bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Handing down — taking care: Generation transfer in Hungarian farm families in the context of transitions
Authors: Asztalos Morell Ildikó
Published: July 2013

This paper intends to shed light on the shifting patterns of the intergenerational transfer of assets in family farms that experienced collectivization in Hungary. Although household-based production maintained its importance after collectivization, only some of the rural households could be considered as entrepreneurial and lead to extended reproduction. The traditional patterns of handing over the farm were abruptly halted, with the immaterial forms of transferring capital subsequently gaining in importance. In addition, considerations for securing care provided in old age became more clearly addressed, and were weighed against the previously dominant emphasis given on handing over the farm to the most suitable son.Through the analysis of the life stories of two families, the paper explores the emerging patterns of generation transfer along the following dimensions: 1) Has the relationship between caring for the elderly and handing over the family farm/enterprise changed? 2) Have different patterns of capital transfer emerged that are dependent on the ability of a family to initiate entrepreneurial household production during state socialism? 3) Since caring evoked the labour of women as either daughters or daughter-in-laws, can we detect shifts in the gender patterns of transfer and women’s ability to convert their caring labour into material assets and status within the family?
Detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in meat juice samples from Polish wild boar (Sus scrofa L.)
Authors: Fabisiak Michał , Podgórska Katarzyna , Skrzypiec Ewelina , Szczotka Anna , Stadejek Tomasz
Published: July 2013

PCV2 and PRRSV are two important pathogens of domestic swine. There is considerable evidence that the infection is also present in wild boars. Meat juice provides an alternative to serum for antibody testing, and it has been used in testing for many important porcine infectious diseases. Samples of brachial muscle were collected from 142 wild boars shot in different regions of Poland during the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 hunting seasons. Meat juice harvested from muscle samples was tested using an ELISA test specific for PCV2 and PRRSV antibodies. Additionally, IgG and IgM antibodies specific for PCV2 were detected in order to estimate the status of the PCV2 infection. Only one of the tested meat juice samples was positive for PRRSV (0.7%), and 68 out of 142 (47.9%) samples were positive for PCV2. Of the positive animals, 4 (2.8%) had an antibody profile suggesting active infection, 2 (1.4%) early active infection, and 62 (43.7%) late infection. Also, a lack of association between the age of the animals and the presence of antibodies related to the infection was noticed.
Identification of common, non-typable and autoagglutinating Salmonella strains with Premi®Test Salmonella assay
Authors: Zając Magdalena , Hoszowski Andrzej , Wasyl Dariusz
Published: July 2013

Since Salmonella serotyping according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme fails to identify rough and atypical serological variants, this study aimed at improving serovar identification with the commercially available Premi®Test Salmonella Assay. The array was validated against a set of Salmonella reference strains (n = 27) and field isolates of known serological structure (n = 112) showing up to 97.8% congruent results. Its diagnostic suitability was further verified with random field isolates (n = 52; 100% congruence). For ‘rough’ isolates (n = 54) and those with antigen expression failure (n = 19) the assay showed, respectively, 98.1% and 73.7% of serovar recognition. It considerably improved diagnostic capacity while typing troublesome isolates such as those failing to express flagellar antigens or showing autoagglutination. The method offers lower labour time compared to the traditional serotyping and does not require a broad range of diagnostic sera.
Comparison of activation ability between feline and bovine oocytes
Authors: Tanihara Fuminori , Kaedei Yukine , Namula Zhao , Luu Vien , Sato Yoko , Wittayarat Manita , Taniguchi Masayasu , Otoi Takeshige
Published: July 2013

