bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Otitis Media and Caregiver Quality of Life: Psychometric Properties of the Modified Danish Version of the Caregiver Impact Questionnaire
Authors: Heidemann Christian Hamilton , Godballe Christian , Kjeldsen Anette Drøhse , Johansen Eva Charlotte Jung , Faber Christian Emil , Lauridsen Henrik Hein
Published: April 2014

Objective

Otitis media in children may have a considerable impact on caregiver quality of life. The disease‐specific Caregiver Impact Questionnaire is designed to assess caregiver quality of life in relation to child otitis media. Assessment of the psychometric properties of this instrument is limited. This study assesses the psychometric properties of this instrument including validity, reproducibility, responsiveness, and interpretability.

Study Design

Longitudinal validation study.

Setting

Secondary care units.

Methods

Analyses were based on data from 435 families. Validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and hypothesis testing. Test–retest reliability and measures of smallest detectable change were investigated in the assessment of reproducibility. Responsiveness was investigated by means of hypothesis testing and receiver operating characteristic analysis. An anchor‐based distribution method was applied for determining minimal important change as perceived by the respondent.

Results

Factor analysis confirmed the hypothesized 1‐factor structure with an acceptable fit. Cronbach's alpha was. 90. In the analysis of construct validity, 88.9% of the hypothesized correlations were correctly predicted. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.87 and smallest detectable change corresponded to approximately one‐fourth of the scale. Responsiveness was found to be good and a change score of 13.8 represented minimal important change.

Conclusion

The modified Danish version of the Caregiver Impact Questionnaire is a valid and reproducible measurement tool that is also sensitive to measuring change in the current setting. A change score representing minimal important change as perceived by the respondent is proposed. Results of this study support the use of this instrument.
Endoscopic Repair of Nasal Septal Perforation with “Slide and Patch” Technique
Authors: Cassano Michele
Published: April 2014

Objective

The aim of this study is to report our new endoscopic technique for the repair of nasal septal perforations, called the “slide and patch” technique because it combines a mucoperiosteal free graft of the inferior turbinate with a mucosal rotational or advancement flap from the nasal septum.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients with symptomatic septal nasal perforation of various sizes underwent our method of repair.

Results

At the last follow‐up, 21 (95.4%) perforations were closed. There was a partial closure in only 1 patient with a large perforation (3.5 cm in diameter). After surgery, 19 (86.3%) patients were asymptomatic, 2 (9%) showed persistence of crusting, and 1 (4.5%) showed the appearance of nasal obstruction 1 month postoperatively.

Conclusion

The method described herein has shown to be effective in nasal septal perforation repair and in nasal symptoms relief with the advantage of not requiring grafts from outside the nose.
Probation practice with personality disordered offenders
Authors: Ramsden Jo , Lowton Mark
Published: April 2014

This article aims to articulate how criminal justice staff may inadvertently make errors of logic when working with offenders with personality disorder. The aim of this article is also to consider ways of working that might help criminal justice staff to meaningfully engage and motivate clients with personality disorder, properly identify strengths and avoid making these fundamental errors of logic. A way of working is, therefore, outlined which attempts to facilitate consideration of the offender’s inner world, their logic and their experience. As such, this article promotes a psychologically informed approach to criminal justice practice.
Interlocking directorates and collusion: An empirical analysis
Authors: Buch-Hansen Hubert
Published: April 2014

Although several works have suggested that interlocking directorates are mechanisms that have the potential to facilitate collusion, few studies have investigated the matter empirically, and none have systematically considered known cartel cases. Taking a European perspective, and focusing on four different time periods, the present work investigates the extent to which companies that are directly and indirectly connected via interlocking directorships simultaneously or subsequently collude. Utilizing network analysis software the study provides a new method for identifying the two forms of business ties and possible overlaps between them. The analysis is based on an original dataset of European Community cartel cases and data on interlocking directorates developed by others. Very few examples are found of colluding companies that were previously directly or indirectly connected via interlocking directorates. This finding suggests that interlocking directorates rarely facilitate collusive activities.
Survey of Cardiovascular Pathology in Wild Urban Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus
Authors: Rothenburger J. L. , Himsworth C. G. , Treuting P. M. , Leighton F. A.
Published: April 2014

