bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
General Dentist Characteristics Associated With Rural Practice Location
Authors: McKernan Susan C. , Kuthy Raymond A. , Kavand Golnaz
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To examine whether there is a difference in the likelihood that a general dentist practices in a rural location based on individual characteristics, including dental school attended, birth state, practice arrangement, sex, and age.

Methods

All private practice, general dentists in Iowa were included in this study. Data were extracted from the year 2010 version of the Iowa Dentist Tracking System, which monitors practice patterns of active dentists. Rurality of primary office location, categorized using Rural‐Urban Commuting Area codes, served as the outcome variable. Chi‐square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to explain associations between rural practice location and dentist characteristics.

Findings

Fifteen percent of the state's population resided in isolated small rural towns, but only 8% of general dentists practiced here. Approximately 17% of dentists in isolated small rural towns were age 40 or younger, compared to 32% of dentists in urban areas. Among male dentists, those who were born in Iowa (P = .002) were older (P = .020), and graduated from dental schools other than the University of Iowa (P = .009) were more likely to practice in rural areas than were their counterparts. Conversely, among female dentists, solo practice (P = .016) was the only variable significantly associated with rural practice location.

Conclusions

The dentist workforce in rural areas of Iowa is dominated by older males who were born in Iowa. As this generation retires and increasing numbers of women enter the profession, state policy makers and planners will need to monitor changing trends in the rural workforce.
Rural‐Urban Disparities in Quality of Life Among Patients With COPD
Authors: Jackson Bradford E. , Coultas David B. , Suzuki Sumihiro , Singh Karan P. , Bae Sejong
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Limited evidence in the United States suggests that among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rural residence is associated with higher hospitalization rates and increased mortality. However, little is known about the reasons for these disparities. This study's purpose was to describe the health status of rural versus urban residence among patients with COPD and to examine factors associated with differences between these 2 locations.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of baseline data from a representative sample of patients with COPD enrolled in a clinical trial. Rural‐urban residence was determined from ZIP code. Health status was measured using the SF‐12 and health care utilization. Independent sample t‐tests, chi‐square tests, and multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed to examine differences between rural and urban patients.

Findings

Rural residence was associated with poorer health status and higher health care utilization. Among rural patients unadjusted physical functioning scores were lower on the SF‐12 (30.22 vs 33.49; P = .005) that persisted after adjustment for potential confounders (β = –2.35; P = .04). However, after further adjustment for social and psychological factors only the body‐mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) index was significantly associated with health status.

Conclusions

In this representative sample of patients with COPD rural residence was associated with worse health status, primarily associated with greater impairment as measured by BODE index. While rural patients reported a higher dose of smoking, a number of other unmeasured factors associated with rural residence may contribute to these disparities.
Trends in Observation Care Among Medicare Fee‐for‐Service Beneficiaries at Critical Access Hospitals, 2007‐2009
Authors: Wright Brad , Jung Hye‐Young , Feng Zhanlian , Mor Vincent
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Observation care is used to evaluate patients prior to admission or discharge. Often beneficial, such care also imposes greater financial liability on Medicare beneficiaries. While the use of observation care has increased recently, critical access hospitals (CAHs) face different policies than prospective payment (PPS) hospitals, which may influence their observation care use.

Methods

We used 100% Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims files and enrollment data for years 2007 to 2009, and the 2007 American Hospital Association data to compare trends in the likelihood, prevalence and duration of observation stays between CAHs and PPS hospitals in metro and non‐metro areas among fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries over age 65.

Findings

While PPS hospitals are more likely to provide any observation care, the 3‐year increase in the proportion of CAHs providing any observation care is approximately 5 times as great as the increase among PPS hospitals. Among hospitals providing any observation care in 2007, the prevalence at CAHs was 35.7% higher than at non‐metro PPS hospitals and 72.8% higher than at metro PPS hospitals. By 2009, these respective figures had increased to 63.1% and 111%. Average stay duration increased more slowly for CAHs than for PPS hospitals.

Conclusions

These data suggest that a growing proportion of CAHs are providing observation care and that CAHs provide relatively more observation care than PPS hospitals, but they have shorter average stays. This may have important financial implications for Medicare beneficiaries.
Depression, Social Factors, and Farmworker Health Care Utilization
Authors: Georges A. , Alterman T. , Gabbard S. , Grzywacz J. G. , Shen R. , Nakamoto J. , Carroll D. J. , Muntaner C.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Farmworkers frequently live in rural areas and experience high rates of depressive symptoms. This study examines the association between elevated depressive symptoms and health care utilization among Latino farmworkers.

Methods

Data were obtained from 2,905 Latino farmworkers interviewed for the National Agricultural Workers Survey. Elevated depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression short‐form. A dichotomous health care utilization variable was constructed from self‐reported use of health care services in the United States. A categorical measure of provider type was constructed for those reporting use of health care.

