bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloud Conditions Favoring Secondary Ice Particle Production in Tropical Maritime Convection
Authors: Heymsfield Andrew , Willis Paul
Published: July 2014

Progress in understanding the formation of ice in lower-tropospheric clouds is slowed by the difficulties in characterizing the many complex interactions that lead to ice initiation and to the dynamic, non-steady-state nature of the clouds. The present study characterizes the conditions where secondary ice particles, specifically identified as needle or thin columnar types, are observed in tropical maritime convection with modest liquid water contents during the Ice in Clouds Experiment-Tropical (ICE-T), based out of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) in 2006 sampling from Cape Verde, Africa. The properties of the cloud droplet populations relevant to the secondary ice production process and the ice particle populations are characterized as a function of temperature and vertical velocity. These secondary ice particles are observed primarily in regions of low liquid water content and weak vertical velocities. Two situations are examined in detail. First, ice formation is examined by following the tops of a group of ICE-T chimney clouds as they ascend and cool from a temperature of +7° to −8°C, examining the production of the first ice. Then, using the data from a cloud system sampled during NAMMA, the authors elucidate a process that promotes ice multiplication. The intention is that this study will lead both to a better understanding of how secondary ice production proceeds in natural clouds and to more realistic laboratory studies of the processes involved.
On the Seasonal Forecasting of Regional Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Vecchi G. A. , Delworth T. , Gudgel R. , Kapnick S. , Rosati A. , Wittenberg A. T. , Zeng F. , Anderson W. , Balaji V. , Dixon K. , Jia L. , Kim H.-S. , Krishnamurthy L. , Msadek R. , Stern W. F. , Underwood S. D. , Villarini G. , Yang X. , Zhang S.
Published: July 2014

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are a hazard to life and property and a prominent element of the global climate system; therefore, understanding and predicting TC location, intensity, and frequency is of both societal and scientific significance. Methodologies exist to predict basinwide, seasonally aggregated TC activity months, seasons, and even years in advance. It is shown that a newly developed high-resolution global climate model can produce skillful forecasts of seasonal TC activity on spatial scales finer than basinwide, from months and seasons in advance of the TC season. The climate model used here is targeted at predicting regional climate and the statistics of weather extremes on seasonal to decadal time scales, and comprises high-resolution (50 km × 50 km) atmosphere and land components as well as more moderate-resolution (~100 km) sea ice and ocean components. The simulation of TC climatology and interannual variations in this climate model is substantially improved by correcting systematic ocean biases through “flux adjustment.” A suite of 12-month duration retrospective forecasts is performed over the 1981–2012 period, after initializing the climate model to observationally constrained conditions at the start of each forecast period, using both the standard and flux-adjusted versions of the model. The standard and flux-adjusted forecasts exhibit equivalent skill at predicting Northern Hemisphere TC season sea surface temperature, but the flux-adjusted model exhibits substantially improved basinwide and regional TC activity forecasts, highlighting the role of systematic biases in limiting the quality of TC forecasts. These results suggest that dynamical forecasts of seasonally aggregated regional TC activity months in advance are feasible.
The Reversal of the Gender Gap in Education and Trends in Marital Dissolution
Authors: Schwartz Christine R. , Han Hongyun
Published: July 2014

The reversal of the gender gap in education has potentially far-reaching consequences for marriage markets, family formation, and relationship outcomes. One possible consequence is the growing number of marriages in which wives have more education than their husbands. Past research shows that this type of union is at higher risk of dissolution. Using data on marriages formed between 1950 and 2004 in the United States, we evaluate whether this association has persisted as the prevalence of this relationship type has increased. Our results show a large shift in the association between spouses’ relative education and marital dissolution. Specifically, marriages in which wives have the educational advantage were once more likely to dissolve, but this association has disappeared in more recent marriage cohorts. Another key finding is that the relative stability of marriages between educational equals has increased. These results are consistent with a shift away from rigid gender specialization toward more flexible, egalitarian partnerships, and they provide an important counterpoint to claims that progress toward gender equality in heterosexual relationships has stalled.
Ethnic Identification and Its Consequences for Measuring Inequality in Mexico
Authors: Villarreal Andrés
Published: July 2014

This article examines ethnic boundary crossing and its effects on estimates of ethnic disparities in children’s outcomes in the context of Mexico, a country with the largest indigenous population in the Western hemisphere. The boundary that separates the indigenous and non-indigenous population is extremely fluid, as it is based on characteristics that can easily change within a generation, such as language use, cultural practices, and a subjective sense of belonging. Using data from the Mexican Census, I examine the ethnic classification of children of indigenous parents. I find that movement across the ethnic boundary depends on which of the two criteria currently recognized by the Mexican Census is used. Children of indigenous parents are much less likely to be classified as indigenous according to language proficiency, especially when their parents have higher levels of education. By contrast, when proxy self-identification is used as a criterion, children of indigenous parents are more likely to be classified as indigenous, and greater parental education results in higher odds that children will be classified as indigenous. The shift in children’s indigenous classification with parental education strongly affects estimates of educational disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous children.
Vitamin D and Dysfunctional Adipose Tissue in Obesity
Authors: Stokić Edita , Kupusinac Aleksandar , Tomic-Naglic Dragana , Smiljenic Dragana , Kovacev-Zavisic Branka , Srdic-Galic Biljana , Soskic Sanja , Isenovic Esma R.
Published: July 2014

