bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A test of biotic interactions among two alpine plant species in Australia
Authors: JARRAD FRITH C. , WALSHE TERRY , CHEE YUNG EN , BURGMAN MARK A.
Published: May 2011

This study examines the extent to which interactions among two common alpine/subalpine plant species and their neighbours at the Bogong High Plains in southern Australia are characterized by competition or facilitation. The two target species were Celmisia pugioniformis (Asteraceae) and Carex breviculmis (Cyperaceae). Biotic interactions were examined using vegetation removal manipulations over three growing seasons at five sites across the altitudinal range of tall alpine herbfield communities. Observations recorded growth and mortality. Results for C. pugioniformis clearly indicated facilitation as a dominant process across all sites and seasons. Plants that had their neighbours removed tended to perform worse than plants that had their neighbours left intact. Growth observations for Ca. breviculmis were less clear, but again suggested facilitation. Mortality was distinctly higher among Ca. breviculmis individuals that had their neighbours removed relative to those with neighbours left intact. Results collectively suggest the removal of neighbours acts to reduce growth and increase mortality in C. pugioniformis and Ca. breviculmis throughout the altitudinal range of tall alpine herbfields at the Bogong High Plains. Facilitative and competitive interactions need to be recognized in efforts aimed at mitigating climate change‐associated impacts on the ecology of alpine plant communities. The extent to which biotic interactions may exacerbate or buffer abiotic change is difficult to predict, emphasizing the need for ecological monitoring.
Post‐partum weight retention in women in Asia: a systematic review
Authors: Cheng H‐R. , Walker L. O. , Tseng Y‐F. , Lin P‐C.
Published: May 2011

Obesity is a health issue for people in Asia, and many studies support that childbearing may contribute to women's obesity. However, most studies of post‐partum weight retention (PWR) focus on Western countries. This paper aimed to review recent data on PWR and discuss the related factors of PWR for women in Asia. Three electronic databases – MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO – were searched for data from January 1990 to August 2010. Twelve studies were identified as containing information related to PWR. Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean women tend to have higher gestational weight gain and PWR than women in other Asian countries in this review. The average reported gestational weight gain in these studies ranged from 8.3 kg to 18.0 kg, and the average weight retention at 6 months post partum in various countries ranged from 1.56 kg to 4.1 kg. Gestational weight gain had a positive effect on PWR, but there were no consistent conclusions for other factors. Only a few psychosocial and behavioural factors have been studied. Moreover, no one has assessed changes in waist circumference and waist‐to‐hip ratio for measuring central obesity and ensuring risk of chronic disease. Focusing on changes in maternal weight and body composition, and considering the impact of psychological and behavioural factors are suggested for future studies in Asia.
Beyond language borders: orthographic processing and word reading in Spanish–English bilinguals
Authors: Deacon S. Hélène , Chen Xi , Luo Yang , Ramirez Gloria
Published: May 2011

We present the results of an empirical test of the hypothesis that transfer of orthographic processing to reading occurs when the scripts under acquisition are written with the same unit (specifically, the same alphabet). We tested 97 Spanish–English bilingual children in Grades 4 and 7. We measured mother's education level, verbal and nonverbal abilities, rapid automatised naming and phonological awareness as control variables, as well as orthographic processing and reading in both of the children's languages. First, there was a relationship between orthographic processing and reading within both English and Spanish reading, a finding that is novel for the more transparent script of Spanish. Second, orthographic processing assessed in Spanish was related to English reading, even after substantive controls. This pattern of results offers support for the idea that orthographic processing transfers to reading across languages, when the scripts are written with the same unit.
Comprehension of written sentences as a core component of children's reading comprehension
Authors: Ecalle Jean , Bouchafa Houria , Potocki Anna , Magnan Annie
Published: May 2011

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that sentence processing is an essential mediatory skill between word recognition and text comprehension in reading. In Experiment 1, a semantic similarity judgement task was used with children from Grade 2 to Grade 9. They had to say whether two written sentences had the same (or very similar) meanings or whether the meanings of the two sentences were very different. As expected, performance improved with age both on the high‐frequency words and with increasingly complex sentences. In Experiment 2 with children in Grade 3, scores in written sentence comprehension and vocabulary made the most important unique contribution to the reading comprehension of an expository text. The results are discussed first, in the light of a general framework in which sentence‐level skill is at the core of reading comprehension and second, with reference to the issue of reading assessment.
Communities of Practice versus Organizational Climate: Which One Matters More to Dispersed Collaboration in the Front End of Innovation?*
Authors: Bertels Heidi M. J. , Kleinschmidt Elko J. , Koen Peter A.
Published: May 2011