Research comparing the activation sensitivity of oocytes to chemical treatment among mammalian species remains limited. We compared the activation ability of oocytes from bovine and feline ovaries when treated with ethanol alone, with ethanol and cycloheximide, and without any chemical treatment; the oocytes were then cultured for 72 h. After in vitro maturation (IVM), 5% of feline oocytes were activated and 1% were cleaved, whereas there were no prematurely activated bovine oocytes. Activation rates with ethanol and ethanol/cycloheximide were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in bovine oocytes than in feline oocytes (74.2% vs. 34.1% and 86.3% vs. 52.5%, respectively). Thus, our findings indicate that feline oocytes can be prematurely activated by the end of IVM, and that bovine oocytes may have a higher sensitivity of parthenogenetic activation to chemical treatment than do feline oocytes.
Epigenetic effects of dietary butyrate on hepatic histone acetylation and enzymes of biotransformation in chicken
Authors: Mátis Gábor , Neogrády Zsuzsanna , Csikó György , Gálfi Péter , Fébel Hedvig , Jemnitz Katalin , Veres Zsuzsanna , Kulcsár Anna , Kenéz Ákos , Huber Korinna
Published: July 2013

The aim of the study was to investigate thein vivoepigenetic influences of dietary butyrate supplementation on the acetylation state of core histones and the activity of drug-metabolising microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the liver of broiler chickens in the starter period. One-day-old Ross 308 broilers were fed a starter diet without or with sodium butyrate (1.5 g/kg feed) for 21 days. After slaughtering, nucleus and microsome fractions were isolated from the exsanguinated liver by multi-step differential centrifugation. Histone acetylation level was detected from hepatocyte nuclei by Western blotting, while microsomal CYP activity was examined by specific enzyme assays. Hyperacetylation of hepatic histone H2A at lysine 5 was observed after butyrate supplementation, providing modifications in the epigenetic regulation of cell function. No significant changes could be found in the acetylation state of the other core histones at the acetylation sites examined. Furthermore, butyrate did not cause any changes in the drugmetabolising activity of hepatic microsomal CYP2H and CYP3A37 enzymes, which are mainly involved in the biotransformation of most xenobiotics in chicken. These data indicate that supplementation of the diet with butyrate probably does not have any pharmacokinetic interactions with simultaneously applied xenobiotics.
Validation of housekeeping genes for studying differential gene expression in the bovine myometrium
Authors: Rekawiecki Robert , Kowalik Magdalena , Kotwica Jan
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the steady-state expression of 13 selected housekeeping genes in the myometrium of cyclic and pregnant cows. Cells taken from bovine myometrium on days 1–5, 6–10, 11–16 and 17–20 of the oestrous cycle and in weeks 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12 of pregnancy were used. Reverse transcribed RNA was amplified in real-time PCR using designed primers. Reaction efficiency was determined with the Linreg programme. The geNorm and NormFinder programmes were used to select the best housekeeping genes. They calculate the expression stability factor for each used housekeeping gene with the smallest value for most stably expressed genes. According to geNorm, the most stable housekeeping genes in the myometrium were C2orf29, TPB and TUBB2B, while the least stably expressed genes were 18S RNA, HPRT1 and GAPDH. NormFinder identified the best genes in the myometrium as C2orf29, MRPL12 and TBP, while the worst genes were 18S RNA, B2M and SF3A1. Differences in stability factors between the two programmes may also indicate that the physiological status of the female, e.g. pregnancy, affects the stability of expression of housekeeping genes. The different expression stability of housekeeping genes did not affect progesterone receptor expression but it could be important if small differences in gene expression were measured between studies.
Cardiac troponin I in healthy newborn goat kids and in goat kids with cardiac nutritional muscular dystrophy
Authors: Tharwat Mohamed , Al-Sobayil Fahd , El-Sayed Mehana
Published: July 2013