Vitamin D deficiency and dysfunctional adipose tissue are involved in the development of cardiometabolic disturbances (eg, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia). We evaluated the relation between vitamin D and adipocytokines derived from adipose tissue. We studied 50 obese individuals who were classified into different subgroups according to medians of observed anthropometric parameters (body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and trunk fat mass). There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and leptin and resistin ( r = −.61, P < .01), while a positive association with adiponectin concentrations was found ( r = .7, P < .001). Trend estimation showed that increase in vitamin D level is accompanied by intensive increase in adiponectin concentrations (growth coefficient: 12.13). In conclusion, a positive trend was established between vitamin D and the protective adipocytokine adiponectin. The clinical relevance of this relationship needs to be investigated in larger studies.
Social Justice Training Within Geropsychology
Authors: Zucchero Renee’ A. , Iwasaki Michiko , Lewis Mary M. , Lee Ji-yeon , Robbins Melanie J.
Published: July 2014

Counseling psychology is well positioned to address issues of social justice to meet the needs of marginalized groups such as older adults. Given the rapid growth of the senior population and an insufficient number of competent professionals to serve them, it is imperative that counseling psychologists act immediately to develop effective pedagogies to prepare for the future. This article describes four nontraditional pedagogies that help prepare students to work with older adults: (a) service-learning (SL) involving undergraduates who provide community service to seniors; (b) an active learning strategy utilizing a narrative therapy technique, in a multicultural training setting with master’s students; (c) a brief, case-based, interprofessional training experience for doctoral students; and (d) a hierarchical supervision model with doctoral and master’s students in a community outreach wellness program. The relevance to social justice training within the counseling psychology profession is also highlighted.
Multiaxis Grip Characteristics for Varying Handle Diameters and Effort
Authors: Irwin Curt B. , Towles Joseph D. , Radwin Robert G.
Published: July 2014

Objective:

A multiaxis dynamometer was used to quantify grip force vector angles and longitudinal centers of pressure (COPs) while varying handle size and effort used.

Background:

Authors of many studies have examined maximum grip strength using scalar instruments; a few have measured two-axis forces limited to one or more finger contact. This novel dynamometer uses two instrumented beams that are grasped by the distal fingers and proximal palm to compute two orthogonal components of force and the longitudinal COP through which the force acts.

Method:

Sixteen healthy, right-handed participants grasped the multiaxis dynamometer with plastic handles ranging in diameter from 3.81 to 7.62 cm. They were required to scale their effort to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of maximum.

Results:

Grip force vector angles were affected by both handle diameter and effort level, with angles increasing an average of 8.1° from the least to greatest effort. Longitudinal COP, averaged among the two beams, shifted 1.75 cm radially as handle diameter increased from 3.81 cm to 7.62 cm. Average COP along the beam in contact with the distal finger segments shifted 0.75 cm ulnarly as effort level increased from 25% to 100% of maximum.

Conclusion:

Grip force characteristics changed with handle diameter and effort level. Overall grip force magnitude comprised both force components measured.

Application:

Understanding grip characteristics should be important for handle and grip design and for evaluating hand function.
Enhanced mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites by incorporating XD-grade carbon nanotube
Authors: Hossain MK , Chowdhury MMR , Salam MBA , Jahan N , Malone J , Hosur MV , Jeelani S , Bolden NW
Published: July 2014

Carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (CFEC) were fabricated infusing 0–0.40 wt% XD-grade carbon nanotube (XD-CNT) using the compression molding process under 16 kips. XD-CNTs were infused into Epon 862 resin using a mechanical stirrer followed by a high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor. The mixture was then placed in a three-roll milling processor for three successive cycles at 140 rpm. Epikure W curing agent was added to the modified resin and mixed using a high-speed mechanical stirrer. Flexural and tensile properties obtained from the flexural and tensile tests were higher in all nanophased composites compared to those of the conventional one. However, samples with 0.3 wt% CNT loading demonstrated the maximum improvement by 27% and 14% in flexural strength and modulus and 19% and 10% in tensile strength and modulus, respectively. Fracture morphology studied by both scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy revealed better interfacial bonding in the CNT-loaded CFEC.
Depressive Symptoms and Their Psychosocial Correlates Among Older Somali Refugees and Native Finns
Authors: Kuittinen Saija , Punamäki Raija-Leena , Mölsä Mulki , Saarni Samuli I. , Tiilikainen Marja , Honkasalo Marja-Liisa
Published: July 2014

