bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expertise Development With Different Types of Automation
Authors: Jipp Meike
Published: September 2015

Objective:

I explored whether different cognitive abilities (information-processing ability, working-memory capacity) are needed for expertise development when different types of automation (information vs. decision automation) are employed.

Background:

It is well documented that expertise development and the employment of automation lead to improved performance. Here, it is argued that a learner’s ability to reason about an activity may be hindered by the employment of information automation. Additional feedback needs to be processed, thus increasing the load on working memory and decelerating expertise development. By contrast, the employment of decision automation may stimulate reasoning, increase the initial load on information-processing ability, and accelerate expertise development. Authors of past research have not investigated the interrelations between automation assistance, individual differences, and expertise development.

Method:

Sixty-one naive learners controlled simulated air traffic with two types of automation: information automation and decision automation. Their performance was captured across 16 trials. Well-established tests were used to assess information-processing ability and working-memory capacity.

Results:

As expected, learners’ performance benefited from expertise development and decision automation. Furthermore, individual differences moderated the effect of the type of automation on expertise development: The employment of only information automation increased the load on working memory during later expertise development. The employment of decision automation initially increased the need to process information.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences and expertise development when investigating human–automation interaction.

Application:

The results are relevant for selecting automation configurations for expertise development.
The Effects of Repeated Reading on Reading Fluency for Students With Reading Disabilities
Authors: Lee Jiyeon , Yoon So Yoon
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this research was to systematically review the effects of repeated reading (RR) interventions on reading fluency to provide instructional strategies for students with reading disabilities (RD). Correct words per minute were coded as an outcome variable in a search that yielded 34 RR intervention studies from 1990 to 2014 for students with RD in K-12. The estimated overall Hedges’ g of the 39 independent effect sizes indicated the positive effects of RR on gains in reading fluency for students with RD, especially at the elementary grade level. The current findings also suggested that a combination of RR and a listening passage preview would be the most effective method for students with RD.
The scent of stress: environmental challenge in the peripartum environment of mice affects emotional behaviours of the adult offspring in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Lerch S , Dormann C , Brandwein C , Gass P , Chourbaji S
Published: September 2015

Early adverse experiences are known to influence the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later. To shed further light on the development of laboratory mice, we systematically examined the influence of a prenatal or postnatal olfactory stressor, namely unfamiliar male mouse faeces, presented to pregnant or nursing mouse dams. Maternal and offspring behaviours were then examined. Maternal behaviours relative to controls revealed changes in nest building by the pregnant dams exposed to the unfamiliar faeces. There were no differences among groups on pup retrieval or exploration by the dams. Behavioural phenotyping of male and female offspring as adults included measures of exploration, anxiety, social and depressive-like behaviours. Additionally, serum corticosterone was assessed as a marker of physiological stress response. Group differences were dependent on the sex of the adult offspring. Males raised by dams that were stressed during pregnancy presented elevated emotionality as indicated by increased numbers of faecal boluses in the open field paradigm. Consistent with the effects of prenatal stress on the males only the prenatally stressed females had higher body weights than their respective controls. Indeed, males in both experimental groups had higher circulating corticosterone levels. By contrast, female offspring of dams exposed to the olfactory stressor after parturition were more anxious in the O-maze as indicated by increased latencies in entering the exposed areas of the maze. These findings emphasize the necessity for researchers to consider the pre- and postnatal environments, even of mice with almost identical genetic backgrounds, in designing experiments and interpreting their data.
Changes in Home Parenteral Nutrition Practice Based on the Canadian Home Parenteral Nutrition Patient Registry
Authors: Hortencio Taís Daiene Russo , Arendt Bianca Maria , Teterina Anastasia , Jeejeebhoy Khursheed N. , Gramlich Leah M. , Whittaker J. Scott , Armstrong David , Raman Maitreyi , Nogueira Roberto José Negrão , Allard Johane P.
Published: September 2015

Background: Since 2005, the Canadian home parenteral nutrition (HPN) registry has collected data on patients’ demography, outcomes, and HPN clinical practice. At annual meetings, Canadian HPN programs review and discuss results. Aim: To evaluate changes over time in patient demography, outcomes, and HPN clinical practice using the registry data. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 369 patients who were prospectively entered in the registry. Two periods were compared for the first data entry: 2005–2008 (n = 182) and 2011–2014 (n = 187). Patient demography, indications for HPN, HPN regimen, nutrition assessment, vascular access, and number of line sepsis per 1000 catheter days were evaluated. Results: For 2011–2014 compared with 2005–2008, indications for HPN changed significantly, with an increased proportion of patients with cancer (37.9% vs 16.7%) and with fewer cases of short bowel syndrome (32% vs 65.5%); line sepsis rate decreased from 1.58 to 0.97 per 1000 catheter days; and the use of tunneled catheters decreased from 64.3% to 38.0% and was no longer the most frequently chosen vascular access method. In contrast, the proportion of peripherally inserted central catheters increased from 21.6% to 52.9%. In addition, there was a reduction in number and days of hospitalizations related to HPN, and favorable changes were noted in the prescription of energy, proteins, and trace elements. Conclusion: The Canadian HPN registry is useful in tracking trends in demography, outcomes, and clinical practice. Results suggest a shift in patient demography and line access with improvement in line sepsis, hospitalizations, and HPN prescriptions.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Attenuated Experimental Chronic Colitis in Interleukin 10–Deficient Mice by Enhancing Autophagy Through Inhibition of the mTOR Pathway
Authors: Zhao Jie , Dong Jian‐Ning , Wang Hong‐Gang , Zhao Mingli , Sun Jing , Zhu Wei‐Ming , Zuo Lu‐Gen , Gong Jian‐Feng , Li Yi , Gu Li‐Li , Li Ning , Li Jie‐Shou
Published: September 2015

