the Capsaicin 8% Patch: Is Pretreatment with Lidocaine Necessary?
Authors: Kern Kai‐Uwe , Nowack Walburga , Poole Chris
Published: December 2013

The capsaicin 8% patch can effectively treat neuropathic pain, but application can cause discomfort or a burning sensation. Until March 2013, it was recommended that patients be pretreated with a topical anesthetic, for example lidocaine, before capsaicin patch application. However, speculation existed over the need for pretreatment and its effectiveness in alleviating treatment‐associated discomfort. This article compares tolerability to and efficacy of the capsaicin patch in pretreated and non‐pretreated patients. All patients received a single capsaicin patch application. Pretreated patients received a lidocaine plaster before and intravenous lidocaine and metamizole infusions during capsaicin patch application. Pain levels, assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), were used to determine tolerability and efficacy. All patients (pretreated n = 32; non‐pretreated n = 26) completed 100% of the intended capsaicin patch application duration. At the time of capsaicin patch removal, 69% of pretreated and 88% of non‐pretreated patients reported an NRS score increase, which returned to baseline by 6 hours post‐treatment. There was no significant difference in mean NRS score between patient groups at any time during or after capsaicin patch treatment. Response was similar between patient groups; capsaicin patch treatment provided rapid and significant pain reductions that were sustained over 12 weeks. The same proportion of pretreated and non‐pretreated patients reported willingness to receive retreatment with the capsaicin patch. This analysis shows that the capsaicin 8% patch is generally tolerable, and the small discomfort associated with patch application is short‐lived. Lidocaine pretreatment does not have a significant effect on tolerability, efficacy, or patient willingness to receive retreatment.
The Prevalence of Diagnosed Opioid Abuse in Commercial and Medicare Managed Care Populations
Authors: Dufour Robert , Joshi Ashish V. , Pasquale Margaret K. , Schaaf David , Mardekian Jack , Andrews George A. , Patel Nick C.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To measure the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse and prescription opioid use in a multistate managed care organization.

Methods

This retrospective claims data analysis reviewed the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse and the parallel prevalence of prescription opioid use in half‐year intervals for commercial and Medicare members enrolled with Humana Inc., from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010. Diagnosis of opioid abuse was defined by ≥ 1 medical claim with any of the following ICD‐9‐CM codes: 304.0 ×, 304.7 ×, 305.5 ×, 965.0 ×, excluding 965.01, and opioid use was defined by ≥ 1 filled prescription for an opioid. The prevalence of opioid abuse was defined by the number of members with an opioid abuse diagnosis, divided by the number of members enrolled in each 6‐month interval.

Results

The 6‐month prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse increased from 0.84 to 1.15 among commercial and from 3.17 to 6.35 among Medicare members, per 1,000. In contrast, there was no marked increase in prescription opioid use during the same time period (118.0 to 114.8 for commercial members, 240.6 to 256.9 for Medicare members, per 1,000). The prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse was highest among members younger than 65 years for both genders in commercial (18‐ to 34‐year‐olds) and Medicare (35‐ to 54‐year‐olds) populations.

Conclusions

Despite a stable rate of prescription opioid use among the observed population, the prevalence of diagnosed opioid abuse is increasing, particularly in the Medicare population.
“Victims” Versus “Righteous Victims”: The Rhetorical Construction of Social Categories in Historical Dialogue Among Israeli and Palestinian Youth
Authors: Pilecki Andrew , Hammack Phillip L.
Published: December 2013

Informed by social identity theory and a rhetorical approach to the study of social category construction in social interaction, this study analyzed the nature and function of participant utterances in two conditions of intergroup dialogue about history between Israelis and Palestinians. Across conditions that sought to either emphasize recategorization into a common in‐group identity or subcategorization into mutually differentiated identities, Palestinian and Arab Israeli utterances primarily reflected the theme of victimization, while Jewish Israeli utterances primarily reflected themes of justification and victimization. The way in which these utterances produced social competition for victim and perpetrator roles and reproduced master historical narratives of Palestinian victimization versus Jewish Israeli “righteous” victimization is illustrated. Findings are discussed in terms of the role of narrative and rhetoric about social categories in settings of intractable political conflict, and implications for dialogue‐based intervention about history are addressed.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Assessing How Timing and Repetition of Scandal Information Affects Candidate Evaluations
Authors: Mitchell Dona‐Gene
Published: December 2013