Norway ( Rattus norvegicus) and black rats ( Rattus rattus) are common commensal pests, yet little is known about the ecology of wild rats, including their natural diseases. We describe microscopic cardiovascular pathology in a subset of a sample of 725 wild urban rats. Changes observed in the pulmonary blood vessels ( n = 199) included arteriolar medial hypertrophy (20.1%, n = 40) and blood vessel mineralization (19.1%, n = 38). Microscopic changes in the heart ( n = 200) included myocarditis (33.5%, n = 67), fibrosis (6.0%, n = 12), mineralization (9.5%, n = 19), myocardial degeneration (22.0%, n = 44), and right ventricular hypertrophy (4.5%, n = 9). Rats with myocarditis, fibrosis, or myocardial degeneration were grouped into a composite variable: cardiomyopathy. Statistical analysis showed that the odds of being affected by cardiomyopathy were greater in male rats (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-5.55) and heavier rats (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.09-1.20). The odds of pulmonary arteriolar medial hypertrophy was greater in sexually mature rats (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 0.75-7.36), while the odds of pulmonary vessel mineralization were greater in heavier rats (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.03-1.11) and in black rats (OR = 5.35; 95% CI = 1.62-17.69) compared to Norway rats. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed description of pathology in the cardiovascular system of wild rats and demonstrates that cardiovascular disease is common. The impact of these lesions on individual and population health remains to be investigated.
Diagnostic Exercise
Authors: Eckstrand C. D. , Woods L. W. , Diab S. S. , Crossley B. M. , Giannitti F.
Published: April 2014

Mortality of 20% of a flock of 1000 chukar partridge chicks occurred over a 6-week period in Northern California from August to September 2012. Affected birds were 2 to 42 days old and died without premonitory clinical signs or after showing ruffled feathers and anorexia for 24 to 72 hours. Three carcasses were submitted for necropsy, 2 birds had hemorrhagic tracheitis grossly, and all 3 had lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic myocarditis with myocardial necrosis microscopically. The differential diagnoses and the diagnostic workup to achieve a final diagnosis are discussed. The detection of 2 zoonotic agents in these birds makes this an interesting case from a public health perspective.
Cartography III
Authors: Caquard Sébastien
Published: April 2014

In this third report, I focus on cognitive cartography in order to examine how the historical division between empiricist and critical approaches in cartography has shifted recently. I do so by building on Kitchin and Dodge’s argument (2007) that parts of the apparent disjuncture within cartography might be resolved through a greater focus on emergent approaches to mapping as a process, which is the core idea of post-representational cartography. By looking at cognitive cartography from a post-representational perspective I emphasize two major trends. On the one hand, the processual positioning of post-representational cartography simply shifts the historical line of divide, since it inherently disqualifies any cognitive studies that artificially dissociate the map from its context of use and production. On the other hand, by enabling the combination of critical positioning with empiricist practices, post-representational cartography offers opportunities to revisit in practical terms the tensions between these two approaches. It provides an original framework to envision our mental, emotional and embodied relationships with maps and with places through maps, and has the potential to bring cartography into a new arena in which the empiricist/critical divide could be transcended.
Effects of Self-Esteem and Ethnic Identity
Authors: Kim Eunha , Hogge Ingrid , Salvisberg Camila
Published: April 2014

We examined whether self-esteem and ethnic identity moderated or mediated the relationship between two types of acculturative stress (American-based and Mexican-based) and psychological well-being among 171 first-generation Mexican immigrant adults. American-based acculturative stress (ABAS) was defined as the stress related to the pressure from Anglo-Americans to improve English and adopt their cultural practices, while Mexican-based acculturative stress (MBAS) was related to the pressure from Mexican immigrants to improve Spanish and retain Mexican cultural practices. The findings suggested that self-esteem was negatively affected by acculturative stress, which, in turn, led to decreased psychological well-being. However, having high self-esteem alleviated the debilitating effects of acculturative stress against psychological well-being. In contrast to self-esteem, ethnic identity exacerbated the negative effect of acculturative stress on psychological well-being.
Disabling Juvenile Justice
Authors: Annamma Subini Ancy
Published: April 2014

One of the field’s most enduring problems is the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. A less acknowledged challenge is the overrepresentation of students with disabilities in juvenile incarceration. Quantitative studies have documented the overrepresentation of students with disabilities in juvenile justice. Yet, little is known about the education they receive once they become incarcerated. This qualitative study examined the education of 10 young women of color labeled with emotional disabilities in the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Through in-depth interviews and observations, this study explored the following questions: (a) What processes and practices impact juvenile incarceration education for students with historically marginalized identities (e.g., disability, gender, race, culture)? (b) How is the education of young women of color with disabilities affected by these processes and practices? Findings illustrate how socializing processes and practices aimed at control and compliance constrain education in juvenile justice but also provide an opportunity to do better.
Prevalence and Predictors of Poor Sleep Quality in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: McKinnon Andrew , Terpening Zoe , Hickie Ian B. , Batchelor Jennifer , Grunstein Ron , Lewis Simon J. G. , Naismith Sharon L.
Published: April 2014

Aims:

To investigate the prevalence of and contributors to poor sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods:

Data were collected for 158 patients meeting the criteria for MCI. Measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Demographic, lifestyle, medication, and substance use data were also collected.

