bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instruments for assessing the risk of falls in acute hospitalized patients: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Aranda‐Gallardo Marta , Morales Asencio Jose Miguel , Canca‐Sanchez Jose Carlos , Mora‐Banderas Ana Maria , Moya‐Suarez Ana Belen
Published: August 2012

Aim

The purpose of this article is to present the research protocol of a systematic review about fall risk assessment tools in acute hospitalized patients.

Background

Various risk assessment tools for falls have been developed, but with uncertainties derived from validation in heterogeneous environments and variations in their sensitivity, specificity and predictive validity.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

Two independent reviewers will extract data in a blinded process. Quality of studies will be assessed using various standardized instruments. A meta‐analysis will be performed if applicable. For all studies, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, together with the positive and negative likelihood ratios and Youden index will be calculated. The diagnostic odds ratio of the studies and the hierarchical summary Relative Operating Characteristic curve and bivariate model will be applied. Calculations will be made from random effects models. Forest‐plot diagrams for sensitivity and specificity and likelihood ratios, in addition to Cochrane's Q test and the I2 statistic, will be calculated. Funding of the review was confirmed in December 2010.

Discussion

The results of this review will help to clarify some uncertainties provoked by earlier research findings and enable informed choice of a validated, reproducible instrument for assessing the risk of falls by hospital patients, so that preventive action may be taken to minimize this risk.
Evidence‐based practice models for organizational change: overview and practical applications
Authors: Schaffer Marjorie A. , Sandau Kristin E. , Diedrick Lee
Published: August 2012

Aim

To provide an overview, summary of key features and evaluation of usefulness of six evidence‐based practice models frequently discussed in the literature.

Background

The variety of evidence‐based practice models and frameworks, complex terminology and organizational culture challenges nurses in selecting the model that best fits their practice setting.

Data sources

The authors: (1) initially identified models described in a predominant nursing text; (2) searched the literature through CINAHL from 1998 to current year, using combinations of ‘evidence’, ‘evidence‐based practice’, ‘models’, ‘nursing’ and ‘research’; (3) refined the list of selected models based on the initial literature review; and (4) conducted a second search of the literature on the selected models for all available years to locate both historical and recent articles on their use in nursing practice.

Discussion

Authors described model key features and provided an evaluation of model usefulness based on specific criteria, which focused on facilitating the evidence‐based practice process and guiding practice change.

Implications for nursing

The evaluation of model usefulness can be used to determine the best fit of the models to the practice setting.

Conclusion

The Johns Hopkins Model and the Academic Center for Evidence‐Based Practice Star Model emphasize the processes of finding and evaluating evidence that is likely to appeal to nursing educators. Organizations may prefer the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services Framework, Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration, or Iowa models for their emphasis on team decision‐making. An evidence‐based practice model that is clear to the clinician and fits the organization will guide a systematic approach to evidence review and practice change.
Species, developmental stage and infection with microbial pathogens of engorged ticks removed from dogs and questing ticks
Authors: LESCHNIK M. W. , KHANAKAH G. , DUSCHER G. , WILLE‐PIAZZAI W. , HÖRWEG C. , JOACHIM A. , STANEK G.
Published: August 2012

Research into tick‐borne diseases implies vector sampling and the detection and identification of microbial pathogens. Ticks were collected simultaneously from dogs that had been exposed to tick bites and by flagging the ground in the area in which the dogs had been exposed. In total, 200 ticks were sampled, of which 104 came from dogs and 96 were collected by flagging. These ticks were subsequently examined for DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia canis. A mixed sample of adult ticks and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Haemaphysalis concinna (Ixodida: Ixodidae) was obtained by flagging. Female I. ricinus and adult Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks dominated the engorged ticks removed from dogs. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 17.0% of the examined ticks, A. phagocytophilum in 3.5%, B. canis in 1.5%, and B. burgdorferi s.l. in 16.0%. Ticks with multiple infections were found only among the flagging sample. The ticks removed from the dogs included 22 infected ticks, whereas the flagging sample included 44 infected ticks. The results showed that the method for collecting ticks influences the species composition of the sample and enables the detection of a different pattern of pathogens. Sampling strategies should be taken into consideration when interpreting studies on tick‐borne pathogens.
Effects of precocene and methoprene application in young adult Musca autumnalis
Authors: BURKS C. S. , EVANS L. D. , KIM Y. , KRAFSUR E. S.
Published: August 2012

Abstract Observations were made on the relative rates of growth among corpora allata, ovarian follicles and fat bodies in diapausing and reproductive Musca autumnalis DeGeer. Rates of corpora allata growth were greater in long‐day than in short‐day animals. Topically applied precocene II reduced the size of the corpora allata. Two sequential doses of precocene inhibited vitellogenesis. Topically applied methoprene produced vitellogenesis in short‐day flies and inhibited development of hypertrophied fat body. This work provides evidence that Juvenile Hormone is the primary agent controlling diapause and non‐diapause (vitellogenic) development in the ovaries of face flies.
Cold hardiness of the overwintering black carpenter ant
Authors: CANNON COLLEEN A. , FELL RICHARD D.
Published: August 2012

