bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endovascular repair of arteriovenous fistula after microendoscopic discectomy and lamino-foraminotomy
Authors: Cape Hunter , Balaban Dahlia Y , Moloney Michael
Published: April 2014

The last two decades have seen increasing adoption of minimally invasive approaches to lumbar disc herniation management. As with many new advances in surgery, the risk profile of these contemporary approaches has yet to be well defined. We present the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with decreasing exercise tolerance over a 6-month period after microendoscopic lumbar discectomy and lamino-foraminotomy. Subsequent work-up revealed a large fistula between his right common iliac artery and inferior vena cava, resulting in high-output cardiac failure. This was managed well with an endovascular approach. This case highlights the importance of complication cognizance for patients who undergo minimally invasive lumbar disc surgery, as serious consequences can occur.
“Exchange lost” in leader–member exchange theory and research: A critique and a reconceptualization
Authors: Sheer Vivian C
Published: April 2014

Several problems have persisted in the voluminous body of leader–member exchange (LMX) literature. The most salient problem is the absence of an explicit conceptual definition of LMX in earlier theoretical works and later research. In general, LMX is treated as attributes of the leader and the leader–member relationship rather than interaction-based exchange behavior. The lack of clarity in conceptual definition has led to LMX instruments that measure a hodgepodge of leader and relationship attributes other than LMX. Consequently, findings gleaned with different LMX measures cannot be synthesized meaningfully. This essay introduces a reconceptualization of LMX as a behavior-based construct that consists of four exchange aspects: tangible work, tangible social, work communication, and social communication. A systematic approach to creating a valid measure (LMX-Behavior) is proposed for future research.
Health-promoting schools: working in partnership to address global needs, a collaboration leading to the production of practical tools for practitioners
Authors: Young Ian , Leger Lawrence , Blanchard Claire
Published: April 2014

Modern schools do their best to motivate young people to live fulfilling, healthy and productive lives and the United Nations has put school education at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals. The context of education in schools is changing, but there is evidence from across the world that school health promotion can make a difference to health and education outcomes. The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) has recognized this potential in schools and, for the last five years in its work globally, has been actively engaged in strengthening efforts through successful partnerships. This commentary explores aspects of global partnerships in school health and the progress of the IUHPE’s leadership and partnership work in school health promotion. It also provides some reflections on what has been achieved to date and what might lie ahead in school health promotion globally.
Learning from communities in the USA and England to promote equity and address the social determinants of health
Authors: Blanchard Claire , Gibbs Martin , Narle Ginder , Brookes Chris
Published: April 2014

This commentary contextualises and documents the process of a twinning learning exchange between the US Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health initiative and the Communities for Health initiative in England to enable the transfer and adaptation of ideas for similar community-focused initiatives in various contexts globally. The multi-partner twinning exchange built on and shared knowledge around community health promotion interventions, targeting ‘marginalised’ populations and focused on addressing the social determinants of health to effectively reduce health inequalities. This commentary presents the methodology of the exchange; provides key themes, outcomes and lessons learnt that arose from discussions and the experience; and provides insights, considerations and recommendations for adaptation. Finally, it highlights the importance of such exchanges in the current global context and the need for their replication and adaptation. These experiences contribute to building the evidence base on successful interventions and identifying strategies that work for improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. They strengthen the need for all governments to address the social determinants of health as a priority whilst providing insights to inform successful policy. (Global Health Promotion, 2013; 20 Supp. 4: 104–112).
NCDs, health promotion and public health
Authors: McQueen David V.
Published: April 2014

Though not necessarily using the same terminology historically, people concerned with the public’s health have long been addressing the social context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the actions of promoting health. This commentary places the current interest in NCDs within that history and discusses the challenges that continue to face institutions in dealing with NCDs. It makes a particular plea for the role of health promotion as the area of public health that takes actions to address the global burden of NCDs. Without a health promotion focus, we will just continue to describe the NCD burden rather than reduce it.
Towards a global framework for capacity building for non-communicable disease advocacy in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Shilton Trevor , Champagne Beatriz , Blanchard Claire , Ibarra Lorena , Kasesmup Vijj
Published: April 2014

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent an increasing proportion of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Sustained advocacy, carried out by a skilled workforce, is an important strategy to realize the political will and implement the policy changes necessary to reduce the global burden of NCDs. Competencies for effective advocacy include a combination of scientific and technical as well as communication-based skills. Recognizing the need to build local capacity for NCD advocacy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the InterAmerican Heart Foundation joined efforts to conduct two pilot advocacy courses, one in Thailand and one in Colombia. A Global Advisory Group engaged a Local Organizing Committee in each country to ensure the courses would meet the needs of the local stakeholders. While both courses contained a set of key competencies and helped participants develop joint strategies for moving forward with consensus advocacy targets, the courses differed in content and participant background depending on the local context.

