bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Management: Practicable Options
Authors: Hoare Derek J. , Searchfield Grant D. , El Refaie Amr , Henry James A.
Published: March 2014

Background:The authors reviewed practicable options of sound therapy for tinnitus, the evidence base for each option, and the implications of each option for the patient and for clinical practice.Purpose:To provide a general guide to selecting sound therapy options in
clinical practice.Intervention:Practicable sound therapy options.Data Collection and Analysis:Where available, peer-reviewed empirical studies, conference proceedings, and review studies were examined. Material relevant to the purpose was summarized in a narrative.Results:The
number of peer-reviewed publications pertaining to each sound therapy option reviewed varied significantly (from none to over 10). Overall there is currently insufficient evidence to support or refute the routine use of individual sound therapy options. It is likely, however, that sound therapy
combined with education and counseling is generally helpful to patients.Conclusions:Clinicians need to be guided by the patient’s point of care, patient motivation and expectations of sound therapy, and the acceptability of the intervention both in terms of the sound stimuli they
are to use and whether they are willing to use sound extensively or intermittently. Clinicians should also clarify to patients the role sound therapy is expected to play in the management plan.
Mergers and concentration in the UK insurance industry
Authors: Pearson Robin
Published: March 2014

Comme pour d’autres aspects de la gestion moderne, le secteur de l’assurance a été un agent précoce des fusions et acquisitions. Quelques-unes des premières fusions d’entreprises se sont réalisées dans l’assurance incendie à la fin du XVIII e siècle, et depuis lors la fusion ou l’acquisition sont restées des caractères récurrents des assurances en Grande-Bretagne. Notre article propose un panorama des activités de fusion et d’acquisition dans le secteur britannique de l’assurance sur 200 ans, et examine les changements des causes et des effets de celles-ci.
Narratizing Disciplines and Disciplinizing Narratives
Authors: Barab Sasha A. , Gresalfi Melissa , Dodge Tyler , Ingram-Goble Adam
Published: March 2014

Education is about revealing possibility and exciting passions, empowering learners with the disciplinary expertise to meaningfully act on problematic contexts in which applying disciplinary knowledge is important. Toward this end, we have been using gaming methodologies and technologies to design curricular dramas that position students as active change agents who use knowledge to inquire into particular circumstances and, through their actions, transform the problematic situation into a known. Unlike more traditional textbooks designed to transmit facts or micro-stories, our focus is on building interactive experiences in which understanding core concepts, such as erosion or the idea of metaphor, and seeing oneself as a person who uses these to address personally meaningful and socially significant problems is valued. It is the explicit goal of this manuscript to communicate this power of educational videogames, as well as the design steps that we have been using to make this happen.
Exploring Cognitive Load in Immersive Educational Games
Authors: Nelson Brian C. , Ketelhut Diane Jass , Schifter Catherine
Published: March 2014

SAVE Science is a research project focused on creating an innovative model for assessment of learning in STEM. In SAVE Science, we are implementing game-like modules for evaluating science content and inquiry in grades 7-8, using an assessment rubric of student interactions in a virtual environment designed to capture evolving patterns of scientific understanding among students. We are also investigating two “conditions for success” for virtual environment-based assessment: managing the effects of cognitive load students experience in complex virtual environments, and helping teachers integrate technology into their pedagogy. In this paper, we provide an overview of our design approaches aimed at helping students manage the high levels of cognitive load they report experiencing in virtual environments. By reducing the perceived complexity of virtual environment-based assessments, we hypothesize that learners will be better able to attend to the processes associated with the assessments, leading to more accurate evidentiary data.
Multi-Modal Investigations of Relationship Play in Virtual Worlds
Authors: Kafai Yasmin B. , Fields Deborah , Searle Kristin A.
Published: March 2014

Millions of youth have joined virtual worlds to hang out with each other. However, capturing their interactions is no easy feat given the complexity of virtual worlds, their 24/7 availability, and distributed access from different places. In this paper, we illustrate what different methods can reveal about the dating and flirting practices of tweens in Whyville.net, a virtual world with over 1.5 million registered players in 2005 between the ages 8-16 years old. We compare findings from analyses of tweens’ newspaper writings, chat records, and logfile data. Our analysis demonstrates the mixed attitudes toward flirting on Whyville and the pervasiveness of flirting as a whole, as well as the breadth and selectivity of tweens’ adoption of flirting practices. We discuss how our multi-modal investigation reveals individual variation and development across practices and suggests that player expertise might contribute to the striking contrast between formal writing about dating and the frequency of it on the site. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our methodological approaches and suggest that our findings are limited to a particular space and time in the existence of Whyville and the tweens who populate it.
A Next Gen Interface for Embodied Learning
Authors: Birchfield David , Johnson-Glenberg Mina
Published: March 2014

