bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting men diagnosed with prostate cancer for active surveillance using a risk calculator: a prospective impact study
Authors: van Vugt Heidi A. , Roobol Monique J. , van der Poel Henk G. , van Muilekom Erik H.A.M. , Busstra Martijn , Kil Paul , Oomens Eric H. , Leliveld Annemarie , Bangma Chris H. , Korfage Ida , Steyerberg Ewout W.
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort series)

Level of Evidence 2a

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

The present study is one of the first to investigate urologists' and patients' compliance with recommendations based on a risk calculator that calculates the probability of indolent prostate cancer. A threshold was set for a recommendation of active surveillance vs active treatment.

Active surveillance recommendations based on a prostate cancer risk calculator were followed by most patients, but 30% with active treatment recommendations chose active surveillance instead. This indicates that the threshold may be too high for urologists and patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess urologists' and patients' compliance with treatment recommendations based on a prostate cancer risk calculator (RC) and the reasons for non‐compliance.

To assess the difference between patients who were compliant and non‐compliant with recommendations based on this RC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eight urologists from five Dutch hospitals included 240 patients with prostate cancer (PCa), aged 55–75 years, from December 2008 to February 2011.

The urologists used the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer RC which predicts the probability of potentially indolent PCa (P[indolent]), using serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume and pathological findings on biopsy.

Inclusion criteria were PSA <20 ng/mL, clinical stage T1 or T2a–c disease, <50% positive sextant biopsy cores, ≤20 mm cancer tissue, ≥40 mm benign tissue and Gleason ≤3 + 3. If the P(indolent) was >70%, active surveillance (AS) was recommended, and active treatment (AT) otherwise.

After the treatment decision, patients completed a questionnaire about their treatment choice, related (dis)advantages, and validated measurements of other factors, e.g. anxiety.

RESULTS

Most patients (45/55, 82%) were compliant with an AS recommendation. Another 54 chose AS despite an AT recommendation (54/185, 29%).

The most common reason for non‐compliance with AT recommendations by urologists was the patient's preference for AS (n= 30). These patients most often reported the delay of physical side effects of AT as the main advantage (n= 19).

Those who complied with AT recommendations had higher mean PSA levels (8 vs 7 ng/mL, P= 0.02), higher mean amount of cancer tissue (7 vs 3 mm, P < 0.001), lower mean P(indolent) (36% vs 55%, P < 0.001), and higher mean generic anxiety scores (42 vs 38, P= 0.03) than those who did not comply.

CONCLUSIONS

AS recommendations were followed by most patients, while 29% with AT recommendations chose AS instead.

Although further research is needed to validate the RC threshold, the current version is already useful in treatment decision‐making in men with localized PCa.
Developing High‐Quality Teachers: teacher evaluation for improvement
Authors: Looney Janet
Published: November 2011

As countries aim to ensure high achievement for all students, improving and sustaining the quality of the teacher workforce is a vital policy priority. Several studies have found that well‐designed teacher evaluation systems, aligned with professional learning and development, can contribute to improvements in the quality of teaching and raise student achievement. This article provides an overview of research on teacher evaluation for improvement and suggests directions for policy and research to strengthen systems.
What Do We Really Learn from PISA? The Sociology of its Reception in Three European Countries (2001–2008)1
Authors: Pons Xavier
Published: November 2011

This article synthesises some findings of an international research project called Know&Pol to question the effects of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) on the public debate in three European countries (France, Portugal and Scotland). Using a political science approach, it shows that Pisa did not favour policy learning among actors, but confirmed their pre‐existing opinions and policy stances and that it legitimised them by affixing them with the seal of a statistical international survey.
Mommy, speak clearly: induced hearing loss shapes vowel hyperarticulation
Authors: Lam Christa , Kitamura Christine
Published: November 2011

Talkers hyperarticulate vowels when communicating with listeners that require increased speech intelligibility. Vowel hyperarticulation is said to be motivated by knowledge of the listener’s linguistic needs because it typically occurs in speech to infants, foreigners and hearing‐impaired listeners, but not to non‐verbal pets. However, the degree to which vowel hyperarticulation is determined by feedback from the listener is surprisingly less well understood. This study examines whether mothers’ speech input is driven by knowledge of the infant’s linguistic competence, or by the infant’s feedback cues. Specifically, we manipulated (i) mothers’ knowledge of whether they believed their infants could hear them or not, and (ii) the audibility of the speech signal available to the infant (full or partial audibility, or inaudible). Remarkably, vowel hyperarticulation was completely unaffected by mothers’ knowledge; instead, there was a reduction in the degree of hyperarticulation such that vowels were hyperarticulated to the greatest extent in the full audibility condition, there was reduced hyperarticulation in the partially audible condition, and no hyperarticulation in the inaudible condition. Thus, while it might be considered adaptive to hyperarticulate speech to the hearing‐impaired adult or infant, when these two factors (infant and hearing difficulty) are coupled, vowel hyperarticulation is sacrificed. Our results imply that infant feedback drives talker behavior and raise implications for intervention strategies used with carers of hearing‐impaired infants.
THE VENTURE PHILANTHROPIST
Authors: Crainer Stuart
Published: November 2011

