bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AVERAGING OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MOMENT CONDITION ESTIMATORS
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Jacho-Chávez David T. , Linton Oliver
Published: December 2014

We establish the consistency and asymptotic normality for a class of estimators that are linear combinations of a set of$\sqrt n$-consistent nonlinear estimators whose cardinality increases with sample size. The method can be compared with the usual approaches of combining the moment conditions (GMM) and combining the instruments (IV), and achieves similar objectives of aggregating the available information. One advantage of aggregating the estimators rather than the moment conditions is that it yields robustness to certain types of parameter heterogeneity in the sense that it delivers consistent estimates of the mean effect in that case. We discuss the question of optimal weighting of the estimators.
Spatial-temporal clustering of companion animal enteric syndrome: detection and investigation through the use of electronic medical records from participating private practices
Authors: ANHOLT R. M. , BEREZOWSKI J. , ROBERTSON C. , STEPHEN C.
Published: December 2014

There is interest in the potential of companion animal surveillance to provide data to improve pet health and to provide early warning of environmental hazards to people. We implemented a companion animal surveillance system in Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding communities. Informatics technologies automatically extracted electronic medical records from participating veterinary practices and identified cases of enteric syndrome in the warehoused records. The data were analysed using time-series analyses and a retrospective space–time permutation scan statistic. We identified a seasonal pattern of reports of occurrences of enteric syndromes in companion animals and four statistically significant clusters of enteric syndrome cases. The cases within each cluster were examined and information about the animals involved (species, age, sex), their vaccination history, possible exposure or risk behaviour history, information about disease severity, and the aetiological diagnosis was collected. We then assessed whether the cases within the cluster were unusual and if they represented an animal or public health threat. There was often insufficient information recorded in the medical record to characterize the clusters by aetiology or exposures. Space–time analysis of companion animal enteric syndrome cases found evidence of clustering. Collection of more epidemiologically relevant data would enhance the utility of practice-based companion animal surveillance.
Epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal patterns of scrub typhus during 2006–2013 in Tai'an, Northern China
Authors: ZHENG L. , YANG H.-L. , BI Z.-W. , KOU Z.-Q. , ZHANG L.-Y. , ZHANG A.-H. , YANG L. , ZHAO Z.-T.
Published: December 2014

Tai'an, a famous cultural tourist district, is a new endemic foci of scrub typhus in northern China. Frequent reports of travel-acquired cases and absence of effective vaccine indicated a significant health problem of scrub typhus in Tai'an. Thus, descriptive epidemiological methods and spatial-temporal scan statistics were used to describe the epidemic characteristics and detect the significant clusters of the high incidence of scrub typhus at the town level in Tai'an. Results of descriptive epidemiological analysis showed a total of 490 cases were reported in Tai'an with the annual average incidence ranging from 0·48 to 2·27/100 000 during 2006–2013. Females, the elderly and farmers are the high-risk groups. Monthly changes of scrub typhus cases indicated an obvious epidemic period in autumn. Spatial-temporal distribution analysis, showed significant clusters of high incidence mainly located in eastern and northern Tai'an. Our study suggests that more effective, targeted measures for local residents should be implemented in the eastern and northern areas of Tai'an in autumn. Meanwhile, it may prove beneficial for health policy makers to advise travellers to take preventive measures in order to minimize the risk of infection of scrub typhus in Tai'an.
Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and emerging Chlamydia-related bacteria in ectopic pregnancy in Vietnam
Authors: HORNUNG S. , THUONG B. C. , GYGER J. , KEBBI-BEGHDADI C. , VASILEVSKY S. , GREUB G. , BAUD D.
Published: December 2014

In this case-control study, we investigated the seroprevalence and molecular evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila in ectopic pregnancies (EP) and uneventful control pregnancies in 343 women from Vietnam. Whereas presence of C. trachomatis IgG was strongly associated with EP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5·41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·58–11·32], its DNA remained undetected in all tubal lesions. We confirmed an independent association between antibodies against Waddlia and previous miscarriage (aOR 1·87, 95% CI 1·02–3·42). Further investigations are needed to understand the clinical significance of Waddlia's high seroprevalence (25·9% in control pregnancies) in this urban population.
Regulating filth: cleansing in Scottish towns and cities, 1840–1880
Authors: BRUNTON DEBORAH
Published: December 2014

Although little explored, regulations – in the form of laws and byelaws – formed an important technique of nineteenth-century government. This article explores the implementation and enforcement of two sets of regulations regarding the keeping and disposal of dirt imposed by Scottish local authorities: one on behaviours around the disposal of domestic refuse, the other on the keeping of dung – a form of property. While behaviours around refuse were more stringently policed than those affecting property, in both cases regulations were not the basis of a strict disciplinary regime, but a means of informing, educating and persuading residents into cleanly habits.
The anatomy and development of the cardiac valves
Authors: Spicer Diane E. , Bridgeman Joseph M. , Brown Nigel A. , Mohun Timothy J. , Anderson Robert H.
Published: December 2014