Emerging research from the learning sciences and human-computer interaction supports the premise that learning is effective when it is embodied, collaborative, and multimodal. In response, we have developed a mixed-reality environment called the Situated Multimedia Arts Learning Laboratory (SMALLab). SMALLab enables multiple students to interact with one another and digitally mediated elements via 3D movements and gestures in real physical space. It uses 3D object tracking, real time graphics, and surround-sound to enhance learning. We present two studies from the earth science domain that address questions regarding the feasibility and efficacy of SMALLab in a classroom context. We present data demonstrating that students learn more during a recent SMALLab intervention compared to regular classroom instruction. We contend that well-designed, mixed-reality environments have much to offer STEM learners, and that the learning gains transcend those that can be expected from more traditional classroom procedures.
Wee Wii
Authors: Bryant J. Alison , Akerman Anna , Drell Jordana
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the authors specifically focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the Nintendo Wii to preschoolers in context to three key objectives in order to facilitate game development: First, to understand the range of physical and cognitive abilities of preschoolers in motion-based game play; Second, to understand how preschoolers interact with the Wii; Third, to understand the expectations of the parents of preschoolers with regard to these new gaming platforms and the purchase and play contexts within which game play occurs. In addition to reporting challenges and advantages of the motion-based play for preschoolers, the authors also discuss how the findings of this research were then implemented by the game producers to develop the first preschool-targeted game on the market in the United States.
Effects of Playing a History-Simulation Game
Authors: Wang Shiang-Kwei
Published: March 2014

Studies on game-based learning usually investigate at least one of three subjects: the effects of gaming on learning performance, the effects of gaming on cognitive skills and attitudes, and learners’ game-design experiences. Whether gaming relates positively to learning outcomes is still under investigation. This study examines the components contributing to the development of a literate game player and how players could cognitively grasp the design of a game scenario based on real history (namely, the game Romance of the Three Kingdoms). This study surveyed 497 participants in Taiwan on their knowledge of Chinese history (the Three Kingdoms period). The participants constituted two groups: participants who had years of gaming experience and participants who did not. The study examined test performance by using an independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA and Pearson-correlation methods. The results revealed that the game players were more knowledgeable about the history of the Three Kingdoms period, had greater motivation to learn history, and were more motivated to learn history by playing the game than was the case with the non-game players.
The Design of Virtual Space
Authors: Guynup Steve
Published: March 2014

Videogames are the starting point for the general understanding of virtual space. (Grove & Williams, 1998). Academics use videogames to describe virtual space (Murray, 1997; Nitsche, 2009). Others argue that there is no understanding of virtual space, only a loose collection of articles connected by the issue of realism in rendering or behavior (Manovich, 2001). These statements point to a lack of understanding

of virtual space on its own terms and set the stage for this document. This is a design document, written by a designer of virtual spaces. Its purpose is to provocatively explore user experience and task completion as forces that influence the design of virtual space. This is not a conventional research paper. The complex relationships of narrative, realism, motivation, usability, and human computer interaction (HCI) are unpacked in the videogame World of Warcraft through a detailed examination of travel. It is proposed that the exploration of travel in a videogame can provide a toolkit of ideas for the application of narrative, realism, motivation, and usability in virtual space. Travel can inform designers on issues of user experience and task completion in virtual spaces.
Measuring Student Perceptions
Authors: Annetta Leonard A. , Holmes Shawn , Cheng Meng-Tzu
Published: March 2014

As educational games become more pervasive, the evolution of game design software is inevitable. This study looked at student perceptions of teacher created Serious Educational Games as part of a project striving to create a game development software where teachers and students create games as part of educational activities. The objective was to use evidence from student perceptions to inform further development of the software. A mixed method design ascertained data from 181 male and 178 females from 33 teacher created games. Results indicate that the software is relatively effective by the supporting documentation and training lacked in several areas. This information led to the creation of a commercial game development software set for release in 2010.
Bio-Affective Computer Interface for Game Interaction
Authors: Arroyo-Palacios Jorge , Romano Daniela M.
Published: March 2014

Affective bio-feedback can be an important instrument to enhance the game experience. Several studies have provided evidence of the usefulness of physiological signals for affective gaming; however, due to the limited knowledge about the distinctive autonomic signatures for every emotion, the pattern matching models employed are limited in the number of emotions they are able to classify. This paper presents a bio-affective gaming interface (BAGI) that can be used to customize a game experience according to the player’s emotional response. Its architecture offers important characteristics for gaming that are important because they make possible the reusability of previous findings and the inclusion of new models to the system. In order to prove the effectiveness of BAGI, two different types of neural networks have been trained to recognize emotions. They were incorporated into the system to customize, in real-time, the computer wallpaper according to the emotion experienced by the user. Best results were obtained with a probabilistic neural network with accuracy results of 84.46% on the training data and 78.38% on the validation for new independent data sets.
Automated Event Recognition for Football Commentary Generation
Authors: Zheng Maliang , Kudenko Daniel
Published: March 2014