This study was designed to establish serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in healthy newborn goat kids and in those with cardiac nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD). Thirty-five single full-term newborn goat kids (20 males and 15 females; age: 6.1 ± 3.5 h; weight 3.4 ± 0.68 kg), together with their respective mothers (Group 1; G1) were enrolled consecutively. Thirty-one goat kids (age: 9.5 ± 4.3 days) with NMD, together with 20 control goat kids (age: 7.8 ± 4.3 days) were also included in this study (Group 2; G2). Blood samples were collected from G1 within 12 h of birth and from G2 on admission. Serum samples were collected and analysed for cTnI. In G1, the mean serum concentration of cTnI in goat kids was 0.290 ± 0.37 ng/mL, with no statistically significant difference between male and female kids (P = 0.61). The mean cTnI concentration in the does was 0.017 ± 0.04, ng/mL. Serum values of cTnI in the goat kids and in their respective mothers differed significantly (P = 0.0001). In G2, the mean cTnI concentration was 0.02 ± 0.05 ng/mL in the control and 11.18 ± 20.07 ng/mL in the diseased goat kids, with a statistically significant difference between diseased and control goat kids (P = 0.017). Serum concentrations of cTnI are higher in goat kids than in their respective mothers. In conclusion, the cTnI assay appears to be a sensitive and specific marker for myocardial injury in goat kids.
Sporadic re-emergence of enzootic porcine transmissible gastroenteritis in Hungary
Authors: Lőrincz Márta , Biksi Imre , Andersson Simon , Cságola Attila , Tuboly Tamás
Published: July 2013

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) is a coronavirus-induced disease of pigs, characterised by diarrhoea and vomiting. The incidence of the disease had been decreasing since the late 1980s when deletion mutant variants (porcine respiratory coronavirus, PRCoV) of the virus emerged, repressing TGE gradually. Although disease manifestations are infrequent, the virus is still present in pig herds, causing sporadic outbreaks in a milder form. Identification and characterisation of the spike genes from TGEV and PRCoV, detected in such outbreaks, were performed in Hungary. Analysis of the amplified partial gene sequences showed that TGEV was present in herds with TGE clinical signs together with PRCoV. The sequences, apart from the deletions in PRCoV, were identical and at least two types of PRCoV spike proteins could be identified based on the length of the deleted sequence.
Oral immunogenicity of a plant virus vector based porcine circovirus antigen — short communication
Authors: Tombácz Kata , Gellért Ákos , Salánki Katalin , Balázs Ervin , Tuboly Tamás
Published: July 2013

A recombinant cucumber mosaic virus based expression system has been developed for the production of an immunogenic porcine circovirus epitope. The resulting nanoparticle was shown to elicit specific immune response in mice and pigs, when administered parenterally. To evaluate the oral applicability of this vaccine candidate, two experiments were performed. In the first one, the resistance of the vector itself to mucosal environment was tested in mice. Cucumber mosaic virus particles fed to mice were able to elicit specific mucosal and serum antibody production. In the second experiment, recombinant cucumber mosaic virus fed to piglets resulted in the appearance of porcine circovirus specific serum antibodies. The vector proved to be able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract, so that an epitope expressed on its surface could induce specific immune response. These results indicate that the developed plant virus based expression system offers an effective method for mucosal vaccine production.
Amphibians and nonmarine turtles from the Miocene Calvert Formation of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (USA)
Authors: Weems Robert E. , George Reed A.
Published: July 2013

Two amphibian taxa are reported for the first time from the lower to middle Miocene shallow-marine Calvert Formation. These areBatrachosauroidesaff.B. dissimulans(a large proteoid salamander) and cf.Notophthalmus robustus(a small newt). Four kinds of identifiable nonmarine turtles were reported previously from this formation. These areBairdemys miocenica(a pleurodire),Kinosternonsp. (a musk turtle),Hesperotestudo ducateliandHesperotestudo wilsoni(tortoises). Four additional taxa reported here areChrysemys isonin. sp. (a painted turtle),Trachemyssp. (a pond turtle),Floridemys hurdin. sp. (a small tortoise), andApalone lima(a softshell turtle). Most of these taxa are known from elsewhere in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains from New Jersey to Texas. The regional widespread occurrence of many of these taxa indicates that they represent a modestly diverse community of amphibians, fresh water turtles, and land turtles that were endemic to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions of the United States during the late early and early middle Miocene. Their pattern of distribution is similar to that of eastern American land mammals during this time interval, indicating that the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States then lay within a single climatic zone that constituted a distinctive and long-lived faunal province throughout the early and middle Miocene (Hemingfordian through Barstovian land mammal ages).
Revision of the hydroidPlumalinaHall, 1858 in the Silurian and Devonian of New York
Authors: Muscente A. D. , Allmon Warren D.
Published: July 2013