Dispersed collaboration provides many benefits such as members' closeness to local cultures and markets and reachability of talent worldwide. Hence, it is no surprise that dispersed collaboration is frequently being used by product development teams. A necessary but not sufficient condition for innovation performance is the sharing of tacit, non‐codified and explicit, codified knowledge by the team. Situated learning theory, however, predicts that tacit knowledge sharing will be largely prevented by “decontextualization.” Therefore, increasing usage of dispersed collaboration will decrease levels of tacit knowledge—crucial to innovation and organizational performance—in the business unit. This research investigates the moderating role of mechanisms believed to enable tacit knowledge transfer in the front end of innovation. Using data from 116 business units, the moderating role of communities of practice and organizational climate on the relationship between the proficiency of dispersed collaboration and front end of innovation performance is investigated. Encouragement of communities of practice is found to moderate the relationship between proficiency of dispersed collaboration and front end of innovation performance on the business unit level. More specifically, proficiency of dispersed collaboration is not related at all to front end of innovation performance in business units with low support for communities of practice; but a positive relationship exists in business units with high support for communities of practice. This study does not provide support for the moderating effect of organizational climate on the relationship between proficiency in dispersed collaboration and front end of innovation performance. However, supportiveness of climate has a significant direct effect on front end of innovation performance. The findings of this study suggest that managers should simultaneously invest in increasing proficiency in dispersed collaboration and supporting communities of practice. Either one by itself is insufficient. Because of its significant direct effect, managers should also nurture an open climate favoring risk taking, trust, and open interaction.
Progress and Challenges in Product Line Pricing
Authors: Guiltinan Joseph
Published: May 2011

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in research on product line pricing. Modelers in multiple disciplines have offered methods for the optimal design/selection and pricing of the products in new or modified product lines. Behavioral scientists have contributed insights on how consumers' perceptions of product line prices, attributes, and quality levels influence their evaluation of the alternative choices. Significantly, the work of both modelers and behavioral scientists is distributed across three types of product line contexts: price‐quality product lines, multi‐attribute product lines, and product lines that include a core product plus options. This paper reviews this literature, and assesses its usefulness for managers. One observation is that, while scholars have developed approaches to optimization that offer increased scope and tractability, the applicability of these models is constrained by the narrow specification of profit functions, and the limited consideration of competitive and other dynamic forces. A second conclusion is that the managerial usefulness of the behavioral science research on perceptions and product‐line choice has been limited by a dependence on attribute‐based estimation of utilities, uncertainty about possible interaction effects, and an excessive focus on the cannibalization aspects of product line pricing. Based on the review, a research agenda is identified for enhancing the applicability of research on consumer perceptions and choice to product line pricing decisions, and for building more complete product line price optimization models.
Knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes towards child abuse amongst Jordanian dentists
Authors: Sonbol H. N. , Abu‐Ghazaleh S. , Rajab L. D. , Baqain Z. H. , Saman R. , Al‐Bitar Z. B.
Published: May 2011

Background:  Signs of physical abuse often present in the oro‐facial region and dentists are in a strategic position to recognise and report suspected cases. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes of Jordanian dentists towards child abuse and to assess their educational needs.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of a random sample of Jordanian dentists (n = 400) was conducted using an anonymous, self‐administered structured questionnaire.

Results:  The response rate was 64%. Thirty‐four per cent (n = 88) of the respondents reported having formal training in recognising and reporting child abuse, and 42% (n = 106) had post‐qualification/continuing education training on the topic. Half of the dentists (127/256) suspected a case of child abuse in the past 5 years, but only 12% (31/256) reported their suspicions. The main reasons for not reporting suspicions of abuse were fear from anger of parents (43%), uncertainty about diagnosis (41%) and uncertainty about referral procedures (41%). Those dentists who had formal training in dental school (P = 0.0001) and post‐qualification courses in child abuse (P = 0.006) were significantly more likely to report suspicions.

Conclusions:  A significant gap existed between recognising signs of physical child abuse and responding effectively. Improvements in child abuse education and continuing education courses are advised to provide dentists in Jordan with adequate knowledge of indicators of physical child abuse and to inform them on the protocol to follow when suspicions arise.
Unsupervised sub‐segmentation for pigmented skin lesions
Authors: Liu Zhao , Sun Jiuai , Smith Melvyn , Smith Lyndon , Warr Robert
Published: May 2011

Background: Early identification of malignant melanoma with the surgical removal of thin lesions is the most effective treatment for skin cancers. A computer‐aided diagnostic system assists to improve the diagnostic accuracy, where segmenting lesion from normal skin is usually considered as the first step. One of the challenges in the automated segmentation of skin lesions arises from the fact that darker areas within the lesion should be considered separate from the more general suspicious lesion as a whole, because these pigmented areas can provide significant additional diagnostic information.

Methods: This paper presents, for the first time, an unsupervised segmentation scheme to allow the isolation of normal skin, pigmented skin lesions, and interesting darker areas inside the lesion simultaneously. An adaptive mean‐shift is first applied with a 5D spatial colour–texture feature space to generate a group of homogenous regions. Then the sub‐segmentation maps are calculated by integrating maximal similarity‐based region merging and the kernel k‐means algorithm, where the number of segments is defined by a cluster validity measurement.

