bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Peer Mentors Improve First-Year Experiences of University Students?
Authors: Yomtov Dani , Plunkett Scott W. , Efrat Rafi , Marin Adriana Garcia
Published: October 2015

The effectiveness of a peer-mentoring program was examined at a university in California. Previous studies suggest university peer mentoring might increase students' feelings of engagement, which can contribute to their retention. Pretest and posttest data were collected from 304 freshmen (mentored and nonmentored) during the fall of 2012 in a quasi-experimental design. Results indicated mentored students felt significantly more integrated and connected to their university at the end of their first semester compared with nonmentored students. Mentees also provided qualitative responses about what they found beneficial and what they felt could be improved in the program. Results suggested peer mentoring helped the students feel more integrated and supported at college, which might reinforce their persistence toward graduating.
Testing Our Assumptions
Authors: Callahan Janet , Belcheir Marcia
Published: October 2015

Methods that provide an early indicator of factors that affect student persistence are important to colleges and universities. This quantitative research focused on the role of level of entry mathematics and English and also on grades earned in those classes, as they relate to persistence after 1 year. The research showed that by far, the variable most predictive of first-time, full-time students enrolling 1 year later was earning a grade of “A” in English. Compared with those who did not pass their first English course, students who earned an “A” were 3 times more likely to persist. The variables which at least doubled the likelihood of persistence included earning an “A” or a “B” in mathematics, a “B” in English, and taking an English course beyond freshman English. While course level taken was significant, the course level effect paled compared with grades earned as a predictor. This effect—of grade earned being more important than course level—included remedial coursework in mathematics and English. In addition, obtaining a high grade in English was equally important for both science, technology, engineering and math and non-science, technology, engineering and math majors. Finally, students who took both mathematics and English courses during their first year were more likely to persist than students who did not take both subjects.
“In Burst of Fresh Song”
Authors: Jacobi Bonnie Schaffhauser
Published: October 2015

Between 1920 and 1928, William Churchill Hammond’s Christmas Caroling Choir at Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, not only helped to reinstate the musical celebration of Christmas after Puritan beliefs had precluded it in New England, but also provided one of the first experiences for American women to tour, as professional performing musicians would, and premiere new music throughout the northeastern United States. A subset of the Glee Club at the college, the Caroling Choir performed carol concerts each Christmas jointly with Hammond’s choir at the Second Congregational Church in Holyoke. Together with his brother-in-law, Edward Bliss Reed, Hammond collected Christmas Carols for more than thirty-five years. The carols were arranged, published, and circulated by the Carol Society in New Haven, Connecticut. Through his leadership as Director of Music at the college during 1899–1937 and at the Second Congregational Church, Hammond exposed female college students, parishioners, and foreign-born mill workers within the community to musical masterworks and he fostered appreciation for art music in a location where no professional orchestra existed at the time. Hammond’s musical and technical expertise, zeal for quality music, and outlook on music as a unifying force among people intensified the role that music played throughout the college and likely propelled the establishment of a Music Major in 1935.
Temperance Songs in American School Songbooks, 1840–1860
Authors: Sanders Paul
Published: October 2015

Early school songbooks in the United States served an important role. During the period from the introduction of public school music to the appearance of graded music series, they provided essential song literature and instructional material for early public school music classes. These songbooks often included patriotic songs, songs of the season, and songs about music, and moral and social themes were common. Some sources specifically note the inclusion of temperance songs, but little research has been done on how frequently this occurred. This study explores the inclusion of temperance songs in twenty-three school songbooks during the period from 1840 to 1860, noting dominant themes and tactics utilized by temperance reformers. Findings suggest that many school songbook compilers considered temperance reform an important concern and sought to influence both children and their parents by focusing on the dangers of alcohol. Several dominant themes were identified, including “Cold Water,” “Beware the Cup,” “Temperance Army,” “Home and Family,” and “Take the Pledge.” Although lyricists utilized both persuasion (moral suasion) and coercion, findings do not support the shift toward coercive tactics reported by temperance historians during the 1850s.
Governance in English VET: On the functioning of a fractured ‘system’
Authors: Keep Ewart
Published: October 2015

This article explores the governance structures that cover vocational education and training (VET) in England. The English VET system is highly fragmented, complex and unstable, and has tended to oscillate between centralised command and control, and attempts at marketisation. Its governance arrangements reflect this situation. The various providers of VET are reviewed, and the critical role that national government plays in dictating governance systems in the absence of wider social partnership arrangements or fully functioning employer representation systems is explored. The distinctive form and role of the funding agencies, the national learning inspectorate and the qualifications regulator are noted, and the design principles that underlie systems governance are discussed. Three trends that are disrupting the current settlement are analysed – fiscal retrenchment, moves towards ‘employer ownership’ of provision and the growing drive towards localisation. The article concludes by arguing that the current governance model is liable to come under serious pressure.
Innate immunity of surfactant proteins A and D in urinary tract infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hu Fengqi , Ding Guohua , Zhang Zhiyong , Gatto Louis A , Hawgood Samuel , Poulain Francis R , Cooney Robert N , Wang Guirong
Published: October 2015