The concept of venture philanthropy has gained ground over the last decade. It seeks to bring the discipline of venture capital to the world of giving. Among those leading the way, is Daniela Barone Soares, the Chief Executive of Impetus Trust. She previously worked at BancBoston Capital, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs before joining Save the Children, and then Impetus Trust in 2006. She talked with BSR Editor, Stuart Crainer.
A BETTER WAY TO MERGE COMPANIES?
Authors: Parry Richard
Published: November 2011

The old way to conduct mergers and acquisitions was to have the top brass of the firm do a deal, then pass the messy details to others who have had no prior involvement. Richard Parry tells how progressive companies are now using project teams to both originate M&A deals and make them happen successfully.
INDIA INSIDE
Authors: Kumar Nirmalya , Puranam Phanish
Published: November 2011

A new book from Nirmalya Kumar and Phanish Puranam challenges received wisdom about India.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: MAKING CANCER DETECTION COMPELLING
Authors: Puntoni Stefano , Sweldens Steven , Tavassoli Nader T
Published: November 2011

Stefano Puntoni, Steven Sweldens and Nader T Tavassoli, ‘Gender identity salience and perceived vulnerability to breast cancer’, Journal of Marketing Research 48, no. 3, June 2011.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: WHO IS THE BIGGEST LOSER
Authors: Judge Timothy A , Cable Daniel M
Published: November 2011

Timothy A Judge and Daniel M Cable, ‘When it comes to pay, do the thin win? The effect of weight on pay for men and women‘, Journal of Applied Psychology 96, no. 1, 2011.
Production Relations under GLOBALG.A.P: The Relative Influence of Standards and Retail Market Structure
Authors: Tennent Rebeka , Lockie Stewart
Published: November 2011

Retailer‐led food standards are playing an increasingly important role in determining market access globally. These standards are generally interpreted as a mechanism by which retailers have increased their capacity to co‐ordinate and control upstream actors, including farmers and processors. Taking an actor‐oriented approach to determine the various ways in which a group of farmers respond to retailer‐led standards, this study presents empirical detail on the impacts of compliance with retailer‐led standards, including GLOBALG.A.P, on an Australian citrus growers' co‐operative. This study found that while GLOBALG.A.P and similar standards are indeed de facto mandatory requirements for fruit producers, it was not certification to GLOBALG.A.P alone that led to relationships of dependency between producers and retailers. The oligopolistic structure of the retailing sector was found to be equally problematic for producers. This suggests that while GLOBALG.A.P constituted a novel form of value chain governance, it was not a defining feature of the food production system in these chains.
Geo‐parsing Messages from Microtext
Authors: Gelernter Judith , Mushegian Nikolai
Published: November 2011

Widespread use of social media during crises has become commonplace, as shown by the volume of messages during the Haiti earthquake of 2010 and Japan tsunami of 2011. Location mentions are particularly important in disaster messages as they can show emergency responders where problems have occurred. This article explores the sorts of locations that occur in disaster‐related social messages, how well off‐the‐shelf software identifies those locations, and what is needed to improve automated location identification, called geo‐parsing. To do this, we have sampled Twitter messages from the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. We annotated locations in messages manually to make a gold standard by which to measure locations identified by a Named Entity Recognition software. The Stanford NER software found some locations that were proper nouns, but did not identify locations that were not capitalized, local streets and buildings, or non‐standard place abbreviations and mis‐spellings that are plentiful in microtext. We review how these problems might be solved in software research, and model a readable crisis map that shows crisis location clusters via enlarged place labels.
Improving Geocoding Match Rates with Spatially‐Varying Block Metrics
Authors: Goldberg Daniel W.
Published: November 2011

Address ranges used in linear interpolation geocoding often have errors and omissions that result in input address numbers falling outside of known address ranges. Geocoding systems may match these input addresses to the closest available nearby address range and assign low confidence values (match scores) to increase match rates, but little is published describing the matching or scoring techniques used in these systems. This article sheds light on these practices by investigating the need for, technical approaches to, and utility of nearby matching methods used to increase match rates in geocode data. The scope of the problem is motivated by an analysis of a commonly used health dataset. The technical approach of a geocoding system that includes a nearby matching approach is described along with a method for scoring candidates based on spatially‐varying neighborhoods. This method, termed dynamic nearby reference feature scoring, identifies, scores, ranks, and returns the most probable candidate to which the input address feature belongs or is spatially near. This approach is evaluated against commercial systems to assess its effectiveness and resulting spatial accuracy. Results indicate this approach is viable for improving match rates while maintaining acceptable levels of spatial accuracy.
Efficacy of new antiretroviral drugs in treatment‐experienced HIV‐infected patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of recent randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pichenot M , Deuffic‐Burban S , Cuzin L , Yazdanpanah Y
Published: November 2011

Objectives

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the overall efficacy of new antiretroviral drugs, as well as the factors associated with increased efficacy. We compared CD4 cell count increases associated with chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) inhibitors or other new drugs, using indirect comparison.