Advances made in the understanding of the molecular biology of the cardiac valves have been truly spectacular. Not all of those investigating these aspects, however, have an appropriate understanding of the underlying anatomy. Partly, this reflects problems in describing the components of the various valves, a difficulty also emphasised by surgeons who repair or replace the valves. In this review, we describe briefly the overall anatomy of the cardiac valves, pointing to their similarities and differences. We then suggest that uniform terms can be developed to account for the components of the valves, treating them as complexes that guard the atrioventricular and ventriculo-arterial junctions. The atrioventricular valvar complex is made up of an annulus, leaflets, tendinous cords, and papillary muscles. The tension apparatus is required to hold the leaflets together against the force of ventricular systole. The ventriculo-arterial complex is also based on the leaflets, but supported within the valvar sinuses, and limited distally by the sinutubular junction. It is the semilunar nature of the leaflets that underscores their snug closure during ventricular diastole. The complexes thus defined can be separated to produce paired valves in the normal arrangement, or to produce common valves in the congenitally malformed hearts. Knowledge of development now permits accurate inferences to be made regarding the origin of the various components, and their relevance to valvar disease. The valvar leaflets are developed from the endocardial cushions formed in the atrioventricular canal and the outflow tract by a process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation. The papillary muscles of the atrioventricular valves are then derived from the trabecular layer of the developing ventricular walls, whereas the sinuses of the ventriculo-arterial valves are formed by additional growth of the non-myocardial tissues, concomitant with excavation of the outflow cushions to form the leaflets.
Critical care of patients with paediatric valvar cardiac disease
Authors: Moore Ryan A. , Flores Saul , Cooper David S.
Published: December 2014

Valvar cardiac disease accounts for a large percentage of heart lesions in the paediatric population. There are a variety of congenital and acquired valvar lesions produced by different mechanisms that produce unique physiologies. With the development of more advanced cardiac interventional procedures and congenital cardiac surgery techniques, most of these lesions can be repaired in a single or multi-stage approach. Given the potential for significant symptomatology before intervention, it is imperative to review the critical care management of paediatric valvar heart disease. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current critical care management of valvar cardiac disease. We approach each cardiac valve individually in order to review the pathophysiology caused by valve dysfunction (obstruction and incompetence) and elaborate on the most frequent diagnoses, specific cardiac physiology, potential for other organ system associations, and perioperative management.
The challenges of managing rheumatic disease of the mitral valve in Jamaica
Authors: Little Sherard G.
Published: December 2014

Between January, 2009 and December, 2013, 84 patients were identified who underwent isolated mitral valve surgery in Jamaica at The University Hospital of the West Indies and The Bustamante Hospital for Children. The most common pathology requiring surgery was rheumatic heart disease, accounting for 84% of the procedures performed. The majority of patients had regurgitation of the mitral valve (67%), stenosis of the mitral valve (22%), and mixed mitral valve disease (11%). The most common procedure performed was replacement of the mitral valve (69%), followed by mitral valve repair (29%). Among the patients, one underwent closed mitral commissurotomy. The choice of procedure differed between age groups. In the paediatric population (<18 years of age), the majority of patients underwent repair of the mitral valve (89%). In the adult population (18 years and above), the majority of patients underwent mitral valve replacement (93%). Overall, of all the patients undergoing replacement of the mitral valve, 89% received a mechanical valve prosthesis, whereas 11% received a bioprosthetic valve prosthesis. Of the group of patients who underwent mitral valve repair for rheumatic heart disease, 19% required re-operation. The average time between initial surgery and re-operation was 1.2 years. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease remain significant public health challenges in Jamaica and other developing countries. Focus must remain on primary and secondary prevention strategies in order to limit the burden of rheumatic valvulopathies. Attention should also be directed towards improving access to surgical treatment for young adults.
December 2014 HeartWeek issue of Cardiology in the Young: Highlights of HeartWeek 2014: Diseases of the Cardiac Valves from the Foetus to the Adult
Authors: Jacobs Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2014