To investigate the effects of surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D, respectively) in urinary tract infection (UTI), SP-A and SP-D double knockout (SP-A/D KO) and wild type (WT) C57BL/6 female mice were infected with uropathogenic Escherichia coli by intravesical inoculation. Compared with WT mice SP-A/D KO mice showed increased susceptibility to UTI, as evidenced by higher bacterial CFU, more infiltrating neutrophils and severe pathological changes. Keratinocyte-derived chemokine increased in the kidney of WT mice but not in SP-A/D KO mice 24 h post-infection. Compared with control, the level of IL-17 was elevated in the kidney of infected WT and SP-A/D KO mice and the level of IL-17 was higher in the infected SP-A/D KO mice than in infected WT mice 24 and 48 h post-infection. The basal level of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in SP-A/D KO mice was higher than in WT mice. The phosphorylated p38 level was elevated in the kidney of WT mice post infection but not in SP-A/D KO mice. Furthermore, in vitro growth of uropathogenic E. coli was inhibited by SP-A and SP-D. We conclude that SP-A and SP-D function as mediators of innate immunity by inhibiting bacterial growth and modulating renal inflammation in part by regulating p38 MAPK-related pathway in murine UTI.
Culturally Competent School Nurse Practice
Authors: Carr Bette , Knutson Stephanie
Published: October 2015

School nurses are among the professional specialty disciplines in the school environment that have the unique opportunity of exploring and building upon effective practices when working and providing service to diverse populations. As such, school nurses must not only acquire the skills to survive in the culture of education; they must also develop cultural competence by engaging in self-identity and reflection, understanding cultural differences, being culturally responsive, identifying social injustices, and engaging in life-long learning experiences.
Asthma Management in Educational Settings
Authors: Evans-Agnew Robin A. , Klein Nicole , Lecce Sally
Published: October 2015

Managing asthma in the schools is complex and requires careful planning. This article highlights key steps in implementing guideline-based care for children with asthma in Washington State schools: assessing students, establishing acuity, communicating with parents, and training staff. Advance planning can improve outcomes for students, parents, and school staff in managing this complex and prevalent disease. NASN recently developed asthma management guidelines. Developing state-specific guidelines provides an opportunity to speak specifically to state laws and nurse practice acts while also reinforcing the importance of specialized practice to school nurses, school administrators and teachers, parents, and students.
School Nurse Cultural Competence Needs Assessment
Authors: Matza Maria , Maughan Erin , Barrows Beth M.
Published: October 2015

NASN conducted a needs assessment to learn about the cultural competence skills needed by school nurses. The purpose of this article is to describe the results of the needs assessment and describe actions taken to address cultural competency needs for the U.S. school nurse workforce.
Diabetes Education and Support
Authors: Siminerio Linda M.
Published: October 2015

Ongoing diabetes self-management education and support is critical to helping youth with diabetes and their families learn about the disease, make and sustain behavioral changes, and cope with the reality of a chronic illness. Diabetes self-management education and support is best provided by a multidisciplinary team. School nurses are an important part of the student’s diabetes health care team. This article highlights information and resources that school nurses can use to help support students with diabetes, their families, and other school personnel.
Serotonergic antidepressants and increased bleeding risk in patients undergoing breast biopsy
Authors: Mahdanian Artin A. , Looper Karl J. , Bacon Simon L. , Mesurolle Benoit , Meterissian Sarkis H. , Rej Soham
Published: October 2015

Objectives:

Recent investigations have shown that serotonergic antidepressant (SAd) use may increase the risk of peri-operative bleeding events. Our objective was to evaluate the possibility of a similar association in patients undergoing radiologic breast biopsies.

Methods:

We used data from 3890 patients undergoing 6300 biopsy procedures between January 2011 and October 2014 in the Breast Clinic of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. In this case-control study, cases were patients reported to have abnormal bleeding during their biopsy by board-certified radiologists. A control group of nonbleeders was selected using matching according to age and type of biopsy. The correlation between abnormal bleeding and SAd use was assessed using bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results:

There were 97 patients with abnormal bleeding and 137 matched controls; 10 bleeders (cases) were on SAds (7 citalopram, 3 paroxetine) while only 1 nonbleeder (control group) was on a SAd (low-dose sertraline, 25 mg/day). SAds were significantly associated with increased bleeding risk (10.3% versus 0.7%, Fisher’s Exact p = 0.001). Moreover, after adjusting for confounding factors (age, type of biopsy, size of biopsy, needle caliber, pathology result and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, multivariate logistic regression confirmed that SAds were associated with elevated bleeding risk (16.2, 95% confidence interval 1.87–140.1, p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

This is the first study demonstrating increased bleeding events in breast biopsy patients using SAds. Clinicians should be aware that SAds may be associated with peri-operative bleeding risk, even in relatively minor procedures such as breast biopsies.
A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms
Authors: Wilson Emma , Lader Malcolm
Published: October 2015