Results: The proposed method has been validated extensively on both normal digital photographs and dermoscopy images, which demonstrates competitive performance in achieving automatic segmentation. The isolated dark areas have proved helpful in the discrimination of malignant melanomas from atypical benign nevi. Compared with the results obtained from the asymmetry measure of the entire lesion, the asymmetry distribution of the isolated dark areas helped increase the accuracy of the identification of malignant melanoma from 65.38% to 73.07%, and this classification accuracy reached 80.77% on integrating both asymmetry descriptors.

Conclusion: The proposed segmentation scheme gives the lesion boundary closed to the manual segmentation obtained by experienced dermatologists. The initial classification results indicate that the study of the distributions of darker areas inside the lesions is very promising in characterizing melanomas.
Thermography‐measured effect of capsaicin, methylprednisolone and mitomycin on the survival of random skin flaps in rats
Authors: Shejbal Dražen , Drvis Petar , Bedekovic Vladimir
Published: May 2011

Aims: This study was designed to determine if steroids, capsaicin and mytomicin improved skin flap survival in rats, and it has confirmed that thermography is an effective method to measured skin flap vitality.

Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were randomised into four groups. A standardised full thickness inferiorly based dorsal random‐pattern skin flap was raised, and a gelatine sponge was placed before suturing between the flap and its recipient bed, soaked with 0.9 % saline in the control group and with capsaicin, methylprednisolone and mitomycini in the experimental groups. Vitality of the flap and of the survival area was measured by infrared thermography.

Results: Methylprednisolone statistically significant decrease skin flap necrosis, approximately 56%, when compared with controls (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Corticosteroids applied subcutaneously in a single dose on a gelatine sponge produced a statistically significant improvement of the survival of random skin flaps in rats, whereas capsaicin and mitomycin showed no improvement.
A Therapeutic Confirmatory Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Zydena® (Udenafil) for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Male Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Moon Du Geon , Yang Dae Yul , Lee Choong Hyun , Ahn Tai Young , Min Kweon Sik , Park Kwangsung , Park Jong Kwan , Kim Je Jong
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are reported to experience more severe erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms and respond less to ED treatments compared with patients with ED of other etiologies.

Aim

This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of udenafil for the treatment of ED in a larger number of patients with DM.

Methods

A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group design multicenter study, fixed-dose trial was conducted. The trial involved seven study sites in Korea, with 174 ED patients with DM. The subjects, treated with placebo, 100 mg, or 200 mg of udenafil for 12 weeks, were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary, and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ) during the study period.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary efficacy parameter was the change in the erectile function domain (EFD) score of IIEF from baseline. Secondary parameters were IIEF questions 3 (Q3) and Q4, SEP Q2 and Q3, rate of achieving normal erectile function (EFD ≥ 26), and the response to GAQ.

Results

Compared with the placebo, patients receiving both doses of udenafil showed statistically significant improvements in the IIEF-EFD score, respectively. However, statistically significant difference was not observed between the udenafil 100 mg and the udenafil 200 mg groups. Similar results were observed in the comparison of Q3 and Q4 of IIEF, SEP diary, and GAQ. The percentages of subjects experiencing at least one adverse event related to the study drugs were 3.6%, 15.8%, and 22.4% for the placebo, udenafil 100 mg, and udenafil 200 mg groups, respectively. However, these events were all mild in severity. Major adverse events were flushing, headache, nausea, and conjunctival hyperemia.

Conclusion

Udenafil was significantly effective for the treatment of ED, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in erectile function in patients with DM. The incidence of adverse events was relatively low and well tolerated in patients with DM.
Imbalanced Low-Grade Inflammation and Endothelial Activation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Araña Rosaínz Manuel de J. , Ojeda Miriam Ojeda , Acosta Janet Rodriguez , Elías-Calles Lizet Castelo , González Neraldo Orlandi , Herrera Omaida Torres , García Álvarez Caridad T. , Rodríguez Elvira Maciquez , Báez Mario Estevez , Seijas Eduardo Álvarez , Valdés Ramiro Fragas
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM). Although a link among systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and ED is described in clinical situations mainly related with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, evidences of this link in T2DM patients are rather limited.

Aims

To evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and balance of pro-/anti-inflammatory mediators with ED presence and severity in T2DM.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 190 T2DM patients without symptomatic CHD, 150 out of them with ED and 40 without ED. Serum levels of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). ED presence and severity were tested by the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

Differences in circulating levels of endothelial dysfunction (ICAM-1, E-selectin) and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-10, TNF-α : IL-10 ratio) markers between T2DM patients with and without ED, and assessment of biomarkers ED predictive value while adjusting for other known ED risk factors.