Results:

A total of 63% of patients with MCI demonstrated sleep disturbance, a significantly higher rate than that of the controls (44%; chi-square = 8.77; P = .003). Depressive symptoms, cognition, antidepressant usage, alcohol consumption, age, and education were identified as significant predictors of self-reported sleep quality in patients with MCI ( R2 = .327, F6,145 = 11.729, P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Sleep disturbance occurs in around two-thirds of patients with MCI. Interventions addressing depression, cognition, and substance and medication use may improve sleep quality in MCI.
Social Media Risks and Benefits
Authors: Khan Gohar Feroz , Swar Bobby , Lee Sang Kon
Published: April 2014

Social media are becoming an important intermediary for interaction between governments, governments and citizens, and governmental agencies and businesses. This is due to the unique characteristics of social media: openness, participation, and sharing. However, despite rapid adoption, a growing concern and skepticism regarding the use of social media exists in the public sector. The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically the risks and benefits of social media use by public agencies. For this purpose, a research model was developed and tested in a survey of 289 government sector employees from six South Korean government research institutes. We found that both risks (i.e., social risk, time, psychological risks, and privacy concern) and benefits (i.e., social connectivity, social involvement, information attainment, and entertainment) significantly affect public sector employees’ satisfaction with and intention to use social media. However, the effect of the benefits on users’ satisfaction was stronger than the risks. The results of the study have important implications for researchers and policy makers.
Mobile Response in Web Panels
Authors: de Bruijne Marika , Wijnant Arnaud
Published: April 2014

This article investigates unintended mobile access to surveys in online, probability-based panels. We find that spontaneous tablet usage is drastically increasing in web surveys, while smartphone usage remains low. Further, we analyze the bias of respondent profiles using smartphones and tablets compared to those using computers, on the basis of several sociodemographic characteristics. Our results indicate not only that mobile web respondents differ from PC users but also that tablet users differ from smartphone users. While tablets are used for survey completion by working (young) adults, smartphones are used merely by the young. In addition, our results indicate that mobile web respondents are more progressive and describe themselves more often as pioneers or forerunners in adopting new technology, compared to PC respondents. We further discover that respondents’ preferences for devices to complete surveys are clearly in line with unintended mobile response. Finally, we present a similar analysis on intended mobile response in an experiment where smartphone users were requested to complete a mobile survey. Based on these findings, testing on tablets is strongly recommended in online surveys. If the goal is to reach young respondents, enabling surveys via smartphones should be considered.
Detecting adverse drug reactions following long-term exposure in longitudinal observational data: The exposure-adjusted self-controlled case series
Authors: Schuemie Martijn J , Trifirò Gianluca , Coloma Preciosa M , Ryan Patrick B , Madigan David
Published: April 2014

Most approaches used in postmarketing drug safety monitoring, including spontaneous reporting and statistical risk identification using electronic health care records, are primarily suited to pick up only acute adverse drug effects. With the availability of increasingly larger electronic health record and administrative claims databases comes the opportunity to monitor for potential adverse effects that occur only after prolonged exposure to a drug, but analysis methods are lacking. We propose an adaptation of the self-controlled case series design that uses the notion of accumulated exposure to capture long-term effects of drugs and evaluate extensions to correct for age and recurrent events. Several variations of the approach are tested on simulated data and two large insurance claims databases. To evaluate performance a set of positive and negative control drug–event pairs was created by medical experts based on drug product labels and review of the literature. Performance on the real data was measured using the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve. The best performing method achieved an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of 0.86 in the largest database using a spline model, adjustment for age, and ignoring recurrent events, but it appears this performance can only be achieved with very large data sets.
Clinician Acceptance is the Key Factor for Sustainable Telehealth Services
Authors: Wade Victoria A. , Eliott Jaklin A. , Hiller Janet E.
Published: April 2014

Telehealth, the delivery of health care services at a distance using information and communications technology, has been slow to be adopted and difficult to sustain. Researchers developing theories concerning the introduction of complex change into health care usually take a multifactorial approach; we intentionally sought a single point of intervention that would have maximum impact on implementation. We conducted a qualitative interview study of 36 Australian telehealth services, sampled for maximum variation, and used grounded theory methods to develop a model from which we chose the most important factor affecting the success of telehealth. We propose that clinician acceptance explains much of the variation in the uptake, expansion, and sustainability of Australian telehealth services, and that clinician acceptance could, in most circumstances, overcome low demand, technology problems, workforce pressure, and lack of resourcing. We conclude that our model offers practical advice to those seeking to implement change with limited resources.
Moxifloxacin-Induced Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia in a Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Receiving Hemodialysis
Authors: Mailman Jonathan F. , Stigant Caroline , Martinusen Dan
Published: April 2014