Strong evidence supports the existence of a discontinuation syndrome following the withdrawal of antidepressant medication, particularly second-generation antidepressants. The syndrome is a common phenomenon and guidance as to best avoid the symptoms is essential for both practitioners and patients. The current study reviewed the available literature on the best methods of discontinuation for antidepressants in order to avoid or prevent the occurrence of any unpleasant side effects associated with antidepressant withdrawal. Accordingly, an electronic search of the PubMed/MedLine database and Google Scholar was conducted to find relevant literature published within the last 10 years. From this, 18 related articles were identified; five clinical studies, one case series, one consensus panel’s recommendations and 11 literature reviews. Of the articles reviewed there is a general consensus as to tapering the drug slowly over a period of weeks or months. Also, in those patients who experience severe symptoms the drug should be reinstated and discontinued more gradually. The discontinuation syndrome does not occur as frequently or severely with longer-acting agents such as fluoxetine and therefore it is recommended that switching to this drug prior to withdrawal may be advisable. The articles reviewed also emphasize the need for patient education and reassurance throughout the discontinuation process. One in particular adds that cognitive behavioural therapy may be a useful tool in easing the patients’ distress. However, this review highlights the lack of controlled data to support the available guidelines. Furthermore, the guidance which is available is somewhat conflicting. Research approaches should address this issue as well as develop appropriate methods of withdrawal for specific drugs.
Oral sucrose for heel lance enhances adenosine triphosphate use in preterm neonates with respiratory distress
Authors: Angeles Danilyn M , Asmerom Yayesh , Boskovic Danilo S , Slater Laurel , Bacot-Carter Sharon , Bahjri Khaled , Mukasa Joseph , Holden Megan , Fayard Elba
Published: October 2015

Objective:

To examine the effects of oral sucrose on procedural pain, and on biochemical markers of adenosine triphosphate utilization and oxidative stress in preterm neonates with mild to moderate respiratory distress.

Study design:

Preterm neonates with a clinically required heel lance that met study criteria (n = 49) were randomized into three groups: (1) control (n = 24), (2) heel lance treated with placebo and non-nutritive sucking (n = 15) and (3) heel lance treated with sucrose and non-nutritive sucking (n = 10). Plasma markers of adenosine triphosphate degradation (hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid) and oxidative stress (allantoin) were measured before and after the heel lance. Pain was measured using the Premature Infant Pain Profile. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, chi-square and one-way analysis of variance.

Results:

We found that in preterm neonates who were intubated and/or were receiving ⩾30% FiO2, a single dose of oral sucrose given before a heel lance significantly increased markers of adenosine triphosphate use.

Conclusion:

We found that oral sucrose enhanced adenosine triphosphate use in neonates who were intubated and/or were receiving ⩾30% FiO2. Although oral sucrose decreased pain scores, our data suggest that it also increased energy use as evidenced by increased plasma markers of adenosine triphosphate utilization. These effects of sucrose, specifically the fructose component, on adenosine triphosphate metabolism warrant further investigation.
Single high dose gentamicin for perioperative prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery: Evaluation of nephrotoxicity
Authors: Dubrovskaya Yanina , Tejada Rainer , Bosco Joseph , Stachel Anna , Chen Donald , Feng Melinda , Rosenberg Andrew , Phillips Michael
Published: October 2015

Background:

Recent studies described an increase in acute kidney injury when high dose gentamicin was included in perioperative prophylaxis for orthopedic surgeries. To this effect, we compared the rate of nephrotoxicity for selected orthopedic surgeries where gentamicin was included (Gentamicin Group) to those where it was not included (Control Group) for perioperative prophylaxis and evaluated risk factors for nephrotoxicity.

Methods:

Spine, hip and knee surgeries performed between April 2011 and December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Gentamicin was given to eligible patients based on age, weight and Creatinine Clearance. Nephrotoxicity was assessed using Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria.

Results:

Among selected surgeries (N = 1590 in Gentamicin Group: hip = 926, spine = 600, knee = 64; N = 2587 in Control Group: hip = 980, spine = 902, knee = 705), patients’ body weight, serum creatinine, comorbidities and surgery duration were similar in Gentamicin Group and Control Group. Gentamicin median dose was 4.5 mg/kg of dosing weight. Nephrotoxicity rate was 2.5% in Gentamicin Group and 1.8% in Control Group, p = 0.17. Most cases of nephrotoxicity were Risk category by RIFLE criteria (67% in Gentamicin Group and 72% in Control Group, p = 0.49). In logistic regression, risk factors for nephrotoxicity were hospital stay >1 day prior to surgery (odds ratio = 8.1; 95% confidence interval = 2.25–28.97, p = 0.001), knee or hip surgery (odds ratio = 4.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.9–9.48, p = 0.0005) and diabetes (odds ratio = 1.95; 95% confidence interval = 1.13–3.35, p = 0.016). Receipt of gentamicin was not an independent predictor of nephrotoxicity (odds ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 0.97–2.35, p = 0.07).

Conclusion:

In this cohort, rate of nephrotoxicity was similar between Gentamicin Group and Control Group. Single high dose gentamicin is a safe and acceptable option for perioperative prophylaxis in eligible patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries.
Treating hepatitis C in American Indians/Alaskan Natives: A survey of Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) utilization by Indian Health Service providers
Authors: Pindyck Talia , Kalishman Summers , Flatow-Trujillo Lainey , Thornton Karla
Published: October 2015

Background:

American Indians/Alaskan Natives have a high mortality associated with hepatitis C virus, yet treatment rates are low. The ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model™, a videoconferencing technology for primary care providers, is underutilized at Indian Health Service facilities.