A key goal of the courses was to determine and describe the lessons learned and make recommendations for a framework to be used for future advocacy capacity-building activities in LMIC. The planning and execution of each course generated lessons in the following five areas that informed the development of a global framework for capacity building for NCD advocacy: 1) using a comprehensive theoretical framework to teach advocacy competencies, 2) engaging key stakeholders, 3) meeting local needs and priorities, 4) planning local logistics, and 5) ensuring the skills obtained through training are applied to sustained advocacy for NCDs.
Physical activity, nutrition and behavior change in Latin America: a systematic review
Authors: Finck Barboza Carolyn , Monteiro Sarojini M. D. R. , Barradas Susana C. , Sarmiento Olga L. , Rios Paola , Ramirez Andrea , Mahecha Maria P. , Pratt Michael
Published: April 2014

Physical activity (PA) and nutrition are key health behaviors underlying the design and implementation of prevention strategies for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Latin America. Nevertheless, research still reports low prevalence of PA and fruit and vegetable consumption throughout the region. This paper aims at reviewing the ways in which models of behavior change theory have been applied in study development and implementation regarding nutrition and PA in Latin America. In August 2011 we conducted a systematic literature review of the behavior change studies that targeted such NCDs risk factors published until then. Out of 4279 surveyed abstracts, only 29 corresponded to articles that met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-six articles reported the application of behavior change theory, with the trans-theoretical model ( n = 12) being the most frequently used. Other theories and models included the socio-ecological model ( n = 4), cognitive theory ( n = 3), social cognitive theory ( n = 2) and theories related to health education and counseling ( n = 5). Based on this review, we recommend that the application of behavior change theory be explicitly reported in Latin American peer-reviewed articles, and that outcome evaluations include behavior change constructs so as to better assess their contribution to the effectiveness of nutrition and PA interventions in the region. Furthermore, we state the need for a better understanding of the behavior change mechanisms that may be specific to the Latin American context.
Improving policy and practice to promote equity and social justice – a qualitative comparative analysis building on key learnings from a twinning exchange between England and the US
Authors: Blanchard Claire , Narle Ginder , Gibbs Martin , Ruddock Charmaine , Grady Michael , Brookes Chris , Hopkins Trevor , Norwood Jayne
Published: April 2014

Community health promotion interventions, targeted at marginalised populations and focusing on addressing the social determinants of health (SDH) to reduce health inequalities and addressing the processes of exclusion, are an important strategy to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote the health of underprivileged and under-resourced groups. This article builds on key lessons learnt from a learning exchange between Communities for Health in England and the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health across the US (REACH US) communities that are tackling health inequities. It presents a qualitative analysis further capturing information about specific community interventions involved in the exchange and identifying lessons learnt. This exchange was led by a partnership between the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, the Department of Health of England, Health Action Partnership International, and Learning for Public Health West Midlands. These efforts provide interesting insights for further research, priority areas of action for policy and practice to address the SDH and to promote and sustain equity and social justice globally. The article highlights some key lessons about the use of data, assets-based community interventions and the importance of good leadership in times of crisis and adversity. Whilst complex and time-consuming to arrange, such programmes have the potential to offer other countries including the global south new insights and perspectives that will in turn contribute to the SDH field and provide concrete strategies and actions that effectively reduce inequities and promote the health of our societies. The key learnings have the potential to contribute to the global community and growing documentation on evidence of effective efforts in the reduction of health inequities.
Improving Type 1 Diabetes Management With Mobile Tools
Authors: Peterson Adam
Published: April 2014

Background:

This study aims to provide a better understanding of the ability of mobile health tools to offer glycemic control for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

Data gained from research articles searched in PubMed, Ovid (Medline), and CINAHL from 2005 to 2013 focused on interventions introduced to a type 1 diabetic population. Articles were screened to identify interventions that examined mobile health tools effect on glycemic control using %A1C as a proxy. Fourteen articles were included in this study. Descriptive data, %A1C difference, and statistical significance, if available, were extracted for comparison.

Results:

Five major categories were identified across the spectrum of interventions, including “Internet,” “Mobile,” “Mobile and Internet,” “Phone,” and “Videoconference and phone.” Seven of the 14 articles reported statistically significant decreases in measured outcomes. Seven studies examine a single cohort, and 7 examined a double cohort. Eleven of the 14 authors (79%) reported success with their intervention. Twelve studies reported a decrease in %A1C values in their intervention groups.