Results

Over 50% of farmworkers reported at least 1 health care visit in the United States during the past 2 years; most visits occurred in a private practice. The odds of reporting health care utilization in the United States were 45% higher among farmworkers with elevated depressive symptoms. Type of provider was not associated with depressive symptoms. Women were more likely to seek health care; education and family relationships were associated with health care utilization.

Conclusions

Latino farmworkers who live and work in rural areas seek care from private practices or migrant/Community Health Clinics. Farmworkers with elevated depressive symptoms are more likely to access health care. Rural health care providers need to be prepared to recognize, screen, and treat mental health problems among Latino farmworkers. Outreach focused on protecting farmworker mental health may be useful in reducing health care utilization while improving farmworker quality of life.
Frequency and Expression of Inhibitory Markers of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Arandi N. , Mirshafiey A. , Abolhassani H. , Jeddi‐Tehrani M. , Edalat R. , Sadeghi B. , Shaghaghi M. , Aghamohammadi A.
Published: February 2013

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most symptomatic primary antibody deficiency associated with recurrent infections and chronic inflammatory diseases as well as autoimmunity. CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical T cell subsets for maintaining self‐tolerance and regulation of immune response to antigens thus play a pivotal role in preventing autoimmunity. Thirty‐seven CVID patients and 18 age‐/sex‐matched controls were enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from both groups, and the percentage of Tregs was calculated using flow cytometry method. The mRNA expression of Tregs' surface markers cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and glucocorticoid‐induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITR), which are associated with Tregs' inhibitory function, was compared between patients and controls by quantitative real‐time PCR TaqMan method. The results revealed that the frequency of Tregs was significantly lower in CVID patients than normal individuals (P < 0.001). In addition, CVID patients with autoimmunity were found to have markedly reduced proportion of Tregs compared to those cases without autoimmune diseases (P = 0.023). A significant difference was seen in factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression between CVID patients and controls (P < 0.001). The mRNAs of CTLA‐4 and GITR genes were expressed at lower levels in CVID patients compared to control group (P = 0.005 and <0.001, respectively). Our findings showed reduced proportion of Tregs in CVID patients together with downregulation of FOXP3 protein and diminished expression of inhibitory Tregs' markers. It could be concluded that all of these changes may be responsible for cellular immune dysregulation observed in these patients especially those with autoimmune manifestation.
Ancient Complexity, Opisthokont Plasticity, and Discovery of the 11th Subfamily of Arf GAP Proteins
Authors: Schlacht Alexander , Mowbrey Kevin , Elias Marek , Kahn Richard A. , Dacks Joel B.
Published: February 2013

The organelle paralogy hypothesis is one model for the acquisition of nonendosymbiotic organelles, generated from molecular evolutionary analyses of proteins encoding specificity in the membrane traffic system. GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for the ADP‐ribosylation factor (Arfs) GTPases are additional regulators of the kinetics and fidelity of membrane traffic. Here we describe molecular evolutionary analyses of the Arf GAP protein family. Of the 10 subfamilies previously defined in humans, we find that 5 were likely present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. Of the 3 most recently derived subfamilies, 1 was likely present in the ancestor of opisthokonts (animals and fungi) and apusomonads (flagellates classified as the sister lineage to opisthokonts), while 2 arose in the holozoan lineage. We also propose to have identified a novel ancient subfamily (ArfGAPC2), present in diverse eukaryotes but which is lost frequently, including in the opisthokonts. Surprisingly few ancient domains accompanying the ArfGAP domain were identified, in marked contrast to the extensively decorated human Arf GAPs. Phylogenetic analyses of the subfamilies reveal patterns of single and multiple gene duplications specific to the Holozoa, to some degree mirroring evolution of Arf GAP targets, the Arfs. Conservation, and lack thereof, of various residues in the ArfGAP structure provide contextualization of previously identified functional amino acids and their application to Arf GAP biology in general. Overall, our results yield insights into current Arf GAP biology, reveal complexity in the ancient eukaryotic ancestor and integrate the Arf GAP family into a proposed mechanism for the evolution of nonendosymbiotic organelles.
Heat Transfer Enhancement and Thermal Performance of Lattice Structures for Internal Cooling of Airfoil Trailing Edges
Authors: Saha Krishnendu , Acharya Sumanta , Nakamata Chiyuki
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the detailed heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop through two different lattice structures suitable for use in the trailing edge of gas turbine airfoil. The lattice structures are located in the converging trailing edge channel with the coolant flow taking a 90 deg turn before entering the lattice structure. Two lattice structures were studied with one lattice structure having four-entry channels and the second lattice structure having two entry channels. Stationary tests were performed at four Reynolds numbers (4000 < Re < 20,000) based on the inlet subchannel diameter. The results show that the two-inlet-channel lattice structure produces higher values of heat transfer coefficient and lower values of pressure drop. The data from the converging lattice structures are compared with the published pin fin data which is the common standard for trailing edge applications. It is seen that the two-inlet-channel lattice structure produces average Nu/Nu0 values in the range of 2.1–3.4 compared to a value of 1.7–2.2 for a pin fin for the current set of Reynolds number. The thermal performance factor for the four-inlet-channel lattice structure is lower than the pin fin structure but the two-inlet-channel lattice structure provides comparable or higher thermal performance compared to a pin fin structure. The lattice structures also provide additional heat transfer area and structural rigidity to the trailing edge of the airfoil. Comparable or higher thermal performance and added structural rigidity can make the lattice structure a suitable alternative of pin fins in trailing edge applications.
Experimental Investigation of Magnetic Field Effect on the Magnetic Nanofluid Oscillating Heat Pipe
Authors: Zhao Nannan , Zhao Dianli , Ma Hongbin
Published: February 2013