Purpose:

To ascertain Indian Health Service providers’ benefit of and barriers to utilizing hepatitis C virus TeleECHO clinics.

Methods:

We electronically sent an Active Participant Survey to Indian Health Service providers utilizing hepatitis C virus TeleECHO clinic and a Non-Participant Survey to other Indian Health Service providers interested in this clinic.

Results:

In total, 100% of Active Participant Survey respondents perceive moderate to major benefit of hepatitis C virus TeleECHO clinic in managing hepatitis C virus, and 67% of Non-Participant Survey respondents reported lack of administrative time as the major barrier to utilizing this resource.

Conclusion:

Indian Health Service providers participating in hepatitis C virus TeleECHO clinic perceive this resource as highly beneficial, but widespread utilization may be impractical without allocating time for participation.
“Why Nations Fail” to Develop
Authors: Dike Victor E.
Published: October 2015

This article focuses on the forces that prevent nations from developing politically, socially, and economically or why some of them have failed to achieve their purpose. It draws profusely from two inspiring books: Why Nations Fail and Leading From the Emerging Future to explore as to whether or not the political leaders of Nigeria can learn any lesson from the seminal work. The books concentrate on practical approaches that empower political leaders to shift their mind-sets to enable them to transform their extant extractive political and economic institutions that hinder national development. Unlike previous studies on leadership and development in Nigeria, which have observed that the system has been rendered unproductive by poor leadership, this article argues that the problem with Nigeria is that the political leaders have failed to shift their engrained mind-sets from “ego-system awareness to eco-system reality” to enable them to build and maintain effective institutions and infrastructure that drive the economy and develop the nations. It also argues that discussion about the leaders’ mind-set and national development deserves a different approach to transform the nation’s ossified institutions into innovative and creative ones. This will encourage the leaders to collectively shift their mental models to design and implement growth policies that will fit into the 21st-century economy and empower them to lead from the emerging future.
Examining Former Athletes’ Developmental Experiences in High School Sport
Authors: Kendellen Kelsey , Camiré Martin
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine former athletes’ perspectives on their developmental experiences in high school sport. Retrospective interviews were conducted with 14 former high school athletes (seven females, seven males) between 18 and 28 years of age ( M = 23.0, SD = 2.66). An inductive thematic analysis led to the identification of two main findings. First, it appears that different types of life skill experiences emanated from high school sport participation. Specifically, the participants believed that high school sport allowed them to (a) acquire new life skills or (b) practice and refine existing life skills. Second, the participants shared numerous examples of negative experiences, suggesting that the aggressive subcultures of some sports have permeated into high school sport. Overall, the findings provide a more nuanced and comprehensive picture of the varied developmental experiences that can ensue from high school sport participation.
Pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia is a unique disease that requires a different approach
Authors: Hijiya Nobuko , Schultz Kirk R. , Metzler Markus , Millot Frederic , Suttorp Meinolf
Published: October 2015

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in children is relatively rare. Because of a lack of robust clinical study evidence, management of CML in children is not standardized and often follows guidelines developed for adults. Children and young adults tend to have a more aggressive clinical presentation than older adults, and prognostic scores for adult CML do not apply to children. CML in children has been considered to have the same biology as in adults, but recent data indicate that some genetic differences exist in pediatric and adult CML. Because children with CML may receive tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for many decades, and are exposed to TKIs during a period of active growth, morbidities in children with CML may be distinct from those in adults and require careful monitoring. Aggressive strategies, such as eradication of CML stem cells with limited duration and intensive regimens of chemotherapy and TKIs, may be more advantageous in children as a way to avoid lifelong exposure to TKIs and their associated adverse effects. Blood and marrow transplantation in pediatric CML is currently indicated only for recurrent progressive disease, and the acute and long-term toxicities of this option should be carefully evaluated against the complications associated with lifelong use of TKIs.
Genericity and porosity in fixed point theory: a survey of recent results
Authors: Reich Simeon , Zaslavski Alexander J
Published: October 2015

We survey recent results regarding genericity and porosity in fixed point theory. These results concern, inter alia, infinite products, nonexpansive mappings, approximate fixed points, contractive mappings, bounded linear regularity, set-valued mappings, holomorphic mappings and weak ergodic theorems. We consider both normed linear spaces and hyperbolic metric spaces.
A topological degree for operators of generalized $(S_{+})$ type
Authors: Kim In-Sook , Hong Suk-Joon
Published: October 2015

As an extension of the Leray-Schauder degree, we introduce a topological degree theory for a class of demicontinuous operators of generalized $(S_{+})$
(

S
+

)
type in real reflexive Banach spaces, based on the recent Berkovits degree. Using the degree theory, we show that the Borsuk theorem holds true for this class. Moreover, we study the Dirichlet boundary value problem involving the p-Laplacian by way of an abstract Hammerstein equation.
Genome sequence of Oceanobacillus picturae strain S1, an halophilic bacterium first isolated in human gut
Authors: Lagier Jean-Christophe , Khelaifia Saber , Azhar Esam Ibraheem , Croce Olivier , Bibi Fehmida , Jiman-Fatani Asif Ahmad , Yasir Muhammad , Helaby Huda Ben , Robert Catherine , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Raoult Didier
Published: October 2015