Methods

We included RCTs published in 2003–2010 that assessed the 48‐week immunological and virological efficacy of adding new antiretroviral drugs vs. placebo to optimized background therapy (OBT) in treatment‐experienced subjects. These drugs included maraviroc, vicriviroc, enfuvirtide, raltegravir, etravirine, tipranavir and darunavir. We collected baseline descriptive characteristics, CD4 cell count changes and virological suppression proportions (percentage with HIV RNA <50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL).

Results

We identified 10 studies which included a total of 6401 patients. New drugs were associated with increased virological suppression (pooled odds ratio 2.97) and larger CD4 count increases (pooled nonstandardized difference 39 cells/μL) compared with placebo. OBT genotypic sensitivity scores (GSSs) were also associated with larger differences in virological suppression (P<0.001 for GSS=0,≤1 and ≤2) and CD4 cell count increase (GSS=0, P<0.001; GSS ≤1, P=0.002; GSS ≤2, P=0.015) between the two groups. CCR5 inhibitors were not associated with significant gains in CD4 cell counts (P=0.22) compared with other new drugs.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed the overall immunological and virological efficacy of new antiretroviral drugs in treatment‐experienced patients, compared with placebo. The main predictive factor for efficacy was the number of fully active drugs. CCR5 inhibitors did not increase CD4 cell count to a greater extent than other new drugs.
Consequences of Riding Takeover Waves: Australian Evidence
Authors: Duong Lien , Izan Izan H. Y.
Published: November 2011

This paper uses Australian data to analyze takeover bid premiums and long‐term abnormal returns for mergers that occur during wave and non‐wave periods. Findings reveal that bid premiums are slightly lower in wave periods, and bidding firms earn normal post‐takeover returns (relative to a portfolio of firms matched on size and survival) if their bids were made in non‐wave periods. However, bidders who announced their takeover bids during wave periods exhibit significant underperformance. For mergers that took place within waves, there is no difference in bid premiums nor is there a difference in the long‐run returns of bidders involved during the first half and second half of the waves. We find that none of prominent theories of merger waves (managerial, misvaluation, and neoclassical) can fully account for Australian takeover waves and their effects. Instead, our results suggest that Banal‐Estanol et al.'s screening theory of merger activity, by combining the misvaluation and neoclassical theories, may provide a better explanation.
Cholinergic modulation of amyloid precursor protein processing with emphasis on M1 muscarinic receptor: perspectives and challenges in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fisher Abraham
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120 (Suppl. 1), 22–33.

The prescribed drugs for treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients are regarded as symptomatic drugs. Effective disease modifying therapies are not yet prescribed in AD patients. Three major hallmarks of AD (e.g. cholinergic hypofunction, Aβ and tau neuropathologies) are closely linked raising the expectation that restoring the cholinergic hypofunction to normal, in particular via selective activation of M1 muscarinic receptors, may alter the onset or progression of AD dementia. This review is focused mainly on modulation of amyloid precursor processing and Aβ levels in the brain via cholinergic treatment strategies based on M1 muscarinic agonists versus other cholinergic treatments (e.g. cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for treatment of AD, M2 antagonists and nicotinic agonists). Advantages and potential drawbacks of these treatment modalities are reviewed versus the notion that due to an elusive etiology of AD, future disease modifiers should address comprehensively most of these AD hallmarks (e.g. Aβ pathology, tau and tangle pathologies, as well as the cholinergic hypofunction and cognitive impairments). This major requirement may be fulfilled with M1‐selective muscarinic agonists and less with other reviewed cholinergic treatments.
Physical Activity Status in Adults with Depression in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2006
Authors: Song Mi Ryeong , Lee Young‐Shin , Baek Jong‐Duek , Miller Marci
Published: November 2011

Objective

To examine physical activity levels among adults with depression.

Methods

Cross‐sectional descriptive study with the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2005–2006.

Sample

Four thousand and fifty‐eight men and women aged 20 years and older.

Measures

Self‐reported Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ‐9] for depression, accelerometer for amounts of physical activity, demographic information, and self‐reported health status were weighted to represent population estimates. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were applied to data.

Results

Overall prevalence of depression was 13.9% and 5.6% in mild and moderate to severe levels, respectively. Adults in depression groups spent significantly less time in both light and moderate physical activity than nondepression groups. There were no differences in sedentary and vigorous physical activity among groups. After controlling for socio‐demographic factors, those at greater risk for depression were middle‐aged women with self‐reported poor health status with less moderate physical activity.