The magnetic field effect on oscillating motion and heat transfer in an oscillating heat pipe (OHP) containing magnetic nanofluid was investigated experimentally. The nanofluid consisted of distilled water and dysprosium (III) oxide nanoparticles with an average size of 98 nm. A magnetic field was applied to the evaporating section of the OHP by using a permanent magnet. The heat pipes charged with magnetic nanofluids at mass ratios of 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.01% were tested. In addition, the effects of orientation and input power ranging from 50 W to 250 W on the heat transport capability of the heat pipe were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the magnetic field can affect the oscillating motions and enhance the heat transfer performance of the magnetic nanofluid OHP. The magnetic nanoparticles in a magnetic field can reduce the startup power of oscillating motion and enhance the heat transfer performance.
An Integrated Probability-Based Propulsor-Hull Matching Methodology
Authors: Kramer Matthew R. , Motley Michael R. , Young Yin L.
Published: February 2013

Traditionally, designers of marine propulsors select a discrete number of critical design points for which to optimize the propulsor geometry. The design procedure carefully weighs the needs to be fuel efficient, to minimize cavitation, to maintain structural integrity, and to provide enough thrust to reach the desired speed, including the need to overcome any resistance humps. The current work proposes a new, alternative propulsor-hull matching methodology that is able to systematically consider the full range of expected operating conditions. A joint probability density function is used to represent the probabilistic operational space as a function of ship speed and sea state, and is used as a weighting function to select the propulsor that will minimize the annual fuel consumption while satisfying a set of constraints. The new probabilistic design approach is able to automatically locate the globally optimal solution by considering the probability of occurrence along with system performance characteristics. Hence, it is able to avoid the inherent ambiguity of selecting the proper design points. The proposed methodology is general to the design of marine propulsors for any type of vessel and engine system. It is applied in the current study for the sizing of waterjets for a surface effect ship.
Tribological Behavior of Novel Hybrid Composite Materials Using Taguchi Technique
Authors: Uvaraja V. C. , Natarajan N. , Rajendran I. , Sivakumar K.
Published: February 2013

Novel Al-6061 hybrid composite materials with varying range of SiC particulate and constant weight percentage of B4C particulate and 1% of magnesium alloy were fabricated by the stir casting technique (liquid metallurgy route). The mechanical and tribological properties of the hybrid composites and that of Al-6061 unreinforced alloy were examined by a Rockwell hardness test machine, pin-on-disc test machine, and Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). A plan of experiment generated through Taguchi's technique was used to conduct experiments based on the L27 orthogonal array. The developed analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the regression equations were used to investigate the influence of parameters like sliding speed, applied load, sliding time, and percentage of reinforcement and their interactions on the dry sliding wear and friction coefficient of the composites. The motto of the present study is ‘the smaller the better’ to identify the optimum conditions for dry sliding wear and the friction coefficient. The results indicate that wear rate and friction coefficient were highly influenced by applied load, sliding speed, percentage of reinforcement and sliding time whereas the interaction between these parameters show only a minor influence in Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (HMMCs). The wear surface morphology and wear mechanism of the pins were investigated using SEM and were correlated with wear test results. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to verify the experimental results. It is concluded that Al-6061 hybrid composite can replace the conventional material used in the brake disc of automobiles owing to improved hardness and strength and reduced wear rate.
The Burkholderia contaminans MS14
ocfC
Gene Encodes a Xylosyltransferase for Production of the Antifungal Occidiofungin
Authors: Chen Kuan-Chih , Ravichandran Akshaya , Guerrero Adam , Deng Peng , Baird Sonya M. , Smith Leif , Lu Shi-En
Published: February 2013