In this study, we analyzed the manifestation of somatic-affective and cognitive depressive symptoms among older Somali refugees and native Finns. Second, we explored how depressive symptoms, alexithymia, and somatization are associated in the two groups. Finally, we analyzed how two psychosocial factors, sense of coherence (SOC) and social support, are connected to depressive symptoms among Somalis and Finns. The participants were examined with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depressive symptoms, the Symptom Checklist–90–Revised (SCL-90-R) for somatization, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for alexithymia, and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-13) concept for SOC. Social support was indicated by help received from social networks and marital status. Results showed that Somalis manifested more somatic-affective symptoms of depression than Finns, whereas Finns manifested more cognitive symptoms than Somalis. The association between depressive symptoms and alexithymia was stronger in the Finnish group, whereas the association between depressive symptoms and somatization was stronger in the Somali group. The association between alexithymia and somatization did not differ between the groups. A weak SOC explained depressive symptoms among Somalis and Finns, but poor social support did not explain depression in either group. The results are discussed in relation to Somali and Finnish cultures, mental health beliefs, and immigrant populations.
Mortality Salience and Cultural Cringe
Authors: Kashima Emiko S. , Beatson Ruth , Kaufmann Leah , Branchflower Sarah , Marques Mathew D.
Published: July 2014

Terror Management Theory predicts that mortality salience (MS) instigates cultural worldview defenses, especially among individuals with lower self-esteem. That MS intensifies positive evaluations of pro-U.S. essay authors, and negative evaluations of anti-U.S. essay authors have been documented as supportive evidence. However, the evidence to date may have been limited to where praising for the former and rejection of the latter authors is consistent with a shared cultural script and thus normative. In the case of Australian people, the cultural script of cringe prescribes them to evaluate their country modestly and to reject high praise of their country. We therefore predicted that MS (vs. control) should lead Australians, with low self-esteem in particular, to evaluate pro-Australia essay authors less positively while not affecting their evaluations of anti-Australia essay authors. Results from two studies were consistent with this prediction. It is important to distinguish MS effects on adherence to cultural norms from those on reaffirming collective self-esteem, and to consider relevant cultural scripts when interpreting evidence for worldview defenses.
Troubled voices from within: Four Beckett radio plays
Authors: Acheson James
Published: July 2014

The four short radio plays that Beckett wrote in the early 1960s – Rough for Radio I, Rough for Radio II, Cascando and Words and Music – each present us, expressionistically, with a fictional mind whose enclosing skull is the radio itself. Each mind engages in introspection for the sake of understanding itself better, but finds that inner self-knowledge must remain frustratingly elusive. Beckett invokes the work of two philosophers, Mauthner and Schopenhauer, and two major novelists, Joyce and Proust, to show us why the minds feel compelled to be introspective, and why their efforts at self-discovery are inevitably doomed to failure.
Contentious Veterans
Authors: O’Brien Kevin J. , Diamant Neil J.
Published: July 2014

What drives retired military officers in China toward contention? Decades of research on protest has produced little on veterans’ collection action, and even less on that by ex-officers. Newspaper reports, police journals, and veterans’ blogs show that contention by Chinese former officers (ranging from occupying government compounds to marches, mass petitioning, open letters, and class action lawsuits) is the result of bad luck in post-military job assignments, a fragmented political system that makes it difficult to ensure that pensions and other benefits reach retirees, and pervasive corruption that leads ex-officers to feel that local officials have embezzled funds meant for them. Contention by former officers typically uses military rhetoric and builds on military experiences, even for former officers who were employed in civilian jobs for many years. Although contention by ex-officers is not likely to rock the state, it says much about how “sticky” military identities are, where veterans fit in the political landscape, Leninist civil–military relations, and the treatment that old soldiers receive in a fast changing socioeconomic order.
Public Policy and the Origins of Bureaucratic Red Tape
Authors: Bozeman Barry , Anderson Derrick M.
Published: July 2014

The so-called “Stanford yacht scandal” is used as a case to examine the public policy origins of bureaucratic red tape. The 1988 erroneous charge by Stanford University accountants of depreciation of the university Yacht to federal research accounts resulted in disastrous audits and then changes to U.S. research policies that adversely affect research universities. The seeds of red tape and organizational disaster were planted in ill-designed public policies and then exacerbated by Stanford officials’ missteps. Overcompliance, misplaced precision, and overcontrol are causes of red tape. A “convergent indicators” approach is offered to help judge when rules have become red tape.
Community Involvement and Reduced Risk Behavior Engagement Among African American Adolescents
Authors: Cooper Shauna M. , White Johnson Rhonda , Brown Griffin Charity , Metzger Isha , Avery Melanie , Eaddy Heather , Shephard Constance , Guthrie Barbara
Published: July 2014