The enjoyment of many games can be enhanced by in-game commentaries. In this paper, the authors focus on the automatic generation of commentaries for football games, using Championship Manager as a case study. The basis of this approach is a real-time mapping of game states to commentary concepts, such as “dangerous situation for team A”. While in some cases it is feasible to provide such a mapping by hand-coding, in some cases it is not straight-forward because the meaning of the concepts cannot be easily formalized. In these cases, the authors propose to use inductive learning techniques that learn such a mapping from annotated game traces.
The Role of the Entrepreneur and Government in the Development of Korean Information Technology Firms
Authors: Seungwha (Andy) Chung  , Choi Youngkeun , Lim Ji Sun
Published: March 2014

This chapter examines how an entrepreneur’s strategic choice influences corporate development leading to the initial public offering. The data comes from Korean startups in the information technology industry. The authors consider the dynamic interplay between an entrepreneur’s attributes and government's institutional support as key factors. An empirical analysis of 615 listed companies shows that an entrepreneur’s attributes play a significant role in market entry, especially in the information technology industry, which tends to have shorter lead time to the initial public offering. Government certification and venture capital investment also facilitate corporate growth toward the public company status.
Managing Conflict in Workplace
Authors: Al-Jenaibi Badreya
Published: March 2014

The UAE has the largest migration rate in the world; its major workforce originates from numerous countries, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Australia, and the United States of America. While this workforce diversity contributes varied backgrounds and languages to the workplace, diversity can also present major challenges for management. Workforce diversity, tension, and conflict can result in the creation of invisible barriers, a lack in communication or coordination, and a lack of recognition of positive employee behavior. Yet, while organizations may suffer from internal conflict, the tension that accompanies diversity can also result in positive outcomes, like an increased competitive spirit, enhanced productivity, and gains in creativity of employees. This chapter focuses on assessing the benefits and liabilities of workforce diversity as manifest in the unique demographic context of the UAE. Qualitative methods employing interviews were used to investigate research questions about diversity. Interviews with 41 respondents were collected from 32 officials working in the UAE companies. The authors supplemented these interviews with quantitative methods, employing a questionnaire of 213 employees in selected local organizations. The research concludes that conflict, rather than positive outcomes, arises when workforce diversity leads to a combination of the following: a difference of opinion, a lack of coordination and communication, and a lack of properly defined responsibilities.
Managerial Orientations and Digital Commerce Adoption in SMEs
Authors: Scheepers Margarietha de Villiers , Kerr Donald Vance
Published: March 2014

This chapter determines the relationships between managerial orientation factors, such as entrepreneurial alertness, learning goal orientation, and digital efficacy, on the adoption and outcomes of digital commerce in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). A survey of Australian SMEs was conducted, and 109 useable responses were received. The results describe owner/manager views of digital commerce use and business outcomes such as growth and efficiency resulting from adoption. Hierarchical regression analysis reveals that managerial orientations related to entrepreneurial alertness scanning and search as well as learning goal-orientation predict growth outcomes resulting from using digital commerce. Being able to see connections, make associations, and search for new opportunities is significantly related to efficiency stemming from digital commerce adoption. The findings contribute to the knowledge of digital commerce adoption, its outcomes, and how these relate to managerial orientations of entrepreneurial alertness, learning, and digital efficacy.
Knowledge, Knowledge Management, and Business Partnerships in SME Business Intelligence
Authors: Rosu Sebastian Marius , Dragoi George , Pavaloiu Bujorel Ionel
Published: March 2014

This chapter presents the knowledge, knowledge management, and business intelligence concepts in order to analyze the small and medium-sized enterprises. The partner evaluations and selections aimed to build a business partnership at the SME level is an activity that will lead both to increase SME competitiveness and to increase SME adaptability to market demands. In recent years, the Romanian SME investments needed to implement a knowledge management system are closely related in terms of ICT facilities and existing software, personnel qualification, the objectives, and the chosen technology solution implementation. The knowledge-based system for the partner evaluations and selections presented in this chapter were implemented at the Department of Engineering and Foreign Languages and the UPB-PREMINV&CTTM research centers from University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, in a university – SMEs partnership.
Impact of ICT on Education
Authors: Tikam Madhuri V.
Published: March 2014

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are extremely influencing every discipline under the sun including Education. It is affecting every aspect of education from teaching-learning to assessment and evaluation. It improves the effectiveness of education. It aids literacy movements. It enhances scope of education by facilitating mobile learning and inclusive education. It facilitates research and scholarly communication. Impact of ICT and its potential for the education field is manifold. It positively affects all the stakeholders of the education field. The current papers discuss the same along with the various challenges posed by ICT. The challenges include economical issues, educational and technical factors. Appropriate content, Design and workability of ICT also play a crucial role in adoption of ICT in the education field. The paper delineates in brief the challenges and probable solutions.
ICT Policy for Basic Education in Tanzania
Authors: Sodhi Inderjeet Singh
Published: March 2014