The feather-shapedPlumalinaHall, 1858 is revised on the basis of new and reexamined specimens from New York. Previously described from Givetian through Famennian deposits, a single compression ofP. teneran. sp. from the Rochester Shale extends the range into the Wenlock, and provides new information regardingPlumalina's biology. We assess the utility of morphologic characters in diagnoses of taxa, and present the first quantitative analysis of fossil hydroids to distinguishP. brevisn. sp. (Frasnian) from other Devonian species.

Plumalinahas been compared to plants, graptolites, and octocorals. Some interpretations have proposed affinities among hydrozoans based on colony form and the presence of putative polyp bases. Our analysis shows that, like extant thecate hydrozoans,Plumalinahad a delicate, chitinous hydrocaulus with weakly articulated hydrocladia. An assemblage of in situ specimens, steeply inclined relative to the bedding plane in an Ithaca Formation (Frasnian Stage) turbidite, indicates that Devonian species produced sessile, erect colonies attached to a hard substrate, comparable to extant hydroids that feed in currents. Morphometric comparisons between putativePlumalinapolyp bases and polyp bases of modern analogues reveal similarities to hydroids in the superfamily Plumularioidea McCrady, 1859.Plumalinais the most abundant fossil hydroid so far reported, and is pertinent to interpretations of the hydrozoan record.
Quasiaulacera, a new Hirnantian (Late Ordovician) aulaceratid stromatoporoid genus from Anticosti Island, Canada
Authors: Copper Paul , Stock Carl W. , Jin Jisuo
Published: July 2013

A large and abundant columnar stromatoporoid, Quasiaulacera n. gen., from the Ellis Bay Formation, up to 3 m long and 40 cm in diameter, marks the Hirnantian (latest Ordovician) of Anticosti Island. Two species are present: Quasiaulacera stellata n. sp. from the basal Ellis Bay Formation (basal Prinsta Member, lower Hirnantian) along the northeastern coast of the island, and the type species Q. occidua n. sp. from the upper Ellis Bay Formation (Lousy Cove Member, upper Hirnantian) in the western carbonate facies of the island. Quasiaulacera is rare or absent in the reefal Laframboise Member (uppermost Hirnantian) of the formation. The new genus differs from Aulacera in the underlying Vaureal Formation (upper Katian) in having a large central axial zone marked by a single stack of large, convex-up cyst-plates, that is surrounded by a middle layer of small, concentric microcyst-plates, in places denticulate, and an outer layer composed of concentric laminae with dense pillars, in which microcyst-plates are either absent or rare. The outer two layers are defined by longitudinal fluting; there are no branching forms. Both species demonstrate a ball-like holdfast system, some with diameters of 30 to 70 cm, microbially cemented into the substrate. Quasiaulacera “gigantism” in the paleotropical Anticosti Basin evolved at a time of global cooling associated with the Hirnantian glaciation in south polar Gondwana, but terminated in mass extinction of the aulaceratids at the O/S boundary in Laurentia. This supports other evidence that the Hirnantian featured not only generic loss, but also innovation and migration in tropical latitudes.
Bearing capacity on sand overlying clay soils: a simplified conceptual model
Authors: LEE K.K. , RANDOLPH M.F. , CASSIDY M.J.
Published: July 2013