Studies have indicated disproportionate health risks among African American adolescents. Given these estimates, research has focused on the prevention of health risk behaviors among this population. Using a strengths-based approach, the current study explored associations between community involvement and African American youths’ health risk behaviors. Additionally, this investigation examined youths’ empowerment beliefs as a mediator of this association. Participants in this study were 1,452 African American youth ( M = 14.41; SD = 1.14; 59% female) residing in a large Midwestern city. Results indicated that community involvement was not directly associated with adolescent health risk behaviors. However, empowerment beliefs mediated the association between community youth involvement and adolescent sexual risk behaviors. Findings suggest the importance of identifying mechanisms that better illuminate the link between community involvement and African American adolescents’ health risk behaviors.
Community Violence and Racial Socialization
Authors: Banerjee Meeta , Rowley Stephanie J. , Johnson Deborah J.
Published: July 2014

The present study investigated the links between community violence exposure (witnessing and direct victimization) and racial socialization and psychological well-being in a sample of 281African American college students (76% female). We predicted that community violence exposure would be negatively related to psychosocial well-being. Additionally, it was hypothesized that the dimensions of racial socialization, cultural socialization and preparation for bias, would mitigate the effects of community violence exposure on psychosocial well-being. Consistent with the research hypotheses, the results from this study show that racial socialization buffers the effects of community violence exposure on mental health outcomes. Implications for assessing exposure to community violence and how racial socialization may mitigate psychosocial well-being are discussed.
What’s Color Got To Do With It? Skin Color, Skin Color Satisfaction, Racial Identity, and Internalized Racism Among African American College Students
Authors: Maxwell Morgan , Brevard Joshua , Abrams Jasmine , Belgrave Faye
Published: July 2014

Although skins tone perceptions influence the African American community, less is known about how skin color satisfaction differs across complexion. Employing an intersectionality framework, the current study assessed (a) the relationships between gender, self-reported skin color, skin color satisfaction, and the private regard aspect of racial identity; (b) whether skin color satisfaction moderates the relationship between perceived skin color and racial identity; and (c) whether internalized racism relates to skin color satisfaction. African American college students ( N= 191) provided their perceived skin color and completed the private regard subscale of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, the Nadanolitization Scale, and an abbreviated version of the Skin Color Satisfaction Scale. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to test most hypotheses. Although skin color was not significantly associated with skin color satisfaction, skin color satisfaction moderated the relationship between perceived skin color and private regard. Darker skin African Americans high in skin color satisfaction reported higher private regard than those low in skin color satisfaction. Additionally, internalized racism significantly predicted skin color satisfaction. Psychosociological implications are discussed.
The Seuss boost: Rhyme helps children retain words from shared storybook reading
Authors: Read Kirsten , Macauley Megan , Furay Erin
Published: July 2014

This study examines the potential benefits of rhyme on young children’s word retention during shared reading. In two experiments, 2- to 4-year-old children heard their parent read either a rhymed or non-rhymed version of the same animal story, and were then tested on how many animal names they subsequently recognized from the story in Experiment 1 and could correctly identify in Experiment 2. In both experiments, children performed better in the rhyme condition across the age range despite differing levels of word familiarity. While there were no other differences between conditions in parents’ reading styles or the emphasis placed on the animal names, parents’ dramatic pausing just before reading animal names may have promoted children’s ability to anticipate animals before they were initially named. These findings supported the hypothesis that rhyme combined with parental behavior can facilitate active prediction on the part of children, which in turn may contribute to their word retention and learning from the storybooks.
Framework for Advancing Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery in Ethiopia
Authors: Isaacson Glenn
Published: July 2014

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery and its members have shown continuing commitment to improving global otolaryngology care through humanitarian and international outreach programs. These efforts, based on a surgical mission model, have produced only modest improvements in otolaryngologic care in Ethiopia. In cooperation with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and 2 Ethiopian medical schools, we present a framework for otolaryngology education for the next decade. It recognizes the limitations of the current didactic paradigm and aims to use available domestic and international resources to improve the quality and availability of head and neck surgical and medical services.
Stretch of the Minimally Invasive Incision during Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Authors: Chen Nan , Stephenson Lauren A. , Jorgensen Jeffrey B. , Zitsch Robert P.
Published: July 2014

Objective

Identify and quantify changes in length of the skin incision following minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery and determine whether these changes persist postoperatively.

Study Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Between July 2012 and June 2013, a prospective, nonrandomized study was performed on 44 consecutive patients undergoing open cervical minimally invasive thyroidectomy (incision approximately 6 cm or less) or minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (incision approximately 3 cm or less). Incision length was measured following initial incision, immediately after wound closure, and on postoperative follow‐up at 2‐week and 14‐week visits.