In developing countries, ICT is playing an important role in economic growth and nation-building. New emerging technological changes have made services enabled by ICT a pre-requisite for development of the education sector because it enables teachers, students and administrators to share and exchange information and knowledge. ICT is vital for the sustainable development of education particularly in developing countries like Tanzania where awareness and development is taking place after independence. On the guidelines of World Bank and UNESCO, many developing countries have formulated and implemented ICT Policy for education. To this course, several initiatives have been designed, devised and developed by the Government of Tanzania. The ICT Policy for Basic Education (2007) is a set of guidelines desired to position Tanzania at the universal level for which education is being implemented with concerted efforts for pre-primary, primary, secondary and vocational education. One of the major motivations for drawing this policy has been the desire to transform Tanzania from a knowledge driven society to information and digital driven society. This article delves the role played by ICT in the education sector particularly at the primary level and brings out the objectives, issues, and challenges in basic education that have been done so far in Tanzania. Although significant improvements have taken place in Tanzania, a lot more has to be done in primary level of education if it needs to compete favourably at an African and international stage.
Open Source and Free E-Learning Tools Useful in LIS Education
Authors: Sawant Sarika
Published: March 2014

E-learning is commonly referred to the intentional use of networked information and communications technology in teaching and learning. The present paper discusses the synchronous and asynchronous mode of e learning with its features. It also defines and summarizes the impact of open source software on teaching and learning process. The numerous open source e learning tools are discussed with examples such as Open source LMS, Open source authoring tools, Open source audio editing software, Open source social bookmarking tools, Open source CMS etc. It also throws light on free e learning tools useful in e learning such as Slideshare, Youtube, Wikis, RSS, Wordpress etc. The paper concludes with e learning initiatives in India.
An illustrated key to world species of the mite family Trochometridiidae (Acari: Prostigmata), with description of a new species and new insect host records
Authors: Loghmani Amir , Hajiqanbar Hamidreza , Talebi Ali Asghar
Published: March 2014

The mite species Trochometridium mutilliphillum Loghmani and Hajiqanbar new species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trochometridiidae) associated with two mutillid wasps of the genera Tricholabiodes Radoszkowski and Dentilla Lelej (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) is described from northeastern Iran. Some new host records for species of the genus Trochometridium Cross are reported, including a remarkable new record of an association between the mite family Trochometridiidae and the order Diptera. Also, an illustrated key to world genera and species of the family Trochometridiidae is provided.
Plant growth-promoting and phytopathogen-antagonistic properties of bacterial endophytes from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping systems
Authors: Pageni Binod B. , Lupwayi Newton Z. , Akter Zafrin , Larney Francis J. , Kawchuk Lawrence M. , Gan YanTai
Published: March 2014

Pageni, B. B., Lupwayi, N. Z., Akter, Z., Larney, F. J., Kawchuk, L. M. and Gan, Y. 2014. Plant growth-promoting and phytopathogen-antagonistic properties of bacterial endophytes from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping systems. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 835–844. Endophytes are microorganisms that live within a plant without harming it. Bacterial endophytes were isolated from roots of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under different rotations (3 to 6 yr in length) and soil management (CONV, conventional; CONS, conservation) in irrigated cropping systems with dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.). The endophytes were characterized for nitrogen fixation potential, phytohormone production and phytopathogen-antagonistic properties. The nitrogen-fixing nitrogenase (nifH) gene was detected in potato grown in all rotations, presumably partly because the soil in all rotations contained Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli from the dry bean phase. Sequence analysis revealed that it was homologous to the genes found in Burkholderia, Azospirillum, Ideonella, Pseudacidovorax and Bradyrhizobium species. Indole acetic acid (IAA) hormone production by endophytes isolated from potato grown under CONS management was 66% greater than that those isolated from potato grown under CONV management, and tended to be greater in longer than shorter rotations. When 12 endophytes were inoculated to dry bean, four increased shoot biomass by 27–34%, and six increased total (shoot+root) biomass by 25% on average. Endophytes from the longer CONS rotations (4–6 yr) resulted in significantly higher (by 9%) shoot biomass than the shortest CONS (3 yr) rotation. Six of 108 endophyte isolates exhibited antagonistic properties (reduced pathogen biomass by 12 to 58% in dual culture assays in liquid media) against potato pathogens Pectobacterium atrosepticum, Fusarium sambucinum and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. epedonicus. All the six isolates were from CONS soil management. Therefore, the benefits of long rotations, with their associated CONS soil management, to crop productivity in these irrigated cropping systems probably include nutritional (biological nitrogen fixation and IAA hormone production) and disease-control benefits imparted by endophytic bacteria.
Root rot severity and fungal populations in spring common, durum and spelt wheat, and Kamut grown under organic management in western Canada
Authors: Fernandez M. R. , Fox S. L. , Hucl P. , Singh A. K. , Stevenson F. C.
Published: March 2014