This December Issue of Cardiology in the Young represents the 12th annual publication generated from the two meetings that compose “HeartWeek in Florida”. “HeartWeek in Florida”, the joint collaborative project sponsored by the Cardiac Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, together with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute of Saint Petersburg, Florida, averages over 1000 attendees every year and is now recognised as one of the major planks of continuing medical and nursing education for those working in the fields of diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in the foetus, neonate, infant, child, and adult. “HeartWeek in Florida” combines the International Symposium on Congenital Heart Disease, organised by All Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine and entering its 15th year, with the Annual Postgraduate Course in Pediatric Cardiovascular Disease, organised by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and entering its 18th year. This December, 2014 Issue of Cardiology in the Young features highlights of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute’s 14th Annual International Symposium on Congenital Heart Disease, which was held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Saint Petersburg, Florida, from 15–18 February, 2014. This Symposium was co-sponsored by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and had as its special focus “Diseases of the Cardiac Valves from the Fetus to the Adult”. We acknowledge the tremendous contributions made to paediatric and congenital cardiac care by Duke Cameron and Joel Brenner, and therefore we dedicate this December, 2014 HeartWeek Issue of Cardiology in the Young to them. Duke Cameron is Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University and Cardiac Surgeon-in-Charge at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Joel Brenner is Professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University and Director of the Taussig Heart Center at Bloomberg Children’s Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Together, Joel and Duke lead the proud paediatric and congenital cardiac programme at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Cardiology in the Young: Where we have been. Where we are. Where we are going.
Authors: Jacobs Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2014

Cardiology in the Youngis devoted to cardiovascular issues affecting the young, and older patients with congenital heart disease, or with other cardiac diseases acquired during childhood. The journal serves the interests of all professionals concerned with these topics. By design, the journal is international and multidisciplinary in its approach, and members of the editorial board take an active role in its mission, helping to make it an indispensable reference for paediatric and congenital cardiac care. All aspects of paediatric and congenital cardiac care are covered within the journal. The content includes original articles, brief reports, editorials, reviews, and papers devoted to continuing professional development. High-quality colour figures are published on a regular basis, and without charge to the authors. Regular supplements are published containing the abstracts of the annual meetings of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology, along with other occasional supplements. These supplements are supplied free to subscribers.

The vision ofCardiology in the Youngis to use print and electronic media to improve paediatric and congenital cardiac care.

The mission ofCardiology in the Youngis to be a premier global journal for paediatric and congenital cardiac care – an essential journal that spans the domains of patient care, research, education, and advocacy, and also spans geographical, temporal, and subspeciality boundaries.

Cardiology in the Youngwas officially launched in December, 1990. The late Lucio Parenzan was Editor-in-Chief from 1990 through Volume 4, Number 1, January 1994. Professor Robert Anderson and Giancarlo Crupi then shared the Editor-in-Chief position until the end of 1995. Then, from 1995 through 2007, Professor Robert Anderson served as the sole Editor-in-Chief ofCardiology in the Young. Edward Baker, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH, served as Editor-in-Chief ofCardiology in the Youngfrom 2007 to 2013. In January, 2014, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD, FACS, FACC, FCCP, became Editor-in-Chief ofCardiology in the Young.

Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD, FACS, FACC, FCCP is Director of the Andrews/Daicoff Cardiovascular Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute and Professor of Cardiac Surgery in the Division of Cardiac Surgery of the Department of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. He is also Surgical Director of the Heart Transplantation Program and Director of the Extracorporeal Life Support Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute. Dr Jacobs has been a cardiothoracic surgeon at All Children’s Hospital since 1998.
Alpha blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in the management of severe pulmonary valve stenosis: from bench to bedside
Authors: Galal Mohammed O. , Khan Muhammad A.
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Neonates with severe pulmonary valve stenosis tend to remain oxygen dependent, despite resolution of the transpulmonary gradient. Alpha 2 blockers – phentolamine – and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors – captopril – were reported to improve oxygen saturation.

Objective

To describe the role of phentolamine and captopril in the treatment of these patients.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, 28 neonates with severe pulmonary valve stenosis underwent balloon valvuloplasty. Among them, 20 remained oxygen or prostaglandin dependent after intervention, and were treated with phentolamine or captopril. Oxygen saturation was monitored before and after intervention and following treatment with these medications. Mean duration of hospitalisation was recorded.

Results

Mean age and weight were 25.2 days and 3.1 kg, respectively. Before balloon dilation, 18/20 (90%) neonates were on prostaglandin, whereas after the procedure only 6/18 patients required it. All 20 patients required oxygen after the procedure, and nine patients (45%) were started on phentolamine. Among them, one patient with severe infundibular stenosis did not respond favourably, and 11 patients (55%) were started on captopril. After starting phentolamine or captopril treatment, prostaglandin could be discontinued after a mean time of 15.86 hours. Within <2 days, there was an increase in mean oxygen saturation from 76.6 to 93.0%.

Conclusion

Phentolamine and captopril seem to have therapeutic roles in neonates with severe pulmonary valve stenosis who remain oxygen dependent after balloon dilation. Both drugs led to vasodilation of the pulmonary and systemic vascularisation and facilitated inflow to the right ventricle. Right-to-left shunt across a patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect decreased and saturation improved, leading to a significant reduction in the length of hospitalisation.
N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in acute Kawasaki disease correlates with coronary artery involvement
Authors: Adjagba Philippe M. , Desjardins Laurent , Fournier Anne , Spigelblatt Linda , Montigny Martine , Dahdah Nagib
Published: December 2014

Background

We have lately documented the importance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in aiding the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease.