Objective:To alert clinicians to a serious complication from a commonly prescribed medication, moxifloxacin. Case Summary: A 65-year-old male, septic, hemodialysis patient developed thrombocytopenia following exposure to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and moxifloxacin. Drug-specific immunoglobulin testing showed positive autoantibodies against only moxifloxacin, and the probability stratification proposed by Naranjo et al would give this case a score of 7—a probable association between moxifloxacin and the adverse event. Discussion: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) results in immune-mediated platelet destruction, with bleeding risk frequently manifested by purpuric skin and mucosal lesions. Although many drugs are associated with ITP, moxifloxacin has only been characterized in 2 previous case reports. This is the first case report where specific immunoglobulin antibody testing showed a positive association between ITP and moxifloxacin. Conclusions: Moxifloxacin is a commonly prescribed medication because of its wide spectrum of activity, high bioavailability, and convenient dose schedule. Clinicians need to be aware of this little-known side effect of this commonly prescribed antibiotic.
Chronic Digoxin Toxicity Precipitated by Dronedarone
Authors: Smith Hannah , Battjes Ed , Yan Shiqing , Kaakeh Yaman
Published: April 2014

Objective: To report the case of a patient who presented with chronic symptoms attributable to dronedarone-induced digoxin toxicity. A review of the literature is also provided. Case Summary: This case report details a case of a 77-year-old male patient who presented to the hospital with multiple ambiguous symptoms that lasted several weeks. The patient was later hospitalized for symptoms of chronic digoxin toxicity, including prolonged nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and lack of appetite. The patient had a long history of digoxin use for control of his atrial fibrillation but experienced signs and symptoms of toxicity only after the addition of dronedarone. Discussion: Both the Naranjo and Drug Interaction Probability Scales indicated a “probable” relationship between the development of digoxin toxicity and dronedarone. Due to a p-glycoprotein-mediated interaction, dronedarone is able to decrease the renal clearance of digoxin, thus putting patients at risk for potentially fatal digoxin toxicity. Conclusion: This is the second case report detailing dronedarone-induced digoxin toxicity and the first to focus on chronic digoxin toxicity. The presentation, possible causes, and drug-drug interactions associated with digoxin toxicity are described. This report aims to increase clinicians’ awareness of this possible complication. It is recommended that digoxin be discontinued prior to initiating dronedarone. If concomitant therapy is absolutely necessary, the dose of digoxin should be halved prior to initiating dronedarone. Digoxin plasma levels should be monitored closely, with frequent patient evaluation for signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity.
Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates with various boundary conditions
Authors: Wu Chih-Ping , Li Hao-Yuan
Published: April 2014

A unified formulation of finite prism methods (FPMs) based on Reissner's mixed variational theorem is developed for the three-dimensional (3D) free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) plates and laminated fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) plates, the edge conditions of which are considered such that one pair of opposite edges is simply supported and the other pair may be combinations of free, clamped or simply supported edges. The single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polymer are regarded as the reinforcements and matrices, respectively, to produce the CNTRC plate. Four different distributions of CNTs varying in the thickness direction are considered (i.e. the uniformly distributed, and FG V-, rhombus-, and X-type variations), and the through-thickness distributions of effective material properties of the CNTRC plate are determined using the rule of mixtures. In the formulation, the CNTRC/FRC plate is divided into a number of finite prisms in the [Formula: see text] domain, in which the trigonometric functions and Lagrange polynomials are used to interpolate the y-direction and [Formula: see text] plane variations for the primary variables of each individual prism, respectively, and the related orders used for expansion of assorted primary variables in the thickness coordinate can be freely chosen. It is shown that the eight- and nine-node quadratic FPM solutions of frequency parameters of simply supported, CNTRC plates and laminated FRC plates are in excellent agreement with the exact 3D solutions available in the literature, and with the ones obtained using the ANSYS software for those plates with various boundary conditions.
From Gun Politics to Self-Defense Politics
Authors: Carlson Jennifer D.
Published: April 2014

This article calls attention to a problematic binary produced by public debates surrounding gun rights and gun control—namely, that women must choose armed self-protection or no self-protection at all. I argue that both anti- and pro-gun discourses, drawing on and reproducing race and class privileges, use assumptions about women’s physical inferiority to further their agendas. I highlight how both sides have used guns as the proxy for self-defense and conclude by calling for a shift in public discourse to focus on the broader question of the right to self-defense rather than the narrower question of gun rights.
Resisting Rape
Authors: Tark Jongyeon , Kleck Gary
Published: April 2014

The impact of victim resistance on rape completion and injury was examined utilizing a large probability sample of sexual assault incidents, derived from the National Crime Victimization Survey (1992-2002), and taking into account whether harm to the victim followed or preceded self-protection (SP) actions. Additional injuries besides rape, particularly serious injuries, following victim resistance are rare. Results indicate that most SP actions, both forceful and nonforceful, reduce the risk of rape completion, and do not significantly affect the risk of additional injury.
Appropriate Care for Shelter-Based Abused Women
Authors: Jonker Irene E. , Jansen Carinda C. J. M. , Christians Milou G. M. , Wolf Judith R. L. M.
Published: April 2014