Fernandez, M. R., Fox, S. L., Hucl, P., Singh, A. K. and Stevenson, F. C. 2014. Root rot severity and fungal populations in spring common, durum and spelt wheat, and Kamut grown under organic management in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 937–946. A 3-yr field study (2010 to 2012) was conducted in the Brown soil zone of southwest Saskatchewan to determine the reactions of common, durum and spelt wheat cultivars currently registered in western Canada, and of Kamut wheat, to common root rot (CRR) under organic management. The genotypes selected for this study are often grown by organic producers in this region. Over the 3 yr of this study, Cochliobolus sativus, the main causal agent of CRR, was the fungus most frequently isolated from discoloured subcrown internodes, followed by Fusarium spp. The latter constituted an overall total of over 19% of all isolations and consisted of at least 12 different species, the most frequently detected of which were F. equiseti, F. avenaceum, F. acuminatum and F. oxysporum. The relative prevalence of the most commonly isolated genera/species agrees most closely with previous studies conducted under organic management. In general, C. sativus was less common in Kamut than in durum and spelt wheat, and it was more frequently isolated from durum than common wheat. In contrast, there were few differences in the isolation of Fusarium spp. among wheat species. Their isolation was greater for common wheat and Kamut than for durum wheat. For all 3 yr, the greatest mean CRR severity was observed in spelt wheat, followed by durum wheat and Kamut, with common wheat having the lowest average severity. For individual cultivars, the durum wheat AC Avonlea, Kyle and Transcend had the greatest CRR severity of all cultivars in this species and CDC Verona the lowest. Common wheat cultivars AC Elsa, CDC Kernen and Red Fife had the greatest CRR severity and Superb and Unity the lowest severity within their species. Under organic conditions, avoiding growing cultivars with high susceptibility to CRR is recommended given the expected presence of this disease in most fields and environments.
Temperate grass response to extent and timing of grazing
Authors: Alber N. B. , Brink G. E. , Jackson R. D.
Published: March 2014

Alber, N. B., Brink, G. E. and Jackson, R. D. 2014. Temperate grass response to extent and timing of grazing. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 827–833. Considerable differences exist among cool-season grass species in their production potential and response to management variables. We examined the effects of grazing management on forage and root production of two temperate perennial grasses, meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Grazing factors studied were extent of defoliation (50 or 100% biomass removal) and stage of maturity (vegetative or mature) at grazing. In 2009 and 2010, orchardgrass produced more above-ground biomass than meadow fescue despite yearly precipitation differences. In the drier year (2009), both grasses produced greater above-ground biomass under 100% extent of defoliation at either maturity stage. In 2010, orchardgrass produced greater above-ground biomass when grazed at a mature stage for either extent of defoliation, while few differences existed among grazing treatments imposed on meadow fescue. Grazing treatments had no effect on below-ground growth of orchardgrass either year. Meadow fescue root production was effected in 2010 only; grazing at a mature stage increased below-ground growth for either extent of defoliation. Results suggest that grazing at maturity to remove 100% of biomass maximizes above-ground production of both meadow fescue and orchardgrass, but lengthens the grazing interval and may have a deleterious effect on grass persistence and nutritive value.
Molecular Analysis of Chloroquine and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Resistance-Associated Alleles in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Nicaragua
Authors: Sridaran Sankar , Rodriguez Betzabe , Soto Aida Mercedes , Macedo De Oliveira Alexandre , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam
Published: March 2014

Chloroquine (CQ) is used as a first-line therapy for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nicaragua. We investigated the prevalence of molecular markers associated with CQ and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance in P. falciparum isolates obtained from the North Atlantic Autonomous Region of Nicaragua. Blood spots for this study were made available from a CQ and SP drug efficacy trial conducted in 2005 and also from a surveillance study performed in 2011. Polymorphisms in P. falciparum CQ resistance transporter, dihydrofolate reductase, and dihydropteroate synthase gene loci that are associated with resistance to CQ, pyrimethamine, and sulfadoxine, respectively, were detected by DNA sequencing. In the 2005 dataset, only 2 of 53 isolates had a CQ resistance allele (CVIET), 2 of 52 had a pyrimethamine resistance allele, and 1 of 49 had a sulfadoxine resistance allele. In the 2011 dataset, none of 45 isolates analyzed had CQ or SP resistance alleles.
Impact of Mass Azithromycin Distribution on Malaria Parasitemia during the Low-Transmission Season in Niger: A Cluster-Randomized Trial
Authors: Gaynor Bruce D. , Amza Abdou , Kadri Boubacar , Nassirou Baido , Lawan Ousmane , Maman Laouali , Stoller Nicole E. , Yu Sun N. , Chin Stephanie A. , West Sheila K. , Bailey Robin L. , Rosenthal Philip J. , Keenan Jeremy D. , Porco Travis C. , Lietman Thomas M.
Published: March 2014