Objectives

We sought to investigate the potential value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide pertaining to the prediction of coronary artery dilatation (Z-score>2.5) and/or of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. We hypothesised that increased serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level correlates with increased coronary artery dilatation and/or resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study involving newly diagnosed patients treated with 2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin within 5–10 days of onset of fever. Echocardiography was performed in all patients at onset, then weekly for 3 weeks, then at month 2, and month 3. Coronary arteries were measured at each visit, and coronary artery Z-score was calculated. All the patients had N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide serum level measured at onset, and the Z-score calculated.

Results

There were 109 patients enrolled at 6.58±2.82 days of fever, age 3.79±2.92 years. High N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level was associated with coronary artery dilatation at onset in 22.2 versus 5.6% for normal N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (odds ratio 4.8 [95% confidence interval 1.05–22.4]; p=0.031). This was predictive of cumulative coronary artery dilatation for the first 3 months (p=0.04–0.02), but not during convalescence at 2–3 months (odds ratio 1.28 [95% confidence interval 0.23–7.3]; p=non-significant). Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels did not predict intravenous immunoglobulin resistance, 15.3 versus 13.5% (p=1).

Conclusion

Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level correlates with acute coronary artery dilatation in treated Kawasaki disease, but not with intravenous immunoglobulin resistance.
Mass-casualty Response to the Kiss Nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil
Authors: Dal Ponte Silvana T. , Dornelles Carlos F. D. , Arquilla Bonnie , Bloem Christina , Roblin Patricia
Published: December 2014

On January 27, 2013, a fire at the Kiss Nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil led to a mass-casualty incident affecting hundreds of college students. A total of 234 people died on scene, 145 were hospitalized, and another 623 people received treatment throughout the first week following the incident.1 Eight of the hospitalized people later died.1 The Military Police were the first on scene, followed by the state fire department, and then the municipal Mobile Prehospital Assistance (SAMU) ambulances. The number of victims was not communicated clearly to the various units arriving on scene, leading to insufficient rescue personnel and equipment. Incident command was established on scene, but the rescuers and police were still unable to control the chaos of multiple bystanders attempting to assist in the rescue efforts. The Municipal Sports Center (CDM) was designated as the location for dead bodies, where victim identification and communication with families occurred, as well as forensic evaluation, which determined the primary cause of death to be asphyxia. A command center was established at the Hospital de Caridade Astrogildo de Azevedo (HCAA) in Santa Maria to direct where patients should be admitted, recruit staff, and procure additional supplies, as needed. The victims suffered primarily from smoke inhalation and many required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. There was a shortage of ventilators; therefore, some had to be borrowed from local hospitals, neighboring cities, and distant areas in the state. A total of 54 patients1 were transferred to hospitals in the capital city of Porto Alegre (Brazil). The main issues with the response to the fire were scene control and communication. Areas for improvement were identified, namely the establishment of a disaster-response plan, as well as regularly scheduled training in disaster preparedness/response. These activities are the first steps to improving mass-casualty responses.

Dal PonteST, DornellesCFD, ArquillaB, BloemC, RoblinP. Mass-casualty response to the Kiss Nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(1):1-4.
Early Modern English again: a corpus study and semantic analysis
Authors: GERGEL REMUS , BECK SIGRID
Published: December 2014

This article investigates uses of the adverb again in Early Modern English (EModE) correspondence. The study collects occurrences of again and analyses their interpretation. It reveals interesting differences in the use of again between EModE and Late Modern English (LModE) as well as Present-day English (PDE). To bring out the grammatical significance of the results, we connect the study methodologically as closely as possible with Beck, Berezovskaya & Pflugfelder's (2009) study of LModE/PDE correspondence. We show that the key diachronic alteration we observe when considering EModE is not just numerical in nature but also qualitatively distinct from the later change at the transition between LModE and PDE. At the heart of our proposal is the finding that while a structural approach to again (Rapp & von Stechow 1999; Beck 2005) is successful for characterizing the transition between LModE and PDE, a uniform analysis for the entire diachronic trajectory is not warranted; a combined theoretical modelling is required instead. Specifically, a lexical analysis relying on counterdirectionality (e.g. Fabricius-Hansen 2001) is required to capture the differences in the EModE data.
THE EFFECT OF LABOR AND FINANCIAL FRICTIONS ON AGGREGATE FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: Mumtaz Haroon , Zanetti Francesco
Published: December 2014