Background: In the battle against Crohn's disease, autophagy stimulation is a promising therapeutic option—one both new and newly rediscovered. In experimental models, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—a long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid—has been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease through inhibition of the nuclear factor‐κB pathway. However, the impact of DHA on autophagy in the colon remains unclear. Methods: Mice were divided into 3 groups: wild type (placebo), the interleukin 10 knockout group (IL‐10−/−, placebo), and the DHA group (IL‐10−/−, DHA). DHA was administered to IL‐10−/− mice by gavage at a dosage of 35.5 mg/kg/d for 2 weeks. The severity of colitis, expression of proinflammatory cytokines, expression/distribution of LC3B, and mTOR signaling pathway were evaluated in the proximal colon tissues collected from all mice at the end of the experiment. Results: DHA administration ameliorated experimental colitis in the IL‐10−/− mice, as demonstrated by decreased proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IFN‐γ), reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, and lowered histologic scores of the proximal colon mucosa. Moreover, in the DHA‐treated mice, enhanced autophagy was observed to be associated with (1) increased expression and restoration of the distribution integrity of LC3B in the colon and (2) inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study showed that DHA therapy could attenuate experimental chronic colitis in IL‐10−/− mice by triggering autophagy via inhibition of the mTOR pathway.
Bone Mineral Density and Growth in Children Having Undergone Liver Transplantation With Corticosteroid‐Free Immunosuppressive Protocol
Authors: Mager Diana , Al‐zaben Abeer Salman , Robert Cheri , Gilmour Susan , Yap Jason
Published: September 2015

Background: Children post–liver transplantation (post‐LTX) are at risk of growth delay and decreased bone mineral density (BMD) secondary to corticosteroid (CS) therapy and suboptimal intake of nutrients important for bone health. The pediatric LTX program at Stollery Children's Hospital introduced a CS‐free LTX regimen in 2003. This retrospective study investigated whether the implementation of a CS‐free protocol resulted in improvements in BMD (dual x‐ray absorptiometry) and growth following LTX. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all children undergoing LTX was conducted. The parameters included repeated measures of anthropometric (weight, weight z score, height, height z score), BMD/bone mineral content (BMC), laboratory variables, graft function (number/severity of rejection), and CS therapy (dose, duration). Results: A total of 39 patients met study inclusion (20 male; n = 28 on CS; n = 11 CS‐free). Mean duration of follow‐up was 5.5 ± 3.3 years. The mean weight and height z scores were −0.31 ± 0.14 (CS) and 0.22 ± 0.23 (CS‐free; P = .09) and −0.71 ± 0.13 (CS) and 0.23 ± 0.22 (CS‐free; P = .002), respectively. Lumbar and whole‐body BMD z score less than −2 were present in 15% and 8% of the cohort, respectively. There were no significant differences between CS and CS‐free in lumbar BMC (22.2 ± 1.4 and 23.4 ± 2.02 g; P = .165) and lumbar BMD (0.57 ± 0.02 and 0.80 ± 0.22 g/cm2; P = .152), respectively. Lumbar BMC (r2 = 0.89, P < .05) and whole‐body BMC (r2 = 0.93, P < .05) were inversely related to CS dose >0.2 mg/kg/d and positively related to bone age (P < .01). Conclusion: CS therapy in children post‐LTX is associated with reduced BMC and delayed linear growth. Understanding the clinical and nutrition factors influencing bone health is important to optimizing growth and bone health in children post‐LTX.
Possible Selves and Physical Activity in Retirees
Authors: Perras Mélanie G. M. , Strachan Shaelyn M. , Fortier Michelle S.
Published: September 2015