Results

Thirty‐one patients underwent minimally invasive thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy with initial incision lengths ranging from 20 mm to 60 mm. Seven patients (21%) underwent total thyroidectomy with a mean length of 45 ± 8 mm, 15 patients (44%) underwent unilateral thyroid lobectomy with a mean length of 37 ± 5 mm, and 9 patients (26%) underwent parathyroidectomy with a mean length of 28 ± 2 mm. On average, the skin incision lengthened by 3.0 ± 0.9 mm during surgery representing an intraoperative stretch of 8.0% (P <. 0001). Incision lengths decreased by an average of 0.3 mm at 2‐week postoperative follow‐up (ns) and 6.3 mm at 14‐week postoperative follow‐up (P <. 0001).

Conclusion

Significant intraoperative incision stretch is likely to occur during minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Postoperative follow‐up data suggest that the increase in incision length is not permanent and resolves upon postoperative follow‐up.
Intraaortic balloon pump boon for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Saha Kamales Kumar , Kaushal Ram P , Kumar Ajay , Deval Mandar , Saha Kakalee K , Kaul Shibban K
Published: July 2014

Background

Off-pump coronary artery bypass techniques have evolved in the past decade, but there are some concerns about hemodynamic decompensation requiring conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass. These conversions are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. We use an intraaortic balloon pump to treat ischemia-induced hemodynamic instability and arrhythmias during off-pump coronary artery bypass. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of intraaortic balloon pump use in off-pump coronary artery bypass to prevent emergency conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods

Data of 529 consecutive unselected patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass were included in this retrospective study of prospectively collected data and operation notes. Complete revascularization was performed using an off-pump technique. All arterial grafts using bilateral internal mammary arteries, and aortic no-touch technique were preferred. If the clinical situation demanded, vein grafts were used. During the procedure, any hemodynamic compromise not responding to conventional inotropic therapy was treated with intraaortic balloon pump insertion.

Results

Complete revascularization was possible in all 529 patients. An intraaortic balloon pump was inserted in 33 (6.2%) patients to treat hemodynamic instability; in all cases, conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass was avoided and complete revascularization was achieved.

Conclusion

For treating hemodynamic instability during off-pump coronary artery bypass, we recommend intraaortic balloon pump insertion as the preferred bail-out method rather than conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass.
Differential effects of MDMA and methylphenidate on social cognition
Authors: Schmid Yasmin , Hysek Cédric M , Simmler Linda D , Crockett Molly J , Quednow Boris B , Liechti Matthias E
Published: July 2014

Social cognition is important in everyday-life social interactions. The social cognitive effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) and methylphenidate (both used for neuroenhancement and as party drugs) are largely unknown. We investigated the acute effects of MDMA (75 mg), methylphenidate (40 mg) and placebo using the Facial Emotion Recognition Task, Multifaceted Empathy Test, Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, Social Value Orientation Test and the Moral Judgment Task in a cross-over study in 30 healthy subjects. Additionally, subjective, autonomic, pharmacokinetic, endocrine and adverse drug effects were measured. MDMA enhanced emotional empathy for positive emotionally charged situations in the MET and tended to reduce the recognition of sad faces in the Facial Emotion Recognition Task. MDMA had no effects on cognitive empathy in the Multifaceted Empathy Test or social cognitive inferences in the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. MDMA produced subjective ‘empathogenic’ effects, such as drug liking, closeness to others, openness and trust. In contrast, methylphenidate lacked such subjective effects and did not alter emotional processing, empathy or mental perspective-taking. MDMA but not methylphenidate increased the plasma levels of oxytocin and prolactin. None of the drugs influenced moral judgment. Effects on emotion recognition and emotional empathy were evident at a low dose of MDMA and likely contribute to the popularity of the drug.
Speeding up the tempo of background sounds accelerates the pace of behavior
Authors: Kuribayashi Ryuma , Nittono Hiroshi
Published: July 2014

Hearing fast-tempo music in the background is shown to affect the pace of motor behavior. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unclear. We investigated how tempo influences behavioral pace in a simple perceptual-motor task in which participants heard background sound sequences (30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 bpm) while performing a line-tracing task. The order of the tempo conditions (ascending vs. descending series of tempo) was manipulated. When sound sequences changed from slower to faster tempi (that is, ascending series), behavioral pace accelerated. However, the pace did not change in the descending series. The subjective arousal level increased under faster tempo sounds regardless of tempo series. The results indicated that the ongoing tempo of background sounds did not determine the behavioral pace directly through increased arousal or perceptual-motor synchronization. Not only the ongoing tempo but also the preceding tempo of background sounds is shown to be an important factor for behavioral pace change.
Materialistic Desires or Childhood Adversities as Explanations for Girls’ Trading Sex for Benefits
Authors: Song Juyoung , Morash Merry
Published: July 2014