We conducted a concept mapping exercise to gain insight into the perspectives held by abused women and professionals with regard to appropriate care in Dutch women’s shelters. Three brainstorming sessions generated 92 statements that were then rated by 56 clients and 51 professionals. A total of 11 clusters were identified. The three most important clusters were “help with finding a safe house if necessary,” “safety and suitable care for the children,” and “a personalized, respectful approach.” The most important statement was “take women seriously and treat them with respect.” The mapping exercise identified key practice-based elements of intervention that should better accommodate the needs of shelter-based abused women. We have used these elements in developing a new intervention for shelter-based abused women in the Netherlands.
Prevalence and Correlates of Client-Perpetrated Abuse Among Female Sex Workers in Two Mexico–U.S. Border Cities
Authors: Ulibarri Monica D. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Lozada Remedios , Magis-Rodriguez Carlos , Amaro Hortensia , O’Campo Patricia , Patterson Thomas L.
Published: April 2014

History of abuse has been associated with greater HIV risk among women. This study examined client-perpetrated abuse among female sex workers (FSWs) in two Mexico–U.S. border cities where HIV prevalence is rising. Among 924 FSWs, prevalence of client-perpetrated abuse was 31%. In multivariate logistic regression models, intimate partner violence (IPV), psychological distress, and having drug-using clients were associated with experiencing client-perpetrated abuse. FSWs along the Mexico–U.S. border report frequently experiencing abuse from both clients and intimate partners, which may have serious mental health consequences. Our findings suggest the need for screening and gender-based violence prevention services for Mexican FSWs.
Object formation and subject formation: The innovation campus in the Netherlands
Authors: Kooij Henk-Jan
Published: April 2014

A central question within planning theory is how changes between the relations of ‘grand institutions’ such as state, market and education influence the formation of objects ‘on the ground’. Drawing upon Foucault’s work, this article contributes to the understanding of these relations and argues that Foucault’s work provides a powerful set of tools to understand the formation of subjects and objects in spatial planning. It presents the case of the ‘innovation campus’ in the Netherlands, a model which originated from the ‘university campus’. Through an analysis of multiple campus-building ‘events’, the innovation campus appears as a model to entice and shape a new object: the entrepreneurial researcher.
¡Fútbol!
Authors: Posso Alberto , Fry Tim R. L. , Gangemi Michael , Tawadros George B.
Published: April 2014

This article takes a novel approach to the study of discrimination in sports by looking at minutes played by strikers in the Union of European Football Associations Champions League over 1991-2011. We compare differences in minutes played between five ethnic groups: White Europeans, Black Europeans, Africans, White Latin Americans, and Black Latin Americans. We find evidence that White Latin Americans enjoy significantly less game time than White Europeans, while the opposite is true for Black Latin Americans. However, the inclusion of player fixed effects reveals that, after controlling for player ability, there is no evidence of discrimination in this competition.
Differences in region-specific brain tissue stress and strain due to impact velocity for simulated American football impacts
Authors: Post Andrew , Oeur Anna , Hoshizaki Thomas B , Gilchrist Michael D
Published: April 2014

Concussion has become a prevalent injury in the sport of American football, and its severity can be influenced by the mass of the impactor, velocity, compliance, and direction of impact. As a result, it is important to characterize how American football helmets perform against these impact characteristics. The purpose of this research is to examine how an American football helmet performs across velocities and impact angles which can occur in the sport of American football. The methods used a combination of Hybrid III headform impacts combined with a finite element modeling approach to find the brain deformation variables known to be associated with concussion. At the 9.5 m/s impacts, the brain deformation metrics showed an increase in risk of concussion. Also, the region of the brain with the largest magnitude deformation shifted with differing velocities when analyzed using maximum principal strain but not von Mises stress. The results indicate that impact conditions (location and velocity) can influence the regional brain strains.
Effects of Total Ankle Arthroplasty Training Course on Physician Practice Patterns and Complication Rates
Authors: Hsu Andrew R. , Coetzee J. Chris , Haddad Steven L. , Berlet Gregory C.
Published: April 2014

Background. The purpose of this retrospective survey study was to determine the short-term effects of the AAOS/AOFAS total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) training course on participant practice patterns, implant preferences, and complication rates. Methods. An anonymous digital survey was administered via email to all 2012 and 2013 participants. Data regarding industry courses attended, implant system preferences, surgical indications, case volume, patient age, complication rates, and overall perceptions of TAA in the three months before and after the course were collected and analyzed. Results. Of the 87 participants contacted, 43 (49%) completed the entire survey. STAR (Small Bone Innovations, Inc., Morrisville, PA) was the most preferred implant before the course with 15 individuals listing it as top preference. A large percentage of participants (67%) changed implant preferences after the course. Of the 29 participants who changed preferences, 48% switched to INBONE II (Wright Medical, Arlington, TN) and 24% to STAR. Average number of TAAs performed in the 3 months before the course was 1.3 and increased significantly in the following 3 months to 2.1. Total number of reported intraoperative complications decreased from 12 before the course to 6 after, the most common being malleolar fractures. Overall, 84% of participants indicated that the course positively changed their use and perceptions of TAA and current implant systems. Conclusion. The main finding of this study was that the AAOS/AOFAS TAA training course changed implant system preferences, surgical indications, number of cases performed, and complication rates among participants in the short-term.
Medical Use of Nanoparticles
Authors: Nasimi Parva , Haidari Maryam
Published: April 2014