Many retirees remain insufficiently physically active for health benefits. Self-perceptions can influence physical activity. Possible selves and identity are two self-perceptions that, when examined relative to physical activity, may help explain physical activity levels among retirees. Scholars claim that a focus on possible selves may impact identity, which, in the physical activity domain, is a known physical activity correlate. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between these variables, and more specifically, to determine whether exercise identity mediates the relationship between physical activity possible selves and physical activity. We examined the proposed mediation relationship in 531 new retirees. Data were collected across three time points (1 month apart). We conducted mediation analyses with bootstrapping. Identity mediated the relationship between possible selves (content and processes) and behavior—all related to physical activity. These findings represent an important first step toward designing relevant physical activity interventions for retirees.
A Bifactor Model of School Engagement
Authors: Stefansson Kristjan K. , Gestsdottir Steinunn , Geldhof G. John , Skulason Sigurgrimur , Lerner Richard M.
Published: September 2015

School engagement involves cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components that overlap conceptually. This conceptual ambiguity has led to measures that have either consisted of one general factor or separate correlated factors. However, neither approach can sufficiently account for both the uniqueness and the overlap of the subcomponents. The bifactor model has been recommended to determine the degree to which a measure is unidimensional versus multidimensional. In this study, we examined the validity of a multidimensional measure of school engagement in adolescence, the Behavioral-Emotional-Cognitive School Engagement Scale (BEC-SES; Li & Lerner, 2013), by comparing the model fit and predictive power of the widely-used one- and three-factor models with a bifactor model. Using data from 561 youth in Iceland (46% girls, Mage at Wave 1 = 14.3 years, SD = 0.3), only the multidimensional models (i.e., the three-factor and bifactor models) gave a good fit to the data. We then assessed the predictive power of the multidimensional models for academic achievement. The addition of academic achievement as an outcome variable to the bifactor model revealed that general school engagement, as well as specific behavioral engagement, predicted achievement. These findings are distinct from previous results using three-factor models, which indicated that behavioral engagement alone predicted later achievement. The results of the current study support the use of a bifactor model when using measures of school engagement.
A review of 25 years of research in bidirectionality in parent–child relationships
Authors: Paschall Katherine W. , Mastergeorge Ann M.
Published: September 2015

The concept of bidirectionality represents a process of mutual influence between parent and child, whereby each influences the other as well as the dyadic relationship. Despite the widespread acceptance of bidirectional models of influence, there is still a lack of integration of such models in current research designs. Research on bidirectionality could be strengthened through the adoption of advanced methodologies, including behavioral-genetic research designs and advanced structural equation modeling. The aim of this empirical review is to further advance the study of bidirectionality by evaluating the evidence from 25 years of bidirectionality research in infancy and early childhood. The review indicates significant advancements in the use of methods that address the ecological validity of bidirectional effects, as well as areas that continue to rely on correlational designs to detect bidirectional effects. We describe analytic approaches that may improve the specificity of bidirectionality evidence and highlight gene–environment interaction designs as a promising area for future bidirectionality research.
Comparative Analysis of Head and Neck and Non–Head and Neck Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Patel Tapan D. , Shaigany Kevin , Fang Christina H. , Park Richard Chan , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are a group of tumors that arise from peripheral nerves or from the various elements of the nerve sheath, including Schwann cells and perineural fibroblasts. Head and neck MPNSTs (HN‐MPNSTs) are rare, accounting for 8% to 16% of all soft tissue sarcomas. This study analyzes the demographic, clinicopathologic, and survival characteristics of HN‐MPNSTs and establishes comparisons with MPNSTs at other body sites (other‐MPNSTs).

Study Design

Analysis of population‐based tumor registry.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

The SEER database (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results; 1973‐2012) was queried for HN‐MPNSTs (324 cases) and other‐MPNSTs (1680 cases). Data were analyzed comparatively with respect to various demographic and clinicopathologic factors. Disease‐specific survival was analyzed with the Kaplan‐Meier model.

Results

Mean age at diagnosis for HN‐MPNST was 49.1 years, compared with 46.1 years for other‐MPNSTs (P =. 0169). There was a sex predilection for males in HN‐MPNSTs (60.2%) versus a female predilection for other‐MPNSTs (54.2%; P <. 0001). Average tumor size for HN‐MPNSTs was 4.9 cm, compared with 8.7 cm for other‐MPNSTs (P <. 0001). HN‐MPNSTs were more commonly of low histologic grade types, whereas other‐MPNSTs were mostly of high histologic grade (P =. 0073). HN‐MPNSTs had a higher 5‐year disease‐specific survival than other‐MPNSTs (65.1% vs 57.4%; P =. 0209).

Conclusions

HN‐MPNSTs are rare entities. This study represents the largest series of HN‐MPNSTs to date. Although HN‐MPNSTs and other‐MPNSTs share a common histology, there are important clinical differences between the 2 groups.
Antihistamine Use for Otitis Media with Effusion
Authors: Prince Anthony A. , Rosenfeld Richard M. , Shin Jennifer J.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The otitis media with effusion (OME) clinical practice guideline endorsed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends against using antihistamines. Avoiding antihistamines was previously endorsed as a performance measure by the National Quality Foundation, but data regarding current practice patterns are lacking. Thus, our objectives were to evaluate (1) antihistamine usage in association with OME, (2) whether practice varies according to visit setting, and (3) if usage patterns are such that a future change would be measurable.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

Ambulatory visits in the United States.

