bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of Ageism Among Health Care Professionals Working With Older Adults
Authors: Uğurlu Ziyafet , Kav Sultan , Karahan Azize , Akgün Çıtak Ebru
Published: November 2018

Introduction: The changing proportion of older adults in society necessitates the need to determine the attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes of ageism and its correlates among health care professionals working with older adults. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in seven hospitals in five cities in Turkey. A total of 628 health care professionals participated in this study. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, student’s t test, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: The mean total score from the FSA was 56.9 ( SD = 8.0). Education (β = −.18, p < .001) and difficulty with the care of older adults (β = −.10, p < .05) were statistically significant predictors of the FSA score. Conclusions: The attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults were generally positive and affected by difficulty in providing care and the educational status of the health care professionals.
Strategies for Auditory Display of Social Media
Authors: Winters R. Michael , Joshi Neel , Cutrell Edward , Morris Meredith Ringel
Published: November 2018

Social media is an overwhelmingly visual medium, and we ask the simple question: How can the data and images of social media posts be transformed into something as meaningful and vivid in the auditory sense? Such a design would be useful for eyes-free browsing and could enhance the existing visual media. Our strategy first uses artificial intelligence systems to transform low-level input data into high-level sociocultural features. These features are then conveyed using a multifactored temporal design that uses speech, sonification, auditory scenes, and music.
The Impact of Relationship Wellness Checkups With Lesbian Couples
Authors: Minten Mary J. , Dykeman Cass
Published: November 2018

Relationship health impacts many facets of both physical and mental well-being, including depression, heart health, and even children’s health. For a variety of reasons, distressed couples often delay entering therapy despite its value in supporting wellness and preventing distress. One early intervention program, the marriage checkup (MC), aims to keep healthy couples healthy with a brief supportive checkup. The MC is based on motivational interviewing principles, and research on MC shows the program has a positive impact on relationship satisfaction, prevents decline, and improves health on other variables such as intimacy. However, past research on MCs has only focused on heterosexual couples. As such, this study explores the research question, “What is the impact of a relationship wellness checkup on lesbian couples’ relationship satisfaction?” Using a single-subject design, specifically concurrent multiple-baseline, multiple-probe design, this study extends MC research to an underrepresented population. After conducting checkups over 10 weeks with three lesbian couples, findings show the intervention had a medium effect on satisfaction (nonoverlap of all pairs = .66). These results indicate a relationship checkup can increase satisfaction for lesbian couples. The findings also suggest checkups with lesbian couples can have a comparable impact to their use with heterosexual couples. This study concludes by advocating that the checkup may help lesbian couples stay healthy, providing support for this marginalized group of couples in a time of prejudice.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Novel Insights into Regulation and Genetic Variation
Authors: Notaras Michael , van den Buuse Maarten
Published: November 2018

Since its discovery, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has spawned a literature that now spans 35 years of research. While all neurotrophins share considerable overlap in sequence homology and their processing, BDNF has become the most widely studied neurotrophin because of its broad roles in brain homeostasis, health, and disease. Although research on BDNF has produced thousands of articles, there remain numerous long-standing questions on aspects of BDNF molecular biology and signaling. Here we provide a comprehensive review, including both a historical narrative and a forward-looking perspective on advances in the actions of BDNF within the brain. We specifically review BDNF’s gene structure, peptide composition (including domains, posttranslational modifications and putative motif sites), mechanisms of transport, signaling pathway recruitment, and other recent developments including the functional effects of genetic variation and the discovery of a new BDNF prodomain ligand. This body of knowledge illustrates a highly conserved and complex role for BDNF within the brain, that promotes the idea that the neurotrophin biology of BDNF is diverse and that any disease involvement is likely to be equally multifarious.
Friendly Writing as Non-inquiry: The Problems of Collective Autoethnographic Writing About Collective Autoethnographic Writing
Authors: Pławski Marcin , Szwabowski Oskar , Szczepaniak Colette , Wężniejewska Paulina
Published: November 2018