This paper embeds labor market search frictions into a New Keynesian model with financial frictions. The econometric estimation establishes that labor market frictions substantially improve the empirical fit of the model. The effect of the interaction between labor and financial frictions on aggregate fluctuations depends on the nature of the shock. For monetary policy, technology, and entrepreneurial wealth shocks, labor market frictions amplify the effect of financial frictions, because robust changes in hiring lead to persistent movements in employment and return on capital that reinforce the original effect of financial frictions. For cost-push, labor supply, marginal efficiency of investment, and preference shocks, labor market frictions dampen the effect of financial frictions by reducing the real cost of repaying existing debt, which lowers the external finance premium.
The unusual suspect: Influence of phonological overlap on language control
Authors: DECLERCK MATHIEU , PHILIPP ANDREA M.
Published: December 2014

The present study examined the influence of phonology on language switching. Unlike previous studies that investigated this influence by comparing words that are phonologically similar vs. dissimilar in two languages, the current language switching study focused on the role of phonological characteristics across words. Specifically, words with the first two phonemes being identical to those of the word in the previous trial were contrasted against words without such phonological overlap. The results revealed that the switch cost asymmetry was influenced by phonological overlap. Further investigation revealed that this influence was mainly due to persisting after-effects of phonological overlap, which caused a reversal of the asymmetrical switch cost pattern in the following trial. These results clearly indicate that manipulations on the level of phonology can have an effect on language switching. Therefore, we propose that, in contrast with the claims of most models, phonological characteristics of words play an important role in language control.
Online processing of subject pronouns in monolingual and heritage bilingual speakers of Mexican Spanish
Authors: KEATING GREGORY D. , JEGERSKI JILL , VANPATTEN BILL
Published: December 2014

In this self-paced reading study, we first tested the cross-linguistic validity of the position of antecedent strategy proposed for anaphora resolution in Italian (Carminati, 2002) in a Latin American variety of Spanish. We then examined the application of this strategy by Spanish heritage speakers of the same dialect who were largely English dominant. Forty-five monolingual speakers of Mexican Spanish and 28 Spanish heritage speakers of Mexican descent read sentences in which null and overt subject pronouns were biased for and against expected antecedent biases. Our results suggest that Mexican monolinguals display distinct antecedent biases for null and overt pronouns. Furthermore, the Spanish heritage speakers, though not monolingual-like, did not violate discourse constraints on the resolution of overt pronouns,contrathe findings of offline research (see Keating, VanPatten & Jegerski, 2011). We discuss the findings in terms of a processing-based account.
Flawed self-assessment: Investigating self- and other-perception of second language speech
Authors: TROFIMOVICH PAVEL , ISAACS TALIA , KENNEDY SARA , SAITO KAZUYA , CROWTHER DUSTIN
Published: December 2014

This study targeted the relationship between self- and other-assessment of accentedness and comprehensibility in second language (L2) speech, extending prior social and cognitive research documenting weak or non-existing links between people's self-assessment and objective measures of performance. Results of two experiments (N = 134) revealed mostly inaccurate self-assessment: speakers at the low end of the accentedness and comprehensibility scales overestimated their performance; speakers at the high end of each scale underestimated it. For both accent and comprehensibility, discrepancies in self- versus other-assessment were associated with listener-rated measures of phonological accuracy and temporal fluency but not with listener-rated measures of lexical appropriateness and richness, grammatical accuracy and complexity, or discourse structure. Findings suggest that inaccurate self-assessment is linked to the inherent complexity of L2 perception and production as cognitive skills and point to several ways of helping L2 speakers align or calibrate their self-assessment with their actual performance.
Bilingualism delays clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: WOUMANS EVY , SANTENS PATRICK , SIEBEN ANNE , VERSIJPT JAN , STEVENS MICHAËL , DUYCK WOUTER
Published: December 2014

The current study investigated the effects of bilingualism on the clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a European sample of patients. We assessed all incoming AD patients in two university hospitals within a specified timeframe. Sixty-nine monolinguals and 65 bilinguals diagnosed with probable AD were compared for time of clinical AD manifestation and diagnosis. The influence of other potentially interacting variables was also examined. Results indicated a significant delay for bilinguals of 4.6 years in manifestation and 4.8 years in diagnosis. Our study therefore strengthens the claim that bilingualism contributes to cognitive reserve and postpones the symptoms of dementia.
Greenhouse gas emission of diets in the Netherlands and associations with food, energy and macronutrient intakes
Authors: Temme Elisabeth HM , Toxopeus Ido B , Kramer Gerard FH , Brosens Marinka CC , Drijvers José MM , Tyszler Marcelo , Ocké Marga C
Published: December 2014

Objective

To evaluate the greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) of diets in Dutch girls, boys, women and men and to explore associations with diet composition.

Design

Descriptive analyses for the total population as well as stratified for gender, age and dietary environmental load.

Setting

The Netherlands.

Subjects

Dutch children and adults aged 7–69 years (n 3818).