Conclusions:

Initial results for glycemic control through these tools appear promising, though inconclusive. Additional measures of mobile health tool efficacy should be assessed more directly. More rigorous study methods are also needed to improve the reliability of results.
A Systemic Framework for Sustaining Technology Integration in Educational Settings
Authors: Hsu Pi-Sui , Sharma Priya
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for sustaining technology integration in educational settings. The framework is developed based on a review of other frameworks as well as supplemental findings of a recent research study. The framework describes constant and essential influences for sustenance of a change process and is explicated to inform change mechanisms in terms of planning and implementation of technology integration. Various technology integration change models are initially reviewed, followed by a discussion of the specific framework that emerged via a research study. The framework describes three major components from the research study, which include people, process activities, and systems. The dynamics of the three major components are described with a number of guidelines for managing three components in the technology integration change process.
Merging with the Machines: Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and the Law of Exponential Growth
Authors: Kurzweil Ray
Published: April 2014

This is Part I of a two-part interview with author and inventor Ray Kurzweil. His many books include The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence (Viking, 1999), The Singularity Is Near (Viking, 2005), and his most recent, co-authored with Terry Grossman, Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever (Rodale, 2009). He is the co-founder (along with X Prize Foundation chairman and CEO Peter Diamandis) of Singularity University.

A documentary film about Kurzweil, Transcendent Man, had its premiere in 2009, and Kurzweil's own movie version of The Singularity Is Near, featuring commentary from Marvin Minsky, Alvin Toffler, and others, is set to appear at film festivals in 2010. He is to be a keynote speaker at WorldFuture 2010.
Humans and Machines: A New World Order?
Authors: Marien Michael
Published: April 2014

The whole panorama of technological progress undergoes scrutiny by technologists Braden Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz in The Techno-Human Condition. The authors note how innovations in every field stand to change not only life, but society and human nature itself, in decades ahead. Parting ways with both technophiles and technophobes, they recognize technology-driven change as inevitable but demand the use of ethics and common sense to manage its growth.
Michio Kaku's Religion of Physics
Authors: Michael George
Published: April 2014

The scientific worldview of Michio Kaku—a prominent theoretical physicist and popularizer of science—can be viewed as a humanistic religion based on the principles of physics and how they relate to humanity's place in the cosmos. In a sense, he follows in the tradition of Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Albert Einstein, all of whom searched for the secret rules on which the universe runs. Their pursuit of science was not unlike a religious quest, insofar as they believed that by exposing the patterns underlying nature, they could read the mind of God. Numerous religious motifs feature prominently in Kaku's narrative of science and futurology, including a creation myth, a period of tribulation, an eschatology and salvation through science.
Will Psychological Disorders Afflict Uploaded Personalities?
Authors: Tonn Bruce
Published: April 2014

Uploading human minds into computer systems is an intriguing concept. Will this process become part of our evolutionary future? This paper begins by arguing that successfully replicating human minds in virtual environments will require more than computing power and the ability to transfer the information content of neural connections into computer memory. Virtual minds must also be equipped with certain properties of the human biological mind that may prove to be not easily transferable. These include psychological motivations and even our collective unconsciousness. Lacking these, virtual minds could suffer from a wide range of serious psychological disorders. Efforts to treat such disorders with “program” fixes would invalidate any plausible claim that a virtual mind had the same ‘identity’ as its biological ancestor, and also raise perplexing ethical issues. The paper next provides a theoretical psychological framework for these assertions, and goes on to explore nine specific psychological disorders that could afflict virtual personalities. The paper then concludes by identifying several ethical issues that might arise from attempts to “fix” the psychological problems of virtual personalities.

Uploading would involve first freezing a brain, then slicing it, then scanning the slices with some high- resolution scanning technique, then using automated image processing software to reconstruct and tag a very detailed 3-D map of the original brain. The map would show all the neurons, the matrix of their synaptic interconnections, the strengths of these connections, and other relevant detail. Using computational models of how these basic elements operate, the whole brain could then be emulated on a sufficiently capacious computer.—Nick Bostrom (2004)
An Elite Hybrid Crime Fighting Force for California Neighborhoods
Authors: Bianco Joe
Published: April 2014

Defining the future differs from analyzing the past, because it has not yet happened. In this article, methodologies have been used to help identify useful alternatives to traditional Neighborhood Watch programs that can enhance the success of planners and leaders in their response to a range of possible future environments.
The Last (Fertile) Man on Earth
Authors: Grech Victor , Vassallo Clare , Callus Ivan
Published: April 2014

The trope of infertility in science fiction may be explored through the theme of a single fertile man remaining on earth, with the fate of the entire species devolving on this one single individual. The article will review narratives that deal with this premise, and will outline the obvious, the not so obvious, and the even potentially comic outcomes that arise from the overturning of the usual male-chasing-female paradigm.
The Fourth Singularity and the Future of Jobs
Authors: Higgins James M.
Published: April 2014