We are a group of evocative autoethnographers who have been cooperating on various autoethnographic projects for several years. In the article, we deal with the problem related to the realization of a project concerning collective autoethnographic writing. The idea seemed quite simple: By referring to the previous events related to the writing of collective autoethnography and the event of current writing, we wanted to grasp what it is and what it does to us. It turned out to be much more difficult than we had thought. Our attempt to tell a story about the experience of experiencing collective autoethnographic writing was questioned during the process of writing. We started asking ourselves why our project had been falling apart. Did we experience something unspoken? This article is an insight into the unspoken matter. We are posing a question about reconsidering the inquiry of collective writing in the spirit of evocative autoethnography.
Telehealth in Psychiatric Nursing Education: Lessons From the Field
Authors: Tyson R. Lee , Brammer Susan , McIntosh Diana
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND: This article summarizes the experiences that a Midwest college of nursing had when telepsychiatry was introduced for psychiatric-mental health post-master’s nurse practitioner students to use in a clinical internship. AIMS: Implications for nurse practitioner educators will be identified, and recommendations for future research will be explored. METHOD: Described are the following: (1) policies and procedures the institution considered, (2) challenges that were encountered by faculty and students, and (3) strategies and limitations of these strategies defining best practice, what didactic content should be taught, and how clinical placements needed to be structured. RESULTS: Implications for nurse practitioner educators, practice, and research are identified. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that telepsychiatry has an important role in the clinical education of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. It is working well as a clinical internship option. The college of nursing is continuing to examine and address issues and is looking forward to enhancing the telepsychiatry experiences for students in the future.
Mixed Emotions: An Incentive Motivational Model of Sexual Deviance
Authors: Smid Wineke J. , Wever Edwin C.
Published: November 2018

Sexual offending behavior is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Most existing etiological models describe sexual offending behavior as a variant of offending behavior and mostly include factors referring to disinhibition and sexual deviance. In this article, we argue that there is additional value in describing sexual offending behavior as sexual behavior in terms of an incentive model of sexual motivation. The model describes sexual arousal as an emotion, triggered by a competent stimulus signaling potential reward, and comparable to other emotions coupled with strong bodily reactions. Consequently, we describe sexual offending behavior in terms of this new model with emphasis on the development of deviant sexual interests and preferences. Summarized, the model states that because sexual arousal itself is an emotion, there is a bidirectional relationship between sexual self-regulation and emotional self-regulation. Not only can sex be used to regulate emotional states (i.e., sexual coping), emotions can also be used, consciously or automatically, to regulate sexual arousal (i.e., sexual deviance). Preliminary support for the model is drawn from studies in the field of sex offender research as well as sexology and motivation research.
The Use of Leuprolide Acetate in the Management of High-Risk Sex Offenders
Authors: Gallo Alessandra , Abracen Jeffrey , Looman Jan , Jeglic Elizabeth , Dickey Robert
Published: November 2018

The present study investigates whether leuprolide acetate (Lupron) adds to the efficacy of traditional sex offender treatment. A group of sex offenders receiving both Lupron and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; n = 25) were compared with a group of sex offenders receiving only CBT ( n = 22). Treated subjects were compared with norms available with reference to the Static-99R, as well as compared with a sample of untreated, nonsexual violent offenders ( n = 81), to provide baseline data regarding risk of violent recidivism. Results indicated that subjects receiving Lupron were at significantly higher risk of recidivism and significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a paraphilia than subjects receiving only CBT, a priori. Both treated groups of sexual offenders recidivated at substantially lower rates than predicted by the Static-99R. Currently, this study represents the only, long-term outcome study on Lupron administration using officially recorded recidivism as the primary dependent measure.
Comparing Solo- and Co-Offending Female Sex Offenders on Variables of Pathology, Offense Characteristics, and Recidivism
Authors: Miller Holly A. , Marshall Ethan A.
Published: November 2018

Due to the smaller proportion of female sex offenders (2%-12% of all sexual offenses) compared with male sex offenders, we know much less about these women to aid in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of their offending behavior compared with men. One promising distinction in female sex offender typology is solo-offending females versus females who offend with a male co-offender. The current study uses a sample of 225 incarcerated female sex offenders to compare solo and co-offending women on variables of psychopathology, criminal history, victim and offender information, and recidivism rates. Results indicate that solo offenders are more likely to have male, unrelated victims, score higher on dominance and aggression, and are more likely to generally recidivate. Solo versus co-offending status was not a significant predictor for sexual recidivism. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.
Campus Sexual Assault: Forging an Action-Focused Research Agenda
Authors: Harris Andrew J. , Terry Karen J. , Ackerman Alissa R.
Published: November 2018

In recent years, the problem of campus-based sexual assault has emerged as a prominent matter of concern for institutions of higher education. Amid expanded media attention and a shifting policy landscape, many institutions have grappled with programmatic and legal challenges related to systems of investigation and adjudication of sexual assault cases. Meanwhile, many have worked to develop and deploy proactive preventive measures including those involving bystander engagement, peer-driven interventions, sexual assault awareness campaigns, self-defense programs, and the innovative use of social media and other technology. In this context, there is a growing need for high-quality empirical research that can shed light on the extent and nature of campus sexual assault; evaluate existing institutional systems and processes; and promote the development, testing, and evaluation of novel approaches that respond to unmet needs and challenges. As an introduction to a special journal issue devoted to this nascent but rapidly emerging field of inquiry, this article offers context and perspective on the vital role that research can play in the development and advancement of effective policies and strategies to prevent and effectively respond to campus-based sexual assault.
Assessing Value From Business-to-Business Services Relationships: Temporality, Tangibility, Temperament, and Trade-Offs
Authors: Lyons Paul , Brennan Louis
Published: November 2018