We assessed the effect of mass azithromycin treatment on malaria parasitemia in a trachoma trial in Niger. Twenty-four study communities received treatment during the wet, high-transmission season. Twelve of the 24 communities were randomized to receive an additional treatment during the dry, low-transmission season. Outcome measurements were conducted at the community-level in children < 1–72 months of age in May–June 2011. Parasitemia was higher in the 12 once-treated communities (29.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.5–40.0%) than in the 12 twice-treated communities (19.5%, 95% CI = 13.0–26.5%, P = 0.03). Parasite density was higher in once-treated communities (354 parasites/μL, 95% CI = 117–528 parasites/μL) than in twice-treated communities (74 parasites/μL, 95% CI = 41–202 parasites/μL, P = 0.03). Mass distribution of azithromycin reduced malaria parasitemia 4–5 months after the intervention. The results suggest that drugs with antimalaria activity can have long-lasting impacts on malaria during periods of low transmission.
Patterns of a Sylvatic Yellow Fever Virus Amplification in Southeastern Senegal, 2010
Authors: Diallo Diawo , Sall Amadou A. , Diagne Cheikh T. , Faye Oumar , Hanley Kathryn A. , Buenemann Michaela , Ba Yamar , Faye Ousmane , Weaver Scott C. , Diallo Mawlouth
Published: March 2014

During the wet season of 2010, yellow fever virus (YFV) was detected in field-collected mosquitoes in the Kédougou region in southeastern Senegal. During this outbreak, we studied the association of the abundance of YFV-infected mosquitoes and land cover features to try and understand the dynamics of YFV transmission within the region. In total, 41,234 mosquito females were collected and tested for virus infection in 5,152 pools. YFV was detected in 67 pools; species including Aedes furcifer (52.2% of the infected pools), Ae. luteocephalus (31.3% of the infected pools), Ae. taylori (6.0% of the infected pools) and six other species (10.4% of the infected pools) captured in September (13.4%), October (70.1%), and November (16.4%). Spatially, YFV was detected from mosquitoes collected in all land cover classes but mainly, forest canopies (49.2%). Human infection is likely mediated by Ae. furcifer, the only species found infected with YFV within villages. Villages containing YFV-infected mosquitoes were significantly closer to large forests (> 2 ha) than villages in which no infected mosquitoes were detected.
Recombinant Leishmania infantum Heat Shock Protein 83 for the Serodiagnosis of Cutaneous, Mucosal, and Visceral Leishmaniases
Authors: Celeste Beatriz Julieta , Arroyo Sanchez Maria Carmen , Ramos-Sanchez Eduardo Milton , Castro Luiz Guilherme M. , Lima Costa Francisco Assis , Goto Hiro
Published: March 2014

Routine serological diagnoses for leishmaniases, except in visceral cases, are performed using whole-parasite antigens. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the performance of Leishmania infantum rHsp83 compared with L. major-like total promastigote antigen in the diagnosis of cutaneous (CL), mucosal (ML), and visceral leishmaniases (VL). ELISA-rHsp83 was significantly more sensitive than ELISA–L. major-like when considering either CL/ML (P = 0.041) or all leishmaniasis patients (P = 0.013). When samples from other infectious disease patients were evaluated for cross-reactivity, ELISA-rHsp83 was more specific than ELISA–L. major-like, specifically for Chagas disease samples (P < 0.001). We also evaluated the anti-rHsp83 antibody titers months after treatment and observed no significant difference in ML (P = 0.607) or CL (P = 0.205). We recommend ELISA–L. infantum-rHsp83 as a routine confirmatory serological assay for the diagnosis of Leishmania infection because of the high sensitivity, the specificity, and the insignificant cross-reactivity with other infectious diseases.
Transient Lesion in the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum in Acute Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria
Authors: Laothamatas Jiraporn , Sammet Christina L. , Golay Xavier , Van Cauteren Marc , Lekprasert Varinee , Tangpukdee Noppadon , Krudsood Srivicha , Leowattana Wattana , Wilairatana Polrat , Swaminathan Srirama V. , DeLaPaz Robert L. , Brown Truman R. , Looareesuwan Sornchai , Brittenham Gary M.
Published: March 2014

Patients with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria have no evident neurologic disorder, vital organ dysfunction, or other severe manifestations of infection. Nonetheless, parasitized erythrocytes cytoadhere to the endothelium throughout their microvasculature, especially within the brain. We aimed to determine if 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging studies could detect evidence of cerebral abnormalities in these patients. Within 24 hours of admission, initial magnetic resonance imaging examinations found a lesion with restricted water diffusion in the mid-portion of the splenium of the corpus callosum of 4 (40%) of 10 male patients. The four patients who had a splenial lesion initially had evidence of more severe hemolysis and thrombocytopenia than the six patients who had no apparent abnormality. Repeat studies four weeks later found no residua of the lesions and resolution of the hematologic differences. These observations provide evidence for acute cerebral injury in the absence of severe or cerebral malaria.
Usefulness of Strongyloides stercoralis Serology in the Management of Patients with Eosinophilia
Authors: Salvador Fernando , Sulleiro Elena , Sánchez-Montalvá Adrián , Saugar José María , Rodríguez Esperanza , Pahissa Albert , Molina Israel
Published: March 2014