Results

Patients with ED were older and had longer duration of diabetes than patients without ED. E-selectin serum levels were significantly increased, while IL-10 were lower in patients with ED; because TNF-α levels tend to be higher, TNF-α : IL-10 ratio was more elevated in ED patients. No significant differences of ICAM-1 levels were observed between study groups. Endothelial activation markers and TNF-α, as well as diabetes duration, were negatively correlated with erectile function. On multivariate analysis including age, duration of diabetes, insulin treatment, hypertension, insulin resistance, fair-to-poor glycemic control, and metabolic syndrome, increments in E-selectin levels and TNF-α : IL-10 ratio predicted independently ED presence, while IL-10 increases were associated with lower risk of ED in T2DM patients.

Conclusions

ED in T2DM patients without symptomatic CHD is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction and a predominant, imbalanced low-grade inflammatory response.
Priapism in Sickle-Cell Disease: A Hematologist’s Perspective
Authors: Kato Gregory J.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Priapism is a familiar problem to hematologists, well known for its association with sickle-cell disease (SCD). It also occurs in a variety of other hematological illnesses, nearly all forms of congenital hemolytic anemia, including other hemoglobinopathies and red blood cell membranopathies and enzymopathies.

Aim

Provide urologists with a comprehensive review of priapism in SCD, with an emphasis on the perspective of a practicing hematologist.

Methods

Medline searches through July 2010 were conducted using the terms priapism, erectile dysfunction, and sickle cell.

Main Outcome Measures

Expert opinion was based on review of the medical literature related to this subject matter.

Results

In men with SCD, large epidemiological studies have linked the risk of priapism to clinical markers of the severity of intravascular hemolysis. Extracellular hemoglobin and arginase released during hemolysis has been implicated in reducing nitric oxide bioavailability, although the relevance of hemolysis to vascular dysfunction has been challenged by some scientists. Consistent with the role of impairment of the nitric oxide axis, mice genetically deficient in nitric oxide production have also been shown to develop priapic activity. Provocative new data indicate that hemolysis-linked dysregulation of adenosine signaling in the penis contributes to priapism in sickle cell mice. Serious questions have arisen regarding the efficacy of mainstays of textbook dogma for treatment of acute severe priapism, including intravenous fluids, alkalinization, and exchange transfusion, and there is increasing acceptance for early aspiration and irrigation of the corpus cavernosum.

Conclusion

For patients with sickle cell with recurrent priapism, there is very limited evidence for a medical prophylaxis role for hydroxyurea, etilefrine, pseudoephedrine, leuprolide, sildenafil, and other agents. Recent publications have highlighted nitric oxide and adenosine signal transduction pathways as worthy of additional research. Research and clinical management of sickle-cell priapism is strengthened by multidisciplinary collaboration between hematologists and urologists.
Evaluation of Premature Ejaculation
Authors: Jannini Emmanuele A. , Maggi Mario , Lenzi Andrea
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a prevalent, yet often underdiagnosed, sexual disorder that affects men of all ages. Identification of PE is hampered by stigma and embarrassment associated with the condition, and limited awareness that it is treatable. Because diagnosis informs treatment decisions that have an impact on clinical outcomes, the ability to diagnose PE accurately is vital to the successful management of this condition.

Aim

Provide an overview of how to evaluate and diagnose PE.

Methods

Review of the literature.

Main Outcome Measures

The taxonomy of PE based on onset, time, type, and comorbidities.

Results

Diagnosis of PE encompasses seven key steps: (i) Obtaining the patient's general medical and sexual history; (ii) Classifying the symptom on the basis of onset (e.g., lifelong or acquired PE), timing (e.g., prior to or during intercourse), and type (e.g., absolute/generalized or relative/situational); (iii) Involving the partner to determine their view of the situation and the impact of PE on the couple as a whole; (iv) Identifying sexual comorbidities (e.g., erectile dysfunction) to define whether PE is simple (occurring in the absence of other sexual dysfunctions) or complicated (occurring in the presence of other sexual dysfunctions); (v) Performing physical examination to check the man's sexual organs and reflexes; (vi) Identifying underlying etiologies and risk factors (e.g., endocrine-, urological-, or psychorelational-/psychosexual-related) to determine the primary cause of PE and any associated comorbidities; (vii) Discussing treatment options to find the most suitable intervention, according to the needs of the man and his partner.

Conclusion

A greater understanding of how to diagnose PE correctly, and a more widespread use of a structured diagnostic approach, could lead to better treatment outcomes in the future.
Homemade talc spray atomizer dedicated to flexible‐rigid pleuroscope
Authors: Boonsarngsuk Viboon , Juthakarn Sabaithip , Boonsarngsuk Wison
Published: May 2011

Background:  Thoracoscopic talc poudrage is the preferred technique for medical pleurodesis. However, commercial talc spray atomizers are not applicable with the flexible‐rigid pleuroscope. Therefore, we developed a simple and cheap homemade talc spray atomizer dedicated to flexible‐rigid pleuroscope.

Objective:  To describe the experience in performing talc poudrage using our homemade talc spray atomizer.