Subjects and Methods

National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, 2005‐2010; univariate, multivariate, and stratified analyses of antihistamine usage were performed.

Results

A total of 133,968 observations representing 1.49 × 109 pediatric visits met inclusion criteria. Antihistamines were used in 9.5% of OME visits, as opposed to 5.5% of visits without OME (univariate odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.02‐3.29; P =. 042). Multivariate analysis confirmed that OME was associated with a significant increase in nonsedating antihistamine usage (odds ratio, 3.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.62‐7.71; P =. 002), when adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, allergic conditions and nasal inflammatory diagnoses.

Conclusions

Oral antihistamines are significantly more likely to be administered when OME is diagnosed. Although antihistamine use for OME is proportionally low, the high prevalence of OME creates an opportunity for quality improvement. Future changes in clinician behavior in response to an updated guideline or related performance metric could be monitored.
Reflections on Physician‐Patient Interactions in the EHR Era
Authors: Mehta Vikas
Published: September 2015

Physician‐patient communication is becoming increasingly complicated with the growing use of electronic health records (EHRs). While the EHR has shown benefits in some aspects of medical care, these improvements are often at the expense of patient‐centered communication. Below are some reflections on this topic, as well as techniques to improve the clinician‐patient interaction in the EHR era.
On the Possibility of a “Soviet of Technicians”
Authors: Öncü Ahmet
Published: September 2015

Contrary to his theoretical expectations, Veblen provided various reasons as to why a revolutionary overturn by the technicians was a remote possibility in America. In contrast to the American engineers, the engineers of Turkey have constructed an engineering outlook commensurate with Veblen’s abstract line of reasoning and participated in a political struggle against business interests. In this paper, using Veblen’s cumulative causation methodology, a theoretical answer for the origin, growth, persistence, and variation of the anti-business engineering outlook in Turkey is suggested.
Economic Stages and Anti-imperialism in Theory and Practice
Authors: Fuentes-Ramírez Ricardo R.
Published: September 2015

The writings of key Marxist thinkers and revolutionary processes are examined with focus on their understanding of the relation between anti-imperialism and socialism. As a result of the class structures associated with imperialist domination, and the deficiencies within approaches that emphasize the need of a capitalist development stage prior to socialist transition, the analysis points toward the feasibility and strategic superiority of moving directly from direct or indirect imperialist domination into the transition to socialism.
Confidence Leak in Perceptual Decision Making
Authors: Rahnev Dobromir , Koizumi Ai , McCurdy Li Yan , D’Esposito Mark , Lau Hakwan
Published: September 2015

People live in a continuous environment in which the visual scene changes on a slow timescale. It has been shown that to exploit such environmental stability, the brain creates a continuity field in which objects seen seconds ago influence the perception of current objects. What is unknown is whether a similar mechanism exists at the level of metacognitive representations. In three experiments, we demonstrated a robust intertask confidence leak—that is, confidence in one’s response on a given task or trial influencing confidence on the following task or trial. This confidence leak could not be explained by response priming or attentional fluctuations. Better ability to modulate confidence leak predicted higher capacity for metacognition as well as greater gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex. A model based on normative principles from Bayesian inference explained the results by postulating that observers subjectively estimate the perceptual signal strength in a stable environment. These results point to the existence of a novel metacognitive mechanism mediated by regions in the prefrontal cortex.
Is She Angry? (Sexually Desirable) Women “See” Anger on Female Faces
Authors: Krems Jaimie Arona , Neuberg Steven L. , Filip-Crawford Gabrielle , Kenrick Douglas T.
Published: September 2015

Intrasexual conflict may pose unique challenges for women. Whereas men’s aggression tends to be physical and direct, women’s tends to be relational and indirect, particularly when directed toward other women. Moreover, women’s expressions of anger are often suppressed, perhaps particularly when other women are the targets. Thus, women may face difficulty anticipating anger and anger-based aggression from other women. How might women manage this challenge? The functional projection of emotion may facilitate useful behavior; for instance, “seeing” anger on people believed to pose threats to physical safety may help perceivers preempt or avoid physical harm. Given the threats that women face, we predicted that (a) women are biased to “see” anger on neutral female (but not male) faces and that (b) women who are likely targets of intrasexual aggression (i.e., sexually desirable or available women) show an exaggerated bias. We report three studies that support these hypotheses and, more broadly, illustrate the value of a functional approach to social cognition.
Rivaroxaban for Thromboprophylaxis After Fracture-Related Orthopedic Surgery in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Lassen Michael R. , Haas Sylvia , Kreutz Reinhold , Mantovani Lorenzo G. , Holberg Gerlind , Turpie Alexander G. G.
Published: September 2015

Background:

The risk of venous thromboembolism is high in patients undergoing fracture-related major orthopedic surgery, but data on pharmacological thromboprophylaxis are limited. This analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban after fracture-related orthopedic surgery in routine care compared with other pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (standard of care [SOC]).