The derivation of a new conceptual model for predicting the peak penetration resistance of circular footings installed vertically into sand overlying soft clay is presented in this paper. Based on visualisation experiments and finite-element analyses, a failure mechanism of a frustum of sand being forced into the underlying clay, with the outer angle reflecting the dilation in the sand, is assumed. The analytical basis of the new conceptual model follows the approach for silo analysis, and takes into account the stress level and dilatant response of the sand. A comprehensive analysis of the performance of the new model, and other existing analytical methods, in retrospectively predicting the peak resistance of a database of 49 geotechnical centrifuge tests is provided. Significant improvements over existing punching shear and load spread models are shown, as a result of incorporating the strength properties of the sand in a consistent manner. The new model has application to the offshore mobile ‘jack-up' industry, where inaccurate predictions of peak capacity in layered soils continue to cause damaging punch-through failures.
Predicting species' maximum dispersal distances from simple plant traits
Authors: Tamme Riin , Götzenberger Lars , Zobel Martin , Bullock James M. , Hooftman Danny A. P. , Kaasik Ants , Pärtel Meelis
Published: July 2013

Many studies have shown plant species' dispersal distances to be strongly related to life‐history traits, but how well different traits can predict dispersal distances is not yet known. We used cross‐validation techniques and a global data set (576 plant species) to measure the predictive power of simple plant traits to estimate species' maximum dispersal distances. Including dispersal syndrome (wind, animal, ant, ballistic, and no special syndrome), growth form (tree, shrub, herb), seed mass, seed release height, and terminal velocity in different combinations as explanatory variables we constructed models to explain variation in measured maximum dispersal distances and evaluated their power to predict maximum dispersal distances. Predictions are more accurate, but also limited to a particular set of species, if data on more specific traits, such as terminal velocity, are available. The best model (R2 = 0.60) included dispersal syndrome, growth form, and terminal velocity as fixed effects. Reasonable predictions of maximum dispersal distance (R2 = 0.53) are also possible when using only the simplest and most commonly measured traits; dispersal syndrome and growth form together with species taxonomy data. We provide a function (dispeRsal) to be run in the software package R. This enables researchers to estimate maximum dispersal distances with confidence intervals for plant species using measured traits as predictors. Easily obtainable trait data, such as dispersal syndrome (inferred from seed morphology) and growth form, enable predictions to be made for a large number of species.
Biological control and precipitation effects on spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe): empirical and modeling results
Authors: Maines Anastasia , Knochel David , Seastedt Timothy
Published: July 2013

The literature is inconsistent regarding the ability of herbivory to control or reduce densities of a major invasive plant species of North America, spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe). Here, findings from experimental manipulations of spotted knapweed and long‐term monitoring of seed production and insect abundance were used to parameterize a population matrix model for this species. Model predictions were compared against spotted knapweed densities observed in permanent transects, which were established after the release of biological controls. The model incorporated population‐level compensation for adult mortality (increased growth from juveniles to adults). The model also incorporated newly reported results showing an interaction between precipitation and biological control impacts. We compared predictions from four alternate models against the observed population densities; models were: conspecific density‐dependence, the effects of biological controls, precipitation, and biological control‐precipitation interaction. The best model to explain population declines included the effects of biological control agents. Declines in population growth rates (λ < 1) were only predicted when reduced seed production and increased plant mortality due to biological controls were included. Results suggest that biological controls contributed to declines observed in field studies, and support the contention that biological control attenuates the ability of spotted knapweed to exploit favorable climatic conditions. The results also demonstrate that spotted knapweed control (i.e., conditions where λ < 1) depends upon a relatively large impact of biological control agents through high densities or large per capita impact; both of which are known to vary at our site and elsewhere. At our site spotted knapweed in certain habitats (e.g., disturbed riparian areas) is unlikely to be eradicated by insect herbivory, but spotted knapweed densities found in most other habitats can be reduced by biological control agents. Regardless, the management implications from these findings are that biological controls can intensify the efficacy of other control methods.
The “Path” Not Taken: Exploring Structural Differences in Mapped- Versus Shortest-Network-Path School Travel Routes
Authors: Buliung Ron N. , Larsen Kristian , Faulkner Guy E. J. , Stone Michelle R.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. School route measurement often involves estimating the shortest network path. We challenged the relatively uncritical adoption of this method in school travel research and tested the route discordance hypothesis that several types of difference exist between shortest network paths and reported school routes.