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is being increasingly diagnosed out of endemic areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of S. stercoralis serology for the management of probable strongyloidiasis in patients presenting with eosinophilia. Overall, 147 patients were included, 89 (60.5%) patients had a positive S. stercoralis serology. Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were detected only in 15 (10.2%) patients. Twenty-eight patients had human immunodeficiency virus infection. Eighty patients received ivermectin 200 mcg/Kg/day for 2 days, and follow-up 6 months after treatment could be performed in 32 patients: 26 (81.3%) patients reached the response to treatment criteria (negative serology 6 months after treatment or when by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the optical density ratio of post-treatment to pre-treatment decreased to 0.6), and 11 (34.4%) patients fulfilled the cure criteria (negative serology 6 months after treatment). Strongyloides stercoralis serology is a useful diagnostic tool both in the diagnosis of probable strongyloidiasis and follow-up after treatment.
Global emissions of HFC-143a (CH3CF3) and HFC-32 (CH2F2) from in situ and air archive atmospheric observations
Authors: O'Doherty S. , Rigby M. , Mühle J. , Ivy D. J. , Miller B. R. , Young D. , Simmonds P. G. , Reimann S. , Vollmer M. K. , Krummel P. B. , Fraser P. J. , Steele L. P. , Dunse B. , Salameh P. K. , Harth C. M. , Arnold T. , Weiss R. F. , Kim J. , Park S. , Li S. , Lunder C. , Hermansen O. , Schmidbauer N. , Zhou L. X. , Yao B. , Wang R. H. J. , Manning A. J. , Prinn R. G.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. High frequency, in situ observations from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE), for the period 2003 to 2012, combined with archive flask measurements dating back to 1977, have been used to capture the rapid growth of HFC-143a (CH3CF3) and HFC-32 (CH2F2) mole fractions and emissions into the atmosphere. Here we report the first in situ global measurements of these two gases. HFC-143a and HFC-32 are the third and sixth most abundant HFCs respectively and they currently make an appreciable contribution to the HFCs in terms of atmospheric radiative forcing (1.7 and 0.7 mW m2 in 2012, respectively). In 2012 the global average mole fraction of HFC-143a was 13.4 ± 0.3 ppt (1-sigma) in the lower troposphere and its growth rate was 1.4 ± 0.04 ppt yr−1; HFC-32 had a global mean mole fraction of 6.2 ± 0.2 ppt and a growth rate of 1.1 ± 0.04 ppt yr−1 in 2012. The extensive observations presented in this work have been combined with an atmospheric transport model to simulate global atmospheric abundances and derive global emission estimates. It is estimated that 23 ± 3 Gg yr−1 of HFC-143a and 21 ± 11 Gg yr−1 of HFC-32 were emitted globally in 2012, and the emission rates are estimated to be increasing 7 ± 5% yr−1 for HFC-143a and 14 ± 11% yr−1 for HFC-32.
Hydrologic landscape classification assesses streamflow vulnerability to climate change in Oregon, USA
Authors: Leibowitz S. G. , Comeleo R. L. , Wigington P. J. , Weaver C. P. , Morefield P. E. , Sproles E. A. , Ebersole J. L.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Classification can allow assessments of the hydrologic functions of landscapes and their responses to stressors. Here we demonstrate the use of a hydrologic landscape (HL) approach to assess vulnerability to potential future climate change at statewide and basin scales. The HL classification has five components: climate, seasonality, aquifer permeability, terrain, and soil permeability. We evaluate changes when the 1971–2000 HL climate indices are recalculated using 2041–2070 simulation results from the ECHAM and PCM climate models with the A2, A1b, and B1 emission scenarios. Changes in climate class were modest (4–18%) statewide. However, there were major changes in seasonality class for five of the six realizations (excluding PCM_B1): Oregon shifts from being 13% snow-dominated to 4–6% snow-dominated under these five realizations, representing a 56–68% reduction in snowmelt-dominated area. At the basin scale, projected changes for the Siletz basin, in Oregon's coast range, include a small switch from very wet to wet climate, with no change in seasonality. However, there is a modest increase in fall and winter water due to increased precipitation. For the Sandy basin, on the western slope of the Cascades, HL climate class does not change, but there are major changes in seasonality, especially for areas with low aquifer permeability, which experiences a 100% loss of spring seasonality. This would reduce summer baseflow, but impacts could potentially be mitigated by streamflow buffering effects provided by groundwater in the high aquifer permeability portions of the upper Sandy. The Middle Fork John Day basin (MFJD), in northeastern Oregon, is snowmelt-dominated. The basin experiences a net loss of wet and moist climate area, along with an increase in dry climate area. The MFJD also experiences major shifts from spring to winter seasonality, representing a 20–60% reduction in snowmelt-dominated area. Altered seasonality and/or magnitude of seasonal streamflows could potentially affect survival, growth and reproduction of salmonids in these watersheds, with greatest effects projected for the MFJD. A major strength of the HL approach is that results can be applied to similarly classified, ungaged basins. Information resulting from such assessments can help inform management responses to climate change at regional and basin scales without requiring detailed modeling efforts.
Thermal energy generation in the earth
Authors: Mayer F. J. , Reitz J. R.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. We show that a recently introduced class of electromagnetic composite particles can explain some discrepancies in observations involving heat and helium released from the earth. Energy release during the formation of the composites and subsequent nuclear reactions involving the composites are described that can quantitatively account for the discrepancies and are expected to have implications in other areas of geophysics – for example, a new picture of heat production and volcanism in the earth is presented.
The Effects of Small Scale Gold Mining on Living Conditions: A Case Study of the West Gonja District of Ghana
Authors: Hoedoafia Mabel A. , Cheabu Benjamin Spears Ngmekpele , Korang Vida
Published: March 2014