Methods:  A retrospective review was performed in 22 consecutive patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion undergoing thoracoscopic talc poudrage by our talc spray atomizer with the aim of performing a palliative pleurodesis.

Results:  Under direct flexible‐rigid pleuroscopic guidance, we could instill talc throughout the pleural cavity with our talc spray atomizer in all cases. The median procedure time to instill the whole talc was 4 min 15 s. The successful pleurodesis was achieved in 77.3%.

Conclusions:  We have introduced a homemade talc spray atomizer dedicated to the flexible‐rigid pleuroscope. Uniform distribution of talc could be achieved without additional port placement.

Please cite this paper as: Boonsarngsuk V, Juthakarn S and Boonsarngsuk W. Homemade talc spray atomizer dedicated to flexible‐rigid pleuroscope. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 40–45.
Why Is Performance Management Broken?
Authors: Pulakos Elaine D. , O’Leary Ryan S.
Published: May 2011

Although extensive research and practice have focused on understanding and improving performance management systems in organizations, the formula for effective performance management remains elusive. We propose that a significant part of the problem is that performance management has been reduced to prescribed steps within formal administrative systems that are disconnected from the day-to-day activities that determine performance management effectiveness (e.g., communicating clear work expectations, setting short-term objectives and deadlines, and providing continual guidance). We argue that interventions to improve performance management should cease their exclusive focus on reinventing formal system features. Although well-developed tools and systems can facilitate performance management, these alone do not yield effective performance management. In lieu of making further changes to formal performance management systems, we argue for devoting more attention to improving manager–employee communication and aspects of the manager–employee relationship and propose an approach we believe holds promise for improving performance management processes in organizations.
Overqualification Theory, Research, and Practice: Things That Matter
Authors: Erdogan Berrin , Bauer Talya N. , Peiró José María , Truxillo Donald M.
Published: May 2011

In our focal article, we contended that overqualified employees may present unique advantages to hiring organizations and that decisions regarding overqualified employees should be made considering the strengths as well as potential limitations of employing overqualified employees. In this response to commentaries on our original article, we identify distinctions researchers should pay attention to. Specifically, measurement of overqualification (whether objective or subjective measures are used), dimension of overqualification in question (overeducation, being overskilled, overintelligence, or overexperience), when and from whose perspective overqualification is assessed (before or after employment), whether overqualification occurs within the context of other overqualified employees, the degree of choice available to the job applicant in becoming overqualified, as well as the specific nature of the population being affected by overqualification are important issues that affect the theory as well as management of overqualification.
Sonographical and Serological Survey of Human Cystic Echinococcosis and Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Seroconversion in Rural Communities of Kerman, Iran
Authors: Harandi M. F. , Moazezi S. S. , Saba M. , Grimm F. , Kamyabi H. , Sheikhzadeh F. , Sharifi I. , Deplazes P.
Published: May 2011

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is an endemic zoonosis in Iran particularly in rural regions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CE among rural communities in Kerman using ultrasonography (US) and serology. Kerman Province, in southeastern Iran, is the largest province, with 2.9 million inhabitants. A sample of 1140 individuals (200 males and 940 females) was selected by randomized cluster sampling in 2006–2008. After acquiring informed consent for each participant a questionnaire was filled, complete abdominal US in supine position was carried out and 5 ml blood was collected for ELISA test. Two hydatid cases (0.2%) were detected by ultrasound. Serological results showed 7.3% seropositivity, and females (8.3%) were significantly more positive than males (2.1%). There were significant difference between CE seropositivity and sex, age and occupation. Residents of desert regions (Shahdad, Andouhjerd and Golbaf) were 2.5 times more likely to be seropositive than mountainous regions with better socioeconomic status (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.09–5.95). Dog ownership does not appear to be a significant risk factor for CE in the region. Only about 10% of households own dogs, usually only one dog. However, the stray dog population of Kerman province is estimated at 145 000–480 000 (3.5–11.5 times the owned dog population). Infection in humans and animals would appear to come mostly from infected stray dogs. Management of stray dog population could make major progress in control of hydatid disease. In addition, proper washing of vegetables decreased probability of infection by 53% (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.26–0.84). The serological study showed that many people, especially women, had been exposed to Echinococcus eggs and had seroconverted but were not infected.
Initial experience of ultrapurified bovine haemoglobin use in horses
Authors: Hollis A. R. , Corley K. T. T.
Published: May 2011

Ultrapurified bovine haemoglobin solutions such as Oxyglobin are rarely used in equine medicine due to their relatively high cost and concerns over their safety. Four foals and a mature horse were administered Oxyglobin as part of their treatment regime to good clinical effect, and no adverse clinical signs were noted. All 5 animals went on to make a full recovery from the various disease processes that necessitated treatment with blood and blood products. Oxyglobin appears to be a useful adjunctive treatment for acute, life‐threatening anaemia in the horse.
Purulent dacryocystitis (nasolacrimal duct drainage) secondary to periapical tooth root infection in a donkey
Authors: Cleary O. B. , Easley J. T. , Henriksen M. d. L. , Brooks D. E.
Published: May 2011