Scholars and political consultants alike know that during a campaign even the hint of a scandal has the potential to distract from a candidate's policy messages—or even worse—can have dire consequences on Election Day. But does it matter whether the scandal breaks early as opposed to late in the campaign? And how do citizens respond when the scandal drags on for weeks? This study represents the first effort to shed light on these temporal dynamics. Results reveal that timing affects the immediate impact of scandal information, the rate at which those initial effects decay, and candidate evaluations offered at the campaign's conclusion. Additionally, I develop two competing hypotheses regarding how citizens may process scandal information when it is repeated throughout a campaign. Empirical tests suggest that voters eventually reach a saturation threshold after which additional repetition of scandal information has negligible effects on evaluations unless new details are a prominent feature of ongoing coverage, in which case repetition can extend the negative effects of scandal.
The Motivating Role of Perceived Right Violation and Efficacy Beliefs in Identification with the Italian Water Movement
Authors: Mazzoni Davide , van Zomeren Martijn , Cicognani Elvira
Published: December 2013

Because individuals' fundamental right to water is often taken for granted, little is known about why individuals participate in water activism. We examine how individuals identify with and intend to participate in the Italian Water Movement to defend the “public management” of water supply. Building on the collective‐action literature, we test an explanatory model in which the perceived violation of the right to water and group and participative‐efficacy beliefs increase movement identification, which predicts subsequent activism. Study 1 (N = 153 activists) largely confirmed our hypotheses: right violation and participative efficacy uniquely influenced movement identification, which in turn predicted activism. Study 2 corroborated these findings by employing a broader sample of 132 Italian citizens, with right violation, participative and group‐efficacy beliefs predicting movement identification, which in turn predicted activism. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Trade and the Environment: The Role of Firm Heterogeneity
Authors: Kreickemeier Udo , Richter Philipp M.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we derive a new effect of trade liberalization on the quality of the environment. We show that in the presence of heterogeneous firms, the aggregate volume of emissions is influenced by a reallocation effect resulting from an increase in the relative size of more productive firms. The relative importance of this reallocation effect and the scale effect well‐known from the literature is affected by the emission intensity at the firm level. Domestic emissions decrease as a result of a unilateral tariff reduction if and only if firm‐specific emission intensity decreases strongly with increasing firm productivity. As a result of the induced change in foreign emissions, domestic pollution can increase even if domestic emissions decrease.
Acute decrease in the stiffness of resting muscle belly due to static stretching
Authors: Taniguchi K. , Shinohara M. , Nozaki S. , Katayose M.
Published: December 2013

The purpose of the study was to examine the acute effect of static stretching exercise on the resting stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle belly. Ten healthy young adults performed standing wall stretching in dorsiflexion for 1 min at a time and repeated five times. Before and after stretching, the shear modulus was measured in medial and lateral heads of the resting gastrocnemius muscle with ultrasound shear‐wave elastography. After the stretching, dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint increased (P < 0.01) by 3.9° and returned in 20 min. Immediately after stretching, shear modulus decreased (P < 0.01) by 14%, compared with before stretching across muscle heads. The decrease in shear modulus returned in 20 min after stretching. In the comparison group of 10 additional subjects, the standing intervention without stretching had no influence on these measures. There was a negative correlation between dorsiflexion ROM and shear modulus in either head before and after stretching. The results demonstrate the transient decreases in the stiffness of the resting gastrocnemius muscle belly and indicate that joint flexibility is greater in individuals with lower resting stiffness of the muscle belly.
Teaching and Learning Guide to Accompany Graffiti as a Form of Contentious Political Participation
Authors: Waldner Lisa K. , Dobratz Betty A.
Published: December 2013