Results

The GHGE of daily diets was on average 3·2 kg CO2-equivalents (CO2e) for girls, 3·6 kg CO2e for boys, 3·7 kg CO2e for women and 4·8 kg CO2e for men. Meat and cheese contributed about 40 % and drinks (including milk and alcoholic drinks) 20 % to daily GHGE. Considerable differences in environmental loads of diets existed within age and gender groups. Persons with higher-GHGE diets consumed more (in quantity of foods and especially drinks) than their counterparts of a similar sex and age with low-GHGE diets. Major differences between high- and low-GHGE diets were in meat, cheese and dairy consumption as well as in soft drinks (girls, boys and women) and alcoholic drinks (men). Of those, differences in meat consumption determined the differences in GHGE most. Diets with higher GHGE were associated with higher saturated fat intake and lower fibre intake

Conclusions

GHGE of daily diets in the Netherlands is between 3 and 5 kg CO2e, with considerable differences between individuals. Meat, dairy and drinks contribute most to GHGE. The insights of the study may be used in developing (age- and gender-specific) food-based dietary guidelines that take into account both health and sustainability aspects.
Evaluation of the Balanced Menus Challenge: a healthy food and sustainability programme in hospitals in Maryland
Authors: Ranke Tarah D , Mitchell C Louise , St. George Diane Marie , D’Adamo Christopher R
Published: December 2014

Objective

The Balanced Menus Challenge (BMC) is a national effort to bring the healthiest, most sustainably produced meat available into health-care settings to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and promote good nutrition. The present study evaluated the outcomes of the BMC in the Maryland/Washington, DC region.

Design

The BMC is a cost-effective programme whereby participating hospitals reduce meat purchases by 20 % of their budget, then invest the savings into purchasing sustainably produced meat. A mixed-methods retrospective assessment was conducted to assess (i) utilization of the BMC ‘implementation toolkit’ and (ii) achievement of the 20 % reduction in meat purchases. Previous survey data were reviewed and semi-structured interviews were conducted.

Setting

Hospitals located in the Maryland/Washington, DC region, USA, that adopted the BMC.

Subjects

Twelve hospitals signed the BMC in the Maryland/Washington, DC region and six were available for interview.

Results

Three hospitals in the Maryland/Washington, DC region that signed the BMC tracked their progress and two achieved a reduction in meat procurement by ≥20 %. One hospital demonstrated that the final outcome goal of switching to a local and sustainable source for meat is possible to achieve, at least for a portion of the meal budget. The three hospitals that reduced meat purchases also received and used the highest number of BMC implementation tools. There was a positive correlation between receipt and usage of implementation tools (r=0·93,P=0·005).

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that hospitals in the Maryland/Washington, DC region that sign the BMC can increase the amount of sustainably produced meat purchased and served.
Effect of the Dutch school-based education programme ‘Taste Lessons’ on behavioural determinants of taste acceptance and healthy eating: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Battjes-Fries Marieke CE , Haveman-Nies Annemien , Renes Reint-Jan , Meester Hante J , van ’t Veer Pieter
Published: December 2014

Objective

To assess the effect of the Dutch school-based education programme ‘Taste Lessons’ on children’s behavioural determinants towards tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods.

Design

In a quasi-experimental study design, data on behavioural determinants were collected at baseline, four weeks and six months after the intervention in both the intervention and control group. Children completed consecutively three questionnaires in which knowledge, awareness, skills, attitude, emotion, subjective norm and intention towards the two target behaviours were assessed. Teachers implemented on average a third of the programme activities. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to compare individual changes in the determinants in the intervention group with those in the control group, corrected for children’s gender and age. Effect sizes were expressed as Cohen’sd.

Setting

Dutch elementary schools.

Subjects

Forty-nine classes (1183 children, 9–12 years old) in grades 5–8 of twenty-one elementary schools.

Results

The intervention group showed a higher increase in knowledge (d=0·26,P<0·01), which persisted after six months (d=0·23,P<0·05). After four weeks, the intervention group showed a higher increase in number of foods known (d=0·22,P<0·05) and tasted (d=0·21,P<0·05), subjective norm of the teacher (d=0·17,P<0·05) and intention (d=0·16,P<0·05) towards the target behaviours.

Conclusions

Partial implementation of Taste Lessons during one school year showed small short-term effects on increasing behavioural determinants in relation to tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods. Full and repeated implementation of Taste Lessons in subsequent years might result in larger effects.
Investment in financial literacy, social security, and portfolio choice
Authors: JAPPELLI TULLIO , PADULA MARIO
Published: December 2014

We present an intertemporal portfolio choice model where individuals invest in financial literacy, save, allocate their wealth between a safe and a risky asset, and receive a pension when they retire. Financial literacy affects the excess return from and cost of stock-market participation. Investors simultaneously choose how much to save, their portfolio allocation, and the optimal investment in financial literacy. The model implies that one should observe a positive correlation between stock-market participation (and risky asset share, conditional on participation) and financial literacy, and a negative correlation between the generosity of the social security system and financial literacy. The model also implies that financial literacy accumulated early in life is positively correlated with the individual's wealth and portfolio allocations in later life. Using microeconomic cross-country data, we find support for these predictions.
“Running Water Won't Freeze”: How people with advanced Parkinson's disease experience occupation
Authors: Murdock Carolyn , Cousins Wendy , Kernohan W. George
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition often resulting in significant disability and impacting on one's ability to participate in an occupation. The present study aimed to explore how people with advanced Parkinson's disease experience the phenomenon of occupation in their daily lives in order to inform the practice of occupational therapy in palliative care.