Methods:

The study population comprised a subset of patients with lower-limb fracture from XArelto in the prophylaxis of post-surgical venous thromboembolism after elective Major Orthopaedic Surgery of hip or knee (XAMOS; a phase IV noninterventional study) and a XAMOS extension study (XAMOS-Extra). The study participants included patients who underwent surgery for hip/femur or lower-leg fractures (below-knee lower-leg fractures, eg, the tibia or foot). All adverse events were recorded, including symptomatic thromboembolic events and bleeding events.

Results:

Data from 790 patients were available for analysis (n = 350 for rivaroxaban and n = 440 for SOC). The incidence of symptomatic thromboembolic events 3 months postsurgery was 0.57% (2 of the 350) in the rivaroxaban group and 1.14% (5 of the 440) in the SOC group (odds ratio [OR]: 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-2.59). Treatment-emergent major bleeding events occurred in 0.29% (1 of the 350) of patients receiving rivaroxaban and 0.45% (2 of the 440) of patients receiving SOC (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.06-6.95). There were no cases of fatal or critical bleeding in either treatment group. The incidences of wound complications and any other adverse events were numerically lower with rivaroxaban compared with SOC.

Conclusions:

These data from routine practice demonstrate that rivaroxaban can provide effective thromboprophylaxis after fracture-related orthopedic surgery of the lower limb with a favorable safety profile.
Critical role of serum response factor in podocyte epithelial–mesenchymal transition of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhao Long , Wang Xueling , Sun Lina , Nie Huibin , Liu Xiangchun , Chen Zhixin , Guan Guangju
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To investigate the expression and function of serum response factor in podocyte epithelial–mesenchymal transition of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods:

The expression of serum response factor, epithelial markers and mesenchymal markers was examined in podocytes or renal cortex tissues following high glucose. Serum response factor was upregulated by its plasmids and downregulated by CCG-1423 to investigate how it influenced podocyte epithelial–mesenchymal transition in diabetic nephropathy. Streptozotocin was used to generate diabetes mellitus in rats.

Results:

In podocytes after high glucose treatment, serum response factor and mesenchymal markers increased, while epithelial markers declined. Similar changes were observed in vivo. Serum response factor overexpression in podocytes induced expression of Snail, an important transcription factor mediating epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Blockade of serum response factor reduced Snail induction, protected podocytes from epithelial–mesenchymal transition and ameliorated proteinuria.

Conclusion:

Together, increased serum response factor activity provokes podocytes’ epithelial–mesenchymal transition and dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy. Targeting serum response factor by small-molecule inhibitor may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.
Correlations between endothelial function in the systemic and cerebral circulation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Prakash Kiran , Chandran Dinu S , Khadgawat Rajesh , Jaryal Ashok Kumar , Deepak Kishore K
Published: September 2015

Insulin resistance is associated with endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus, which can lead to impaired vascular reactivities of both systemic and cerebral circulations. Appropriate ‘correction’ of vascular reactivity results for non-endothelium-dependent systemic effects avoids misinterpretation of endothelial function. Therefore, we ‘corrected’ vascular reactivity results and explored the potential correlations between systemic vascular reactivity, cerebrovascular reactivity and insulin resistance. In 34 patients, ‘systemic vascular reactivity’ was assessed by quantifying reactive hyperaemia. Cerebrovascular reactivity was assessed by quantifying changes in cerebral blood flow velocity during hypercapnia. To minimize the influence of non-endothelium-dependent systemic effects on vascular reactivity results, ‘corrected systemic vascular reactivity’ was calculated by normalizing systemic vascular reactivity using the measurements from the contralateral side; and cerebrovascular reactivity results were corrected by calculating percentage and absolute changes in cerebrovascular conductance index (‘percent cerebrovascular conductance index’ and ‘delta cerebrovascular conductance index’, respectively). Insulin resistance was estimated by homeostatic model assessment. Correlation between conventional cerebrovascular reactivity and systemic vascular reactivity was not significant. But correlations between ‘corrected systemic vascular reactivity’ and ‘percent cerebrovascular conductance index’ ( r = 0.51; p = 0.002) and ‘corrected systemic vascular reactivity’ and ‘delta cerebrovascular conductance index’ ( r = 0.50; p = 0.003) were significant. Among all vascular reactivity parameters, only ‘delta cerebrovascular conductance index’ was significantly correlated with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance ( r = −0.38; p = 0.029). In conclusion, endothelial function in the systemic and cerebral circulations is moderately correlated, provided that vascular reactivity estimates are corrected for non-endothelium-dependent influences.
A rare case of carbimazole-induced hepatitis in a patient with Graves’ disease
Authors: Burgin Sarah , Zanetto Ulises , Cooney Rachel , Basu Ansu
Published: September 2015