Abstract Cold hardiness was investigated in overwintering field nests of the black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus (De Geer) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. No active nest thermoregulation was observed: temperatures of galleries, worker bodies, worker clusters, and larval clusters were within 3°C of ambient temperature. Nest temperatures generally fluctuated less rapidly and severely than did ambient temperature; thus, the nest afforded protection from potentially fatal sudden temperature drops. Glycerol, the only polyol cryoprotectant detected, was found in all castes and larvae. Supercooling points were low and ranged from − 17°C in major workers to −22°C in larvae. A second heat release peak, occurring around − 8°C, was seen in all adults, but it was not observed in larvae. This higher temperature peak in adults probably represents the freezing of the gut contents, as adults were found to overwinter with the crop full or partially full. Larvae did not overwinter with liquid food in the gut.
Comparison of the cold hardiness of two larval Lepidoptera (Noctuidae)
Authors: GRUBOR‐LAJSIC GORDANA , BLOCK WILLIAM , WORLAND ROGER
Published: August 2012

Abstract Diapause larvae of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubn.)) and the related Mediterranean noctuid Sesamia cretica Led. possess sufficient supercooling ability to avoid freezing over their normal environmental temperature ranges. In progressive chilling experiments (10 days acclimation at each 5° step in the temperature range from 15 to −5°C), mean supercooling points (measured at a cooling rate of 0.1°C min−1) were lowered from −20.4°C at 15°C to −24.0°C at 5°C (lower lethal temperatures: c.−28°C) in O.nubilalis, compared with −15.0 to −17.2°C (lower lethal temperatures: −15 to −17°C respectively) in S.cretica. Concentrations of glycerol and trehalose determined by gas chromatography of whole body extracts were consistently higher in the former than in the latter species at both 15 and 5°C, and may be responsible for the deeper supercooling in O.nubilalis larvae. Acclimation to 5°C increased glycerol levels in O. nubilalis extracts compared with 15°C, and this was enhanced in larvae exposed for a further 10 days at each of 0 and −5°C (glycerol being 438μmol ml−1 body water). Haemolymph glycerol concentrations showed a similar pattern to whole body extracts in this species. Fat body glycogen was reduced during low temperature acclimation in both species. Body water contents did not change with acclimation in O.nubilalis, whilst S.cretica, containing significantly more water, lost c.7% during acclimation from 15 to 5°C. Haemolymph osmolalities increased during acclimation, especially in Ostrinia larvae, probably as a result of the accumulation of cryoprotectants. The majority of O.nubilalis larvae survived freezing under the conditions of the cooling experiments, whilst larvae of S.cretica did not, thereby confirming an element of freezing tolerance in the former.
Respiration rates of two closely related species of carabids in Australia
Authors: HORNE PAUL A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract The respiration rates of Notonomus gravis (Chaudoir) and N.philippi (Newman) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were measured at temperatures between 10°C and 45°C. Mature males of both species had higher respiration rates than mature females. There was no difference between the rates of teneral male and female beetles at 30°C. The difference in respiration rates between the sexes is attributed to the maternal behaviour, and decreased surface activity, of mature females.
The effect of allatectomy and photoperiod on the supercooling point in Pyrrhocoris apterus adults
Authors: HODKOVA M. , SOMME L. , HANZAL R. , BRUNNHOFER V. , HODEK I.
Published: August 2012

Abstract Adults of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) reared at 26°C had a considerably lower supercooling point (SCP) in diapause‐inducing (LD 12:12 h) than in diapause‐inhibiting (LD 18:6 h) photoperiodic regimes. Exposure of the insects to diapause‐inducing acclimation conditions (LD 8:16 h and a temperature of 20°C during photophase and 5°C during scotophase) for 2–3 weeks had very little effect on the SCP, irrespective of the rearing photoperiod. Allatectomized adults kept continuously at LD 18:6 h and 26°C had high SCP similar to intact or sham‐operated insects. In contrast to non‐allatectomized insects, the SCP of allatectomized insects decreased after an exposure of from 2 to 3 weeks to diapause‐inducing acclimation conditions (see above) almost to the level found in the intact diapausing insects. The relationship between the decrease of SCP and ‘diapause syndrome’ (de Wilde, 1970) is discussed.
Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the termination of diapause in the univoltine seed wasp Eurytoma plotnikovi
Authors: TZANAKAKIS M. E. , VEENENDAAL R. L. , VEERMAN A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract Mummified pistachios containing fully grown diapause larvae of Eurytoma plotnikovi Nikol'skaya (Hym., Eurytomidae) were collected in early August and late September in coastal northern Greece and subjected to various photoperiod and temperature treatments, then maintained at 19 or 26°C and a long‐day (LD 16:8 h), a changing, or a short‐day (LD 10:14 h) photoperiod until pupation.