Burkholderia contaminans
strain MS14 produces the antifungal compound occidiofungin, which is responsible for significant antifungal activities against a broad range of plant and animal fungal pathogens. Occidiofungin is a cyclic glycolipopeptide made up of eight amino acids and one xylose. A 56-kb
ocf
gene cluster was determined to be essential for occidiofungin production. In this study, the
ocfC
gene, which is located downstream of
ocfD
and upstream of the
ocfB
gene in the
ocf
gene cluster, was examined. Antifungal activity of the
ocfC
gene mutant MS14KC1 was reduced against the indicator fungus
Geotrichum candidum
compared with that of the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the analysis of the protein sequence suggests that the
ocfC
gene encodes a glycosyltransferase. Biochemical analyses using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy revealed that the
ocfC
mutant produced the occidiofungin without the xylose. The purified
ocfC
mutant MS14KC1 product had a level of bioactivity similar to that of the wild-type product. The revertant MS14KC1-R of the
ocfC
mutant produced the same antifungal activity level on plate assays and the same antifungal compound based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy analysis as wild-type strain MS14. Collectively, the study demonstrates that the
ocfC
gene encodes a glycosyltransferase responsible to add a xylose to the occidiofungin molecule and that the presence of the xylose is not important for antifungal activity against
Candida
species. The finding provides a novel variant for future studies aimed at evaluating its use for inhibiting clinical and agricultural fungi, and the finding could also simplify the chemical synthesis of occidiofungin variants.
Characterization of Torin2, an ATP-Competitive Inhibitor of mTOR, ATM, and ATR
Authors: Liu Qingsong , Xu Chunxiao , Kirubakaran Sivapriya , Zhang Xin , Hur Wooyoung , Liu Yan , Kwiatkowski Nicholas P. , Wang Jinhua , Westover Kenneth D. , Gao Peng , Ercan Dalia , Niepel Mario , Thoreen Carson C. , Kang Seong A. , Patricelli Matthew P. , Wang Yuchuan , Tupper Tanya , Altabef Abigail , Kawamura Hidemasa , Held Kathryn D. , Chou Danny M. , Elledge Stephen J. , Janne Pasi A. , Wong Kwok-Kin , Sabatini David M. , Gray Nathanael S.
Published: February 2013

mTOR is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that serves as a central regulator of cell growth, survival, and autophagy. Deregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway occurs commonly in cancer and numerous inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site of these kinases are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Here, we report the characterization of Torin2, a second-generation ATP-competitive inhibitor that is potent and selective for mTOR with a superior pharmacokinetic profile to previous inhibitors. Torin2 inhibited mTORC1-dependent T389 phosphorylation on S6K (RPS6KB1) with an EC50 of 250 pmol/L with approximately 800-fold selectivity for cellular mTOR versus phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Torin2 also exhibited potent biochemical and cellular activity against phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase–like kinase (PIKK) family kinases including ATM (EC50, 28 nmol/L), ATR (EC50, 35 nmol/L), and DNA-PK (EC50, 118 nmol/L; PRKDC), the inhibition of which sensitized cells to Irradiation. Similar to the earlier generation compound Torin1 and in contrast to other reported mTOR inhibitors, Torin2 inhibited mTOR kinase and mTORC1 signaling activities in a sustained manner suggestive of a slow dissociation from the kinase. Cancer cell treatment with Torin2 for 24 hours resulted in a prolonged block in negative feedback and consequent T308 phosphorylation on Akt. These effects were associated with strong growth inhibition in vitro. Single-agent treatment with Torin2 in vivo did not yield significant efficacy against KRAS-driven lung tumors, but the combination of Torin2 with mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal–regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor AZD6244 yielded a significant growth inhibition. Taken together, our findings establish Torin2 as a strong candidate for clinical evaluation in a broad number of oncologic settings where mTOR signaling has a pathogenic role. Cancer Res; 73(8); 2574–86. ©2013 AACR.
Everolimus in Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Clinical Experience
Authors: Yao James C. , Phan Alexandria T. , Jehl Valentine , Shah Gaurav , Meric-Bernstam Funda
Published: February 2013

The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has increased dramatically in the past 30 years. This information has revitalized basic and clinical research into the molecular biology of NET and has resulted in the recent approval of new therapies for pancreatic NET (pNET), including the oral inhibitor of the mTOR everolimus. Everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival among patients with pNET in the phase III RADIANT-3 study. Here, we review the clinical studies showing the efficacy of everolimus in pNET and summarize the translational science from these studies. To understand the mechanisms of resistance and cause of treatment failure, we compared the type of progression events observed in the everolimus and placebo arms of the RADIANT-3 study. Comparison of the everolimus arm to the placebo arm indicated the fractions of progression events due to new metastasis only (21% vs. 22%), growth of preexisting lesions only (54% vs. 49%), and new metastasis along with growth of preexisting lesions (24% vs. 27%) were similar. These results suggest that although everolimus delays disease progression in patients with pNET, patients who experience disease progression while on everolimus do not appear to have a more aggressive metastatic phenotype than those whose disease progresses while on placebo. Cancer Res; 73(5); 1449–53. ©2013 AACR.
Against Moral Fictionalism
Authors: Husi Stan
Published: February 2013