This study investigates whether high school and younger South Korean girls trade sex with middle-aged men for benefits due to cultural emphasis on materialism/consumerism, childhood adversities, or both. This form of prostitution, referred to as “compensated dating,” is common in economically developed East Asian Countries, where there is debate about its causes. Purposeful sampling was used to select a diverse group of 25 girls who described involvement in compensated dating, and a life calendar method was used to guide the interview. The rich data were subjected to thematic analysis to show the nature of prostitution involvement, precursors, and motivations. Data analysis revealed that sole reliance on materialistic desire as an explanation of prostitution obscures the influence of peer pressure and family dysfunction. Findings suggest the need for social services rather than punitive responses to girls involved in compensated dating.
Frovatriptan 2.5 mg plus dexketoprofen (25 mg or 37.5 mg) in menstrually related migraine. Subanalysis from a double-blind, randomized trial
Authors: Allais G , Bussone G , Tullo V , Cortelli P , Valguarnera F , Barbanti P , Sette G , D’Onofrio F , Curone M , Benedetto C
Published: July 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the efficacy and safety of frovatriptan plus dexketoprofen 25 or 37.5 mg (FroDex25 or FroDex37.5, respectively) compared to that of frovatriptan 2.5 mg (Frova) in menstrually related migraine (MRM).

Aim

The aim of this article is to analyze a subgroup of 76 women who treated an MRM attack in this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study.

Methods

The primary end-point was the proportion of patients who were pain free (PF) at two hours. Secondary end-points included pain-relief (PR) at two hours and 48 hours sustained pain free (SPF).

Results

PF rates at two hours were 29% under Frova, 48% under FroDex25 and 64% under FroDex37.5 ( p < 0.05). PR at two hours was Frova 52%, FroDex25 81% and FroDex37.5 88%, while 48 hours SPF was 18% under Frova, 30% under FroDex25 and 44% under FroDex37.5.

Conclusion

Combining frovatriptan+dexketoprofen produced higher PF rates at two hours compared to Frova while maintaining efficacy at 48 hours. Tolerability profiles were comparable.
Field-testing of the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria for classical trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Maarbjerg Stine , Sørensen Morten Togo , Gozalov Aydin , Bendtsen Lars , Olesen Jes
Published: July 2014

Introduction

We aimed to field-test the beta version of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta) diagnostic criteria for classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The proposed beta draft of the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11 beta) is almost exclusively based on the ICHD-3 beta classification structure although slightly abbreviated. We compared sensitivity and specificity to ICHD-2 criteria, and evaluated the needs for revision.

Methods

Clinical characteristics were systematically and prospectively collected from 206 consecutive TN patients and from 37 consecutive patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain in a cross-sectional study design. Results: The specificity of ICHD-3 beta was similar to ICHD-2 (97.3% vs. 89.2%, p = 0.248) and the sensitivity was unchanged (76.2% vs. 74.3%, p = 0.134). The majority of false-negative diagnoses in TN patients were due to sensory abnormalities at clinical examination. With a proposed modified version of ICHD-3 beta it was possible to increase sensitivity to 96.1% ( p < 0.001 compared to ICHD-3 beta) while maintaining specificity at 83.8% ( p = 0.074 compared to ICHD-3 beta).

Conclusion

ICHD-3 beta was not significantly different from ICHD-2 and both lacked sensitivity. A modification of the criteria improved the sensitivity greatly and is proposed for inclusion in the forthcoming ICHD-3.
Headache, drugs and sleep
Authors: Nesbitt Alexander D , Leschziner Guy D , Peatfield Richard C
Published: July 2014

Background

Headache and sleep mechanisms share multiple levels of physiological interaction. Pharmacological treatment of headache syndromes may be associated with a broad range of sleep disturbances, either as a direct result of the pharmacology of the drug used, or by unmasking physiological alterations in sleep propensity seen as part of the headache symptom complex.

Purpose

This review summarises known sleep and circadian effects of various drugs commonly used in the management of headache disorders, with particular attention paid to abnormal sleep function emerging as a result of treatment.

Method

Literature searches were performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane database using search terms and strings relating to generic drug names of commonly used compounds in the treatment of headache and their effect on sleep in humans with review of additional pre-clinical evidence where theoretically appropriate.

Conclusions

Medications used to treat headache disorders may have a considerable impact on sleep physiology. However, greater attention is needed to characterise the direction of the changes of these effects on sleep, particularly to avoid exacerbating detrimental sleep complaints, but also to potentially capitalise on homeostatically useful properties of sleep which may reduce the individual burden of headache disorders on patients.
Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis for the Treatment of Type II and IV Superior Labral Anterior and Posterior Lesions
Authors: Gottschalk Michael B. , Karas Spero G. , Ghattas Timothy N. , Burdette Rachel
Published: July 2014

Background:

Surgical repair remains the gold standard for most type II and type IV superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions that fail nonoperative management. However, most recently, there have been data demonstrating unacceptably high failure rates with primary repair of type II SLAP lesions. Biceps tenodesis may offer an acceptable, if not better, alternative to primary repair of SLAP lesions.