Oceanobacillus picturae is a strain of a moderately halophilic bacterium, first isolated from a mural painting. We demonstrate, for the first time, the culture of human Oceanobacillus picturae, strain S1T, whose genome is described here, from a stool sample collected from a 25-year-old Saoudian healthy individual. We used a slightly modified standard culture medium adding 100 g/L of NaCl. We provide a short description of this strain including its MALDI-TOF spectrum, the main identification tool currently used in clinical microbiology. The 3,675,175 bp long genome exhibits a G + C content of 39.15 % and contains 3666 protein-coding and 157 RNA genes. The draft genome sequence of Oceanobacillus picturae has a similar size to the Oceanobacillus kimchii (respectively 3.67 Mb versus 3.83 Mb). The G + C content was higher compared with Oceanobacillus kimchii (respectively 39.15 % and 35.2 %). Oceanobacillus picturae shared almost identical number of genes (3823 genes versus 3879 genes), with a similar ratio of genes per Mb (1041 genes/Mb versus 1012 genes/Mb).

The genome sequencing of Oceanobacillus picturae strain S1 isolated for the first time in a human, will be added to the 778 genome projects from the gastrointestinal tract listed by the international consortium Human Microbiome Project.
Global Practice and Efficiency of Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards: Results of an American Society of Clinical Oncology International Survey
Authors: El Saghir Nagi S. , Charara Raghid N. , Kreidieh Firas Y. , Eaton Vanessa , Litvin Kate , Farhat Rania A. , Khoury Katia E. , Breidy Juliana , Tamim Hani , Eid Toufic A.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) are universally recommended, but recent literature has challenged their efficiency.

Methods

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted a survey of a randomly selected cohort of international ASCO members. The survey was built on SurveyMonkey and was sent via e-mail to a sample of 5,357 members.

Results

In all, 501 ASCO members practicing outside the United States responded, and 86% of them participated in MDTBs at their own institutions. Those who attended represented a variety of disciplines in 70% to 86% of all MDTBs. The majority of MDTBs held weekly specialty and/or general meetings. Eighty-nine percent of 409 respondents attended for advice on treatment decisions. Survey respondents reported changes of 1% to 25% in treatment plans for 44% to 49% of patients with breast cancer and in 47% to 50% of patients with colorectal cancer. They reported 25% to 50% changes in surgery type and/or treatment plans for 14% to 21% of patients with breast cancer and 12% to 18% of patients with colorectal cancer. Of the 430 respondents 96% said overall benefit to patients was worth the time and effort spent at MDTBs, and 96% said that MDTBs have teaching value. Mini tumor boards held with whatever types of specialists were available were considered valid. In all, 94.8% (425 of 448) said that MDTBs should be required in institutions in which patients with cancer are treated.

Conclusion

MDTBs are commonplace worldwide. A majority of respondents attend them to obtain recommendations, and they report changes in patient management. Change occurred more frequently with nonmedical oncologists and with physicians who had less than 15 years in practice. MDTBs helped practitioners make management decisions. Mini tumor boards may improve time efficiency and are favored when the full team is not available. Suggestions for improving MDTBs included making them more efficient, better selection and preparation of cases, choosing an effective team leader, and improving how time is used, but more research is needed on ways to improve the efficiency of MDTBs.
Compliance With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in T4 Oral Cancers: Place, Person, Socioeconomic Status, or Assistance
Authors: Patil Vijay M. , Noronha Vanita , Joshi Amit , Muddu Vamshi , Dhumal Sachin , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Prabhash Kumar
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Approximately 15% to 20% of our patients with head and neck cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) discontinue therapy because of various nonmedical reasons. We sought to analyze the factors associated with treatment default and noncompliance among these patients.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with T4 oral cancer treated with NACT between January 2011 and December 2012. We included patients who discontinued treatment for nonmedical reasons before the second cycle of NACT. The factors analyzed were income, education, socioeconomic status, age, sex, place of residence, habits, and payment pattern (government supported or personal capacity). Pearson χ2 test was used to identify significant factors associated with noncompliance.

Results

Of 486 patients, 91 patients (18.7%) were noncompliant. Percentages of noncompliant patients in the age groups < 30, between 30 and 60, and > 60 years were 25.0%, 17.4%, and 25.5%, respectively (P = .27). Percentages of noncompliance in patients residing within the city, same state, or different state were 20.7%, 20.9%, and 17.1%, respectively (P = .44). Noncompliance rates were 20.3%, 15.7%, 18.1%, and 22.5% in upper middle, lower middle, upper lower, and lower economic strata, respectively (P = .60). Similarly, there was no significant difference in noncompliance according to occupation, education level, payment pattern, sex, or habits.