Researchers today are able to encapsulate medicine in nanoparticles, the size of viruses. The nanoparticles are effective for drug delivery—the delivery of the medicine to the body—because they can very precisely find diseased cells and carry the medicine to them. This means that one can suffice with less dosage and thereby fewer side effects. In addition, nanoscience and nanotechnological methods are spurring the development of more sophisticated tools for detecting diseases, such as cancer and atherosclerosis, at early stages and performing neurosurgery. Applications of nanotechnology in disease diagnoses are developing rapidly. Their unique size-dependent properties make these materials superior and indispensable in many areas of human activity.
Detrimental Effects of Corruption and Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Tay Louis , Herian Mitchel N. , Diener Ed
Published: April 2014

Both corruption and subjective well-being (SWB) are of concern to academics, governments, and policy makers. Although intuition suggests that corruption deteriorates SWB, some evidence suggests that corruption can enhance the economy, which may in turn improve SWB. We seek to explore whether, how, and when corruption is related to SWB using representative data from 150 nations. Surprisingly, we find that perceptions of national corruption are high across many nations. Mediation analyses and longitudinal modeling show some support that national corruption lowers national income and institutional trust, which in turn lowers SWB, particularly for life satisfaction. Moderators were found such that national corruption and individual perceptions of corruption enhance the effect of income for SWB; further, the detrimental effect of national corruption was more pronounced in Western as compared to non-Western nations. Overall, the results provide robust evidence that both individual and societal perceptions of corruption are detrimental to SWB.
Erythromycin, QTc interval prolongation, and torsade de pointes: Case reports, major risk factors and illness severity
Authors: Hancox Jules C. , Hasnain Mehrul , Vieweg W. Victor R. , Gysel Michael , Methot Michelle , Baranchuk Adrian
Published: April 2014

Objectives:

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is widely used for various infections of the upper respiratory tract, skin, and soft tissue. Similar to other macrolides (clarithromycin, azithromycin), erythromycin has been linked to QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes ( TdP) arrhythmia. We sought to identify factors that link to erythromycin-induced/associated QTc interval prolongation and TdP.

Methods and Results:

In a critical evaluation of case reports, we found 29 cases: 22 women and 7 men (age range 18–95 years). With both oral and intravenous erythromycin administration, there was no significant relationship between dose and QTc interval duration in these cases. Notably, all patients had severe illness. Other risk factors included female sex, older age, presence of heart disease, concomitant administration of either other QTc prolonging drugs or agents that were substrates for or inhibitors of CYP3A4. Most patients had at least two risk factors.

Conclusions:

On the basis of case report evaluation, we believe that major risk factors for erythromycin-associated TdP are female sex, heart disease and old age, particularly against a background of severe illness. Coadministration of erythromycin with other drugs that inhibit or are metabolized by CYP3A4 or with QTc prolonging drugs should be avoided in this setting.
Scoring Auctions
Authors: Dastidar Krishnendu Ghosh
Published: April 2014

In this article we provide a brief survey of the literature on ‘scoring auctions’. We start with the benchmark model of the traditional auction theory and then proceed to the literature on scoring auctions. We first discuss the pioneering work of Che (1993) in detail. Then we review the major papers in the literature that extend and generalize the Che (1993) model. Thereafter, we discuss the recent results with non-quasilinear scoring rules. In the concluding section we pose some possible research questions for interested scholars in this area.
Nonzero-sum Games as Distributed Games
Authors: Rao K.S. Mallikarjuna
Published: April 2014

In this expository article we introduce distributed games studied in Anantharam and Borkar (2007). We show that any nonzero-sum games can be seen as distributed games and draw the relation between the question of common information and the existence of Nash and correlated equilibria.
Strategic Network Formation with Localized Pay-offs
Authors: Vallam Rohith D. , Subramanian C.A. , Narayanam Ramasuri , Narahari Y. , Srinath N.
Published: April 2014