Theoretical contributions exploring service value in business-to-business (B2B) settings have significantly lagged those that consider goods markets and business-to-consumer (B2C) contexts. To address this gap, this article focuses on the interfirm relationship as the fulcrum through which service value is created and exchanged. Specifically, we analyze how relationship value is assessed by actors and their organizations over the lifetimes of service engagements. Through in-depth interviews with 38 executives representing customer and provider firms, we study three cases with durations ranging between 9 and 11 years. We develop a model demonstrating value assessment to be a dynamic, socially constructed, and multilevel phenomenon, in which structured institutional bodies and unstructured collectives within firms display different priorities in their assessments. The model also demonstrates the critical role of relationship leaders in influencing these positions and negotiating consensus. Our analysis reveals value assessments to be both a sustenance for, and an output from, B2B service relationships. We contribute to knowledge and theory of relationship value and offer managerial actions to promote improvement in assessments of this value in B2B services settings.
Biological Assessment and Mri Monitoring of the Therapeutic Efficacy of a Monoclonal Anti-T Cd4 Antibody in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Rumbach L , Racadot E , Armspach JP , Namer IJ , Bonneville JF , Wijdenes J , Marescaux C , Herve P , Chambron J
Published: November 2018

An initial group of 21 patients plus a second group of 14 patients with active multiple sclerosis (MS) (18 progressive and 17 relapsing-remitting forms) were treated with a murine monoclonal anti-T CD4/BF5 antibody as part of a phase 1 open trial. Tolerance was relatively good: minor general side-effects occurred in 22 patients only upon the first mAb infusion. One year later, functional disability was stabilised in only six of the 35 patients and after 2 years in two patients only (among 21). One year after treatment, nine of the 17 relapsing-remitting patients were relapse-free. CD4 counts decreased dramatically 2 h after treatment These counts were back to baseline counts at 3 months. A transient increase was found in IL-6 and TNFα levels 2 h after treatment, which probably accounts for the observed side effects. Cell adhesion molecule levels were not modified. Serial MRI scans were performed in the second group of 14 patients. In all of these patients, lesion modifications were observed in the three scans performed prior to treatment Yet, no changes in the lesions were noted on the MRI scans performed over the following 3 months. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of this treatment insofar as it induced a marked CD4 lymphocyte depletion. However, it did not seem to stabilise the evolution of the disease – although one must be careful in drawing such conclusions in a phase 1 trial – or to curb the evolution of MRI-documented lesions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Epilepsy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Control Study. Implications for Treatment Trials with 4-Aminopyridine
Authors: Truyen L , Barkhof F , Frequin Stfm , Polman CH , Tobi H , Hommes OR , Valk J
Published: November 2018

A case-control study of epilepsy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is presented using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to semiquantitatively assess cortical-subcortical lesion load. In this sample of 13 pairs of cases with MS and epilepsy and controls with MS without epilepsy we found statistically higher cumulated cortical-subcortical lesion loads in the cases than in the controls (Wilcoxon, P=0.036). Total lesion loads (cortical-subcortical plus deep white matter loads) did not differ significantly (P > 0.1) between cases and controls. The relative risk for seizures as determined by the odds ratio of a cortical-subcortical lesion load of ≥20 was. 8.8 (χ2 = 5.23, P 0.025), the odds ratio of a large (> 1 cm) cortico-subcortical lesion was 4.7 (χ2 = 4.9, P < 0.05), while the 2 MR criteria combined show an odds ratio of 19.2 (χ2 = 8.0, P < 0.005). We conclude that first, the presence of cortical-subcortical lesions in part accounts for the occurrence of seizures in MS patients; second, due to the substantial overlap of MR imaging scores between cases and controls the ultimate use of these MR imaging findings in the management of individual patients or in the organizations of trials should depend on the expected benefit of the treatment If the benefit is only moderate or not known a cautious approach with exclusion of cases showing a substantial cortical-subcortical lesion load on MR imaging seems appropriate in trials with drugs, like 4-aminopyridine, that lower the epileptic threshold.
Myogenic and Central Neurogenic Factors in Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Latash M , Kalugina E , Nicholas J , Orpett C , Stefoski D , Davis F
Published: November 2018