Method:

Using a phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 10 people in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. These interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach. The study received approval from the relevant university ethics committee, as well as the research network of Parkinson's UK.

Results:

The experience of occupation emerged as being physical, psychological, social, and spiritual with related subthemes. Within each of these themes, participants described their experience of occupation that they valued and that were important to their daily lives. They also identified the strategies they employed to continue participating in certain occupations and described others they were no longer able to engage in and the impact of that loss.

Significance of Results:

Participants' experiences crossed the domains of palliative care and suggest that adopting a palliative care approach would enhance an enhanced quality of life, experienced in terms of meaningful and valuable occupation. Disruption to participation in occupation caused them distress and frustration, suggesting that access to occupation-focused therapy would significantly improve quality of life for people with PD. As there is a strong link between the ethos of occupational therapy and palliative care, it is proposed that there is a valuable role for occupational therapy intervention to play within palliative care.
LOST IN TRANSLATION: RELIGION AND THE WRITING OF HISTORY
Authors: SHORTALL SARAH
Published: December 2014

Often repeated but little understood, the injunction to “take religion seriously” is as ubiquitous today as it is vague. As the phrase itself suggests, such a project is defined first and foremost by what it is not. It represents a reaction against a moment when religion was not “taken seriously” by historians, a moment when the dominance of Marxian approaches consigned religion to the status of an epiphenomenon whose truth lay outside itself—an expression of more fundamental social or economic forces. But beyond rejecting this form of demystification, what does it mean to “take religion seriously”? Does this entail an affirmation of the truth claims professed by the religious actors we study, or at least a “suspension of disbelief,” in the memorable words of Amy Hollywood?1 What political commitments, if any, are implied in the admonition to “take religion seriously,” and what role does it prescribe for religion in the presumptively secular public sphere? More vexing still is the question scholars of religion are now asking with increasing urgency: does the term “religion” in fact denote a coherent entity?2 Precisely what, in other words, are we being asked to “take seriously”?
WHEN ORGANIZATIONS MATTER
Authors: Ebert Kim , Estrada Emily P. , Lore Michelle Halla
Published: December 2014

Increasingly, scholars have argued that immigration politics are inseparable from racial politics, which implies that organizations and individuals who mobilize around racial group interests influence racialandimmigration attitudes and behaviors. How does the racial-political context influence anti-immigration lawmaking? In what ways does this influence vary at different stages of lawmaking? To address these questions, we combine comprehensive datasets of racially conservative organizations and state immigrant legislation and use negative binomial regression to estimate the count of anti-immigrant bills and laws in the fifty states from 1991 to 2010. We find that the presence of racially conservative organizations encourages theintroductionof exclusionary proposals, but only in contexts with a Republican-dominated government. At theapprovalstage, on the other hand, racially conservative organizations foster the passage of exclusionary laws, and this effect is heightened in contexts with a growing foreign-born population or where a majority of voters report anti-immigrant opinions or identify as conservative. This indicates that the institutionalization of the colorblind racial ideology (in the form of racially conservative organizations) resonates with lawmakers, but in a different manner when the stakes are higher. These findings have important implications and challenge previous research on the conditions under which advocacy organizations influence lawmaking and additional forms of group behavior.
‘WE DON’T ALL LOOK ALIKE’
Authors: Byrd W. Carson , Brunn-Bevel Rachelle J. , Sexton Parker R.
Published: December 2014

The examination of student group performance is a constant need as American higher education continues to expand and become more racially and ethnically diverse. Recent scholarship on the academic performance of Black students at elite colleges and universities has glossed over possible disparities among these students, particularly among different immigrant groups. The current study clarifies these differences in academic performance by examining four Black student groups at elite colleges and universities in the United States: native Blacks, Black immigrants from Africa, Black immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America, and Black immigrants from other parts of the globe. The analyses point to many similarities and differences among the four Black student groups in their characteristics and influences on their academic performance in college such as gender, precollege friendships, high school academic preparation, college major, and closeness to Whites and Blacks. Additionally, this study found evidence of possible colorism among Black students at elite colleges.
INTERSECTING INTERESTS
Authors: Minta Michael D. , Brown Nadia E.
Published: December 2014