Conclusions

Although depressed adults were less active than nondepressed adults, their physical activity levels were close to the recommended guidelines. Public education regarding efficacy of physical activity and encouragement of appropriate activity levels could contribute to prevention and treatment of depression.
The Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and the Coexistence of Intestinal Parasites in Young Children in Boarding Schools in Sivas, Turkey
Authors: Değerli Serpil , Malatyali Erdoğan , Çeliksöz Ali , Özçelik Semra , Mumcuoğlu Kosta Y.
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and the coexistence of intestinal parasites in boarding primary schools in Sivas, Turkey. Seven hundred seventy‐two students (350 [45.3%] girls, 422 [54.7%] boys) were evaluated with combing for the presence of head lice, collection of fecal samples, and examination of the perianal region for intestinal parasites using the cellophane tape method. The overall infestation rate for head lice was 6% (n = 46). Nine children had evidence of nits only (1.2%), whereas living lice and nits or eggs were found in 37 children (4.8%). Girls were significantly more commonly infested (12.9%) than boys (0.2%). Of the parameters evaluated, socioeconomic level, number of rooms per family, and size and weight of the children were statistically significantly different between the children with and without lice. Although the infestation rate of children with intestinal parasites was higher in the head louse‐infested group (23.9%) than in the group of children without lice (17.6%), the differences were not statistically significant.
The Influence of Network Structure on the Transport of Blood in the Human Cerebral Microvasculature
Authors: SU SHEN‐WEI , CATHERALL MARK , PAYNE STEPHEN
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as:Su S‐W, Catherall M and Payne S. The Influence of Network Structure on the Transport of Blood in the Human Cerebral Microvasculature.Microcirculation19:175–187, 2012.

In this article, we explore how the structural properties of miniature networks influence the transport of blood through the human cerebral microvasculature. We propose four methods for generating such networks, and investigate both how the resulting network properties match available experimental data from the human cortex and how these properties affect the flow of blood through the networks. As the nature of such microvascular flow patterns is inherently random, we run multiple simulations. We find that the modified spanning tree method produces artificial networks having characteristics closest to those of the microvasculature in human brain, and also allows for high network flow passage per unit material cost, being statistically significantly better than three other methods considered here. Such results are potentially extremely valuable in interpreting experimental data acquired from humans and in improving our understanding of cerebral blood flow at this very small length scale. This could have a significant impact on improving clinical outcomes for vascular brain diseases, particularly vascular dementia, where localized flow patterns are very important.
Improved Mechanical Behavior and Plastic Deformation Capability of Ultrafine Grain Alumina Ceramics
Authors: Huang Lin , Yao Wenlong , Mukherjee Amiya K. , Schoenung Julie M.
Published: November 2011

The nanoindentation and nanoscratch behavior under ramp loading conditions of three dense bulk alumina ceramic samples with average grain size regimes of ~290 nm, 750 nm, and 1.3 μm, respectively, has been investigated using a nanoindenterXPSsystem in indentation and scratch modes. The mechanical behavior, including hardness from nanoindentation tests, scratch hardness, scratch resistance, and coefficient of friction from nanoscratch tests, can be improved with grain refinement. Moreover, the surface roughness of the scratch grooves and the distinct morphologies of the nanoscratch debris from each sample reveal that alumina ceramic samples with ultrafine grain size exhibit an increase in plastic deformation capability at the nano‐ and micro‐scale.
Muscle fatigue experienced during maximal eccentric exercise is predictive of the plasma creatine kinase (CK) response
Authors: Hody S. , Rogister B. , Leprince P. , Wang F. , Croisier J.‐L.
Published: November 2011

Unaccustomed eccentric exercise may cause skeletal muscle damage with an increase in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. Although the wide variability among individuals in CK response to standardized lengthening contractions has been well described, the reasons underlying this phenomenon have not yet been understood. Therefore, this study investigated a possible correlation of the changes in muscle damage indirect markers after an eccentric exercise with the decline in muscle performance during the exercise. Twenty‐seven healthy untrained male subjects performed three sets of 30 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the knee extensors. The muscular work was recorded using an isokinetic dynamometer to assess muscle fatigue by means of various fatigue indices. Plasma CK activity, muscle soreness, and stiffness were measured before (pre) and one day after (post) exercise. The eccentric exercise bout induced significant changes of the three muscle damage indirect markers. Large inter‐subject variability was observed for all criteria measured. More interestingly, the log (CKpost/CKpre) and muscle stiffness appeared to be closely correlated with the relative work decrease (r = 0.84, r2 = 0.70 and r = 0.75, r2 = 0.56, respectively). This is the first study to propose that the muscle fatigue profile during maximal eccentric protocol could predict the magnitude of the symptoms associated with muscle damage in humans.
Dental injuries in water polo, a survey of players in Switzerland
Authors: Hersberger Silvan , Krastl Gabriel , Kühl Sebastian , Filippi Andreas
Published: November 2011