Moral nihilists need an answer: if moral discourse is fatally flawed, how are we to proceed? A popular option is fictionalism, to uphold the flawed discourse in the mode of a fiction. My thesis is that fictionalism is not the best available answer to the nihilist; a better one is revisionism, the proposal to refashion the discourse so as to cure it of all flaws. Should it be possible to revise the discredited practice, by removing what is erroneous while keeping what is beneficial, the twisted allegiance to the original practice already recognized as flawed which characterizes fictionalism becomes entirely moot. Fictionalism fully worked out, I argue in this paper, is going to lead us to the very doorsteps of revisionism.
The Function and Foundations of Urban Tolerance: Encountering and Engaging with Difference in the City
Authors: Bannister Jon , Kearns Ade
Published: February 2013

The key contribution of this article is its articulation of a conceptual framework for understanding the function and foundations of urban tolerance. The function of tolerance is defined as the capacity of the citizenry to negotiate harmonious encounters with difference and to engage with difference to secure improvements to social well-being. Yet the populations of cities are increasingly disconnected, spatially and socially. Has the citizenry lost its capacity, or indeed its willingness, to encounter and engage with difference? Strategies that endeavour to impose a mode of social interaction, which treat difference as illegitimate and understand tolerance as static, run the risk of perpetuating a cycle of intolerance. In contrast, the existence of a shared language of social interaction and the recognition of the legitimacy of difference are defined as the interrelated foundations of tolerance. Strategies to accommodate difference that appreciate the dynamism of tolerance, can unlock the potential of the citizenry to encounter and engage with difference.
Information, Interaction, and Creative Production
Authors: Ekström Mats , Östman Johan
Published: February 2013

This study examines the effects of informational, interactional, and creative forms of Internet use on behavioral and cognitive indicators of youth democratic engagement. Data from an extensive two-wave panel survey of Swedish adolescents ( N = 1,520) were examined. Results show that the effects of informational and interactional Internet use on political participation are indirect, with online political interactions acting as an intervening variable. In addition, creative production was found to be a direct positive predictor of online and offline political participation but negatively related to political knowledge. The effects were statistically significant even when accounting for self-selection and previous levels of democratic engagement. Taken together, these findings contribute novel theoretical insights into the mechanisms by which Internet use may encourage or hinder youths’ democratic engagement.
Recycling behaviour of householders living in multicultural urban area: a case study of Järva, Stockholm, Sweden
Authors: Miafodzyeva Sviatlana , Brandt Nils , Andersson Mari
Published: February 2013

The recycling behaviour of multicultural householders was investigated in the urban area of Järva, northwest Stockholm, Sweden, which is home to a significant proportion of immigrants from different parts of the world. Different ethnic minorities currently make up an important proportion of the urban population in Sweden, but little is known about their recycling behaviour and attitudes. Using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interviews) methodology, possible determinants of recycling behaviour were investigated among Järva householders. It was found that attitude toward the importance of recycling had a positive correlation and was the main determinant of recycling behaviour among these householders. In contrast, environmental concern, satisfaction with the facilities provided, recycling confidence, community identity and socio-demographical factors showed no correlation with their recycling behaviour. Other results of the study indicated a need to investigate the specific behaviour of multicultural householders regarding source-separated collection and the recycling of hazardous, electronic and bulky wastes.
Toward the Development of the International Classification of Functioning Core Sets for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Schiariti Veronica , Mâsse Louise C. , Cieza Alarcos , Klassen Anne F. , Sauve Karen , Armstrong Robert , O’Donnell Maureen
Published: February 2013

The goal of the International Classification of Functioning is to standardize the classification of health and function of children around the world. To facilitate the application of this classification, International Classification of Functioning–based tools like the “Core Sets” are being developed. We conducted an international survey of professional experts to identify the most relevant areas of functioning in children with cerebral palsy. The questionnaire covered each component of the classification. In total, 193 professionals completed the survey (response rate 78%). Overall, 9706 answers were linked to the classification (pediatric version) by 2 professionals. From the experts’ perspective, movement-related areas and social participation are the most relevant areas of functioning. Experts suggest a more comprehensive profile of functioning in particular in areas of personal capacity and social participation. The results of this survey will inform the development of the International Classification of Functioning Core Sets for children with cerebral palsy.
Thinking Ethically About Medical Mistakes
Authors: Smith Martin L.
Published: February 2013