Short episodes of electrical stimulation were applied to the right quadriceps muscle of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy subjects at different times during 60 sec sustained voluntary muscle contractions at 0 to 100% levels of maximal voluntarily generated joint torque. The amplitude of electrically induced increments of torque (ΔT) has been shown to depend upon both the level of muscular contraction and time from the beginning of the contraction. The dependence of ΔT upon the time from the beginning of contraction has been assumed to reflect muscle fatigue. Patients with MS demonstrated an apparent involvement of central neurogenic mechanisms in fatigue manifested as a drop in muscle torque during sustained contractions at 75 and 100% levels when electrical stimulation was able to induce considerable increments in muscle torque. These patients also demonstrated a dependence of ΔT upon the contraction level suggesting that they did not produce maximal voluntary contraction torque in the pre-trial. Fatigue in MS is due to central, neurogenic factors and does not seem to involve any myogenic factors such as might be related to secondary muscle changes due to the long-standing disorder. The subjective feeling of tiredness (‘fatigue’) may be related to a dissociation between central motor commands (‘effort’) and their mechanical consequences.
Lighthouse Parenting Programme: Description and pilot evaluation of mentalization-based treatment to address child maltreatment
Authors: Byrne Gerry , Sleed Michelle , Midgley Nick , Fearon Pasco , Mein Clare , Bateman Anthony , Fonagy Peter
Published: November 2018

This article introduces an innovative mentalization-based treatment (MBT) parenting intervention for families where children are at risk of maltreatment. The Lighthouse MBT Parenting Programme aims to prevent child maltreatment by promoting sensitive caregiving in parents. The programme is designed to enhance parents’ capacity for curiosity about their child’s inner world, to help parents ‘see’ (understand) their children clearly, to make sense of misunderstandings in their relationship with their child and to help parents inhibit harmful responses in those moments of misunderstanding and to repair the relationship when harmed. The programme is an adaptation of MBT for borderline and antisocial personality disorders, with a particular focus on attachment and child development. Its strength is in engaging hard to reach parents, who typically do not benefit from parenting programmes. The findings of the pilot evaluation suggest that the programme may be effective in improving parenting confidence and sensitivity and that parents valued the programme and the changes it had helped them to bring about.
User testing digital, multimedia information to inform children, adolescents and their parents about healthcare trials
Authors: Sheridan Rebecca , Martin-Kerry Jacqueline , Watt Ian , Higgins Steven , Stones Simon R , Taylor Danielle Horton , Knapp Peter
Published: November 2018

Digital, multimedia information resources (MMIs) containing text, video, animation and pictures are a promising alternative to written participant information materials designed to inform children, adolescents and parents about healthcare trials, but little research has tested whether they are fit for purpose. This study employed a consecutive groups design and user testing questionnaire to assess whether participants were able to find and understand key information in multimedia resources. Two rounds of testing were completed. In each round, seven children aged 7–11 tested the MMI with a parent; six adolescents aged 12–17 and seven parents tested the MMI independently. After round 1, the resources were revised based on participant scores, behaviour and feedback. Round 1 identified problems with 2/10 information items (length of trial and use of insulin pump); only 3/20 participants could locate all information items without difficulty. After revisions, 14/20 participants scored a clear round. Information comprehension was high: 96% understood in round 1 and 99% in round 2. Participant feedback on the multimedia resources was positive, although presentation preferences varied. User testing was employed successfully with children, adolescents and parents to identify issues with, and improve, multimedia resources developed to inform potential healthcare trial participants.
Cohort study design for estimating the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines in real time based on register data: The Finnish example
Authors: Baum Ulrike , Auranen Kari , Kulathinal Sangita , Syrjänen Ritva , Nohynek Hanna , Jokinen Jukka
Published: November 2018

This paper presents the principles of implementing register-based cohort studies as currently applied for real-time estimation of influenza vaccine effectiveness in Finland. All required information is retrieved from computerised national registers and deterministically linked via the unique personal identity code assigned to each Finnish resident. The study cohorts comprise large subpopulations eligible for a free seasonal influenza vaccination as part of the National Vaccination Programme. The primary outcome is laboratory-confirmed influenza. Each study subject is taken to be at risk of experiencing the outcome from the onset of the influenza season until the first of the following three events occurs: outcome, loss to follow up or end of season. Seasonal influenza vaccination is viewed as time-dependent exposure. Accordingly, each subject may contribute unvaccinated and vaccinated person-time during their time at risk. The vaccine effectiveness is estimated as one minus the influenza incidence rate ratio comparing the vaccinated with the unvaccinated within the study cohorts. Data collection in register-based research is an almost fully automated process. The effort, resources and the time spent in the field are relatively small compared to other observational study designs. This advantage is pivotal when vaccine effectiveness estimates are needed in real time. The paper outlines possible limitations of register-based cohort studies. It also addresses the need to explore how national and subnational registers available in the Nordic countries and elsewhere can be utilised in vaccine effectiveness research to guide decision making and to improve individual health as well as public health.
The role of the expert knowledge in politicizing urban planning processes: A case from Istanbul
Authors: Özdemir Esin
Published: November 2018