In recent years, millions of U.S. jobs have been outsourced to other countries with very low-wage rates. Moreover, a recent study noted that 40 percent of the jobs that remain in America are low-income jobs. This trend is not going away, and in fact is spreading. Even nations like China and India are beginning to find outsourcing profitable. As robots and computer systems become capable of more and more complex tasks, that once provided satisfying and well-paying jobs to humans, new approaches must be found to preserve the middle class as we know it in America. Although no complete solution appears feasible, this article offers suggestions for actions that government and businesses can take that may help mitigate the effects of outsourcing and slow the replacement of humans by machines in the white-collar workforce.
Future Economics that Could Change (Almost) Everything
Authors: Blodgett James
Published: April 2014

Automation has increased well-being because it has increased productivity, and most people who have been displaced have been able to find jobs that made better use of their human skills. This cycle may end if machines are developed that can do almost everything better than humans, so that there are few remaining jobs that require human skills. If this happens, continued increases in well-being for the average person will require adjustment of our economic system.
Achieving Happiness in a Sustainable World
Authors: Kuo Gioietta , Jennings Lane
Published: April 2014

Modern science offers grounds for optimism concerning human comfort and well-being in the decades ahead. Yet, forces in nature and society still threaten to create conditions of worldwide physical and economic hardship unparalleled in recorded history. If, without despairing, we accept as a working hypothesis the likelihood that resource depletion and climate change will make deep and lasting changes in Earth’s geography and traditional social order, we can still find ways to keep alive the never-fully-realized aspirations that make life worth living. Drawing examples from human history and proposing novel attitudes and values, the authors argue that human beings can indeed survive and even manage to achieve lasting happiness in a future world of greatly diminished prospects and far fewer material comforts.
Twelve Mega-Uncertainties for the Decades Ahead
Authors: Marien Michael
Published: April 2014

This article outlines a dozen big and overlapping uncertainties that deserve to be addressed as serious concerns by anyone engaged in long-range planning. Authoritative reference works relating to each of these often overlooked or underrated concerns are noted.
A Systemic Solution to Achieving Green Transition
Authors: Jin Zhouying , Hunter Kenneth
Published: April 2014

At a time when the gap between rich and poor is growing, and widespread economic instabilities are severe, people are placing great hopes on the effort to develop a global green economy. Yet 60 percent of the ecosystem goods that support human life and well-being have already been degraded or are currently being used in an unsustainable manner. By comparing problems and achievements relative to green development in two of the world’s most influential nations—the United States and China—this paper addresses the following related questions: “Where does the problem lie?” and “What should we do?” To help further promote dialog, we report on current conditions in China, as well as recent initiatives in the United States, and propose systemic and integrative approaches for developing green economies worldwide.
Meaningful Play
Authors: Bell-Gawne Keari , Stenerson Mark , Shapiro Ben , Squire Kurt
Published: April 2014

Interactive multiplayer simulation games have the potential to provide a more mature and statistically accurate approach to help better understand human behavior in relation to local environments and situated contexts. This could be used as a tool to better inform policy and research around environmental issues such as sustainability, food, and climate change. The Games Learning Society Center at the University of Wisconsin at Madison is currently working on an ecological simulation game, Trails Forward. In this game, three players, a lumber worker, a conservationist, and a housing developer, all work and compete within an accurate model of the Vilas county landscape. Trails Forward provides a template of how play in a simulated environment can inform our understandings of human behavior given real-world privileges and restrictions.
Privatize to Save the Fish
Authors: Kratz Bridget , Block Walter E.
Published: April 2014

Fish stocks have been depleting, due to the reasonable desire of nations and individuals to maximize their self-interest, which brings about overfishing. This problem, popularly known as the “tragedy of the commons,” is described here in detail, and several solutions are offered, including new regulations, Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs), that is, permits to harvest fish, and privatization of ocean regions. The authors support this third option.
The Provocative GT-2030 Report
Authors: Marien Michael
Published: April 2014

The important Global Trends report of the National Intelligence Council (NIC) orchestrates four “Megatrends,” six problem-area “Game-Changers,” eight “Black Swan” wild cards, and four “Alternative World” scenarios. An abstract of this framework for thinking about the future is provided here, followed by critical comments on “black swan downsizing” of the all-important climate change threat, and other NIC problems of selective perception and distorted priorities.
Methods of NIC’s Global Trends 2030
Authors: Gordon Theodore J.
Published: April 2014