Periapical tooth disease in the equid has been extensively described. Rostral cheek tooth abscessation usually leads to external facial swelling, and in some cases, nasal drainage. Periapical infection of the caudal cheek teeth usually results in maxillary empyema and sinusitis. This case report describes a donkey with periapical tooth root infection of the left 3rd maxillary premolar (207) diagnosed with computed tomography, which drained exclusively into the adjacent/collateral nasolacrimal duct.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal region in clinically lame horses responding to diagnostic analgesia of the palmar nerves at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones: Five cases
Authors: Daniel A. J. , Judy C. E. , Saveraid T.
Published: May 2011

Injection of local anaesthetic solution around the palmar nerves at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones is typically considered to desensitise structures distal to this location. There has been recent research investigating the potential for proximal diffusion of local anaesthetic solution resulting in desensitisation of structures other than those intended. This case series describes lame horses that respond to this block but have pathology within the suspensory ligament branches, the distal aspect of the third metacarpal bone and/or the proximal sesamoid bones as seen with high field magnetic resonance imaging.
A High-Accuracy Model Reduction for Analysis of Nonlinear Vibrations in Structures With Contact Interfaces
Authors: Petrov E. P.
Published: May 2011

A highly accurate and computationally efficient method is proposed for reduced modeling of jointed structures in the frequency domain analysis of nonlinear steady-state forced response. The method has significant advantages comparing with the popular variety of mode synthesis methods or forced response matrix methods and can be easily implemented in the nonlinear forced response analysis using standard finite element codes. The superior qualities of the new method are demonstrated on a set of major problems of nonlinear forced response analysis of bladed disks with contact interfaces: (i) at blade roots, (ii) between interlock shrouds, and (iii) at underplatform dampers. The numerical properties of the method are thoroughly studied on a number of special test cases.
Uncertainty Quantification of Turbulence Model Coefficients via Latin Hypercube Sampling Method
Authors: Dunn Matthew C. , Shotorban Babak , Frendi Abdelkader
Published: May 2011

The article is concerned with the propagation of uncertainties in the values of turbulence model coefficients and parameters in turbulent flows. These coefficients and parameters are obtained through experiments performed on elementary flows, and they are subject to uncertainty. In this work, the widely used k-ɛ turbulence model is considered. It consists of model transport equations for the turbulence kinetic energy and the rate of turbulent dissipation. Both equations involve various model coefficients about which adequate knowledge is assumed known in the form of probability density functions. The study is carried out for a flow over a 2D backward-facing step configuration. The Latin Hypercube Sampling method is employed for the uncertainty quantification purposes as it requires a smaller number of samples compared to the conventional Monte Carlo method. The mean values are reported for the flow output parameters of interest along with their associated uncertainties. The results show that model coefficient variability has significant effects on the streamwise mean velocity in the recirculation region near the reattachment point and turbulence intensity along the free shear layer. The reattachment point location, pressure, and wall shear are also significantly influenced by the uncertainties of the coefficients.
Realizing All-Spin–Based Logic Operations Atom by Atom
Authors: Khajetoorians Alexander Ako , Wiebe Jens , Chilian Bruno , Wiesendanger Roland
Published: May 2011

Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to assemble and read out signals from a device based on atomic spins.
The Selaginella Genome Identifies Genetic Changes Associated with the Evolution of Vascular Plants
Authors: Banks Jo Ann , Nishiyama Tomoaki , Hasebe Mitsuyasu , Bowman John L. , Gribskov Michael , dePamphilis Claude , Albert Victor A. , Aono Naoki , Aoyama Tsuyoshi , Ambrose Barbara A. , Ashton Neil W. , Axtell Michael J. , Barker Elizabeth , Barker Michael S. , Bennetzen Jeffrey L. , Bonawitz Nicholas D. , Chapple Clint , Cheng Chaoyang , Correa Luiz Gustavo Guedes , Dacre Michael , DeBarry Jeremy , Dreyer Ingo , Elias Marek , Engstrom Eric M. , Estelle Mark , Feng Liang , Finet Cédric , Floyd Sandra K. , Frommer Wolf B. , Fujita Tomomichi , Gramzow Lydia , Gutensohn Michael , Harholt Jesper , Hattori Mitsuru , Heyl Alexander , Hirai Tadayoshi , Hiwatashi Yuji , Ishikawa Masaki , Iwata Mineko , Karol Kenneth G. , Koehler Barbara , Kolukisaoglu Uener , Kubo Minoru , Kurata Tetsuya , Lalonde Sylvie , Li Kejie , Li Ying , Litt Amy , Lyons Eric , Manning Gerard , Maruyama Takeshi , Michael Todd P. , Mikami Koji , Miyazaki Saori , Morinaga Shin‐ichi , Murata Takashi , Mueller‐Roeber Bernd , Nelson David R. , Obara Mari , Oguri Yasuko , Olmstead Richard G. , Onodera Naoko , Petersen Bent Larsen , Pils Birgit , Prigge Michael , Rensing Stefan A. , Riaño-Pachón Diego Mauricio , Roberts Alison W. , Sato Yoshikatsu , Scheller Henrik Vibe , Schulz Burkhard , Schulz Christian , Shakirov Eugene V. , Shibagaki Nakako , Shinohara Naoki , Shippen Dorothy E. , Sørensen Iben , Sotooka Ryo , Sugimoto Nagisa , Sugita Mamoru , Sumikawa Naomi , Tanurdzic Milos , Theißen Günter , Ulvskov Peter , Wakazuki Sachiko , Weng Jing‐Ke , Willats William W.G.T. , Wipf Daniel , Wolf Paul G. , Yang Lixing , Zimmer Andreas D. , Zhu Qihui , Mitros Therese , Hellsten Uffe , Loqué Dominique , Otillar Robert , Salamov Asaf , Schmutz Jeremy , Shapiro Harris , Lindquist Erika , Lucas Susan , Rokhsar Daniel , Grigoriev Igor V.
Published: May 2011