This article discusses the relationship between the expert knowledge and the prospects of politicizing and democratizing urban planning. The term ‘experts’ refers mainly to urban planners, yet also includes architects, engineers and lawyers, who are specialized in planning. The article begins with a review of the critical literature on communicative planning, agonistic pluralism, agonistic planning and discussions on what needs to be done in planning focusing on the role of the expert knowledge. It argues that expert knowledge can gain different and multi-dimensional roles in urban planning processes, leading not necessarily to techno-management, yet contributing in their inclusiveness and conflict sensitivity. Encompassing both technical support and objective intermediation for local communities, it can both be utilized to build an agonistic space and help the communities better utilize the existing communicative/collaborative channels to voice their disagreements. By this way, it contributes in the politicization and democratization of planning processes. With this argument, the article also aims to challenge the strict distinction between ‘the politics’ and ‘the political’ as well as the related communicative–agonistic divide. The argument is supported by evidence from a case study on two informally built residential neighbourhoods in Istanbul, where there has been an active citizen opposition and involvement in a planning process.
Postcolonialism and Native American Geographies: The Letters of Rosalie La Flesche Farley, 1896-1899
Authors: Morin Karen M.
Published: November 2018

As the privileged daughter of the last traditional chief of the Omaha Indians, Rosalie La Flesche Farley acted as business manager for the Omaha during a period of changing land tenure and scandalous land loss. The letters I examine here discuss the spaces of colonial relations into which Rosalie was tied during the allotment, selling, and leasing of Omaha land in the late nineteenth century. While there is an acknowledged ‘problem’ with a postcolonial interpretation of US historical geography, a postcolonial analysis of Rosalie's writing allows for a measure of understanding about the numerous conflicting, obviously distraught, but ultimately personally advantageous spaces of ‘Indianness’ she occupied. The gendered and racialized spaces and subjectivities she occupied were products of American colonialism and her strategies of survival within it.
Sound insulation analysis of micro-perforated panel coupled with honeycomb panel considering air cavity for offshore plants
Authors: Jung Jae-Deok , Hong Suk-Yoon , Song Jee-Hun , Kwon Hyun-Wung
Published: November 2018

The wall panels used in offshore plants require sound insulation performance as well as fireproofing. A honeycomb panel made of metal is incombustible but unsatisfactory at the middle frequencies for sound transmission loss because the coincidence frequency occurs when the bending wavelength on the panel matches the wavelength of the incident wave. In this study, the application of a micro-perforated plate to the honeycomb panel was considered to supplement the sound transmission loss at the middle frequencies. The honeycomb core was assumed to overlap an orthotropic layer with an air layer, and face sheets were assumed to be isotropic. The kinetic and potential energy for the face sheets and the honeycomb core, the kinetic energy for the air layer located between the face sheets, and the sound absorption coefficient for the panel were derived. These were substituted into the Lagrange equation, and by solving the equation, the sound transmission loss was obtained. By comparing the experimental results with theoretically predicted results, it was found that the theory well reflected the measured surface density, elasticity, and absorption coefficient. Finally, simulations were performed for the micro-perforated plate perforation presence, micro-perforated plate perforation diameter, cell wall thickness, and cell size. These were analyzed with regard to the surface density, elasticity, and absorption coefficient.
Use of Stable Calcium Isotopes (42Ca & 44Ca) in Evaluation of Calcium Absorption in Beijing Adolescents with Low Vitamin D Status
Authors: Lee Warren Tak Keung , Jiang Ji , Hu Pei , Hu Xiaopeng , Roberts David Charles Keith , Cheng Jack Chun Yiu
Published: November 2018

Female adolescent populations with low calcium intakes and sub-optimal vitamin D status are found in northern China. Whether these individuals are able to adapt by enhancing calcium absorption and reducing calcium excretion for maximizing calcium retention is unknown. This study examined the association between true-fractional-calcium-absorption (TFCA), plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, and urinary calcium excretion among adolescents in Northern China. Twelve healthy girls 9 to 17 years old were recruited from Beijing during a winter. Calcium intake, anthropometry, pubertal status, plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin-Ds (25-OHD), serum calcium, and urinary calcium were determined. TFCA was evaluated by dual stable calcium isotopes. The mean ± SD calcium intake, 24-hour urinary calcium excretion, plasma 25-OHD and TFCA were 591 ± 164 mg/day, 79.9 ± 49.6 mg/day, 30.5 ± 9.8 nmol/L, and 60.4 ± 14.4%, respectively. TFCA was inversely correlated with 25-OHD (r = −0.73, p = .008). Urinary calcium was correlated with the onset of menarche (r = 0.63, p = .027). Post-menarcheal girls had a higher urinary calcium output than premenarcheal girls (p = .03). Adolescents from north China with sub-optimal vitamin-D status are able to adapt by enhancing TFCA and reducing urinary calcium excretion to retain calcium for bone development. TFCA was inversely correlated with plasma 25-OHD. Whether a higher efficiency of calcium absorption is sustainable if the shortfall of vitamin D persisting remains to be studied.
Stable Isotope Techniques in Human Nutrition Research: Concerted Action is Needed
Authors: Walczyk Thomas , Coward Andy , Schoeller Dale A. , Preston Tom , Dainty Jack , Turnlund Judith R. , Iyengar Venkatesh
Published: November 2018