Hypothesis:

Subpectoral biceps tenodesis provides satisfactory, reproducible outcomes for the treatment of type II and type IV SLAP lesions.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Patients who underwent subpectoral biceps tenodesis and labral debridement for type II and type IV SLAP lesions by a single board-certified shoulder surgeon from 2006 to 2012 were evaluated. Exclusion criteria included those patients who underwent biceps tenodesis with an associated rotator cuff repair, anterior labral repair, or posterior labral repair. Outcome measures included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and demographic data.

Results:

Between 2006 and 2012, a total of 36 subpectoral biceps tenodesis procedures were performed in 33 patients for type II or IV SLAP lesions. Twenty-six patients with 29 shoulder surgeries were available for follow-up. The average age was 46.7 years, with 16 male and 10 female patients participating in the study. The average follow-up was 40.17 months. There was a significant improvement in ASES and VAS scores: 48.1 and 6.4 preoperatively compared with 87.5 and 1.5 postoperatively, respectively ( P < .001). There was no significant difference based on SLAP lesion type, patient age, or patient sex. Of 29 shoulders, 26 (89.66%) were able to return to the previous level of activity.

Conclusion:

This study adds to the evolving literature supporting biceps tenodesis as a viable treatment for type II and IV SLAP lesions. Patient age had no effect on the outcomes. Based on these results, biceps tenodesis is a safe, effective, and technically straightforward alternative to primary SLAP repair in patients with type II and IV SLAP tears.
Implementing School-Wide Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports to Better Meet the Needs of Indigenous Students
Authors: McIntosh Kent , Moniz Christina , Craft Calli B. , Golby Risha , Steinwand-Deschambeault Tammy
Published: July 2014

This article examines the need for and importance of culturally responsive behaviour support for Indigenous students. Many of the educational challenges currently faced by Indigenous students can be explained by cultural disconnect and a mismatch between school expectations and cultural values. Principles of Indigenous approaches to behaviour support are described and compared with school-wide positive behavioural interventions and supports (PBIS), a framework for building a positive school culture that shows promise in relation to culturally responsive practice. The authors provide a brief overview of PBIS and adaptations of this practice to meet the needs of Indigenous students. A descriptive case study of PBIS implementation in a high school in the Northwest Territories provides an example of culturally responsive implementation of PBIS.
A Population-Based Study of Communication Impairment in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Zhang James Yue , Oskoui Maryam , Shevell Michael
Published: July 2014

To explore factors associated with communication impairments in children with cerebral palsy. Data were obtained on children born between 1999 and 2008 from the Quebec Cerebral Palsy Registry (REPACQ). Out of 535 children with cerebral palsy, 297 were identified to have communication impairments (55.5%). Of these, 96 were unable to communicate verbally (32.3%), 195 had some verbal communication (65.7%), and 6 were unspecified (2.0%). These children were significantly more likely to have a more severe motor deficit (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V and Manual Ability Classification System levels IV and V), to have spastic quadriplegia or dyskinetic subtypes of cerebral palsy, and gray matter injury on neuroimaging. Communication impairment is a common comorbidity in cerebral palsy and is associated with a more severe motor deficit, spastic quadriplegic or dyskinetic subtype of cerebral palsy, and gray matter injury on neuroimaging. This information allows clinicians to better predict and manage communication impairment in children with cerebral palsy.
MEGDEL Syndrome in a Child From Palestine
Authors: Dweikat Imad M. , Abdelrazeq Samer , Ayesh Suhail , Jundi Tawfeeq
Published: July 2014

We report the first Palestinian child manifesting with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria psychomotor delay, muscle hypotonia, sensori-neural deafness, and Leigh-like lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a clinical phenotype that is characteristic of MEGDEL syndrome. MEGDEL syndrome was recently found to be caused by mutations in SERAC1, encoding a protein essential for mitochondrial function, phospholipid remodeling, and intracellular cholesterol trafficking. We identified a novel homozygous mutation in SERAC1 gene (c.1018delT) that generates frame shift and premature termination of protein translation. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid lactate, plasma alanine, and respiratory chain complexes in fresh muscle were normal. This report further expands the genetic spectrum of MEGDEL syndrome and adds to the evidence that it is associated with variable patterns of respiratory chain abnormalities.
Successful Treatment of Refractory Seizures With Rufinamide in Children With Schizencephaly
Authors: Verrotti Alberto , Loiacono Giulia , Rossi Alessandra , Tartaro Armando , Delli Pizzi Andrea , Coppola Giangennaro
Published: July 2014