The raw material from which the Global Trends 2030 report was derived came from commissioned papers, workshops, interviews, and feedback—all largely qualitative. In addition, a number of quantitative models were used to put numbers behind the ideas that came from the consultants. The synthesis of this information was performed by an individual (or the assembled team) to form megatrends, then a few game changers that could deflect those trends, then into potential worlds (the scenarios), and finally tested with “tectonic shifts” and “black swan” developments. Specific criticisms: the report itself has very meager information about the methods employed. Other methods of synthesis might have led to fresher, more quantitative, insights about the forecasts and policy opportunities. The future developments discussed in the report are not probabilistic nor are there effects stated in quantitative terms. Thus there was no measure of the depths of uncertainty associated with any of the forecasts. Similarly, there was no information about whether all of the experts agreed (unlikely) or what the disagreements might have been. The report was weak on policy; prescriptions for policies designed to improve the future were essentially absent. I was glad to see that black swans events were considered; however the black swans of the report are were all rather expected (e.g. climate change). A more imaginative set would have been welcome. Considerations of ethics and morality are also absent. Yet the report is useful and presents information worth pondering.
Global Trends 2030
Authors: Nilles Jack M.
Published: April 2014

The Global Trends 2030 Report is clearly the work of many hands, but little attention has been paid to determining the relative likelihood of different alternatives, or assessing the possible domino effects from important trends.
Global Trends 2030
Authors: Kapoor Rakesh
Published: April 2014

Although Global Trends 2030 (GT-2030) involved a global process of consultation, the report retains a U.S.-centric character. The report, otherwise comprehensive and well written, misses or underemphasizes some critical aspects. Climate change is the most important issue that the GT-2030 downplays. It deserved a much greater focus in this report because, as it acknowledges, “by 2030 the emissions trajectory will be cast, determining this century’s climate outcome.” The other trend that the GT-2030 does not emphasize enough is the conflicts based on religious or cultural identity and ideology on one hand, and the search for meaning and spirituality in a globalized and constantly changing world on the other. Finally, this article discusses the plausibility of the four scenarios suggested by GT-2030.
Context, socialization, and newcomer learning
Authors: Wang Mo , Kammeyer-Mueller John , Liu Yihao , Li Yixuan
Published: April 2014

In the current paper, we provide a formal taxonomy of the organizational context relevant to newcomer socialization. We also propose that what newcomers learn during socialization periods (i.e., socialization content) and how they could learn the new information and knowledge (i.e., socialization process) are two distinct but related aspects of newcomer socialization. Based on these conceptual developments, we establish a theoretical model that articulates the mechanisms via which different contextual factors may impact newcomer socialization content and socialization process. Implications and future directions related to this theoretical model are discussed.
Psychosocial Barriers to Follow-up Adherence After an Abnormal Cervical Cytology Test Result Among Low-Income, Inner-City Women
Authors: Hui Siu-kuen Azor , Miller Suzanne M. , Wen Kuang-Yi , Fang Zhu , Li Tianyu , Buzaglo Joanne , Hernandez Enrique
Published: April 2014

Objectives: Low-income, inner-city women bear a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer in both incidence and mortality rates in the United States, largely because of low adherence to follow-up recommendations after an abnormal cervical cytology result in the primary care setting. The goals of the present study were to delineate the theory-based psychosocial barriers underlying these persistent low follow-up rates and their sociodemographic correlates. Methods: Guided by a well-validated psychosocial theory of health behaviors, this cross-sectional, correlational study assessed the barriers to follow-up adherence among underserved women (N = 210) who received an abnormal cervical cytology result. Participants were recruited through an inner-city hospital colposcopy clinic, and were assessed by telephone prior to the colposcopy appointment. Results: Participants were largely of African American race (82.2%), lower than high school completion education (58.7%), single, never married (67.3%), and without full-time employment (64.1%). Knowledge barriers were most often endorsed (68%, M = 3.22), followed by distress barriers (64%, M = 3.09), and coping barriers (36%, M = 2.36). Forty-six percent reported more than one barrier category. Less education and being unemployed were correlated with higher knowledge barriers ( P < .0001 and P < .01, respectively) and more coping barriers ( P < .05 and P < .05, respectively). Women who were younger than 30 years displayed greater distress barriers ( P < .05). Conclusion: In the primary care setting, assessing and addressing knowledge and distress barriers after feedback of an abnormal cervical cytology result may improve adherence to follow-up recommendations. The use of structured counseling protocols and referral to navigational and other resources may facilitate this process and thereby reduce disparities in cervical cancer.
Valuation of Cultural and Natural Resources in North Cascades National Park
Authors: Turner Robert W. , Willmarth Blake
Published: April 2014