Medical mistakes, especially ones with significant adverse events, can erode the trust and bonds between and among parents, patients, and health care professionals. Prevention of medical mistakes should be the goal of every health care organization, and participation in quality improvement processes aimed at patient safety is an ethical duty for all health care professionals. But when mistakes occur, health care organizations and professionals should rapidly move toward disclosure and apology. These duties of honesty, disclosure and apology are based ethically on core health care principles and values. Health care organizations should require disclosure-and-apology training, especially for front-line personnel; provide assistance to clinicians with these difficult conversations; and invest in resources to address the moral distress experienced by professionals, who are often the “second victims” of medical mistakes.
The Burden of Being “Employable”
Authors: Reid Colleen , LeDrew Robin A.
Published: February 2013

In the study presented here, we examined factors that shape women’s employability and their impact on women’s subjective health and well-being in four British Columbian communities. Although the economic contexts of the urban, rural, remote, and reserve communities were diverse, they intersected with gender roles and cultural norms to provide a picture of women’s employability that was remarkably consistent. In all the communities, the women reported difficulties making ends meet; caregiving overload; chronic stress and worry; and, in many cases, violence and abuse. Our intersectional analysis allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of women’s lived experiences of being defined as employable.
Sleep Consolidation of Interfering Auditory Memories in Starlings
Authors: Brawn Timothy P. , Nusbaum Howard C. , Margoliash Daniel
Published: February 2013

Memory consolidation has been described as a process to strengthen newly formed memories and to stabilize them against interference from similar learning experiences. Sleep facilitates memory consolidation in humans, improving memory performance and protecting against interference encountered after sleep. The European starling, a songbird, has also manifested sleep-dependent memory consolidation when trained on an auditory-classification task. Here, we examined how memory for two similar classification tasks is consolidated across waking and sleep in starlings. We demonstrated for the first time that the learning of each classification reliably interferes with the retention of the other classification across waking retention but that sleep enhances and stabilizes the memory of both classifications even after performance is impaired by interference. These observations demonstrate that sleep consolidation enhances retention of interfering experiences, facilitating opportunistic daytime learning and the subsequent formation of stable long-term memories.
Statistical challenges in drug approval trials that use patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Izem Rima , Kammerman Lisa A , Komo Scott
Published: February 2013

This article describes challenging aspects of the use of patient-reported outcome instruments in clinical trials for drug approval, in our perspective as statistical reviewers at the US Food and Drug Administration. We discuss aspects of planning and interpreting results in clinical trials (1) adapting an existing patient-reported outcome instrument for use in clinical trials, (2) using multi-item patient-reported outcomes and (3) missing patient-reported outcome values from many subjects over time. These challenges are illustrated with multiple examples from different clinical trials for different indications. We finally discuss important considerations in labeling.
A concurrent design methodology of a production system for virtual commissioning
Authors: Ko Minsuk , Ahn Euikoog , Park Sang C
Published: February 2013

In this article, a concurrent design procedure of a production system is presented, which supports the virtual commissioning between a real controller and a virtual plant consisting of virtual devices. To achieve the concurrency, we split a virtual device model into two parts, a physical device model (a geometric model with kinematics for the motion programming of tasks) and a logical device model (a behavioral model to interact with a real controller). The whole design procedure consists of four major steps: (1) process design, (2) physical device modeling, (3) logical device modeling, and (4) system control modeling. First, the process design step identifies effective manufacturing processes and produces the sequence of operations. Once the sequence of operations is obtained at Step 1, then the other three steps can be performed concurrently without interfering each other. All the three concurrent steps start from the sequence of operations, and a detailed procedure for each of the step has been developed. The concurrent attribute of the proposed design procedure significantly contributes to the saving of the delays in time to market. The proposed design procedure has been implemented and tested for various examples.
The Allure of Games
Authors: Niman Neil B.
Published: February 2013

Gamers spend as many as 2.5 billion hours per week playing games. The gaming literature has relied on the field of positive psychology and the concept of flow to explain why gamers are willing to work so hard in order to have fun. However, many games are played within a social context and hence produce explicit rewards capable of generating status and self-esteem for the individual player. The importance of relative position and the invidious comparisons that naturally take place within a social group can be traced back to Thorstein Veblen’s Theory of the Leisure Class. Applying Veblen’s framework to the modern world of games enables us to develop new insights into why video games have become an important part of life for many in modern society.
Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Skin Health
Authors: Roberts Richard L.
Published: February 2013

The effectiveness of carotenoids in helping protect the skin from damage caused by environmental exposure has been a subject of research for more than 3 decades. It has only been within the last decade that lutein and zeaxanthin, 2 unique carotenoid molecules, have been evaluated for skin health benefits. This article summarizes the most recent research on the efficacy of lutein and zeaxanthin in skin health.
Effects of remedial actions on small piping reliability
Authors: Guedri Abdelmoumene
Published: February 2013