In this investigation, we analyze a network formation game in a strategic setting where pay-offs of individuals depend only on their immediate neighbourhood. These localized pay-offs incorporate the social capital emanating from bridging positions that nodes hold in the network. Using this simple and novel model of network formation, our study explores the structure of networks that form, satisfying pairwise stability or efficiency or both. We derive sufficient conditions for the pairwise stability of several interesting network structures. We characterize topologies of efficient networks by drawing upon classical results from extremal graph theory and discover that the Turan graph (or the complete equi-bipartite network) emerges as the unique efficient network under many configurations of parameters. We examine the trade-offs between topologies of pairwise stable networks and efficient networks using the notion of price of stability. Interestingly, we find that price of stability is equal to 1 for almost all configurations of parameters in the proposed model; and for the rest of the configurations, we obtain a lower bound of 0.5. This leads to another key insight of this article: under mild conditions, efficient networks will form when strategic individuals choose to add or delete links based on only localized pay-offs. We study the dynamics of the proposed model by designing a simple myopic best response updating rule and implementing it on a customized network formation testbed.
The Importance of Community
Authors: Sinha Sitabhra
Published: April 2014

Complex networks, comprising tens to thousands of nodes are ubiquitous in society, ranging from acquaintance networks—which are of interest in sociology— to networks of interactions between companies and financial institutions—which are of interest in economics. A large number of such systems exhibit structural patterns that appear to be universal. One such organizational feature seen in many networks is modularity, where the network is divided into several connected clusters (‘communities’) with the connection density in each cluster being significantly higher than that for the entire network. Modularity can often be also hierarchical, appearing at several different scales. Recent advances in reconstructing networks from empirical data have shown that modularity is ubiquitous. In this article we explore the role of modularity in organizing the collective dynamics of social networks. The lessons of this analysis may have important implications for understanding the process of consensus formation through individuals affecting the opinions of their neighbours via interactions through the links of the social network.
Architectured microstructures in steel
Authors: Anand G. , Dey P. , Kok P. J. J. , Chakraborty D. , Chattopadhyay P. P.
Published: April 2014

In the traditional physical metallurgy approach, the microstructure evolves as the product of the interactions between composition and process parameters, controlled by thermodynamic and kinetic conditions. Thus, the approach is more evolutionary than constructive. An architecturally designed microstructure implies planning, design and construction of microstructure considering nature, size, morphology and distribution of the constituent phases on a suitably conceived topological framework. This investigation puts emphasis on performance driven construction of the microstructure with precise calculation of response of microstructural constituents under the given loading conditions. With the aforesaid motivation, the present study elucidates the principle involving microstructural generation by Voronoi tessellation and subsequent elastoplastic finite element simulation. In addition, the present study also explores the correlation between architecturing and initiation of instability in the microstructure through genetic programming.
Models of care for orphaned and separated children and upholding children’s rights: cross-sectional evidence from western Kenya
Authors: Embleton Lonnie , Ayuku David , Kamanda Allan , Atwoli Lukoye , Ayaya Samuel , Vreeman Rachel , Nyandiko Winstone , Gisore Peter , Koech Julius , Braitstein Paula
Published: April 2014

Background

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to approximately 55 million orphaned children. The growing orphan crisis has overwhelmed many communities and has weakened the ability of extended families to meet traditional care-taking expectations. Other models of care and support have emerged in sub-Saharan Africa to address the growing orphan crisis, yet there is a lack of information on these models available in the literature. We applied a human rights framework using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to understand what extent children’s basic human rights were being upheld in institutional vs. community- or family-based care settings in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

Methods

The Orphaned and Separated Children’s Assessments Related to their Health and Well-Being Project is a 5-year cohort of orphaned children and adolescents aged ≤18 year. This descriptive analysis was restricted to baseline data. Chi-Square test was used to test for associations between categorical /dichotomous variables. Fisher’s exact test was also used if some cells had expected value of less than 5.

Results

Included in this analysis are data from 300 households, 19 Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs) and 7 community-based organizations. In total, 2871 children were enrolled and had baseline assessments done: 1390 in CCI’s and 1481 living in households in the community. We identified and described four broad models of care for orphaned and separated children, including: institutional care (sub-classified as ‘Pure CCI’ for those only providing residential care, ‘CCI-Plus’ for those providing both residential care and community-based supports to orphaned children , and ‘CCI-Shelter’ which are rescue, detention, or other short-term residential support), family-based care, community-based care and self-care. Children in institutional care (95%) were significantly (p < 0.0001) more likely to have their basic material needs met in comparison to those in family-based care (17%) and institutions were better able to provide an adequate standard of living.

Conclusions

Each model of care we identified has strengths and weaknesses. The orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa requires a diversity of care environments in order to meet the needs of children and uphold their rights. Family-based care plays an essential role; however, households require increased support to adequately care for children.
Identification of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients by transcriptome-based rule set generation
Authors: Woetzel Dirk , Huber Rene , Kupfer Peter , Pohlers Dirk , Pfaff Michael , Driesch Dominik , Häupl Thomas , Koczan Dirk , Stiehl Peter , Guthke Reinhard , Kinne Raimund W
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Discrimination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from patients with other inflammatory or degenerative joint diseases or healthy individuals purely on the basis of genes differentially expressed in high-throughput data has proven very difficult. Thus, the present study sought to achieve such discrimination by employing a novel unbiased approach using rule-based classifiers.