In larvae of early August (beginning of diapause) subjected for 20 weeks to 19°C under a long, a changing, or a short photophase, followed by 19°C and a long photophase, 50% of the larvae pupated after 24, 18 and 13 weeks respectively. After exposure for 20 or even 12 weeks to a short photophase and low temperatures (10 or 4°C), pupation occurred after only 7–8 weeks and was more synchronous. The ranges of temperature for diapause development and post‐diapause morphogenesis overlap. After exposure for 12 weeks to short days and low temperature, larvae of late September pupated much sooner under long days than under short days and sooner at 26° than at 19°C.

E.plotnikovi depends on both temperature and photoperiod for diapause development, low temperature having a strong favourable effect on the earlier part and long day on the later part of diapause.

In a few larvae of another pistachio seed wasp, Megastigmus pistaciae Walker, after a long enough period of low temperatures, diapause was terminated normally at 26°C and long days, or at 19°C and long or short days.
Low frequency mosaicism of normal cells in a 16‐year‐old girl with trisomy 18
Authors: Grave G. , Waaler P. E. , Rosendahl K.
Published: August 2012

A 16‐year‐old girl with mosaicism of trisomy 18 has been followed from birth in our department. She had stigmata characteristic for trisomy 18. Chromosome analysis of lymphocytes showed trisomy 18 both at birth and at age 15, whereas analysis of fibroblasts at age 16 showed trisomy 18 with low frequency mosaicism of normal cells (4%). In most case reports, karyotype analyses have been performed in lymphocytes only. The low frequency mosaicism of normal cells found in fibroblasts from the present patient may raise the question of mosaicism in other long‐living patients previously reported to be non‐mosaic trisomy 18. The main disorders in the present patient were limited to severe mental deficiency, structural cerebral malformations and skeletal deformities, including bilateral equinovarus deformities. At birth, she had a ventricular septal defect which closed spontaneously. Frequent respiratory infections subsided after age 2. At age 7 she developed a seizure disorder. Since then, her medical condition has been stable. Even though patients with trisomy 18 rarely survive early childhood, the possibility that they may reach their teens must be kept in mind when treatment is planned. In our case, the decision not to treat her equinovarus deformities means that she cannot stand, a major problem in her everyday life.
Acute adrenal crisis complicating hypertensive congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency
Authors: Liel Yair
Published: August 2012

In its classical form, congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 β‐hydroxylase deficiency is characterized by hypertension and abnormal sexual development. Suppression of ACTH secretion by means of administering glucocorticoids fulfills the therapeutic goal of reducing blood pressure and decreasing androgen production. The present report describes the case of a patient suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency who developed an acute adrenal crisis, unprovoked by stress, following interruption of glucocorticoid replacement therapy. It is suggested that patients on a suppressive dose of glucocorticoids for adrenal hyperplasia are at increased risk for acute adrenal insufficiency if therapy is interrupted, and that deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in the absence of a glucocorticoid is insufficient to prevent manifestations of adrenal crisis.
De novo t(5p;21q) in a patient previously diagnosed as monosomy 21
Authors: López‐Pajares I. , Martin‐Ancel A. , Cabello P. , Delicado A. , Garcia‐Alix A. , Roman C. San
Published: August 2012

In situ hybridization was used to characterize an undetected chromosome translocation in a child whose metaphase chromosome analysis in peripheral blood and in skin culture revealed apparent monosomy 21. The cytogenetic study revealed 45 chromosomes, and no other structural anomalies were detected with G banding. In situ hybridization of chromosome 21‐specific probes to metaphase chromosomes and reverse banding from the proband showed a de novo translocation between chromosome 5 and chromosome 21.
Geneticists approach ethics: an international survey
Authors: Wertz Dorothy C. , Fletcher John C.
Published: August 2012

Fletcher, Berg and Tranoy (1985) proposed that medical geneticists around the world would benefit from collective reflection on their preferred approaches to the most frequent of the difficult moral choices in practical genetics. In 1985‐86, Wertz & Fletcher undertook a survey of geneticists' views in 19 nations. Results were widely disseminated. In this paper, the authors describe a new survey that they are conducting in 37 nations.
Affected sibs with fragde X syndrome exhibit an age‐dependent decrease in the size of the fragile X full mutation
Authors: Mornet Etienne , Jokle Mikael , Bogyo Any , Tejada Isabel , Deluchat Christianne , Boué Joelle , Boué André
Published: August 2012

The sizes of the fragile X mutation in 33 sib pairs affected with fragile X syndrome were determined by Southern blot analysis. An age‐dependent decrease in the size of the mutation was found, suggesting positive selection of blood cells carrying small mutations during life or maternal imprinting.
Liver graft volumetric changes after living donor liver transplantation with segment 2 graft for small infants
Authors: Urahashi Taizen , Mizuta Koichi , Sanada Yukihiro , Wakiya Taiichi , Yasuda Yoshikazu , Kawarasaki Hideo
Published: August 2012

Urahashi T, Mizuta K, Sanada Y, Wakiya T, Yasuda Y, Kawarasaki H. Liver graft volumetric changes after living donor liver transplantation with segment 2 graft for small infants.