Conclusion

Our analysis failed to identify any specific significant factor associated with noncompliance with NACT among our patients with T4 oral cancers.
Evidence for the involvement of Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 in lipofibroblast formation during embryonic lung development
Authors: Al Alam Denise , El Agha Elie , Sakurai Reiko , Kheirollahi Vahid , Moiseenko Alena , Danopoulos Soula , Shrestha Amit , Schmoldt Carole , Quantius Jennifer , Herold Susanne , Chao Cho-Ming , Tiozzo Caterina , De Langhe Stijn , Plikus Maksim V. , Thornton Matthew , Grubbs Brendan , Minoo Parviz , Rehan Virender K. , Bellusci Saverio
Published: October 2015

Lipid-containing alveolar interstitial fibroblasts, or simply lipofibroblasts, are increasingly recognized as an important component of the epithelial stem-cell niche in the rodent lung. Although lipofibroblasts were initially believed to merely assist type 2 alveolar epithelial cells in surfactant production during neonatal life, recent evidence suggests that these cells are indispensable for the survival and growth of epithelial stem cells during adult life. Despite the increasing interest in lipofibroblast biology, little is known about their cellular origin or the molecular pathways controlling their formation during embryonic development. Here, we show that a population of lipid-droplet-containing stromal cells emerges in the developing mouse lung between E15.5 and E16.5. This event is accompanied by significant upregulation, in the lung mesenchyme, of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (the master switch of lipogenesis), adipose differentiation-related protein (marker of mature lipofibroblasts) and fibroblast growth factor 10 (previously shown by our group to identify a subpopulation of lipofibroblast progenitors). We also demonstrate that although only a subpopulation of total embryonic lipofibroblasts derives from Fgf10-positive progenitor cells, in vivo knockdown of Fgfr2b ligand activity as well as reduction in Fgf10 expression lead to global reduction in the expression levels of lipofibroblast markers at E18.5. Constitutive Fgfr1b knockouts and mutants with conditional partial inactivation of Fgfr2b in the lung mesenchyme reveal the involvement of both receptors in lipofibroblast formation and suggest a possible compensation between the two receptors. We also provide data from human fetal lungs to demonstrate the relevance of our discoveries to humans. Our results reveal an essential role for Fgf10 signaling in the formation of lipofibroblasts during late lung development.
Neurogenesis in sea urchin embryos and the diversity of deuterostome neurogenic mechanisms
Authors: Garner Sarah , Zysk Ivona , Byrne Glynis , Kramer Marabeth , Moller Daniel , Taylor Valerie , Burke Robert D.
Published: October 2015

A single origin to the diverse mechanisms of metazoan neurogenesis is suggested by the involvement of common signaling components and similar classes of transcription factors. However, in many forms we lack details of where neurons arise, patterns of cell division, and specific differentiation pathway components. The sea urchin larval nervous system is comprised of an apical organ, which develops from neuroepithelium and functions as a central nervous system, and peripheral neurons, which differentiate in the ciliary band and project axons to the apical organ. To reveal developmental mechanisms of neurogenesis in this basal deuterostome, we developed antibodies to SoxC, SoxB2, ELAV, and Brn1/2/4 and used neurons that develop at specific locations to establish a timeline for neurogenesis. Neural progenitors express, in turn, SoxB2, SoxC, and Brn1/2/4 before projecting neurites and expressing ELAV and SynB. Using pulse-chase labeling of cells with a thymidine analogue to identify cells in S-phase, we establish that neurons identified by location are in their last mitotic cycle at the time of hatching, and S-phase is coincident with expression of SoxC. The number of cells expressing SoxC and differentiating as neurons is reduced in embryos injected with anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides to SoxC, SoxB2, or Six3. Injection of RNA encoding SoxC in eggs does not enhance neurogenesis. In addition, inhibition of FGF receptors (SU5402) or a morpholino to FGFR1 reduces expression of SoxC. These data indicate there are common features of neurogenesis in deuterostomes, and that urchins employ developmental mechanisms that are distinct from other ambulacraria.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus: a powerful tool for understanding ancestral gene functions in vertebrates
Authors: Square T. , Romášek M. , Jandzik D. , Cattell M. V. , Klymkowsky M. , Medeiros D. M.
Published: October 2015

Lamprey is one of only two living jawless vertebrates, a group that includes the first vertebrates. Comparisons between lamprey and jawed vertebrates have yielded important insights into the origin and evolution of vertebrate physiology, morphology, and development. Despite its key phylogenetic position, studies of lamprey have been limited by their complex life history, which makes traditional genetic approaches impossible. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a bacterial defense mechansim that was recently adapted to achieve high-efficiency targeted mutagenesis in eukaryotes. Here we report CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the genes Tyrosinase and FGF8/17/18 in the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus, and detail optimized parameters for producing mutant F0 embryos. Using phenotype and genotype analyses, we show that CRISPR/Cas9 is highly effective in the sea lamprey, with a majority of injected embryos developing into complete or partial mutants. The ability to create large numbers of mutant embryos without inbred lines opens exciting new possibilities for studying development in lamprey, and other non-traditional model organisms with life histories that disallow the generation of mutant lines.
Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of 9,10-Bis(3-aryl-2-naphthyl)anthracenes
Authors: Umeda Rui , Kimura Masahiro , Tobe Yoshito , Nishiyama Yutaka
Published: October 2015

The 9,10-bis(3-aryl-2-naphthyl)anthracenes 3 were prepared by the benzannulation reaction of 2-(phenylethynyl)benzaldehyde (1) and the corresponding 9,10-bis(arylethynyl)anthracenes 2 in the presence of Cu or Re catalyst and trichloroacetic acid. The photophysical properties of 3 in solutions were investigated.
Inferring Rationales from Choice: Identification for Rational Shortlist Methods
Authors: Dutta Rohan , Horan Sean
Published: October 2015