The genome sequence of a lycophyte hints at ancient evolutionary transitions.
Repetition of a sisterhood survey at district level in Malawi: the challenge to achieve MDG 5
Authors: Beltman Jogchum Jan , van den Akker Thomas , Lam Eva , Moens Mieke , Kazima Julie , Massaquoi Moses , van Roosmalen Jos
Published: May 2011

Objective

To evaluate progress made at district level in Malawi towards reaching the 5th Millennium Development Goal, the reduction of maternal mortality.

Methods

In 2006, community-based maternal mortality in Thyolo, Malawi was calculated by applying the ‘sisterhood method’, a survey that relies on participants responding to basic questions about maternal mortality in their families. Results were compared with a 1989 sisterhood study in the same district. Information on facility-based maternal mortality in 2005 was extracted from district hospital records.

Results

The community-based maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was calculated as 558 per 100 000 live births (95% CI 260 to 820). A comparison with the MMR from the 1989 survey (409 per 100 000 live births) shows that maternal mortality had not declined. The hospital-based MMR was 994 per 100 000 live births in 2005.

Conclusion

Maternal mortality in this district has not reduced and may actually have increased. The threat of failure to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5 increases the moral obligation to improve access to quality health care.
Triangulating case-finding tools for patient safety surveillance: a cross-sectional case study of puncture/laceration
Authors: Taylor Jennifer A , Gerwin Daniel , Morlock Laura , Miller Marlene R
Published: May 2011

Objective

To evaluate the need for triangulating case-finding tools in patient safety surveillance. This study applied four case-finding tools to error-associated patient safety events to identify and characterise the spectrum of events captured by these tools, usingpunctureorlacerationas an example for in-depth analysis.

Data sources/study setting

Retrospective hospital discharge data were collected for calendar year 2005 (n=48 418) from a large, urban medical centre in the USA.

Study design

The study design was cross-sectional and used data linkage to identify the cases captured by each of four case-finding tools.

Data collection/extraction methods

Three case-finding tools (International Classification of Diseases external (E) and nature (N) of injury codes, Patient Safety Indicators (PSI)) were applied to the administrative discharge data to identify potential patient safety events. The fourth tool was Patient Safety Net, a web-based voluntary patient safety event reporting system.

Results

The degree of mutual exclusion among detection methods was substantial. For example, when linkingpunctureorlacerationon unique identifiers, out of 447 potential events, 118 were identical between PSI and E-codes, 152 were identical between N-codes and E-codes and 188 were identical between PSI and N-codes. Only 100 events that were identified by PSI, E-codes and N-codes were identical. Triangulation of multiple tools through data linkage captures potential patient safety events most comprehensively.

Conclusions

Existing detection tools target patient safety domains differently, and consequently capture different occurrences, necessitating the integration of data from a combination of tools to fully estimate the total burden.
Violence and social capital among young men in Beirut
Authors: Hajj Taghreed El , Afifi Rema A , Khawaja Marwan , Harpham Trudy
Published: May 2011

Background

Research on the links between violence and social capital has produced mixed results and is mainly limited to Western countries.

Aims

To assess the relationship of social capital to physical fights among unmarried boys aged 13–19 years living in three disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the outskirts of Beirut, controlling for variables associated with youth violence. Lebanon has a history of civil and cross-border war, which may influence the production of violence at the individual level.

Methods

674 boys were interviewed. The dependent variable was being involved in a physical fight in the last 3 months. The independent variable was social capital, classified into six categories: civic engagement and community development; locational capital; trust; reciprocity; hypothetical social support; and social network.

Results

One fifth (20%) had been in a fight in the last 3 months. Youth who were members of a group, who had been victimised, who could ask for help from a family member/friend/neighbour when they had a problem, and who liked living in their neighbourhood were more likely to be involved in a fight.