Abstract:  LT for small infants weighing <5 kg with liver failure might require innovative techniques for size reduction and transplantation of small grafts to avoid large‐for‐size graft, but little is known about post‐transplant graft volumetric changes. Five of 172 children who underwent LDLT received monosegment or reduced monosegment grafts using a modified Couinaud’s segment II (S2) graft for LDLT. Serial CT was used to evaluate the changes in the GV and other factors before LDLT and one and three months after LDLT. The shape of these grafts was classified into an OL type and an LL type. The GV increased in all patients one month after LDLT, whereas the GV decreased three months after LDLT in OL in comparison with one month after LDLT. The GRWR of the OL type has tended to decrease at three months, whereas the LL type showed a continuous increase with time, but finally they had adapted graft size for their body size. In conclusion, the volume of S2 grafts after LDLT had unique changes toward the ideal volume for the child weight when they received the appropriate liver volume.
Aggressiveness, Boldness and Parental Food Provisioning in Male House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon)
Authors: Barnett Craig A. , Thompson Charles F. , Sakaluk Scott K.
Published: August 2012

Behavioural syndromes have been identified in a large number of species, yet our understanding of them in an ecological context remains poor. Specifically, there are few data that relate behavioural syndromes to other biologically important behaviours and, ultimately, to reproductive success. In this field study, we examined the aggressiveness and boldness of free‐living male house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and found a statistically significant positive relationship between these two behaviours (i.e. a behavioural syndrome). When we examined the two axes of this behavioural syndrome in relation to the male's share of provisioning, we found a negative relation between a male's aggressiveness and his provisioning rate, but no relationship between male boldness and provisioning behaviour. These differences in provisioning behaviour among males with different levels of aggression may reflect differences in reproductive strategies or different life‐history trade‐offs among males. Moreover, these results indicate that while some behavioural traits may be correlated, this does not mean that traits that compose the behavioural syndrome cannot evolve independently of one another.
Influence of hypercapnia on the synthesis of neuropeptides and their receptors in murine brain
Authors: WANG WEI , LI QINGYI , PAN YONGCHU , ZHU DONGLIN , WANG LIN
Published: August 2012

Background and objective:  Sleep disorders are a complicated and major public health concern affecting millions of individuals. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common but still under‐recognized disease which can cause intermittent nocturnal hypercapnia. Neuropeptides play critical roles in neurotransmission, acting as transmitters or modulators. Results from recent studies have implicated several neuropeptides in sleep and breathing regulation, including orexin, neuropeptides Y and galanin. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of hypercapnia on these neuropeptides and their receptors in order to assess their potential role in the pathogenesis of OSA.

Methods:  Fifteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups and exposed to moderate hypercapnia (5% CO2 with balanced room air), or severe hypercapnia (10% CO2 with balanced room air) or room air for 3 h (9:00–12:00 h), respectively. Immediately following exposure the brainstem and hypothalamus were excised for real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses.

Results:  In the hypothalamus gene expression including galanin, orexin and neuropeptide Y receptor 1 (NPYR1) was downregulated by hypercapnia. However, protein and mRNA levels of orexin‐A receptor were upregulated by severe hypercapnia. In the brainstem only NPYR1 mRNA expression was decreased in moderate hypercapnia compared with that in severe hypercapnia.

Conclusions:  These findings suggest that hypercapnia can affect these neuropeptides and their receptors, especially the orexin and orexin‐A receptor. The potential relationships between these peptides and OSA are worthy of further investigation.
Clinical impact of liquid‐based cytology test on diagnostic yields from transbronchial needle aspiration
Authors: HOU GANG , YIN YAN , WANG WEI , WANG QIU‐YUE , HU XUE‐JUN , KANG JIAN , WU GUANG‐PING
Published: August 2012

Background and objective:  Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a well‐established diagnostic method that is underutilized due to the relatively high percentage of non‐diagnostic samples and low success rates. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of liquid‐based cytology test (LBC) on the diagnostic yield from TBNA.

Methods:  Ninety‐seven consecutive patients who underwent TBNA due to significant mediastinal adenopathy were enrolled in the study. Each target site was aspirated four times, with the first and third aspirates being prepared for LBC and the second and fourth aspirates being reserved for conventional pick‐and‐smear (CPS) cytology.

Results:  Paired aspirates were obtained from 114 target sites, giving a total of 228 test samples from 97 consecutive patients. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of TBNA was 63.6% (56/88). The yields from small cell lung cancers were better than those from non‐small cell lung cancers (P < 0.05), and TBNA of subcarinal nodes provided better diagnostic yields (P < 0.05). Nodal diameters > 20 mm on computed tomography were also associated with better yields than nodes with diameters of 10–20 mm (P = 0.001). The diagnostic sensitivity of TBNA was similar for each processing method—59.8% (61/102) for LBC and 64.7% (65/102) for CPS.