In recent times, there has been a surge in small scale mining activities in Ghana which has made significant contributions to the national gold output, foreign exchange earnings, and employment among others. This paper investigated the impact of small scale gold mining on the living conditions of the people of the West Gonja District in the Northern Region of Ghana. The research involved: (a) the determination of gender and generation roles in small scale mining activities; (b) the determination of the effect of mining activities on employment, education, health, agriculture and cost of living of the people in the district and (c) The identification of the areas of interventions that will eradicate the negative effects of small scale gold mining in the district. Data of sampled households in four communities in Damongo was gathered and analyzed. The research methods included; semi structured interviews, validated self-administered questionnaires and observations. Sampling of communities and households was done using a combination of stratified and simple random sampling procedures. The study revealed varied effects with respect to small scale miners and the general community. Small scale mining has contributed positively in improving the lives of the people in the form of employment, revenue generation and meeting health, educational and basic family needs. It also confirmed the associated social, and environmental negative effects of small scale mining. The paper concludes that in the absence of a viable alternative source of economic livelihood, the West Gonja District Assembly should organize small scale miners into groups, assist them to acquire equipment needed for their operations and regularly monitor and control their activities.
The Place of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonists in the Management of Endometriosis
Authors: Descamps Philippe , Andreeva Elena , Leng Jinhua , Salehpour Saghar , Chapron Charles
Published: March 2014

Purpose

This review focuses on the use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, a typically marginalized class of drugs, and describes their role in the management of endometriosis, with special interest in 4 regions: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and China.

Methods

The authors met in Dubai in November 2012 for a consensus meeting on the use of GnRH agonists in the 4 regions. The meeting was based on a review of the published regional guidelines for endometriosis and a selective literature search of articles published in the past 5 years that focused on the use of GnRH agonists in endometriosis.

Results

The guidelines place GnRH agonists as a second-line option for the management of pain in deep infiltrating endometriosis and to improve fertility in women planning to undergo in vitro fertilization. Published articles and personal evidence presented at the meeting suggest that surgery for endometriomas should be delayed as long as possible to conserve ovarian function and that GnRH agonist therapy after surgery may reduce their recurrence. However, although add-back therapy is advocated with the use of GnRH agonists, there is no consensus on when this should be started.

Conclusions

There are important regional differences in cultural sensitivities to diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, as well as a diverging approach to surgery. Given the limitations and conflicts in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, it is essential that the available drugs, including the GnRH agonists, are used in the most appropriate settings.
Emphysematous cystitis: An atypical multi-organism presentation
Authors: Bos Derek , Patal Premal , DiTullio Sonia
Published: March 2014

An 84-year-old diabetic women receiving in-hospital strokemanagement began suffering from vague lower abdominal pain,increased urge incontinence and gross hematuria. Physical examinationrevealed suprapubic tenderness and a tympanic bladder.A computed tomography confirmed a distended bladder with gasfoci delineating the bladder wall. Microbiology revealed an atypicalmulti-organism presentation of Klebsiella pneumoniae andEnterococcus species. Emphysematous cystitis is characterized byair within the bladder wall often found in elderly diabetic females.Predominant organisms include Escherichia coli and Klebsiellapneumonia. Prompt treatment is essential in this potentially fatalcondition.
The stone formation in the Memotherm urethral stent implantation area: Is it a rare complication?
Authors: Karaköse Ayhan , Atesci Yusuf Ziya , Aydogdu Ozgu
Published: March 2014

Recurrent urethral stricture is one of the biggest problems in urology. Urethral stents as an alternative treatment to traditional methods  has been used since  1985    in the treatment of urethral strictures. The stone formation in the Memotherm urethral stent implantation area is a rare complication. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented a stone in the Memotherm urethral stent implantation area after 6 years from the urethral stent surgery.
Case report and literature review of a rare diagnosis of ossifying renal tumor of infancy
Authors: Flannigan Ryan Kendrick , Heran Manraj Kanwal Singh , Oviedo Angelica , Wong Nathan , Masteron John S.T.
Published: March 2014

One must entertain a broad differential diagnosis for infants presenting with gross hematuria. Initial workup includes urine analysis, serum laboratory values and abdominal ultrasound. We describe an infant presenting with gross hematuria found to have a calcified renal mass upon initial ultrasound and subsequent computed tomography scan. We considered a differential diagnosis of, but not exclusive to, staghorn calculi, nephroblastoma, Wilms’ tumour, mesoblastic nephroma and ossifying renal tumour of infancy (ORTI). A nephrectomy was performed, and the pathology report identified the calcified mass as an ORTI.