A wide variety of choice behavior inconsistent with preference maximization can be explained by Manzini and Mariotti's Rational Shortlist Methods. Choices are made by sequentially applying a pair of asymmetric binary relations (rationales) to eliminate inferior alternatives. Manzini and Mariotti's axiomatic treatment elegantly describes which behavior can be explained by this model. However, it leaves unanswered what can be inferred, from observed behavior, about the underlying rationales. Establishing this connection is fundamental not only for applied and empirical work but also for meaningful welfare analysis. Our results tightly characterize the surprisingly rich relationship between behavior and the underlying rationales. (JEL D11, D12, D83, M37)
Market Structure, Reputation, and the Value of Quality Certification
Authors: Elfenbein Daniel W. , Fisman Raymond , McManus Brian
Published: October 2015

Quality certification programs help consumers identify high-quality products or sellers in markets with information asymmetries. Using data from eBay UK's online marketplace, we study how certification's impact on demand varies with market- and seller-level attributes, exploiting variation in sellers' certification status within groups of near-identical listings. The positive effects of eBay's “top rated seller” certification are stronger for categories with few other certified sellers, in more competitive markets, and for sellers with shorter records of past performance. These findings indicate certification provides more value when certification is rare, the product space is crowded, and for sellers lacking established reputations. (JEL D12, D82, L15, L86)
Preface
Authors: Luik Piret , Siibak Andra , Normak Peeter
Published: October 2015

Info- ja kommunikatsioonitehnoloogia omandab järjest suuremat rolli peaaegu kõikides inimtegevuse valdkondades, pakkudes võimalusi sotsiaalseks suhtluseks, info otsimiseks ja haldamiseks, meelelahutuseks, e-teenuste osutamiseks ja kasutamiseks, kuid arvesse tuleb võtta ka internetikasutuse pahupoolt. Nimelt kuulub Eesti nende riikide hulka, mis paistab silma kõrge internetiriskide taseme poolest. Seetõttu käsitletakse seekordse ajakirjanumbri artiklites nii võimalusi kui ka ohte, mis kaasnevad digivahendite kasutamisega haridusvaldkonnas. Artiklid tuginevad laiapõhjalistele uuringutele ning võiksid pakkuda huvi koolieelsete lasteasutuste ja üldhariduskoolide õpetajatele, aga ka kõrgkoolide õppejõududele. Metodoloogilise poole pealt annavad artiklid hea ülevaate eri võimalustest, kuidas digimaailma uurida.
Ecological perspectives and children’s use of the Internet: exploring micro to macro level analysis
Authors: O’Neill Brian
Published: October 2015

Igivanad arutelud, milles käsitletakse laste kokkupuudet meediatehnoloogiaga, toovad kommunikatsiooni ja meediauuringute suunal esile erimeelsusi ja vaidlusi põhjustanud pikaajalise traditsiooni. Olgugi et meediatarbimise mõju lastele on uuritud juba ringhäälingu algusaegadest peale, on selle üle endiselt vähe teoretiseeritud ja seda on kirjanduses harva käsitletud, samuti on see meediapoliitika debattides pälvinud vaid vähest mõistmist. Laste ja internetiuuringute puhul on vanad vaidlused süvenenud. Lähtudes ühelt poolt hoiatavatest teadetest riskide, ülemäärase arvutikasutuse ja selle kahjuliku mõju kohta ning teiselt poolt kiidu laulust "digimaailma päriselanikele" ja tehnoloogia võimele muuta maailma, seadis EU Kids Online endale eesmärgiks koguda andmeid, mis aitavad luua terviklikumat pilti veebikeskkonnast, milles noored tegutsevad. Siinses artiklis paigutan selle valdkonna tööd ökoloogilisse raamistikku, lähtudes nii Bronfenbrenneri bioökoloogilisest käsitlusviisist, mis on olnud tähtsal kohal uutes lapsepõlve sotsioloogilistes käsitlustes, kui ka üldisemalt defineeritud meediaökoloogia teoreetilisest raamistikust. Viimast seostatakse peamiselt McLuhani ja hiljem Postmani töödega, kus kirjeldatakse meediakeskkonda kui keerulise vastastikuse mõjutamise süsteemi tehnoloogia ja ühiskonna vahel, kus mitmesugused suhtlusviisid ja vahendatud vastastikune mõjutamine kujundavad oluliselt inimkäitumist ja ühiskondlikku elu. Selline vaatenurk on mõningate põletavate probleemidega tegelemisel väga vajalik, kui kõne all on teadusuuringutel põhinev poliitikakujundamine, mis on seotud interneti haldamise ja reguleerimisega ning noorte kaitsmisega internetikeskkonnas.
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Ecological perspectives and children’s use of the Internet: exploring micro to macro level analysis
Authors: O’Neill Brian
Published: October 2015