Conclusions:  LBC was not inferior to CPS with respect to diagnostic yields from TBNA, and enabled efficient pathological evaluation.
Ratcheting assessment of steel alloys under uniaxial loading: a parametric model versus hardening rule of Bower
Authors: AHMADZADEH G. R. , VARVANI‐FARAHANI A.
Published: August 2012

This study intends to compare ratcheting response of 42CrMo, 1020, SA333 and SS304 steel alloys over uniaxial stress cycles evaluated by a parametric ratcheting model and Bower's hardening rule. The parametric ratcheting equation was formulated to describe triphasic stages of ratcheting deformation over stress cycles. Mechanistic parameters of mean stress, stress amplitude, material properties and cyclic softening/hardening response of materials were employed to calibrate parametric equation. Based on the framework of cyclic plasticity theory, the modified Armstrong–Frederick nonlinear hardening rule of Bower was employed to assess ratcheting response of steel alloys under uniaxial stress cycles. Bower's model was chosen mainly due to simplicity of the model and its lower number of constants required to predict ratcheting strain over stress cycles as compared with other hardening rules. Ratcheting strain values predicted by Bower's model showed good agreements over stage I of stress cycles as compared with experimental values of ratcheting strain. Beyond of stage I stress cycles, Bower ratcheting strain rate stayed constant resulting in an arrest in ratcheting process. The predicted ratcheting strains based on the parametric equation were found in good agreements over three stages of ratcheting as compared with those of experimentally obtained.
Novel biological strategies in the management of anal fistula
Authors: Lewis R. , Lunniss P. J. , Hammond T. M.
Published: August 2012

Background  The mostly widely studied biomaterials for the sphincter sparing treatment of anal fistulas are fibrin glue and the anal fistula plug (AFP). However their overall mean clinical success is only 50–60%. As the understanding of the pathology of anal fistula, wound healing and the host response to materials has improved, so new biological sphincter‐sparing strategies have been developed. The aim of this review is to assess the safety and efficacy of these novel techniques.

Method  PubMed, the Cochrane database and EMBASE were independently searched. All studies that investigated the potential of a biomaterial (defined as any synthetic or biologically derived substance in contact with host tissue) to augment the healing of anal fistula without sphincter division were included. Studies solely describing the role of fibrin glue or an AFP were excluded. Data extraction included type of material, fistula aetiology, treatment of the primary tract, fistula healing, incontinence, duration of follow‐up and any specific complications. Systematic quality assessment of the included articles was performed.

Results  Twenty‐three articles were finally selected for review. These included a variety of biological and synthetic systems that were employed to deliver selected components of the extracellular matrix, growth factors, cytokines, stem cells or drugs to the fistula tract.

Conclusion  To date no study matches fistulotomy with regard to long‐term fistula eradication rate. This is probably due to implant extrusion, inadequate track preparation or an unsuitable material. Future techniques need to address all these issues to ensure success. Success should be validated by MRI or long‐term follow‐up.
Fluorescence diagnosis of bladder cancer: a novel in vivo approach using 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dendrimers
Authors: François Aurélie , Battah Sinan , MacRobert Alexander J. , Bezdetnaya Lina , Guillemin François , D'Hallewin Marie‐Ange
Published: August 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Fluorescence cystoscopy with hexylaminolevulinate (h‐ALA, Hexvix®) is known to improve tumour detection in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. However, specificity is relatively low and the intensity of the observed fluorescence signal decreases over time due to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) efflux.

This study evaluates in an in vivo model the use of a dendritic 5‐aminolevulinic acid compound for fluorescence diagnosis. Fluorescence ratios between tumour and urothelium as well as muscle were significantly better as compared with h‐ALA. Sustained synthesis of PpIX accounts for preservation of fluorescence for >24 h.

OBJECTIVE

To overcome the relative lack of tumour selectivity of fluorescence‐guided cystoscopy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its ester derivative (e.g. hexylaminolevulinate, h‐ALA; Hexvix®), we evaluated the use of dendrimers bearing different ALA loads in rats bearing orthotopic bladder tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat bladders were instilled with h‐ALA or ALA dendrimers and fluorescence ratio between tumour and normal urothelium, as well as tumour and muscle and depth of fluorescence were determined with Image J software.

Quantification of ALA and/or esters systemic reabsorption was evaluated by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Slow hydrolysis of ALA from dendrimers as observed in vitro implies a higher initial ALA load and longer resting times in vivo. Sustained synthesis of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) explains persistence of fluorescence for >24 h.

There were significantly better fluorescence ratios with dendrimers, as well as higher penetration depths and absence of systemic reabsorption.

CONCLUSION

The prolonged and sustained PpIX synthesis, the improved tumour selectivity with a deeper penetration and the absence of systemic reabsorption are primary indicators that ALA dendrimers could be an alternative to h‐ALA in fluorescence‐guided cystoscopy.
Practice What You Teach: Facilitating Anarchism In and Out of the Classroom
Authors: Rouhani Farhang
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  In recent years, human geographers have criticized the increasing corporatization, commodification, and objectification of knowledge production, and have looked to critical pedagogical frameworks that seek to counteract these forces. Anarchism, as a body of theories and practices, has a long history of engagement with radical pedagogical experimentation. Anarchism and geography have much to contribute to one another: anarchism, through its support for creative, non‐coercive, practical learning spaces, and geography, for its critical examination of the spaces of education. In this paper, I evaluate the prospects for anarchist‐geographic pedagogies theoretically, as well as through my own experiences teaching and learning about anarchism over the past decade in a liberal arts, higher education US environment. I argue for a combined critical anarchist‐geographic pedagogical approach that appreciates the challenges of building alternative learning models within existing neoliberalizing institutions, provides the necessary tools for finding uniquely situated opportunities for educational change, and emplaces a grounded, liberating, student‐led critical pedagogy.
DART: A DISTRIBUTED ANALYSIS OF REPUTATION AND TRUST FRAMEWORK
Authors: Salehi‐Abari Amirali , White Tony
Published: August 2012