Although carbimazole-induced hepatitis is rare, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication and offer alternative treatment early.
Identifying Reverse Malingering in the Civilian Occupational Setting
Authors: Lurati Ann R.
Published: September 2015

Malingering is a common phenomenon in the workplace. However, reverse malingering can be just as common, but may have greater negative consequences for employees and employers. The only research on reverse malingering has been conducted in the military; however, little is known about this phenomenon in the civilian setting.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: O’Keefe Louise C.
Published: September 2015

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging infectious disease that can present with flu-like symptoms. In individuals with comorbidities or who are immunosuppressed, it can be deadly. The disease is transmitted through contact with someone who has MERS-CoV. The occupational health nurse must be cognizant of and educate the workforce about MERS-CoV transmission, prevention, and treatment.
Data Needs for Emerging Research Issues in Bully and Violence Prevention
Authors: Espelage Dorothy
Published: September 2015

School violence and bullying are two public health concerns with consequences for youth in and out of school, for families, students, and community members. In this article, a social-ecological framework is briefly described as a way to understand bullying and school violence; then the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) longitudinal and cross-sectional data sets are described in detail. Data that assess bullying and/or school violence are described, and recommendations for additional items are proposed. In general, a longitudinal, multisite, multi-informant study is needed to address definitional and etiological issues related to school violence and bullying so that prevention efforts can be developed, implemented, and evaluated that incorporate multiple levels of the ecology, including peers, schools, communities, and neighborhoods.
Common fixed point theorems for Geraghty’s type contraction mappings using the monotone property with two metrics
Authors: Martínez-Moreno Juan , Sintunavarat Wutiphol , Cho Yeol Je
Published: September 2015

The main aim of this paper is to obtain some new common fixed point theorems for Geraghty’s type contraction mappings using the monotone property with two metrics and to give some examples to illustrate the main results. Further, by using our main results, we prove some results about multidimensional common fixed points. Our results generalize and extend some recent results given by Kadelburg et al. (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2015:27, 2015) and Choudhurya and Kundu (J. Nonlinear Sci. Appl. 5:259-270, 2012).
Genome sequence of Anoxybacillus ayderensis AB04T isolated from the Ayder hot spring in Turkey
Authors: Belduz Ali Osman , Canakci Sabriye , Chan Kok-Gan , Kahar Ummirul Mukminin , Chan Chia Sing , Yaakop Amira Suriaty , Goh Kian Mau
Published: September 2015

Species of Anoxybacillus are thermophiles and, therefore, their enzymes are suitable for many biotechnological applications. Anoxybacillus ayderensis AB04T (= NCIMB 13972T = NCCB 100050T) was isolated from the Ayder hot spring in Rize, Turkey, and is one of the earliest described Anoxybacillus type strains. The present work reports the cellular features of A. ayderensis AB04T, together with a high-quality draft genome sequence and its annotation. The genome is 2,832,347 bp long (74 contigs) and contains 2,895 protein-coding sequences and 103 RNA genes including 14 rRNAs, 88 tRNAs, and 1 tmRNA. Based on the genome annotation of strain AB04T, we identified genes encoding various glycoside hydrolases that are important for carbohydrate-related industries, which we compared with those of other, sequenced Anoxybacillus spp. Insights into under-explored industrially applicable enzymes and the possible applications of strain AB04T were also described.
Being aware of grieving pupils as they start at a new school
Authors: Feuchtwang Anna
Published: September 2015

Anna Feuchtwang considers how starting at a new secondary school will be that much more difficult for children coping with a bereavement.
Improving care for children with asthma and allergies
Authors: Voogd Caroline
Published: September 2015

More needs to be done to improve care for children and young people with asthma and allergies, as there are substantial variations in the quality of services between local areas.
School nurses need support on children's mental health
Authors: Brown Jessica
Published: September 2015

As young people begin the new school year, the current national focus on mental health sees pupil wellbeing high on the agenda, but more support and training is needed to ensure that school nursing professionals have enough confidence in this area.
School nurses' health dialogues with pupils about physical activity
Authors: Golsäter Marie , Fast Annika , Bergman-Lind Sara , Enskar Karin
Published: September 2015

The aim was to explore school nurses' health dialogues with pupils regarding physical activity. A descriptive explorative qualitative design based on video recordings of 15 nurses performing 24 ordinary real-life health visits with pupils aged 10, 14 and 16 years was used to accomplish this. Audio files from the video recordings were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the school nurses created a flow and kept the conversation going to enable the progress of the health dialogue about physical activity. To gain the pupils' trust, the nurses used social talk and gave positive feedback. By assessing information about the pupils' activity the nurses created an overview and then, based on this overview, tried to create a potential for change in physical activity.
Reflecting on the School Nurses International Conference 2015
Authors: Aldred Karen
Published: September 2015