Age-old debates on children’s encounters with media technologies reveal a long, fractured and contentious tradition within communication and media studies. Despite the fact there have been studies of effects of media use by children since the earliest days of broadcasting, the subject remains under-theorised, poorly represented in the literature and not widely understood in media policy debates. Old debates have intensified in relation to the study of children and the internet. Pitted between alarmist accounts of risks, excessive use and harmful effects on the one hand and the many accounts about "digital natives" and the transformational power of technology is the empirical project – represented by EU Kids Online among others – of building an evidence base for understanding the evolving environment for youth online engagement. In this paper, I situate that body of work in an ecological context, both in the sense of the Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological model that has been so important in the new sociology of childhood, as well as in the more loosely defined theoretical approach of media ecology. The latter tradition, associated primarily with McLuhan and later Postman, frames the media environment as a complex interplay between technology and society in which modes of communication and mediated interaction fundamentally shape human behaviour and social life. These strands offer the basis for framing some of the issues of evidence-based policymaking relating to internet governance, regulation and youth protection online.
Parents’ opinions on parental mediation strategies used to instruct toddlers
Authors: Nevski Elyna , Vinter Kristi
Published: October 2015

Väikelaste kokkupuude puutetundlike ekraanidega algab juba imikueas ning esimese eluaasta jooksul saavad lastest regulaarsed meediatarbijad. Paraku ei ole ühest vastust, mil määral väikelapsed on suutelised puutetundliku ekraani vahendusel õppima ning kui palju nad vajavad selleks lapsevanema kaasabi. Kuna laste tehnoloogiakasutus on mõjutatud lapsevanemate uskumustest, on nende uurimine oluline. Uurimuse eesmärk on välja selgitada Eesti lapsevanemate arvamused puutetundlike seadmete kasutamise vajalikkuse kohta ning nende hinnangud juhendamisstrateegiatele nutiseadme kasutamisel väikelapseeas. Uuringust, milles osales 400 lapsevanemat, kellel on laps(i) vanuses 0–36 kuud, selgub, et peredes, kus vanemad seavad laste nutiseadmete kasutamisele nii aja- kui ka sisupiiranguid, kasutavad lapsed nutiseadmeid sagedamini kui peredes, kus piiranguid ei seata. Lapsevanemad näevad nutiseadme kasutamise eelisena seda, et laps õpib uusi oskusi, saab uusi teadmisi ning seade pakub lapsele meelelahutust. Nutiseadme võimaldamise peamine põhjus on vanemate võimalus teha samal ajal oma asjatoimetusi. 0–3aastaste laste vanemate seas pole aga välja kujunenud selgeid ja konkreetseid juhendamisstrateegiaid, pigem kasutavad vanemad nii aktiivse kui ka keelava juhendamise elemente korraga ja omavahel seotult. Tulemustest ilmneb, et puutetundliku ekraani kasutamise sagedus suureneb lapse vanuse kasvades. Samas ei mõjuta lapsevanemate haridustase nutiseadme kasutamise sagedust ega vanemlikke juhendamisstrateegiaid.
 Summary
Classroom strategies in teaching the media
Authors: Kupiainen Reijo
Published: October 2015

Artikkel põhineb minu raamatu "Meedia ja digitaalne kirjaoskus keskkoolis" ("Media and digital literacies in secondary school") (2013) 5. peatükil. Artikli tarbeks olen seda peatükki veidi lühendanud ja ümber sõnastanud. Keskendun mitmesugustele õppestrateegiatele, mida jälgiti 2009/2010. õppeaastal ühes Soome keskkoolis toimunud etnograafilise kooliuuringu käigus. Uuring näitab, et meediahariduse peamise strateegiana kasutavad õpetajad analüüsi ja meediatekstide loomist. Artiklis esitan selliste strateegiate näidetena reklaamiprojekti, seebiooperi loomise, animatsiooniprojekti, eluloo koostamise ja ajalehe esikaane kujundamise eri õppekeskkondades. Kõik näited viitavad sellele, et meediaharidus peab rajama tugeva silla noorte ja koolikultuuri vahele ning koolis kasutatav tehnoloogia peab õppesisuga kaasas käima.
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The role of Estonian teachers in the social mediation of children’s internet use
Authors: Soo Kadri , Kalmus Veronika , Ainsaar Mare
Published: October 2015

Õpetajatel on oluline roll laste ettevalmistamisel internetimaailmas toimetulekuks. Artiklis analüüsitakse Eesti õpetajate tegevust 9–16aastaste laste internetikasutuse sotsiaalses vahendamises, mille mõõtmiseks kasutati kaheksat tunnust EU Kids Online’i uuringust. Tulemused näitavad, et enamik Eesti õpetajatest on õpilaste internetikasutust sotsiaalselt vahendanud: üksnes 13% lastest ei suutnud meenutada, et nad oleks õpetajatelt kunagi juhiseid või informatsiooni saanud. Peamised erinevused Eesti õpetajate tegevuses ilmnesid keele ja asula suuruse puhul. Uuring lubab väita, et eesti keelt rääkivate ja väikestest asulatest pärit laste õpetajad vahendavad laste internetitegevusi aktiivsemalt ja mitmekülgsemalt ning pakuvad internetiohtude korral rohkem nõuandeid. See, kuidas on õpetajate tegevus ja laste kokkupuude internetiohtudega omavahel seotud, erineb vanuseja keelerühmiti. Internetis kahju kogemine ei ole seotud õpetajatepoolse sotsiaalse vahendamisega.
 Summary