Use of stable isotopes in applied nutrition has been a developing field for over 60 years. The past 20 years has seen improvements in computer and mass-spectrometer technology that has opened up even greater possibilities in the understanding of human metabolism. While improvements in technology can bring great opportunities, it can also cause problems if there is no consensus among the stable isotope user-community on standardization of new techniques and methods. Users of stable isotopes have traditionally been split into two groups; those who work with heavy isotopes (e.g., 58Fe, 70Zn) and those who work with light isotopes (e.g., 2H218O). Standardization issues have been addressed by the light isotope users and awareness of this type of problem is starting to emerge within the heavy isotope community.
In Vivo Stable Isotope Measurements of Methyl Metabolism: Applications in Pathophysiology and Interventions
Authors: de Meer Kees , van den Akker Johana T. , Smulders Yvo , Stam Frank , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Finglas Paul
Published: November 2018

With intravenous infusion of doubly-labeled [2H3C-1-13C-] methionine and stable isotope enrichments in plasma free methionine and carbon dioxide in breath air, whole body transmethylation, transsulfuration, and remethylation rates can be calculated. This technique demonstrated impaired recycling as the major disturbance to explain hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with end-stage renal failure, and can be used to optimize interventions with folate, B6, and B12 supplementation in this patient group. Intravenous infusion of [2,3,3-2H3] serine has also been applied to demonstrate the appearance of [2H2]- as well as [2H1]-methionine in plasma and protein, suggesting transfer of a one-carbon group from serine via 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate in human hepatocyte cytosol and mitochondria, respectively. In sheep, tissue free methionine enrichments after infusion of universally labeled [U-13C] methionine showed the highest remethylation activity in postmortem investigation of jejunum, liver, and kidney tissue samples, but no such activity in muscle and brain samples. Methods to quantitate one-carbon acceptor metabolism pathways and folate metabolism have recently become available.
Isotopic Tools for Strengthening Health and Nutritional Monitoring and their Current Applications in Developing Regions of the World
Authors: Valencia Mauro E. , Iyengar Venkatesh
Published: November 2018

Nuclear and isotope methods in one form or another are regarded as essential tools for carrying out nutrition research besides enhancing sensitivity of nutrition monitoring techniques. They have been used extensively in industrialized countries to analyze human energy requirements, body composition including bone mineral density, to determine food composition, and to study metabolism of important nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The information acquired has led to many improvements in nutrition and health. Importantly, the developmental needs of countries in economic transition are being increasingly identified and resolved through field applications of isotopic tools, thus strengthening health and nutrition monitoring. Currently, several strategic applications of isotopic techniques are being introduced in developing countries where they can benefit millions through monitoring improvement in nutritional status, and serve as specific indicators of broader social and economic advances. These examples are highlighted in this report.
Modèle d'évaluation micro-économique d'une méthode de conservation post-récolte de légumes tropicaux par saumurage
Authors: Adambounou T. L. , Castaigne F. , Thiam S. M.
Published: November 2018

Based on data collected in important vegetable markets in Senegal, we compared the cost of brined (CB) vegetables to that of fresh vegetables. When brining was performed during the period of abundance, CB was markedly lower than the price of fresh vegetables during the period of scarcity. Introducing such a method in rural Senegal would permit to control price fluctuations, which are submitted to the supply and demand law and to the speculation conducted by intermediaries in the Senegalese system of vegetable marketing.
Nutrition and Health
Authors: Piwoz Ellen Gail , Viteri Fernando E.
Published: November 2018

Underlying this article is a recognition of the relationship between poverty and poor health and nutrition and a realization that poverty does not affect al/ the members of a household uniformly. We believe that households as a whole do not operate to promote the common good of all their members. Within conditions of chronic resource scarcity, some family members consistently fare worse than others. It is, therefore, necessary to identify intra-household factors that influence health and nutrition behaviour. Given the fact that household behaviour is determined by a number of factors, several types of intervention are proposed. To improve the chances of lasting success for development programmes, we advocate designing and testing educational messages that address all aspects of household behaviour.
Unicef - Cornell Colloquium on Care and Nutrition of the Young Child - Planning
Authors: Ramakrishnan Usha
Published: November 2018