Abstract –  Water polo is a sporting activity which has a medium risk of causing dental trauma. Owing to the high speed, close body contact, and the combination of throwing and swimming that is inherent to the sport, the general injury potential is high. Using a standardized questionnaire for a total of 415 water polo players from Switzerland, this study examines the frequency of dental and facial injuries in water polo, athletes’ habits regarding the wearing of mouthguards, and the general level of knowledge about emergency procedures following dental trauma. The participating players came from 6 divisions: Swiss national leagues A and B, first and second leagues, as well as the women’s, and junior’s league. The data were evaluated according to division and gender. Of the 415 interviewees, 185 (44.6%) had witnessed a dental injury in water polo. Eighty‐seven (21.0%) players reported having suffered a tooth injury when playing water polo. Tooth fracture was the most stated dental injury [86 (16.4%)]. A similar number of tooth injuries were experienced by both male [355 (21.1%)] and female [60 (20.0%)] players. The interviewees over the age of 50 showed a higher incidence of tooth injuries than younger players (>50 years = 41.7%). Slightly more than half of the interviewed players [228 (54.9%)] were aware of the possibility of replanting avulsed teeth. As few as 43 (10.4%) players were familiar with tooth rescue boxes. Only 32 (7.7%) water polo players wore a mouthguard; the most common reason for not wearing a mouthguard was that it was seen to be unnecessary [169 (40.7%)]. This survey highlights the potential for improvement in the level of knowledge about dental injury prevention in water polo. In addition to information and guidelines from the relevant sports’ associations, and coaches, dentists could also play a role in the provision of this education.
Cost‐intensive, time‐consuming, problematical? How physicians in private practice experience the care of urticaria patients
Authors: Weller Karsten , Viehmann Kristina , Bräutigam Matthias , Krause Karoline , Siebenhaar Frank , Zuberbier Torsten , Maurer Marcus
Published: November 2011

Background: Urticaria is a common and frequently debilitating disease. Nevertheless, there are only few studies examining the situation of urticaria patient care.

Patients and Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, we surveyed dermatologists, pediatricians and general practitioners in the practice setting regarding the epidemiology, situation of care as well as the perception of their patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Results: 776 data sets were available. The results show a high frequency of consultations due to chronic spontaneous urticaria. Most of the patients were reported to suffer moderately to severely and to have had history of disease of well over one year. The pediatricians indicated fewer diseases and shorter courses. The majority of participants stated that the time and cost spent on care, as well as the frequency of follow‐up visits, are above average. In addition, chronic spontaneous urticaria patients were reported to be a group with a strong emotional burden and high expectations as well as a group that is difficult to satisfy and hard to guide. Only a small minority of physicians rated patient satisfaction with current treatment options and therapy success as high.

Conclusions: Chronic spontaneous urticaria plays an important role in daily practice. Problems are reported on various areas of care. Resolving these problems presents a major challenge and is crucial for improving the quality of patient care.
The forward march
Authors: Hobsbawm Eric , Rutherford Jonathan
Published: November 2011

‘The most promising road forward for the left is to attack the failure of our economies to understand the depth of the crisis of capitalism,’ says Eric Hobsbawm in conversation with Jonathan Rutherford.
Project Cameron
Authors: Gamble Andrew
Published: November 2011

Andrew Gamble investigates the rise of David Cameron and the resurrection of the Conservatives, and considers whether the current prime minister is developing a political project akin to Mrs Thatcher's.
Cognitive‐Psychomotor Functions and Nutritional Status in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: Are They Related?
Authors: Radić Josipa , Ljutic Dragan , Radić Mislav , Kovacic Vedran , Ćurković Katarina Dodig , Sain Milenka
Published: November 2011

Both cognitive impairment and malnutrition are common in hemodialysis patients and associated with adverse clinical outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate performance on a detailed cognitive and psychomotor battery in maintenance hemodialysis patients in correlation to nutritional status. A selected population of 65 adult (20 females and 45 males, aged 57.84 ± 12.28 years) hemodialysis (4.78 ± 3.62 years) patients were investigated. The total time of test solving was correlated with Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS) in tests of simple visual discrimination of signal location (r = 0.215, P = 0.042), simple convergent visual orientation (r = 0.262, P = 0.020), and convergent thinking (r = 0.244, P = 0.034). The minimum time of test solving was also correlated with DMS in the test of simple convergent visual orientation (r = 0.227, P = 0.038), and in the test of convergent thinking (r = 0.223, P = 0.048). Total ballast, as a descriptor of stability in reaction time, was correlated with DMS in the test of simple visual discrimination of signal location (r = 0.281, P = 0.012), and in a test of short term memory actualization (r = 0.239, P = 0.028). Furthermore, significant correlation was noted between body mass index, serum creatinine, total cholesterol and albumin level with cognitive–psychomotor performance. Hemodialysis patients with a poorer nutritional status performed worse on cognitive and psychomotor tests. Further research is needed to assess the effects of treating malnutrition on cognitive–psychomotor performance in these patients.
Neoliberalism, Transnational Education Norms, and Education Spending in the Developing World, 1983–2004
Authors: Kim Minzee , Boyle Elizabeth Heger
Published: November 2011

Using the case of education, we consider how global cultural and economic forces affect national education spending policies. Our analysis includes both an historical analysis of the construction and transformation of ideas about education at the global level and a statistical assessment of the implementation of conflicting approaches to state education funding within countries. In the historical analysis, we show how the idea of free education, although institutionalized in international law, was subject to powerful challenges from international financial institutions, which advocated user fees for public services, including education. Ultimately, the principle of free education prevailed despite the financial clout behind the opposing view. Using data from poor- and middle-income countries from 1983 to 2004, we also show that the presence of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) advocating child rights was linked to an increase in the levels of state funding for education. This suggests that embeddedness in global discourses, as evidenced by country-specific linkages to INGOs, is critical in making governments more accountable for supporting institutionalized ideas concerning education.
Distiller’s dried grains with solubles as an alternative protein source in diets of tilapia
Authors: Lim Chhorn , Li Erchao , Klesius Phillip H.
Published: November 2011

Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a dried residue that remains after the fermentation of grain mash by selected yeasts and enzymes to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide, is currently readily available and less expensive than other conventional protein sources on a per unit protein basis. The nutrient content and nutritional value of DDGS varies with the source and quality of the grains, fermentation time and efficiency, the drying process and the quantity of distiller’s solubles added. In general, corn and wheat DDGS are deficient in lysine and methionine for tilapia, with lysine being the most limiting. Research evaluating the nutritional value of DDGS showed that 20–30% DDGS derived from corn or wheat can be included in tilapia diets without requiring lysine supplementation. With supplementation of lysine, DDGS at levels of 40% or higher can be used without affecting growth performance and feed utilization efficiency. Distiller’s dried grains with solubles also contain yeast, a rich source of beta glucan and nucleotides that have been reported to enhance immunity and disease resistance in fish. Corn DDGS, owing to its high oil content, is rich in linoleic acid and is an excellent source of energy and essential fatty acids for tilapia. High concentrations of xanthophylls present in corn DDGS may impart yellow pigment in fish flesh if included at high levels. Taking into consideration various factors affecting the nutritional value of diets and the quality of pellet and fish products, 15–20% DDGS appears to be optimum in the diets of tilapia.
Identification of a Mycoplasma ovis‐like organism in a herd of farmed white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in rural Indiana
Authors: Boes Katie M. , Goncarovs Kristina O. , Thompson Craig A. , Halik Lindsay A. , Santos Andrea P. , Guimaraes Ana M. S. , Feutz Marybeth Miskovic , Holman Patricia J. , Vemulapalli Ramesh , Messick Joanne B.
Published: November 2011

Mycoplasma ovis is a hemoplasma parasite of sheep, goats, and reindeer; however, natural hemoplasma infection in white‐tailed deer has not previously been reported. Subsequent to finding many coccoid, bacillary, and ring‐shaped organisms, consistent with hemotropic mycoplasmas, on RBCs from a 72‐day‐old female white‐tailed fawn, we sought to (1) identify the putative hemoplasma observed in blood from the fawn, (2) evaluate others in the herd for hemoplasma infection, and (3) identify clinicopathologic characteristics of hemoplasma‐infected white‐tailed deer. EDTA‐anticoagulated whole blood was collected from the fawn and 8 apparently healthy does in the same herd. CBCs were performed on 7 nonclotted samples from the fawn and 6 does. DNA was extracted from all samples, followed by PCR amplification of bacterial (16S rDNA) and protozoal (18S rDNA) genes. The nearly complete 16S rDNA product from the fawn's sample was directly sequenced and compared with known sequences in the GenBank database. Samples from the fawn and 7 of 8 does were PCR‐positive using hemoplasma‐specific and M ovis‐specific protocols. The fawn was PCR‐negative for Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. The 16S rDNA sequence from the fawn (GenBank accession number, FJ824847) was most closely related to M ovis (AF338268), having 98.5% sequence identity. The fawn had a mild nonregenerative anemia, a neutrophilic left‐shift with toxic change, aspiration bronchopneumonia, and gastrointestinal disease. Hematologic values, including blood film evaluation, in infected does were unremarkable. The M ovis‐like organism may have acted as either an opportunistic or primary pathogen in the fawn. The high occurrence of subclinical infections in the does suggests that white‐tailed deer may act as wildlife reservoirs for M ovis.
Cachexia and Sarcopenia: Emerging Syndromes of Importance in Dogs and Cats
Authors: Freeman L.M.
Published: November 2011

Cachexia is the loss of lean body mass (LBM) that affects a large proportion of dogs and cats with congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer, and a variety of other chronic diseases. Sarcopenia, the loss ofLBMthat occurs with aging, is a related syndrome, although sarcopenia occurs in the absence of disease. As many of the diseases associated with muscle loss are more common in aging, cachexia and sarcopenia often are concurrent problems. Both cachexia and sarcopenia have important clinical implications because they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of these 2 syndromes is complex and multifactorial, but recent studies have provided new information that has helped to clarify mechanisms and identify potential new targets for treatment. Newly identified mechanisms and pathways that mediate cachexia appear to act by increasing energy requirements, decreasing energy intake, impairing nutrient absorption, and causing metabolic alterations. Whereas cachexia and sarcopenia are important areas of research for drug development in people, they are only beginning to be recognized in veterinary medicine. Greater awareness and earlier diagnosis will help provide practical approaches to managing body weight and lean tissue in dogs and cats, as well as more directed targets for treatment.
Measurement of Effective Fluid Bulk Modulus in Hydraulic System
Authors: Yang Huayong , Feng Bin , Gong Guofang
Published: November 2011