We present the results of a new, tournament-style design of a contingent choice survey about management options at North Cascades National Park (NCNP). In our tournament-style survey, each respondent explicitly ranks several sets of scenarios and, in addition, several other rankings are implicit. Inclusion of the implicit rankings leads to some differences in coefficient estimates but almost no differences in valuation measures. This suggests that the tournament-style format can increase the efficiency of estimates, although further investigation is needed. We find strong evidence of nonuse values for both cultural and natural resource protection; indeed, nonuse values seem to dominate preferences even for those who have visited NCNP. We further find that respondents in general seem to value the protection of natural resources more than the protection of cultural resources, although both are valuable.
The Development of Individualized Education Programs
Authors: Blackwell William H. , Rossetti Zachary S.
Published: April 2014

There are more than 6.6 million students with disabilities in U.S. public schools who receive special education services, which means that there are 6.6 million Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that have been developed and are being implemented at any given time. Each IEP represents real cost in educational opportunity, relationship building between families and schools, time, and resource allocation. Given this information, it is important to examine what we have learned from research on the development of IEPs, and to begin charting a new direction for research and practice related to IEP development. This literature review examines published, peer-reviewed research studies that have examined IEP development since the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The review concludes with a discussion of how findings from previous research on IEP development can inform future research agendas, educator practice, and federal and state policies.
Herpes Simplex Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Patient With Progression to Organizing Pneumonia
Authors: Mills Brooke , Ratra Atul , El-Bakush Amal , Kambali Shrinivas , Nugent Kenneth
Published: April 2014

Background. Organizing pneumonia is an uncommon diffuse interstitial lung disease that affects the terminal and respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli. Most cases are idiopathic, but some are associated with infections. We present an uncommon case of organizing pneumonia associated with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Case. A 39-year-old man with hypertension presented with dyspnea, fever, and productive cough for 2 weeks. He was treated for 5 days for acute bronchitis as an outpatient with no improvement. His examination revealed mild respiratory distress, O2 saturation 92% on room air, and right sided crackles. Labs included a white blood cell count of 19 300/µL. His chest x-ray showed bilateral infiltrates greater on the right. Bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for HSV-1; transbronchial biopsies showed focal pneumonitis with plentiful intra-alveolar macrophages. His respiratory status progressively deteriorated, and he was intubated for mechanical ventilation. He received 10 days of intravenous (IV) antibiotics and 14 days of IV acyclovir. He was readmitted 10 days later with worsening symptoms and was intubated for respiratory failure. His CT chest showed diffuse, patchy consolidation of both lungs, right more than left. Open lung biopsy showed extensive organizing pneumonia, diffuse alveolar damage, intra-alveolar macrophages, and pleural fibrosis; he was treated with IV corticosteroids. He was extubated after 10 days; within 2 weeks his chest x-ray was markedly improved. Discussion. Organizing pneumonia is usually idiopathic; infection is one of the secondary causes. To our knowledge this is only the second reported case associated with HSV. This association may have important pathogenic and therapeutic implications.
Bacillary Angiomatosis Masquerading as Kaposi’s Sarcoma in East Africa
Authors: Forrestel A. K. , Naujokas A. , Martin J. N. , Maurer T. A. , McCalmont T. H. , Laker-Opwonya M. O. , Mulyowa G. , Busakhala N. , Amerson Erin H.
Published: April 2014

Background:

Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is a rare manifestation of infection caused by Bartonella species, which leads to vasoproliferative lesions of skin and other organs. Bacillary angiomatosis affects individuals with advanced HIV disease or other immunocompromised individuals. In sub-Saharan Africa, despite the high prevalence of HIV infection and documentation of the causative Bartonella species in humans, mammalian hosts, and arthropod vectors, BA has only rarely been described.

Methods:

Three adult patients from Uganda and Kenya with deep purple dome-shaped papules or nodules of the skin underwent punch biopsies for histopathologic diagnosis. The biopsies of all 3 patients were sent to a local pathologist as well as to a dermatopathologist at the University of California, San Francisco.

Results:

All 3 patients were clinically suspected to have Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), and local pathologists had interpreted the lesions as KS in 2 of the cases and nonspecific inflammation in the third. Histologic examination by dermatopathologists in the United States revealed nodular dermal proliferations of irregular capillaries lined by spindled to epithelioid endothelial cells. The surrounding stroma contained a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Extracellular deposits of pale amphophilic granular material were noted in the surrounding stroma. A Warthin-Starry stain highlighted clumps of bacilli, confirming the diagnosis of BA.