Artificial societies—distributed systems of autonomous agents—are becoming increasingly important in open distributed environments, especially in e‐commerce. Agents require trust and reputation concepts to identify communities of agents with which to interact reliably. We have noted in real environments that adversaries tend to focus on exploitation of the trust and reputation model. These vulnerabilities reinforce the need for new evaluation criteria for trust and reputation models called exploitation resistance which reflects the ability of a trust model to be unaffected by agents who try to manipulate the trust model. To examine whether a given trust and reputation model is exploitation‐resistant, the researchers require a flexible, easy‐to‐use, and general framework. This framework should provide the facility to specify heterogeneous agents with different trust models and behaviors.

This paper introduces a Distributed Analysis of Reputation and Trust (DART) framework. The environment of DART is decentralized and game‐theoretic. Not only is the proposed environment model compatible with the characteristics of open distributed systems, but it also allows agents to have different types of interactions in this environment model. Besides direct, witness, and introduction interactions, agents in our environment model can have a type of interaction called a reporting interaction, which represents a decentralized reporting mechanism in distributed environments. The proposed environment model provides various metrics at both micro and macro levels for analyzing the implemented trust and reputation models. Using DART, researchers have empirically demonstrated the vulnerability of well‐known trust models against both individual and group attacks.
Partisanship, Inequality and the Composition of Public Spending on Education
Authors: Manzano Dulce
Published: August 2012

This article explores the determinants of the configuration of public educational expenditure. Recent contributions to the political economy debate about public education have rightly emphasised that the redistributive consequences of state intervention may vary across levels of education. But they focused mainly on the explanatory role of government partisanship in understanding spending at different levels of education. In this article, I propose a more comprehensive political economy account by considering the interaction of the ideological preferences and electoral motives of governments to explain variation in the allocation of educational budget. Through a time-series cross-sectional analysis of several developed industrial democracies observed in recent decades, the article demonstrates that the ideological orientation of governments and the position of the median voter do influence decisions regarding the distribution of public educational resources between different schooling levels. While right-wing parties prefer to concentrate resources on university, they appear to respond to an economic downturn of the median voter by reducing in a more significant way relative spending on tertiary education.
From Two-Partism to Alternating Predominance: The Changing UK Party System, 1950–2010
Authors: Quinn Thomas
Published: August 2012

This article uses Sartori's classification of party systems to map changes in the post-war UK party system. Using measures of the effective number of parties and of parties' policy positions, the article shows that ‘classic’ two-partism from 1950 to 1970 broke down amid ideological polarisation. This development created a ‘vacated centre’, which the Liberals filled, leading to fragmentation of the electoral-party system. This period gave way in 1997 to one in which ideological convergence returned, alongside further electoral fragmentation. The uneven decline in the vote shares of the parties finishing first and second led to supermajorities and two long periods of single-party rule from 1979 to 2010. The article argues that the UK had an alternating-predominant party system in this period. This system was a hybrid of single-party predominance and classic two-partism, in which competition between the two main parties was usually very weak but where there was some scope for governmental alternation.
Tracking a benchmark index – using a spreadsheet‐based decision support system as the driver
Authors: Wu Liang‐Chuan , Wu Liang‐Hong
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a two‐phase quantitative approach for enhanced index investing based on the mean‐variance model and the goal programming method. In the first stage, we use the mean‐variance theory to select better performing stocks for an investment pool. Then, in the second stage, we use a goal programming method to weight the selected stocks by balancing both the tracking error and the rate of return. In addition to the theoretical formulation, we construct a spreadsheet‐based decision support system (DSS) based on the transaction data to help resolve the index tracking problem. The paper contributes to the literature in two ways. For academics, we present original discussions on combining an interdisciplinary mean‐variance model and a goal programming method. Unlike the conventional approach used for enhanced index investing that requires a fund manager to actively buy and sell stocks to improve returns, our approach is based on historical data and deduces subjective judgments. Meanwhile, for practitioners, we present an original discussion on using a DSS to support index investing. The results of an empirical survey of the Taiwan stock market are also presented.
Eliciting and prioritizing quality requirements supported by ontologies: a case study using the ElicitO framework and tool
Authors: Al Balushi Taiseera Hazeem , Sampaio Pedro R. Falcone , Loucopoulos Pericles
Published: August 2012