Effective fluid bulk modulus has significant influence on the stiffness and dynamic performance of hydraulic systems. It is always varied with different working parameters as air content, fluid pressure, and temperature. To estimating effective bulk modulus accurately is very important when designing high performance hydraulic systems. In this study, a measuring device was developed based on the definition of bulk modulus, and the measurement accuracy was estimated. Experiments were carried out using L-HM46 antiwear hydraulic fluid at approximately constant temperature, the results show that the good repeatability and pressure resolution can be achieved. Results also show that when pressure is low, the bulk modulus increases strongly as pressure increases; pressures over 8.5 MPa have slight influence on the bulk modulus. Effective fluid bulk modulus can be expressed as a function of working pressure when the air content is certain.
Ni3Al and NiAl by XPS
Authors: Ohtsu Naofumi , Nomura Akiko , Shishido Toetsu
Published: November 2011

Core- and valence-band levels XPS spectra of Ni3Al and NiAl including the energy loss parts were obtained for an in-situ fractured surface. Polycrystalline Ni3Al and NiAl were prepared by arc melting under argon atmosphere; this was followed by annealing at pressures less than 2.0 × 10−3 Pa.
Implementing a newly proposed Monte Carlo based small field dosimetry formalism for a comprehensive set of diode detectors
Authors: Cranmer‐Sargison G. , Weston S. , Evans J. A. , Sidhu N. P. , Thwaites D. I.
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

The goal of this work was to implement a recently proposed small field dosimetry formalism [Alfonsoet al., Med. Phys. 35(12), 5179–5186 (2008)] for a comprehensive set of diode detectors and provide the required Monte Carlo generated factors to correct measurement.

Methods:

Jaw collimated square small field sizes of side 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and 3.0 cm normalized to a reference field of 5.0 cm × 5.0 cm were used throughout this study. Initial linac modeling was performed with electron source parameters at 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2 MeV with the Gaussian FWHM decreased in steps of 0.010 cm from 0.150 to 0.100 cm. DOSRZnrc was used to develop models of the IBA stereotactic field diode (SFD) as well as the PTW T60008, T60012, T60016, and T60017 field diodes. Simulations were run and isocentric, detector specific, output ratios (ORdet) calculated at depths of 1.5, 5.0, and 10.0 cm. This was performed using the following source parameter subset: 6.1 and 6.2 MeV with a FWHM = 0.100, 0.110, and 0.120 cm. The source parameters were finalized by comparing experimental detector specific output ratios with simulation. Simulations were then run with the active volume and surrounding materials set to water and the replacement correction factors calculated according to the newly proposed formalism.

Results:

In all cases, the experimental field size widths (at the 50% level) were found to be smaller than the nominal, and therefore, the simulated field sizes were adjusted accordingly. At a FWHM = 0.150 cm simulation produced penumbral widths that were too broad. The fit improved as the FWHM was decreased, yet for all but the smallest field size worsened again at a FWHM = 0.100 cm. The simulated ORdet were found to be greater than, equivalent to and less than experiment for spot size FWHM = 0.100, 0.110, and 0.120 cm, respectively. This is due to the change in source occlusion as a function of FWHM and field size. The corrections required for the 0.5 cm field size were 0.95 (±1.0%) for the SFD, T60012 and T60017 diodes and 0.90 (±1.0%) for the T60008 and T60016 diodes—indicating measured output ratios to be 5% and 10% high, respectively. Our results also revealed the correction factors to be the same within statistical variation at all depths considered.

Conclusions:

A number of general conclusions are evident: (1) small field ORdet are very sensitive to the simulated source parameters, and therefore, rigorous Monte Carlo linac model commissioning, with respect to measurement, must be pursued prior to use, (2) backscattered dose to the monitor chamber should be included in simulated ORdet calculations, (3) the corrections required for diode detectors are design dependent and therefore detailed detector modeling is required, and (4) the reported detector specific correction factors may be applied to experimental small field ORdet consistent with those presented here.
Potential of discrete Gaussian edge feathering method for improving abutment dosimetry in eMLC‐delivered segmented‐field electron conformal therapy
Authors: Eley John G. , Hogstrom Kenneth R. , Matthews Kenneth L. , Parker Brent C. , Price Michael J.
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

The purpose of this work was to investigate the potential of discrete Gaussian edge feathering of the higher energy electron fields for improving abutment dosimetry in the planning volume when using an electron multileaf collimator (eMLC) to deliver segmented‐field electron conformal therapy (ECT).

Methods:

A discrete (five‐step) Gaussian edge spread function was used to match dose penumbras of differing beam energies (6–20 MeV) at a specified depth in a water phantom. Software was developed to define the leaf eMLC positions of an eMLC that most closely fit each electron field shape. The effect of 1D edge feathering of the higher energy field on dose homogeneity was computed and measured for segmented‐field ECT treatment plans for three 2D PTVs in a water phantom, i.e., depth from the water surface to the distal PTV surface varied as a function of thex‐axis (parallel to leaf motion) and remained constant along the y‐axis (perpendicular to leaf motion). Additionally, the effect of 2D edge feathering was computed and measured for one radially symmetric, 3D PTV in a water phantom, i.e., depth from the water surface to the distal PTV surface varied as a function of both axes. For the 3D PTV, the feathering scheme was evaluated for 0.1–1.0‐cm leaf widths. Dose calculations were performed using the pencil beam dose algorithm in the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system. Dose verification measurements were made using a prototype eMLC (1‐cm leaf width).