This article describes probabilistic calculations that address intergranular stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel piping; a degradation mechanism of major concern to nuclear pressure boundary integrity. The objective is to simulate the cracking of stainless steel piping under intergranular stress corrosion cracking conditions, and to evaluate the structural reliability using remedial actions for intergranular stress corrosion cracking that are limited to benefits of in-service inspections and the induction heating stress improvement process. The results show that an effective in-service inspection requires a suitable combination of flaw detection capability and inspection schedule, and it has been suggested that the residual stresses could be altered to become favorable, thereby improving the reliability piping.
A Carbon/Iron–Cerium/Alumina Catalyst as Potential Substitution for Noble Metal Three-way Catalyst for Auto Emission Control
Authors: Guo Yu , Oda Harunobu , Jia Lu , Amari Shuntaro , Okita Yui , Kameyama Hideo
Published: February 2013

Alumina-supported Fe and Ce catalysts with carburization treatment were prepared to investigate their performance for auto emission control. The carburization treatment in flowing CO at 525 °C significantly promoted the catalytic activity of C/Fe–Ce, even comparable to a noble metal catalyst 1.0 wt % Pt/CeO2. The XRD result suggests that the formation of Fe3C is a possible interpretation for the promoted activity by the carburization treatment. The T50 contour lines of NOx and CO were used to quickly optimize catalyst composition, and C/18Fe–18Ce–64Alumina was considered to be the optimization result.
Synthesis of High-molecular-weight Head-to-tail-type Poly(3-substituted-thiophene)s by Cross-coupling Polycondensation with [CpNiCl(NHC)] as a Catalyst
Authors: Tamba Shunsuke , Fuji Kanta , Meguro Hikaru , Okamoto Shuji , Tendo Tadashi , Komobuchi Ryo , Sugie Atsushi , Nishino Takashi , Mori Atsunori
Published: February 2013

High-molecular-weight head-to-tail-type regioregular polythiophenes are synthesized by [CpNiCl(SIPr)]-catalyzed dehydrobrominative polycondensation. Polycondensation of 2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene at the C–H bond proceeds with an equimolar amount of TMPMgCl·LiCl and a catalytic amount of [CpNiCl(SIPr)] to afford the regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (HT-P3HT) with up to Mw = 815000. A self-standing HT-P3HT film is obtained with the regioregular HT-P3HT of Mw = 414000, while the attempted formation of the corresponding film with lower-molecular-weight HT-P3HT (Mw = 38000) is unsuccessful.
Friction Evaluation System with a Human Finger Model
Authors: Kuramitsu Keitaro , Nomura Toshio , Nomura Shyuhei , Maeno Takashi , Nonomura Yoshimune
Published: February 2013

We developed a friction evaluation system with a human finger model. The surface of the model was covered with imitation fingerprints. When a polypropylene surface was rubbed against the finger model, the friction profile varied with the sliding velocity and vertical force.
Acclimatization and leaf anatomy of micropropagated fig plantlets
Authors: Chirinéa Chrystiane Fráguas , Pasqual Moacir , Araujo Aparecida Gomes de , Pereira Alba Regina , Castro Evaristo Mauro de
Published: February 2013

The survival of micropropagated plants during and after acclimatization is a limiting process to plant establishment. There is little information on how the anatomy of vegetative organs of Ficus carica can be affected by culture conditions and acclimatization. The present research aimed to study the effects of time on culture medium and substrates during the acclimatization of fig tree plantlets produced in vitro, characterizing some leaf anatomy aspects of plantlets cultured in vitro and of fig trees produced in field. Plantlets previously multiplied in vitro were separated and transferred into Wood Plant Medium (WPM) where they were kept for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Different substrates were tested and studies on leaf anatomy were performed in order to compare among plantlets grown in vitro, plantlets under 20, 40 and 60 days of acclimatization, and field grown plants. Keeping plantlets for 30 days in WPM allowed better development in Plantmax during acclimatization. Field grown plants presented higher number of stomata, greater epicuticular wax thickness and greater leaf tissue production compared to in vitro ones. The leaf tissues of in vitro plantlets show little differentiation and have great stomata number compared with acclimatized plants, which reduce the number of stomata during the acclimatization process.
Salt stress change chlorophyll fluorescence in mango
Authors: Lucena Cicero Cartaxo de , Siqueira Dalmo Lopes de , Martinez Hermínia Emilia Prieto , Cecon Paulo Roberto
Published: February 2013