Reflective practice is an important part of school nursing and can help transform every event into an opportunity to improve practice. Karen Alred reflects on the 2015 International School Nurse Conference and shares her thoughts.
Returning to the poetic
Authors: Weaver Thomas
Published: September 2015

In his second article on Japanese early years provision, Thomas Weaver explores a different approach to outdoor education and examines the implications of adopting international models in UK settings.
Adventures with baby
Authors: Solly Kathryn
Published: September 2015

‘What we see in the crib is the greatest mind that has ever existed, the most powerful learning machine in the universe.’ [ Gopnik, 1999 ]. We should remember this when we plan learning experiences for babies.
Opening a quiet garden
Authors: Jefferies Tina
Published: September 2015

Children and staff in one school identified a number of specific needs that were missing from their daily experience that they needed to find solutions for, such as not having enough quiet outdoor areas.
Base policy on a child's needs
Authors: Leitch Neil
Published: September 2015

Nick Gibb's open letter regarding summer born entry into reception made a refreshing change from recent policy announcements that have been made on the fly for the benefit of anyone but children.
The journey has just begun
Authors: Tanuku Purnima
Published: September 2015

Big changes have taken place at Ofsted this year that will affect educators across the board, particularly in the early years sector. Inspections have come a long way – but there is still much more to be achieved.
Express your feelings
Authors: Chalmers Debbie
Published: September 2015

Role-play and drama activities can help children to understand and express their feelings and to recognise emotions in others, while absorbing useful vocabulary through naming and describing different feelings.
Have fun at the farmyard
Authors: Cruickshank Sarah
Published: September 2015

Introducing children to animals or to a role-play topic on farms will always prove popular and one of the best ways to bring these subjects to life in your setting is to use familiar foods and traditional tales.
Shake, rattle and roll
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: September 2015

This series of articles will explore modelling in the early years setting, using practical ideas to enrich your children's learning across the foundation stage – this month, we focus on musical model making.
Spiritual care: which is the best assessment tool for palliative settings?
Authors: Blaber Michael , Jone June , Willis Derek
Published: September 2015

Background:

Although it is widely acknowledged that spiritual care is an important component of good palliative care, there remains a lack of confidence about it among healthcare providers. This paper analyses the benefits and drawbacks of using spiritual history-taking tools to address the problem, considering four of the most widely used tools—FICA, FAITH, SPIRITual and HOPE.

Method:

The authors conducted a literature review to establish the main themes identified as important to spirituality at the end of life. They then applied these findings to the spiritual history-taking tools to determine the extent to which they may be of assistance in identifying the spiritual needs of patients receiving palliative care.

Conclusion:

The authors conclude that spiritual history-taking tools do have an important role in identifying the spiritual needs of patients at the end of life, with the ‘HOPE’ tool most comprehensively addressing the spirituality themes identified as important within the healthcare literature.
Exploring Māori cancer patients', their families', community and hospice views of hospice care
Authors: Slater Tania , Matheson Anna , Ellison-Loschmann Lis , Davies Cheryl , Earp Ria , Gellatly Kate , Holdaway Maureen
Published: September 2015

Background:

Despite poor cancer survival statistics, Māori do not readily access hospice services. This study aims to explore how hospice services respond to Māori by investigating the different influences and interactions between three perspectives of hospice care.

Method:

The authors conducted a Māori-centred, cross-sectional qualitative study by undertaking semi-structured interviews with hospice patients and whānau (families) (n=8), hospice representatives (n=4), and representatives from three Māori health provider organisations (n=5).

Conclusions:

The study found that negative perceptions of hospice are being changed by hospices' relationships with other organisations and positive stories from whānau. Involvement from whānau, continuity of care and after-hours care with a greater Māori workforce and a further emphasis on culturally safe care are critical for this work to gain momentum. Findings can be of use to further develop quality of care indicators that reflect the perspectives of patients and whānau, and those who provide their care.
Topical antioxidants in radiodermatitis: a clinical review
Authors: Kodiyan Joyson , Amber Kyle T
Published: September 2015

Radiation-induced skin toxicity is the most prevalent side effect of radiation therapy. Not only does it have a significant effect on patients' quality of life, but it also results in poor follow-up and early termination of radiotherapy treatment. Several skin care practices and topical applications have been studied in the field of radiodermatitis, including skin washing, topical steroids, and mechanical skin barriers. Aside from these methods, many patients turn to complementary and alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis. Many of these alternative therapies are topically applied antioxidants. While the rationale behind the use of antioxidants in treating radiodermatitis is strong, clinical studies have been far less consistent. Even in large scale randomised controlled trials, findings have been limited by the inconsistent use of topical vehicles and placebos. In this article, the authors review the role of topical antioxidants to better help the practitioner navigate through different available skin directed antioxidants.
Experiences of hospice inpatient nurses in supporting children before the death of a parent
Authors: Clipsham Laura , Islam Zoebia , Faull Christina
Published: September 2015

Background:

The need for pre-bereavement support for children facing the death of a parent is well recognised but how this is done by hospice ward nurses in practice is not well known.