Despite claims by normative theorists that gender diversity in Congress leads to better representation of women’s interests, the results of empirical studies have been largely mixed. While some scholars have found positive effects of gender diversity, others have found very little impact. We argue that it is not the presence of White and minority women alone that makes political institutions more responsive to women’s issues, but rather it is the organizational presence of minority men along with minority women who make similar claims for inclusion, power, and organizational formation to achieve those goals that matters. We examine to what extent gender and racial diversity have led to more attention to issues that directly and indirectly impact women. Using congressional hearings data from 1951–2004, we find that the increased presence of minority men and women legislators in the House, but less so in the Senate, is responsible for keeping women’s interests on the congressional agenda. We demonstrate how an intersectional and additive approach can add both theoretical and empirical value to the study of political representation by demonstrating the impact of women and minorities in Congress.
Surface dangling bonds are a cause of B-type blinking in Si nanoparticles
Authors: Brawand Nicholas P. , Vörös Márton , Galli Giulia
Published: December 2014

The electronic properties and charge recombination dynamics of oxidized Si nanoparticles containing surface dangling bonds are investigated using first principles calculations.
Enhanced light out-coupling efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes with an extremely low haze by plasma treated nanoscale corrugation
Authors: Hwang Ju Hyun , Lee Hyun Jun , Shim Yong Sub , Park Cheol Hwee , Jung Sun-Gyu , Kim Kyu Nyun , Park Young Wook , Ju Byeong-Kwon
Published: December 2014

Extremely low-haze light extraction from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) was achieved by utilizing nanoscale corrugation, which was simply fabricated with plasma treatment and sonication.
The enhanced chemotherapeutic effects of doxorubicin loaded PEG coated TiO2 nanocarriers in an orthotopic breast tumor bearing mouse model
Authors: Du Yang , Ren Wenzhi , Li Yaqian , Zhang Qian , Zeng Leyong , Chi Chongwei , Wu Aiguo , Tian Jie
Published: December 2014

TiO2–PEG–DOX nanoparticles improve the chemotherapeutic effects of doxorubicin in orthotopic breast tumors and minimize the DOX side effects.
Post-deposition treatment of microcrystalline silicon solar cells for improved performance on rough superstrates
Authors: Hänni Simon , Ding Laura , Bugnon Grégory , Boccard Mathieu , Nicolay Sylvain , Meillaud Fanny , Ballif Christophe
Published: December 2014

In this contribution, we investigate the effect of post-deposition treatments on finished non-encapsulated thin-film microcrystalline silicon solar cells and show that annealing in vacuum leads to improved electrical properties of the solar cells, particularly for cells deposited on rough superstrates. Our results suggest that both curing of intrinsic defects in the silicon, which can appear during the deposition of the ZnO back electrode, as well as an improvement of the ZnO back-electrode conductivity itself, occur during an annealing in vacuum, leading to large improvements of the open-circuit voltage and fill factor values. An improvement of the porous zones in the absorber layer, as induced by rough superstrates, is also observed by Fourier-transform photocurrent spectroscopy, implying that these porous zones cannot be considered as being purely bi-dimensional, but have a spatial extension within the absorber layer.
Intra- and intermolecular effects on the Compton profile of the ionic liquid 1,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride
Authors: Koskelo J. , Juurinen I. , Ruotsalainen K. O. , McGrath M. J. , Kuo I-F. , Lehtola S. , Galambosi S. , Hämäläinen K. , Huotari S. , Hakala M.
Published: December 2014

We present a comprehensive simulation study on the solid-liquid phase transition of the ionic liquid 1,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride in terms of the changes in the atomic structure and their effect on the Compton profile. The structures were obtained by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Chosen radial distribution functions of the liquid structure are presented and found generally to be in good agreement with previous ab initio molecular dynamics and neutron scattering studies. The main contributions to the predicted difference Compton profile are found to arise from intermolecular changes in the phase transition. This prediction can be used for interpreting future experiments.
Fluids confined in wedges and by edges: Virial series for the line-thermodynamic properties of hard spheres
Authors: Urrutia Ignacio
Published: December 2014

This work is devoted to analyze the relation between the thermodynamic properties of a confined fluid and the shape of its confining vessel. Recently, new insights in this topic were found through the study of cluster integrals for inhomogeneous fluids that revealed the dependence on the vessel shape of the low density behavior of the system. Here, the statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of fluids confined in wedges or by edges is revisited, focusing on their cluster integrals. In particular, the well known hard sphere fluid, which was not studied in this framework so far, is analyzed under confinement and its thermodynamic properties are analytically studied up to order two in the density. Furthermore, the analysis is extended to the confinement produced by a corrugated wall. These results rely on the obtained analytic expression for the second cluster integral of the confined hard sphere system as a function of the opening dihedral angle 0 < β < 2π. It enables a unified approach to both wedges and edges.