This study evaluated the tolerance of mango cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Uba' grafted on rootstock 'Imbú' to salt stress using chlorophyll fluorescence. Plants were grown in modified Hoagland solution containing 0, 15, 30, and 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. At 97 days the parameters of the chlorophyll fluorescence (F0, Fm, Fv, F0/Fm, Fv/Fm, Fv'/Fm', ΦPSII = [(Fm'-Fs)/(Fm')], D = (1- Fv'/Fm') and ETR = (ΦPSII×PPF×0,84×0,5) were determined. At 100 days, the leaf emission and leaf area, toxicity and leaf abscission indexes were determined. In all cultivars evaluated, in different degree, there were decreases in photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, enhanced concentrations from 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. The decreases in the potential quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were 27.9, 18.7, 20.5, and 27.4%, for cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins', and 'Uba', respectively, when grown in 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. It was found decreases in leaf emission and mean leaf area in all cultivars from 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. There were increases in leaf toxicity of 33.0, 67.5, 41.6 and 80.8% and in leaf abscission of 71.8, 29.2, 32.5, and 67.9% for the cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins', and 'Uba' respectively, when grown in 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. Leaf toxicity and leaf abscission were not observed in 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. The decrease in Fv/Fm ratio were accompanied by decreasing in leaf emission and increased leaf toxicity index, showing, therefore, the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence in the early detection of salt stress in mango tree.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Supervision in a University-Based Training Clinic: A Case Study in Bridging the Gap Between Rigor and Relevance
Authors: Reiser Robert P. , Milne Derek L.
Published: February 2013

Principles and procedures for supervising cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) were broadly defined in 2 early seminal texts almost 15 years ago (Liese & Beck, 1997; Padesky, 1996) and updated more recently (Beck, Sarnat, & Barenstein, 2008; Newman, 2010). However, the actual practice of CBT supervision often shows poor fidelity to this model (Townend, Iannetta, & Freeston, 2002) with notable deficiencies in the use of direct observation, standardized observational rating systems, and experiential methods in supervision (Milne, 2008). The advent of more specific competency statements on CBT supervision has been a significant leap forward (Falender et al., 2004; Roth & Pilling, 2008) but poses some practical challenges to clinical supervisors in terms of transferring broad competency statements into actual supervisory practice. We address the need for more rigor in CBT supervision within a university training clinic setting and outline some promising ingredients for this specification drawing on competencies, metacognition, and experiential learning theory.
Investigating Links between Shale Gas Development and Health Impacts through a Community Survey Project in Pennsylvania
Authors: Steinzor Nadia , Subra Wilma , Sumi Lisa
Published: February 2013

Across the United States, the race for new energy sources is picking up speed and reaching more places, with natural gas in the lead. While the toxic and polluting qualities of substances used and produced in shale gas development and the general health effects of exposure are well established, scientific evidence of causal links has been limited, creating an urgent need to understand health impacts. Self-reported survey research documenting the symptoms experienced by people living in proximity to gas facilities, coupled with environmental testing, can elucidate plausible links that warrant both response and further investigation. This method, recently applied to the gas development areas of Pennsylvania, indicates the need for a range of policy and research efforts to safeguard public health.
Historical Analysis of Oil and Gas Well Plugging in New York: Is the Regulatory System Working?
Authors: Bishop Ronald E.
Published: February 2013

The aim of this work was to evaluate New York State's regulatory program for plugging inactive oil and gas wells. Analysis of reports from the Division of Mineral Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, reveals that three-fourths of the state's abandoned oil and gas wells were never plugged. Inadequate enforcement efforts have resulted in steady increases of unplugged oil and gas wells abandoned since 1992. Further, no program exists or is proposed to monitor abandoned wells which were plugged. These results strongly suggest that comprehensive reform and increased agency resources would be required to effectively regulate conventional oil and gas development in New York. Industrial expansion into shale oil and gas development should be postponed to avoid adding stress to an already compromised regulatory system.
Knowledge Sharing, Organizational Climate, and Innovative Behavior: A Cross-Level Analysis of Effects
Authors: Yu Chien , Yu Tsai-Fang , Yu Chin-Cheh
Published: February 2013

We investigated individual-level knowledge sharing and innovative behavior of employees, organizational innovation climate, and interactions between the individual level of knowledge sharing and the climate of innovation within the organization as a whole. Employees of public corporations
in the Taiwanese finance and insurance industries participated in this study. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) indicated a positive association between knowledge sharing and innovative behavior and a positive association between organizational innovation climate and innovative behavior.
According to the results of HLM organizational innovation climate did not act as a moderator on the impact of knowledge sharing on innovative behavior.
To Share Knowledge or Not: Dependence on Knowledge-Sharing Satisfaction
Authors: Wu Wei-Li
Published: February 2013

Knowledge sharing behavior does not occur naturally and easily. In this study, I hypothesized that knowledge workers would be more likely to share knowledge if they were satisfied with knowledge-sharing behavior. This positive attitude was labeled knowledge-sharing satisfaction (KSS).
Drawing upon social exchange theory and motivation theory, I examined the relationship between KSS and knowledge-sharing behavior. Using survey data from participants employed in research and development departments at knowledge-intensive high-technology companies in Taiwan, I demonstrated
that satisfaction of the need for a friendly sharing environment and satisfaction of intrinsic and altruistic motivation are positively related to knowledge-sharing behavior. These findings contribute to researchers' understanding of the antecedents of employee knowledge-sharing behavior.