The need to develop appropriate knowledge-based strategies to promote better care was the basis for the UNICEF-Cornell University Colloquium on care and nutrition of the young child. The first step was to develop a conceptual model that described the various factors that influenced the quality of care and the pathways through which care influenced the nutrition status of young children below three years of age. The direct care-related behaviours included breastfeeding, complementation, feeding during illness, health related behaviours, and psychosocial care. Several underlying factors at the household, community, and national level and the interactive process of care were also considered. The resource constraints and trends were child characteristics; caregiver factors, including time availability; psychological, health, and nutrition status; organizational resources; and modernization and urbanization. The triple-A process of assessment, analysis, and action was followed to identify, understand, and prioritize the key areas while planning for the Colloquium. Besides the focus and theme papers, case-studies from developing countries and working group sessions were also included.
Sample selection of prognostics validation test based on multi-stage Wiener process
Authors: Zhao Zhiao , Zhang Yong , Liu Guanjun , Qiu Jing
Published: November 2018

Sample allocation and selection technology is of great significance in the test plan design of prognostics validation. Considering the existing researches, the importance of prognostics samples of different moments is not considered in the degradation process of a single failure. Normally, prognostics samples are generated under the same time interval mechanism. However, a prognostics system may have low prognostics accuracy because of the small quantity of failure degradation and measurement randomness in the early stage of a failure degradation process. Historical degradation data onto equipment failure modes are collected, and the degradation process model based on the multi-stage Wiener process is established. Based on the multi-stage Wiener process model, we choose four parameters to describe different degradation stages in a degradation process. According to four parameters, the sample selection weight of each degradation stage is calculated and the weight of each degradation stage is used to select prognostics samples. Taking a bearing wear fault of a helicopter transmission device as an example, its degradation process is established and sample selection weights are calculated. According to the sample selection weight of each degradation process, we accomplish the prognostics sample selection of the bearing wear fault. The results show that the prognostics sample selection method proposed in this article has good applicability.
The Vicious Cycle of Economic Inequality: The Role of Ideology in Shaping the Relationship Between “What Is” and “What Ought to Be” in 41 Countries
Authors: García-Sánchez Efraín , Van der Toorn Jojanneke , Rodríguez-Bailón Rosa , Willis Guillermo B.
Published: November 2018

People’s desired levels of inequality are informed by the levels of inequality they perceive to exist. Perceived economic inequality is used as a reference point in determining people’s ideal level of inequality. However, recent research has suggested that the strength of this relationship depends on people’s endorsement of system-justifying beliefs. The current article extends this body of research by replicating these findings across 41 countries ( N = 42,078), showing the impact of system-justifying beliefs at both the individual and the societal levels. We conducted a multilevel analysis and found that the higher the endorsement of equality of opportunity beliefs—both at the individual and the societal levels—and meritocratic beliefs—at the individual level—the stronger the relationship between perceived and ideal economic inequality. These findings are in support of a motivated account of the perceived legitimacy of economic inequality.
Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of the sea cucumber Holothuria polii aqueous extract
Authors: Kareh Mike , El Nahas Rana , Al-Aaraj Lamis , Al-Ghadban Sara , Naser Al Deen Nataly , Saliba Najat , El-Sabban Marwan , Talhouk Rabih
Published: November 2018

Objective:

Sea cucumbers are considered among the most important functional foods. Following bioassay guided fractionation, we assessed the anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of Holothuria polii ( H. polii) extracts.

Methods:

Sea cucumber ethanolic extract and the partially purified aqueous fractions were assessed for their anti-proliferative activities. These latter bioactivities were evaluated in the highly invasive MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures using trypan blue exclusion assay. The tumor-suppressive effects of sea cucumber ethanolic extract and aqueous fractions were assayed by measuring the trans-well invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells and the expression of some epithelial mesenchymal transition markers using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous fraction was tested by measuring the secreted levels of interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in endotoxin-induced mammary epithelial SCp2 cells and interleukin-1β in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-activated human monocytic THP-1 cells.

Results:

Sea cucumber ethanolic extract and the aqueous fraction significantly decreased the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by more than 50% at similar and noncytotoxic concentrations and caused an arrest in the S-phase of the cell cycle of treated cells. In contrast, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol organic fractions did not show any significant activity. Furthermore, sea cucumber ethanolic extract and aqueous fraction reduced the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in three-dimensional cultures by more than 60% at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, treatment with these concentrations resulted in the loss of stellate outgrowths in favor of spherical aggregates and a 30% decrease in invasive properties. Both sea cucumber ethanolic extract and aqueous decreased the transcription of vimentin and the protein expression levels of vimentin and N-cadherin in three-dimensional cultures. The aqueous fraction decreased the levels of inflammatory markers interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the mouse mammary SCp2 cells, and the level of interleukin-1β produced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-activated THP-1 human monocytic cells.