Method:

To explore the experiences of hospice ward nurses' identification of the support needs of children under 18 years old facing the death of a parent, and the impact on hospice nurses when involved in providing this support.

Design:

Semi-structured individual interviews with hospice nurses working on a single UK inpatient unit were audio-taped and analysed using thematic analysis to produce themes and subthemes.

Results:

Nurses were highly reflective, discussing their personal experiences, and identified potential enablers and barriers to providing support. Child and family factors were identified as influencing identification of support needs.

Conclusion:

Multiple factors influencing provision of support emerged. Formal training and readily available resources would support hospice nurses working with children.
Biomarkers in Pharmaceutical Research
Authors: Zhao Xuemei , Modur Vijay , Carayannopoulos Leonidas N , Laterza Omar F
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers are important tools in drug development and are used throughout pharmaceutical research.

CONTENT

This review focuses on molecular biomarkers in drug development. It contains sections on how biomarkers are used to assess target engagement, pharmacodynamics, safety, and proof-of-concept. It also covers the use of biomarkers as surrogate end points and patient selection/companion diagnostics and provides insights into clinical biomarker discovery and biomarker development/validation with regulatory implications. To survey biomarkers used in drug development—acknowledging that many pharmaceutical development biomarkers are not published—we performed a focused PubMed search employing “biomarker” and the names of the largest pharmaceutical companies as keywords and filtering on clinical trials and publications in the last 10 years. This yielded almost 500 entries, the majority of which included disease-related (approximately 60%) or prognostic/predictive (approximately 20%) biomarkers. A notable portion (approximately 8%) included HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) testing, highlighting the utility of biomarkers for patient selection. The remaining publications included target engagement, safety, and drug metabolism biomarkers. Oncology, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis were the areas with the most citations, followed by diabetes and Alzheimer disease.

Judicious biomarker use can improve pharmaceutical development efficiency by helping to select patients most appropriate for treatment using a given mechanism, optimize dose selection, and provide earlier confidence in accelerating or discontinuing compounds in clinical development. Optimal application of biomarker technology requires understanding of candidate drug pharmacology, detailed modeling of biomarker readouts relative to pharmacokinetics, rigorous validation and qualification of biomarker assays, and creative application of these elements to drug development problems.
Discrete choice models with response transformation : An application to beverage choice
Authors: Sapra Sunil K
Published: September 2015

The paper studies various response transformation models for discrete choice and categorical data. These response transformation models are fitted to binary response data on beverage choice. Several models are compared, and the best model is selected using AICs and deviances. The transformations include extensions of the widely used Box-Cox transformation to Normality for continuous data to categorical data. The econometric techniques employed in the paper are widely applicable to the analysis of count, binary response, and duration types of data encountered in business and economics.
Bayes approach to study scale parameter of log logistic distribution
Authors: Nasir Wajiha , Maria Maria , Aslam Muhammad
Published: September 2015

Scale parameter of Log logistic distribution has been studied using Bayesian approach. Posterior distribution has derived by using non informative prior. Posterior distribution is not in close form so we have work with quadrature numerical integration. Various loss functions has been utilized to derive the Bayes estimators and their corresponding risks. Simulation study has been performed to compare the performance of different estimators.
The covert mechanisms of education policy discourse: Unmasking policy insiders’ discourses and discursive strategies in upholding or challenging racism and classism in education
Authors: Bertrand Melanie , Perez Wendy Y. , Rogers John
Published: September 2015

Policy insiders across party lines increasingly acknowledge educational “gaps,” yet they talk about this inequity in very different ways. Though some critique disparities through a structural lens, others use deficit discourse, blaming families of color and working-class families for educational outcomes. This study examines how state policy insiders explain educational inequity, shedding light on the complex relationship between language and the maintenance of systemic racism and classism in education. Drawing upon a unique data set of interviews with 50 policy insiders in one state in the United States, we found three main discourses used to explain inequity in education, each of which cited a different cause: 1) structural inequity, 2) perceived deficits of families and communities, and 3) teachers unions and teacher seniority. Policy insiders used often-veiled discursive strategies to advance their discourses. For instance, those that used deficit discourse: 1) asserted that those most negatively impacted by inequity cause inequity; 2) strengthened deficit discourse by blending it with one or both of the other two discourses; and 3) made inequity appear natural through the use of several substrategies, including obscuring the identity of those harmed by inequity. These strategies allowed some policy insiders to strengthen deficit discourse, divert attention from structural issues, and characterize themselves positively while advancing racist and classist ideas. These findings have compelling implications in terms of possibilities for policy changes supportive of educational equity.