Conclusions:

These 3 cases, to our knowledge, are the first reports of BA in East Africa in the biomedical literature. Each had been originally incorrectly diagnosed as KS. We speculate BA is underdiagnosed and underreported in resource-poor regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, that have high endemic rates of HIV infection.
Health Care Students Who Frequently Use Facebook Are Unaware of the Risks for Violating HIPAA Standards
Authors: Bagley Jennifer E. , DiGiacinto Dora , Lawyer Jaclyn , Anderson Michael P.
Published: April 2014

Social networking creates easy opportunities to violate HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). The purpose of this study is to determine if students who frequently update their Facebook statuses have the ability to identify certain Facebook postings as HIPAA violations. An anonymous survey was distributed to students on a university campus of a health sciences center, containing questions related to how often Facebook was used or accessed, how often students updated their Facebook statuses, and whether they could identify if specific online postings constituted HIPAA violations. Students’ HIPAA scenario responses were compared to their frequency of Facebook status updates, and students who frequently updated their information were more likely to incorrectly identify a HIPAA violation—namely, photos of patients posted to Facebook, even those devoid of identifying information. No other HIPAA violation scenarios demonstrated an association with frequencies of use or status updates. Further research needs to be conducted to see what traits or behaviors put students at risk for violating HIPAA through social networking sites.
Spheroidisation of hypereutectoid state of nanostructured bainitic steel
Authors: Luo D. , Peet M. J. , Ooi S. W. , Yan P. , Yin Z. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H.
Published: April 2014

Nanostructured bainite is extremely resistant to severe tempering making it difficult to reduce its hardness sufficiently to allow certain processing before heat treatment into its final state. An attempt is therefore made to introduce the divorced pearlite reaction that relies on the presence of pro-eutectoid cementite in the austenite in order to produce a microstructure containing spheroidal cementite particles simply by continuous cooling from the two phase austenite and cementite field. It is demonstrated that dramatically reduced hardness values can be achieved using this method.
Clearance of acute myeloid leukemia by haploidentical natural killer cells is improved using IL-2 diphtheria toxin fusion protein
Authors: Bachanova Veronika , Cooley Sarah , Defor Todd E. , Verneris Michael R. , Zhang Bin , McKenna David H. , Curtsinger Julie , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Lewis Dixie , Hippen Keli , McGlave Philip , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Blazar Bruce R. , Miller Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2014

Key Points

Depletion of host regulatory T cells with IL2DT improves efficacy of haploidentical NK cell therapy for refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Depletion of Treg and persistence of NK cells for ≥7 days after NK cell adoptive transfer predicts beneficial clinical responses.
Production of free monounsaturated fatty acids by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Cao Yujin , Liu Wei , Xu Xin , Zhang Haibo , Wang Jiming , Xian Mo
Published: April 2014

Background

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are the best components for biodiesel when considering the low temperature fluidity and oxidative stability. However, biodiesel derived from vegetable oils or microbial lipids always consists of significant amounts of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) alkyl esters, which hampers its practical applications. Therefore, the fatty acid composition should be modified to increase MUFA contents as well as enhancing oil and lipid production.

Results

The model microorganism Escherichia coli was engineered to produce free MUFAs. The fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase (AtFatA) and fatty acid desaturase (SSI2) from Arabidopsis thaliana were heterologously expressed in E. coli BL21 star(DE3) to specifically release free unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and convert SFAs to UFAs. In addition, the endogenous fadD gene (encoding acyl-CoA synthetase) was disrupted to block fatty acid catabolism while the native acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) was overexpressed to increase the malonyl coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) pool and boost fatty acid biosynthesis. The finally engineered strain BL21ΔfadD/pE-AtFatAssi2&pA-acc produced 82.6 mg/L free fatty acids (FFAs) under shake-flask conditions and FFAs yield on glucose reached about 3.3% of the theoretical yield. Two types of MUFAs, palmitoleate (16:1Δ9) and cis-vaccenate (18:1Δ11) made up more than 75% of the FFA profiles. Fed-batch fermentation of this strain further enhanced FFAs production to a titer of 1.27 g/L without affecting fatty acid compositions.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the possibility to regulate fatty acid composition by using metabolic engineering approaches. FFAs produced by the recombinant E. coli strain consisted of high-level MUFAs and biodiesel manufactured from these fatty acids would be more suitable for current diesel engines.
Translation and validation of European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life Questionnaire -C30 into Moroccan version for cancer patients in Morocco
Authors: Nejjari Chakib , El Fakir Samira , Bendahhou Karima , El Rhazi Karima , Abda Naima , Zidouh Ahmed , Benider Abdelatif , Errihani Hassan , Bekkali Rachid
Published: April 2014

Background

Understanding the effects of cancer on the quality of life of affected patients is critical to clinical research as well as to optimal management and care. The aim of this study was to adapt the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back translation and pretesting of the pre-final version, the translated version was submitted to a committee of professionals composed by oncologists and epidemiologists. The psychometric properties were tested in patients with cancer. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and the test-retest reliability using interclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed by examining item-convergent and divergent validity. It was also tested using Spearman’s correlation between QLQ-C30 scales and EQ-5D.