Methods

Three multi-center genome-wide transcriptomic data sets (Affymetrix HG-U133 A/B) from a total of 79 individuals, including 20 healthy controls (control group - CG), as well as 26 osteoarthritis (OA) and 33 RA patients, were used to infer rule-based classifiers to discriminate the disease groups. The rules were ranked with respect to Kiendl’s statistical relevance index, and the resulting rule set was optimized by pruning. The rule sets were inferred separately from data of one of three centers and applied to the two remaining centers for validation. All rules from the optimized rule sets of all centers were used to analyze their biological relevance applying the software Pathway Studio.

Results

The optimized rule sets for the three centers contained a total of 29, 20, and 8 rules (including 10, 8, and 4 rules for ‘RA’), respectively. The mean sensitivity for the prediction of RA based on six center-to-center tests was 96% (range 90% to 100%), that for OA 86% (range 40% to 100%). The mean specificity for RA prediction was 94% (range 80% to 100%), that for OA 96% (range 83.3% to 100%). The average overall accuracy of the three different rule-based classifiers was 91% (range 80% to 100%). Unbiased analyses by Pathway Studio of the gene sets obtained by discrimination of RA from OA and CG with rule-based classifiers resulted in the identification of the pathogenetically and/or therapeutically relevant interferon-gamma and GM-CSF pathways.

Conclusion

First-time application of rule-based classifiers for the discrimination of RA resulted in high performance, with means for all assessment parameters close to or higher than 90%. In addition, this unbiased, new approach resulted in the identification not only of pathways known to be critical to RA, but also of novel molecules such as serine/threonine kinase 10.
Leukodepleted versus nonleukodepleted red blood cell transfusion in septic patients: a microcirculatory vision
Authors: Tanaka Sebastien , Harrois Anatole , Duranteau Jacques
Published: April 2014

Storage time and residual leukocytes in red blood cell (RBC) units may be deleterious by increasing the accumulation of leukocyte-derived cytokines and by raising the adhesion of RBCs to endothelium. Leukodepleted RBC transfusion may reduce the incidence of infection and organ dysfunction. However, the influence of leukodepletion on microcirculation remains not well defined in ICU patients. In this context, an original study in a previous issue of Critical Care emphasizes the microcirculatory effects of transfusion of leukodepleted RBCs (post-storage leukoreduction) or nonleukodepleted RBCs in septic patients. This study suggests a positive rheological impact of leukodepleted RBCs in septic patients with an increase in sublingual microvascular flow and perfused vessel density. Given the variability in the microvascular response to RBC transfusion in individual patients, there is a need for monitoring the microcirculation to guide transfusion in patients with sepsis rather than deciding to transfuse RBCs according to an arbitrary hemoglobin level. Further studies to identify the microvascular response to RBC transfusion in ICU patients are warranted.
Genomic profile analysis of diffuse-type gastric cancers
Authors: Lee Yeon-Su , Cho Yun Sung , Lee Geon Kook , Lee Sunghoon , Kim Young-Woo , Jho Sungwoong , Kim Hak-Min , Hong Seung-Hyun , Hwang Jung-Ah , Kim Sook-young , Hong Dongwan , Choi Il Ju , Kim Byung Chul , Kim Byoung-Chul , Kim Chul Hong , Choi Hansol , Kim Youngju , Kim Kyung Wook , Kong Gu , Kim Hyung Lae , Bhak Jong , Lee Seung Hoon , Lee Jin Soo
Published: April 2014

Background

Stomach cancer is the third deadliest among all cancers worldwide. Although incidence of the intestinal-type gastric cancer has decreased, the incidence of diffuse-type is still increasing and its progression is notoriously aggressive. There is insufficient information on genome variations of diffuse-type gastric cancer because its cells are usually mixed with normal cells, and this low cellularity has made it difficult to analyze the genome.

Results

We analyze whole genomes and corresponding exomes of diffuse-type gastric cancer, using matched tumor and normal samples from 14 diffuse-type and five intestinal-type gastric cancer patients. Somatic variations found in the diffuse-type gastric cancer are compared to those of the intestinal-type and to previously reported variants. We determine the average exonic somatic mutation rate of the two types. We find associated candidate driver genes, and identify seven novel somatic mutations in CDH1, which is a well-known gastric cancer-associated gene. Three-dimensional structure analysis of the mutated E-cadherin protein suggests that these new somatic mutations could cause significant functional perturbations of critical calcium-binding sites in the EC1-2 junction. Chromosomal instability analysis shows that the MDM2 gene is amplified. After thorough structural analysis, a novel fusion gene TSC2-RNF216 is identified, which may simultaneously disrupt tumor-suppressive pathways and activate tumorigenesis.

Conclusions

We report the genomic profile of diffuse-type gastric cancers including new somatic variations, a novel fusion gene, and amplification and deletion of certain chromosomal regions that contain oncogenes and tumor suppressors.