Results:

1D discrete Gaussian edge feathering reduced the standard deviation of dose in the 2D PTVs by 34, 34, and 39%. In the 3D PTV, the broad leaf width (1 cm) of the eMLC hindered the 2D application of the feathering solution to the 3D PTV, and the standard deviation of dose increased by 10%. However, 2D discrete Gaussian edge feathering with simulated eMLC leaf widths of 0.1–0.5 cm reduced the standard deviation of dose in the 3D PTV by 33–28%, respectively.

Conclusions:

A five‐step discrete Gaussian edge spread function applied in 2D improves the abutment dosimetry but requires an eMLC leaf resolution better than 1 cm.
Automated image‐based colon cleansing for laxative‐free CT colonography computer‐aided polyp detection
Authors: George Linguraru Marius , Panjwani Neil , G. Fletcher Joel , M. Summers Ronald
Published: November 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a computer‐aided detection (CAD) system for detecting colonic polyps at noncathartic computed tomography colonography (CTC) in conjunction with an automated image‐based colon cleansing algorithm.Methods: An automated colon cleansing algorithm was designed to detect and subtract tagged‐stool, accounting for heterogeneity and poor tagging, to be used in conjunction with a colon CAD system. The method is locally adaptive and combines intensity, shape, and texture analysis with probabilistic optimization. CTC data from cathartic‐free bowel preparation were acquired for testing and training the parameters. Patients underwent various colonic preparations with barium or Gastroview in divided doses over 48 h before scanning. No laxatives were administered and no dietary modifications were required. Cases were selected from a polyp‐enriched cohort and included scans in which at least 90% of the solid stool was visually estimated to be tagged and each colonic segment was distended in either the prone or supine view. The CAD system was run comparatively with and without the stool subtraction algorithm.Results: The dataset comprised 38 CTC scans from prone and/or supine scans of 19 patients containing 44 polyps larger than 10 mm (22 unique polyps, if matched between prone and supine scans). The results are robust on fine details around folds, thin‐stool linings on the colonic wall, near polyps and in large fluid/stool pools. The sensitivity of the CAD system is 70.5% per polyp at a rate of 5.75 false positives/scan without using the stool subtraction module. This detection improved significantly (p = 0.009) after automated colon cleansing on cathartic‐free data to 86.4% true positive rate at 5.75 false positives/scan.Conclusions: An automated image‐based colon cleansing algorithm designed to overcome the challenges of the noncathartic colon significantly improves the sensitivity of colon CAD by approximately 15%.
A connectionist study on the role of pitch in infant-directed speech
Authors: Gauthier Bruno , Shi Rushen
Published: November 2011

Infant-directed speech (IDS) is believed to facilitate language learning. However, the benefit may be either due to clearer acoustic correlates to linguistic structures, or simply increased attention from infants induced by IDS exaggerated prosody. This study investigated the pure effect of IDS pitch on lexical tone learning, with attentional/affective factors removed by using artificial neural networks. Following training with the pitch of Mandarin tones in IDS versus adult-directed speech, the networks yielded equal tonal categorization for both registers. IDS pitch produced no additional linguistic support. IDS pitch appears to strictly play the non-linguistic role of attention/affect, which may indirectly benefit learning.
Asymmetric glottal jet deflection: Differences of two- and three-dimensional models
Authors: Mattheus Willy , Brücker Christoph
Published: November 2011

Flow is studied through a channel with an oscillating orifice mimicking the motion of the glottal-gap during phonation. Simulations with prescribed flow and wall-motion are carried out for different orifice geometries, a 2D slit-like and a 3D lens-like one. Although the jet emerges from a symmetric orifice a significant deflection occurs in case of the slit-like geometry, contrary to the 3D lens-like one. The results demonstrate the dependency of jet entrainment and vortex dynamics on the orifice geometry and the interpretation of asymmetric jet deflection with regard to the relevance of the Coanda effect in the process of human phonation.
Ric-8 Proteins Are Molecular Chaperones That Direct Nascent G Protein α Subunit Membrane Association
Authors: Gabay Meital , Pinter Mary E. , Wright Forrest A. , Chan PuiYee , Murphy Andrew J. , Valenzuela David M. , Yancopoulos George D. , Tall Gregory G.
Published: November 2011

Control of the insertion of G protein α subunits into endomembranes by Ric-8 proteins regulates the abundance and function of heterotrimeric G proteins.
Hedgehog Signaling and the Gli Code in Stem Cells, Cancer, and MetastasesA Presentation from the 1st International HEALING Meeting: Hh-Gli Signaling in Development, Regeneration, and Disease, Kolymbari, Crete, 23 to 25 June 2011.
Authors: Ruiz i Altaba Ariel
Published: November 2011

Hedgehog signaling and the oncogenic load promote stem cell–like behavior and metastasis by influencing the balance between activator and repressor functions of Gli transcription factors.
A Scaffold for Neurodevelopment
Authors: Adler Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2011

DISC1, a susceptibility gene for neuropsychiatric disorders, interacts with various partners to influence distinct aspects of neurodevelopment.