As software complexity grows and clients demand higher quality software, quality requirements can no longer be considered to be of secondary importance. Thus, eliciting, specifying, prioritizing and validating quality requirements is a prerequisite to the development of effective and efficient information systems. Despite the critical importance of quality requirements, there is a considerable gap in the breadth and depth of quality requirements engineering (RE) support in most RE approaches. In practice, it is often the case to have quality requirements considered as an afterthought in the systems development process. While there is a wealth of modelling techniques and tools for functional requirements, there is very limited support for quality requirements in RE. Support for quality requirements is usually ad‐hoc, without clear guidelines on how to capture, specify and manage quality requirements and also without proper usage of standardized terminologies based on established quality models such as the ISO/IEC 9126 quality model. In this paper, we discuss a quality‐driven RE framework and tool that applies knowledge management techniques and quality ontologies to support RE activities. The ontology implements the quality characteristics and metrics prescribed by the ISO/9126 quality model, providing a common vocabulary to address quality concerns/aspects across RE activities. We empirically validate how the framework and tool can be used to effectively support the requirements elicitation and prioritization activities through a case study addressing the development of an intranet portal project at the University of Manchester.
Game theory‐based influence diagrams
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Lü Kevin , Liu Weiyi
Published: August 2012

Many decisions are made in interactive situations in which decision makers interact and may also affect each other's decision outcomes. In order to model decision makings in such interactive situations, this paper incorporates game theory into influence diagrams and presents a new approach, called game theory‐based influence diagrams (GIDs). GIDs consider an extra factor, that of the choice of strategies made by other decision makers, to the list of determinants that influence the decision‐making process of each decision maker, so that decision makers can make more rational decisions. As a result of integrating influence diagrams and game theory, GIDs benefit from the simplicity and efficiency of influence diagrams for modelling complex decision problems as well as the rationality and suitability of applying game theory for making decisions in dynamic interactive scenarios. This paper also introduces genetic algorithm‐based methods to evaluate GIDs. Experimental studies have been performed for validation and evaluation.
Genome‐Wide Association and Linkage Study in the Amish Detects a Novel Candidate Late‐Onset Alzheimer Disease Gene
Authors: Cummings Anna C. , Jiang Lan , Velez Edwards Digna R. , McCauley Jacob L. , Laux Renee , McFarland Lynne L. , Fuzzell Denise , Knebusch Clare , Caywood Laura , Reinhart‐Mercer Lori , Nations Laura , Gilbert John R. , Konidari Ioanna , Tramontana Michael , Cuccaro Michael L. , Scott William K. , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A. , Haines Jonathan L.
Published: August 2012

To identify novel late‐onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) risk genes, we have analysed Amish populations of Ohio and Indiana. We performed genome‐wide SNP linkage and association studies on 798 individuals (109 with LOAD). We tested association using the Modified Quasi‐Likelihood Score test and also performed two‐point and multipoint linkage analyses. We found that LOAD was significantly associated with APOE (P= 9.0 × 10–6) in all our ascertainment regions except for the Adams County, Indiana, community (P= 0.55). Genome‐wide, the most strongly associated SNP was rs12361953 (P= 7.92 × 10–7). A very strong, genome‐wide significant multipoint peak [recessive heterogeneity multipoint LOD (HLOD) = 6.14, dominant HLOD = 6.05] was detected on 2p12. Three additional loci with multipoint HLOD scores >3 were detected on 3q26, 9q31 and 18p11. Converging linkage and association results, the most significantly associated SNP under the 2p12 peak was at rs2974151 (P= 1.29 × 10–4). This SNP is located in CTNNA2, which encodes catenin alpha 2, a neuronal‐specific catenin known to have function in the developing brain. These results identify CTNNA2 as a novel candidate LOAD gene, and implicate three other regions of the genome as novel LOAD loci. These results underscore the utility of using family‐based linkage and association analyses in isolated populations to identify novel loci for traits with complex genetic architecture.
Reduced orbitofrontal and temporal grey matter in a community sample of maltreated children
Authors: De Brito Stéphane A. , Viding Essi , Sebastian Catherine L. , Kelly Philip A. , Mechelli Andrea , Maris Helen , McCrory Eamon J.
Published: August 2012

Background:  Childhood maltreatment is strongly associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorder. Previous neuroimaging studies have reported atypical neural structure in the orbitofrontal cortex, temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum in maltreated samples. It has been hypothesised that these structural differences may relate to increased psychiatric vulnerability. However, previous studies have typically recruited clinical samples with concurrent psychiatric disorders, or have poorly characterised the range of maltreatment experiences and levels of concurrent anxiety or depression, limiting the interpretation of the observed structural differences.

Methods:  We used voxel‐based morphometry to compare grey matter volume in a group of 18 children (mean age 12.01 years, SD = 1.4), referred to community social services, with documented and well‐characterised experiences of maltreatment at home and a group of 20 nonmaltreated children (mean age 12.6 years, SD = 1.3). Both groups were comparable on age, gender, cognitive ability, ethnicity and levels of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms. We examined five a priori regions of interest: the prefrontal cortex, temporal lobes, amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum.