Schizencephaly is an uncommon malformation of cortical development. Patients with schizencephaly present with a broad range of severe neurologic symptoms including pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Rufinamide is a new antiepileptic drug approved for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and it is also effective for refractory partial seizures. We report 3 cases of pediatric patients aged 7.2, 8.1, and 10.1 years, respectively, with intractable epilepsy associated with bilateral open-lip schizencephaly and septo-optic dysplasia. The follow-up ranged from 3.8 to 4.1 years. In our patients, the introduction of rufinamide as adjunctive drug led to a dramatic decline in the number of seizures and an improvement in EEG epileptic activity without side effects. Rufinamide seems to be efficacious and safe in patients with epileptic encephalopathies associated with pharmacoresistant epilepsy; further and larger clinical reports and controlled studies could confirm the usefulness of this anticonvulsant drug.
Cognition and Health in African American Men
Authors: Sims Regina C. , Thorpe Roland J. , Gamaldo Alyssa A. , Aiken-Morgan Adrienne T. , Hill LaBarron K. , Allaire Jason C. , Whitfield Keith E.
Published: July 2014

Objective: Despite high rates of poor health outcomes, little attention has been focused on associations between prominent health factors and cognitive function in African American men, exclusively. The objective was to examine relationships between cardiovascular and pulmonary health, and cognitive function in African American men. Method: Data from 257 men were pooled from two studies of African American aging. The mean age of participants was 58.15 and mean educational attainment was 11.78 years. Participants provided self-reported health and demographic information, completed cognitive measures, and had their blood pressure and peak expiratory flow assessed. Results: After adjustment, significant relationships were found between average peak expiratory flow rate (APEFR) and cognitive performance measures. Discussion: Results suggest that lung function is important to consider when examining cognitive function in African American men. Understanding the role of health in cognition and implications for quality of life in this population will be critical as life expectancies increase.
The emergence and development of psychopathy
Authors: Horley James
Published: July 2014

Currently, psychopathy and related terms such as antisocial personality disorder are popular yet problematic constructs within forensic psychology and other disciplines. Psychopathy is traced typically to the works of Pinel and Prichard in the early 19th century, and it has even been linked to biblical passages, although there appears to be little or no support for the latter claim. The first use of the term psychopathy in German psychiatry of the mid-19th century referred only to psychological disturbance in general, or ‘personality diseases’, although German psychiatrists such as Kraepelin did propose more specific definitions of the term related to social deviance. Our modern understanding of psychopathy as a psychiatric disorder of an undetermined genetic origin involving antisocial elements and a lack of feeling or concern for others owes much to the clinical work and writings of Cleckley. Antisocial personality disorder appears similarly to derive from the work of psychiatric nosologists like Kraepelin and Schneider, while sociopathy is due more to the work of Partridge in the 1920s and 1930s.
Research on the design and control strategy for a flow-coupling-based hydraulic hybrid excavator
Authors: Xiao Yang , Guan Cheng , Lai Xiaoliang
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a hybridization structure for the flow coupling of a hydraulic hybrid excavator. Multiple energy regeneration systems are used as the energy source for the hydraulic hybrid excavator. The flow-coupling structure is designed on the basis of practical working conditions and then integrated into a 23 ton excavator as the experimental platform to facilitate power system design and control studies. The initial constant-hybrid-ratio control is first examined using a simulation model to obtain the control performances of the main power source and the assistant power source, and the problems are then analysed to derive a two-step optimization. Prototype experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the flow-coupling-based hybridization structure of the hydraulic hybrid excavator. Test results indicate that flow coupling with an optimal control strategy results in an improved control performance and energy efficiency and can eventually increase the overall energy- saving effect to 10.1%.
Optimal design of the volute for a turbocharger radial flow compressor
Authors: Mojaddam Mohammad , Hajilouy Benisi Ali , Movahhedy Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2014

In this research, design methods of radial flow compressor volutes are reviewed; the main criteria in volute primary designs are recognized and the most effective ones are selected. The effective parameters, i.e., spiral cross-section area, circumferential area distribution, exit cone, and tongue area of the compressor volute are parametrically studied to identify the optimum values. A numerical model has been prepared and verified through experimental data which are obtained from the designed turbocharger test rig. Different volutes are modeled and numerically evaluated using the same impeller and vane-less diffuser. For each model, the volute total pressure ratio, static pressure recovery and total pressure loss coefficients and the radial force on the impeller are calculated for different mass flow rates at design point and off-design conditions. The volute which shows better performance and causes lower the net radial force on the impeller at desired mass flow rates is selected as an optimal one. The results show the volute design approach differences at the design point and off-design conditions. Improving the pressure ratio and reducing total pressure loss at design point may result in the worse conditions at off-design conditions as well as increasing radial force on the impeller.