Conclusion:

The data reveal for the first time promising anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities in H. polii water extract in two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture models.
Serum level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in children with drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Elwan Mohamed M , Kishk Nirmeen A , El-Kapany Rasha A , Al-Ahmer Ibrahim E , Elkady Ahmed
Published: November 2018

There is increasing evidence that chronic inflammation affects the pathophysiology of epilepsy, especially the drug-resistant type. Drug-resistant epilepsy is a challenging condition, because of the difficulties in its management, and its unclear epileptogenesis. This study is looking at C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in those with drug-resistant epilepsy and the correlation of these levels with seizure frequency. Hence, 40 children with drug-resistant epilepsy were included in this study and compared with 20 healthy volunteers (as a control group). Participants were aged between 5 and 15 years. Patients were divided into two subgroups, those with daily seizures (Group A1) and those with monthly seizures (Group A2). Serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were measured in all participants. The clinical characteristics, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were then compared. CRP levels were significantly higher in Group A1, at 21.88–93.29 mg/L than both Group A2 and the control group, at 3.02–40.37 mg/L and 2.23–13.18 mg/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively. The IL-6 levels were also significantly higher in Group A1, at 153.60–597.80 ng/L than in both Group A2 and the control group, at 97.40–232.50 ng/L and 12.00–96.30 ng/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively. Significantly higher levels of CRP and IL-6 were associated with earlier age of onset ( P < 0.01), seizure frequency ( P < 0.05), and the frequency of status epilepticus ( P < 0.01). Moreover, frequent-generalized motor seizures are correlated with elevated CRP and IL-6 levels. As a result, this systemic inflammatory reaction in children may contribute to drug-resistant seizure and potentially could be used as biomarkers to be correlated with disease severity and prognosis.
Daily- and Person-Level Associations Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Use Among College Students
Authors: Cho Dalnim , Armeli Stephen , Weinstock Jeremiah , Tennen Howard
Published: November 2018

Emerging adults, particularly university students, who are physically active, drink more than their less physically active peers. We extended this between-person relationship to the within-person level of analysis, by examining whether students are more likely to drink on days when they exercise, and whether this within-person association remains after controlling for potential confounding factors. We also explored the temporal sequence of the physical activity (PA)-alcohol use association. University students ( N = 426) completed a 30-day online diary. The small positive within-person association between PA and alcohol use was not retained after controlling for day of the week. However, previous day’s drinking was inversely associated with next day’s PA on weekdays. These findings suggest that the previously reported positive PA-alcohol association does not necessarily align with the within-person daily association. Future studies with more nuanced measurement strategies, such as ecological momentary assessment, are needed to better understand the association between PA and alcohol use.
Poor Readability of AOSSM Patient Education Resources and Opportunities for Improvement
Authors: Kakazu Rafael , Schumaier Adam , Minoughan Chelsea , Grawe Brian
Published: November 2018

Background:

Appropriate education on the disease processes associated with orthopaedic pathology can affect patient expectations and functional outcome.

Hypothesis:

Patient education resources from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) are too complex for comprehension by the average orthopaedic patient.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Patient education resources provided by the AOSSM were analyzed with software that provided 10 readability scores as well as opportunities for improving readability. The readability scores were compared with the recommended eighth-grade reading level.

Results:

A total of 39 patient education resources were identified and evaluated. The mean ± SD reading grade-level scores were as follows: Coleman-Liau Index, 12.5 ± 1.11; New Dale-Chall Readability Formula, 10.9 ± 1.37; Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, 9.9 ± 1.06; FORCAST Readability Formula, 11.4 ± 0.51; Fry Readability Formula, 12.8 ± 2.79; Gunning Fog Index, 11.9 ± 1.37; Raygor Readability Index, 13.1 ± 2.37; Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, 12.3 ± 0.90; Automated Readability Index, 11.2 ± 1.18; and New Automated Readability Index, 10.6 ± 1.27. After averaging the reading grade-level scores, only 1 patient education resource was found to be written at an 8th- to 9th-grade level, and 14 (36%) were written above a 12th-grade level. All scores were significantly different from the eighth-grade level ( P < .0065). The percentage of complex words and long words were 19.6% ± 2.67% and 41.4% ± 3.18%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Patient education resources provided by the AOSSM are at a significantly higher reading level than recommended. Simple changes can drastically improve these scores to increase health literacy and possibly outcome.