The authors develop four exercises to further explore themes that are discussed in the Waldner and Dobratz article “Graffiti as a Form of Contentious Political Participation (Sociology Compass 7: 377–389),” including Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Madres de Plaza de Mayo), From Famous Political Speech (“Ich Bin Ein Berliner”) to Graffiti: “Ich bin Berliner”, “Protest, Violence, and Graffiti in Greek Politics,” and “Political Speech or Just Tagging: Billboards and Culture Jamming.” The authors encourage students to explore them such as motivations for graffiti, the difficulty in discerning writer intent, the use of graffiti as a form of political protest, and the historical and geographical context of graffiti. The authors provide links to YouTube videos and supplementary readings.
Social Networks and Employment: Mechanisms (Part 1)
Authors: Castilla Emilio J. , Lan George J. , Rissing Ben A.
Published: December 2013

While substantial progress has recently been made in the literature on social networks and employment, this research has not been accompanied by a larger organizing framework. In this article, we attempt to provide such framework while reviewing the literature that addresses the context of work and employment from a social network perspective – that is, research based on the assumption that actors are embedded in networks of social relations and interactions. In particular, our review focuses on the primary mechanisms that help explain how networks may shape employment outcomes and processes, namely, by conveyingresourcesand providingsignalsto others. Ties among social actors may transfer better or unique resources such as information, learning, influence, and support, which consequently may affect key employment outcomes. Ties may also provide signals concerning ability, legitimacy/trust, status, and relationship meaning. We conclude by presenting a number of alternative arguments in the literature and discussing future directions for the research on social networks and employment.
Whither Equality? Securing the Lay Citizens' Place Inside the Criminal Justice System
Authors: Poama Andrei
Published: December 2013

This paper argues that lay jurors should be given a more extensive position in making decisions about misdemeanour cases. The paper constitutes a qualified defense of the 2011 judicial French reform. This reform associates two extra jurors to the already existing three magistrates in charge of misdemeanour cases. Two arguments are presented in favour of this measure. The first argument is that increasing the number of decision‐makers improves the accuracy of verdicts. I call this the argument from quantity. The second argument is that fostering more identity diversity between decision‐makers tends to improve the quality of group decisions. I call this the argument from diversity. The argument from quantity and the argument from diversity are supported by the more general idea that one of the chief rationales of any judicial system is that of ensuring the defendants' equality of protection.
The significance of drilling date and crop cover with reference to soil erosion by water, with implications for mitigating erosion on agricultural land in South East England
Authors: Boardman J. , Favis‐Mortlock D. T.
Published: December 2013

Early drilling of autumn‐planted cereals is strongly advised in UK government publications targeted at farmers, in part as a measure to combat soil erosion by water. However, in years when rainfall is heavy in early autumn, this strategy is ineffective. Late drilling of autumn‐planted cereals also increases the risk of erosion, but for a different reason: crop cover develops more slowly in cooler weather, resulting in a longer exposure of nearly bare ground. The crucial factor affecting both strategies is the timing of autumn and early winter rainfall. We discuss a conceptual model based on the notion of a ‘window of opportunity’ for erosion, comprising the relationship between drilling date, date of attainment of a sufficiently protective crop cover and the timing of rainfall; variations are presented for different weather conditions and management choices. Of these three factors, only the date of drilling can be chosen by the farmer. The date of attaining a sufficiently protective crop cover can only be predicted approximately. The timing of rainfall cannot be predicted. Thus, erosion control advice to farmers, which is based on choice of date of drilling to minimize erosion during the ‘window of opportunity’, is both difficult to formulate and likely to be ineffective. Sites at risk of erosion need to have better thought‐out mitigation measures in place, rather than relying on a fortuitous temporal pattern of autumn and winter rainfall to minimize the risk of erosion.
A New Framework for Solving the Spatial Network Problems Based on Line Graphs
Authors: Saberian Javad , Malek Mohammad Reza , Winter Stephan , Hamrah Majid
Published: December 2013

In this article we define inverse line graphs of directed graphs as a new framework for solving some classical network analysis problems. The extraction method and theories of inverse line graphs are explained in this article. It is shown that by changing the analysis space from the original directed graph to the inverse line graph, complex problems can be changed into simpler problems. We show the usefulness of the proposed framework in two particular applications: shortest path computations and the more general route planning. Considering the implementation result, we expect that this framework could be used in many more network analysis problems.