Results:  Maltreated children, compared to nonmaltreated peers, presented with reduced grey matter in the medial orbitofrontal cortex and the left middle temporal gyrus.

Conclusions:  The medial orbitofrontal cortex and the middle temporal gyrus have been implicated in reinforcement‐based decision‐making, emotion regulation and autobiographical memory, processes that are impaired in a number of psychiatric disorders associated with maltreatment. We speculate that grey matter disturbance in these regions in a community sample of maltreated children may represent a latent neurobiological risk factor for later psychopathology and heightened risk taking.
Prevalence and predictors of drooling in 7‐ to 14‐year‐old children with cerebral palsy: a population study
Authors: REID SUSAN M , MCCUTCHEON JENNIFER , REDDIHOUGH DINAH S , JOHNSON HILARY
Published: August 2012

Aim  To establish a prevalence estimate for drooling and explore factors associated with drooling in a population sample of children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 7 to 14 years living in Victoria, Australia.

Method  A self‐report questionnaire was used to collect data on drooling from parents of children born between 1996 and 2001, and registered with the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register.

Results  A total of 385 children (231 males, 154 females; mean age 10y 9mo [SD 1y 7mo], range 8–14y) were studied. The clinical type and distribution of CP were spastic (341), ataxic (16), dyskinetic (17), hypotonic (10), and unknown (1). Distribution in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels was I (103), II (98), III (52), IV (63), V (61), and unknown (8). After adjustment for topographical pattern of motor impairment and GMFCS level, 40% were reported to have experienced drooling between 4 years of age and the time of completing the questionnaire. A significantly higher prevalence of drooling was found in children with poor gross motor function and in those with more severe presentations of CP, including poor head control, difficulty with eating, and inability to sustain lip closure (p<0.001 for each). Drooling was shown to be significantly associated with both intellectual disability and epilepsy in this group of children (p<0.001 for both).

Interpretation  With a prevalence of 40%, drooling is an important comorbidity in CP. It was considered severe in 15% of children. Poor oromotor function was associated with drooling and could be the target of interventions for this under‐researched problem.
The importance of screening for internalizing symptoms, inattention, and cognitive difficulties in childhood‐onset myotonic dystrophy
Authors: KLEDZIK ANN M , DUNN DAVID W
Published: August 2012

This commentary is on the original article by Douniol et al. on pages 905‐911 of this issue.
Amplitude of Probability Density Function (APDF) of Vibration Response as a Robust Tool for Gearbox Diagnosis
Authors: Rzeszucinski P. J. , Sinha J. K. , Edwards R. , Starr A. , Allen B.
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  A ‘Go’ or ‘No Go’ assessment is a safety requirement for quick and robust estimation of the condition of gearboxes used in helicopters and other critical machines. A range of vibration‐based condition indicators (CIs) has been developed to meet this requirement. CIs are compared automatically with pre‐set threshold values representing a healthy system, so that the health of the gearbox can be assessed and diagnosis made where necessary. The use of kurtosis of the residual signal of the measured vibration data, computed as part of the ‘FM4’ method, is widespread, because it is accepted as a good and reliable indicator. However, it has been observed in some cases that FM4 may not show a continually increasing trend with the propagation of a fault. This behaviour may lead to improper assessment of the severity of the fault. Hence, a new CI, based on the deviation in the normal probability density function (PDF) of the measured vibration data, is suggested which demonstrates an increasing trend that is more robustly and monotonically correlated with the fault propagation.
MINERALOGICAL AND PETROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF EARLY BRONZE AGE COPPER‐SMELTING REMAINS FROM THE KIECHLBERG (TYROL, AUSTRIA)
Authors: KRISMER M. , TÖCHTERLE U. , GOLDENBERG G. , TROPPER P. , VAVTAR F.
Published: August 2012

The prehistoric settlement on the Kiechlberg hilltop is located a few kilometres to the north‐east of Innsbruck, in the Tyrolean Inn Valley. Despite its rather isolated location, a multiphase settlement between the fifth and the second millennium bc was confirmed by archaeological investigations in 2007 and 2008. Metallurgical artefacts, such as copper ore fragments, copper slag and raw copper, as well as finished copper and bronze artefacts, are concentrated mainly in Late Copper Age to Middle Bronze Age layers. The chemical compositions of the slag and raw metals confirm Fe—Zn tetrahedrite–tennantite (fahlore) smelting. The ore was most probably imported from the 30–50 km distant copper ore deposits (mainly fahlore) of Schwaz–Brixlegg, in the Lower Inn Valley. The small amount of slag and the presence of slagged and thermally altered ceramic fragments suggest copper production in small‐scale workshops. Most probably, sulphide‐rich ores were smelted in crucibles in a hearth fire. The process was relatively reducing below the 2Sb + 1.5O2 → Sb2O3 reaction (−8.5 log fO2 at 1100°C), producing Sb‐rich (>10 wt% Sb in metal) raw copper. Inhomogeneous slag remains containing high amounts of sulphide and metal inclusions suggest a poor separation of the metal, matte (copper sulphide) and silicate/oxide melt during the smelting process.