Results

The study was conducted in 125 patients. The Moroccan version was internally reliable, Cronbach’s α was 0.87 for the total scale and ranged from 0.34 to 0.97 for the subscales. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the test-retest reliability ranged from 0.64 for “social functioning” to 0.89 for “physical activities” subscales. The instrument demonstrated a good construct and concomitant validity.

Conclusions

We have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. The assessment of its measurement properties showed that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of cancer on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.
Recurrent duplications of the annexin A1 gene (ANXA1) in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Correia Catarina T , Conceição Inês C , Oliveira Bárbara , Coelho Joana , Sousa Inês , Sequeira Ana F , Almeida Joana , Café Cátia , Duque Frederico , Mouga Susana , Roberts Wendy , Gao Kun , Lowe Jennifer K , Thiruvahindrapuram Bhooma , Walker Susan , Marshall Christian R , Pinto Dalila , Nurnberger John I , Scherer Stephen W , Geschwind Daniel H , Oliveira Guiomar , Vicente Astrid M
Published: April 2014

Background

Validating the potential pathogenicity of copy number variants (CNVs) identified in genome-wide studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) requires detailed assessment of case/control frequencies, inheritance patterns, clinical correlations, and functional impact. Here, we characterize a small recurrent duplication in the annexin A1 (ANXA1) gene, identified by the Autism Genome Project (AGP) study.

Methods

From the AGP CNV genomic screen in 2,147 ASD individuals, we selected for characterization an ANXA1 gene duplication that was absent in 4,964 population-based controls. We further screened the duplication in a follow-up sample including 1,496 patients and 410 controls, and evaluated clinical correlations and family segregation. Sequencing of exonic/downstream ANXA1 regions was performed in 490 ASD patients for identification of additional variants.

Results

The ANXA1 duplication, overlapping the last four exons and 3’UTR region, had an overall prevalence of 11/3,643 (0.30%) in unrelated ASD patients but was not identified in 5,374 controls. Duplication carriers presented no distinctive clinical phenotype. Family analysis showed neuropsychiatric deficits and ASD traits in multiple relatives carrying the duplication, suggestive of a complex genetic inheritance. Sequencing of exonic regions and the 3’UTR identified 11 novel changes, but no obvious variants with clinical significance.

Conclusions

We provide multilevel evidence for a role of ANXA1 in ASD etiology. Given its important role as mediator of glucocorticoid function in a wide variety of brain processes, including neuroprotection, apoptosis, and control of the neuroendocrine system, the results add ANXA1 to the growing list of rare candidate genetic etiological factors for ASD.
A retrospective view of Systemic Functional Linguistics, with notes from a parallel perspective
Authors: Davies Eirian C
Published: April 2014

This paper gives a brief overview of the development of Michael Halliday’s work in Systemic Functional Linguistics over the last sixty years and recalls some anecdotes relating to the research projects he directed at University College London in the 1960s. It locates the author’s approach in relation to Systemic Functional Linguistics and raises some questions to do with possible avenues of future research and discussion in that model.
Delineation of subsurface structures using self-potential, gravity, and resistivity surveys from South Purulia Shear Zone, India: Implication to uranium mineralization
Authors: Biswas Arkoprovo , Mandal Animesh , Sharma S. P. , Mohanty W. K.
Published: April 2014

The unexplored South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) at the north of Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) in Eastern India is a prospective zone for structural-guided hydrothermal mineralization. We carried out an integrated geophysical study using self-potential (SP), gradient-resistivity profiling (GRP), and gravity study across the SPSZ to identify the near-surface structural features and probable correlation with the uranium mineralization of the region. We studied a broad low SP, anomaly zone correlated with corresponding low-gravity and low-resistive zone across the same part of the study area. This conductive and low-density zone was identified as the width of the brittle-to-ductile and highly altered SPSZ. The 2D modeling of SP and residual gravity data along a northeast–southwest profile across the shear zone between Raghunathpur and Barabazar localities revealed the northerly dipping shear zone with an average width of [Formula: see text]. However, the 2D modeling of the SP data suggested numerous thick, sheet-type vertical and/or inclined structures intervening the shear zone, which were well correlated with the vertical structures delineated by the 2D gravity inverse model. The vertical alteration zones (density and conductivity) at [Formula: see text]-, 200-, and 400-m depths have been identified over this region. These alteration zones are likely to be mineralized zone because a hydrouranium anomaly has also been reported from those locations earlier. We studied the efficacy of an integrated approach using GRP, SP, and gravity surveys for the investigation of near-surface vertical to dipping conducting structures associated with uranium mineralization in such shear zone regions.