Conclusion

This research supports the literature that indicates that physical fights are positively related to both individual and social capital variables. Social capital had a detrimental effect on physical fights. This may be related to bonding in a gang-like way. While high levels of social capital are good for other health outcomes and thus should not be reduced, interventions that channel youth energy in positive ways are needed.
Managing the public health risk of a ‘sex worker’ with hepatitis B infection: legal and ethical considerations
Authors: Poll Ray
Published: May 2011

This paper examines the ethical issues faced by health workers managing a fictional case of a female sex worker who is hepatitis B positive with a high level of virus but is asymptomatic. According to guidelines she does not require treatment herself, but is potentially highly infectious to others. Recent legal cases in the UK show it can be criminal to pass on HIV or hepatitis B infection sexually if the risk is known and the partner has not been informed. However, there is no statute or case law showing that health workers are required to intervene to prevent such a potential ‘crime’, particularly when the partners are unknown, as in this case. The health workers could respond in various ways. They could do nothing, thus making further infection probable. They could advise the sex worker to use condoms and to inform her clients. They could treat the sex worker to reduce her level of infectivity, although there is no benefit to her. They could disclose the sex worker's status, although breaking confidentiality is a serious matter ethically and may be of no benefit to the unknown client group. Regulating prostitution might help; but sex workers with infection may work off licence. This paper discusses the clinical, moral and ethical issues associated with such a scenario and concludes that the most beneficial course is to target clients, through health education, to recognise the potential risks of infection from a sex worker and to take suitable precautions including immunisation against hepatitis B.
The justification of race in biological explanation
Authors: Lorusso Ludovica
Published: May 2011

In medicine, racial differences are frequently presented as part of the best explanation of differences in the risk of diseases. The problem of using racial classification in biomedical research has become important because of its ethical consequences in society. However, the biological relevance of the concept of race cannot be established by any ethical argument and the epistemological role of racial categorisation requires clarification. In this paper, different issues related to the concept of race are considered. This paper analyses the semantic problem concerning the definition of race, considers the ontological problem of race, drawing attention to the biological evidence for genetic differences among human groups, and presents a promising epistemological approach to the problem of race. The purpose of the paper is to examine whether, or when, racial categories belong in biological explanations. It shows that the concept of race cannot be justified in biology because it does not lead to successful predictions, and that genetic discontinuities are sufficient to explain differences in diseases but not needed in the explanation. The biomedical field should search for genetic patterns related to diseases, and should not assume racial discontinuities among human groups and use racial clusters as proxies for undetected genetic patterns.
Energy metabolites in pre‐ and postpartum dairy cattle as predictors of reproductive disorders
Authors: Jackson R. A. , Wills J. R. , Kendall N. R. , Green M. J. , Murray R. D. , Dobson H.
Published: May 2011

This study aimed to determine values for selected energy metabolites (non‐esterified fatty acid [NEFA], β‐hydroxybutyrate [BHB], urea or urea:BHB ratio), together with a body condition score, associated with an increased risk of cows developing a reproductive disorder and to investigate temporal relationships between predictors and reproductive outcome. A cohort of 98 cows on one farm was monitored weekly from four weeks before to 10 weeks after calving; 89 cows provided sufficient data to calculate commencement of luteal activity (C‐LA). Cows with high NEFA × urea (Nu ; product of NEFA and urea) values one and three weeks after calving were twice as likely to develop cystic ovarian disease (risk ratio 2). Cows that developed endometritis had high NEFA values one (P=0.02) or four weeks (P=0.04) before calving, or low urea:BHB ratios two weeks before calving, at calving or three weeks after calving (P=0.024, P=0.031 and P=0.001, respectively). Cows that had delayed C‐LA had high NEFA values one week after calving (P=0.05) or low urea:BHB ratios three or four weeks after calving (P=0.004 and P=0.003, respectively).
International disease monitoring, January to March 2011
Authors: Roberts H. , Lopez M. , Hartley M.
Published: May 2011

African horse sickness in the surveillance zone of South Africa

African swine fever in north‐west Russia on the EU border

Foot‐and‐mouth disease in Bulgaria

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in the Far East and Middle East

First reported occurrence of vesicular stomatitis in pigs in Belize

These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for January to March 2011, prepared by Defra's Food and Farming Group, Veterinary Science Team
Including all the lines1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Kurucz Robert L.
Published: May 2011

I present a progress report on including all the lines in the line lists, including all the lines in the opacities, and including all the lines in the model atmosphere and spectrum synthesis calculations. The increased opacity will improve stellar atmosphere, pulsation, stellar interior, asteroseismology, nova, supernova, and other radiation-hydrodynamics calculations. I also report on producing high-resolution, high-signal-to-noise atlases for use in verifying the line data and spectrum calculations, and as tools for extending laboratory spectrum analyses to higher energy levels. All the data are available on my web site: kurucz.harvard.edu .