Methods. We constructed the mapped and shortest path through network routes for a sample of 759 children aged 9 to 13 years in grades 5 and 6 (boys = 45%, girls = 54%, unreported gender = 1%), in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare reported with shortest-path route measures including distance, route directness, intersection crossings, and route overlap. Measurement difference was explored by mode and location.

Results. We found statistical evidence of route discordance for walkers and children who were driven and detected it more often for inner suburban cases. Evidence of route discordance varied by mode and school location.

Conclusions. We found statistically significant differences for route structure and built environment variables measured along reported and geographic information systems–based shortest-path school routes. Uncertainty produced by the shortest-path approach challenges its conceptual and empirical validity in school travel research.
Reducing Risk Behaviors Linked to Noncommunicable Diseases in Mongolia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aira Toivgoo , Wang Wei , Riedel Marion , Witte Susan S.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We tested the efficacy of a 6-session, evidence-based health promotion intervention aimed at reducing noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk behaviors.

Methods. Two hundred male and female factory workers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia were randomly assigned to groups receiving either the health promotion intervention or a time-matched financial literacy control intervention.

Results. The health promotion intervention increased daily fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity, increased readiness for NCD risk behavior reduction and health promotion knowledge, and reduced the number of daily alcoholic drinks and diabetes symptoms 3 months after the intervention.

Conclusions. The findings support the efficacy of the intervention to reduce risk behaviors associated with NCDs. Dissemination of the intervention may improve productivity, reduce costs of health services, and better the quality of life for Mongolians.
Supplementing Menu Labeling With Calorie Recommendations to Test for Facilitation Effects
Authors: Downs Julie S. , Wisdom Jessica , Wansink Brian , Loewenstein George
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We examined the effect on food purchases of adding recommended calorie intake per day or per meal to the mandated calorie information posted on chain restaurant menus.

Methods. Before and after New York City implemented calorie posting on chain restaurant menus in 2008, we provided daily, per-meal, or no calorie recommendations to randomized subsets of adult lunchtime customers (n = 1121) entering 2 McDonald’s restaurants, in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and collected receipts and survey responses as they exited. In linear and logistic regressions, with adjustment for gender, race, age, and day, we tested for simple differences in calories consumed and interactions between variables.

Results. Posting calorie benchmarks had no direct impact, nor did it moderate the impact of calorie labels on food purchases. The recommendation appeared to promote a slight increase in calorie intake, attributable to increased purchases of higher-calorie entrées.

Conclusions. These results do not support the introduction of calorie recommendations as a means of enhancing the impact of posted calorie information or reducing the contribution of restaurant dining to the obesity epidemic.
Smokers With Behavioral Health Comorbidity Should Be Designated a Tobacco Use Disparity Group
Authors: Williams Jill M. , Steinberg Marc L. , Griffiths Kim Gesell , Cooperman Nina
Published: July 2013

Smokers with co-occurring mental illness or substance use disorders are not designated a disparity group or priority population by most national public health and tobacco control groups.

These smokers fulfill the criteria commonly used to identify groups that merit special attention: targeted marketing by the tobacco industry, high smoking prevalence rates, heavy economic and health burdens from tobacco, limited access to treatment, and longer durations of smoking with less cessation. A national effort to increase surveillance, research, and treatment is needed.

Designating smokers with behavioral health comorbidity a priority group will bring much-needed attention and resources. The disparity in smoking rates among persons with behavioral health issues relative to the general population will worsen over time if their needs remain unaddressed.
Spanish-Language Community-Based Mental Health Treatment Programs, Policy-Required Language-Assistance Programming, and Mental Health Treatment Access Among Spanish-Speaking Clients
Authors: Snowden Lonnie R. , McClellan Sean R.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We investigated the extent to which implementing language assistance programming through contracting with community-based organizations improved the accessibility of mental health care under Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) for Spanish-speaking persons with limited English proficiency, and whether it reduced language-based treatment access disparities.

Methods. Using a time series nonequivalent control group design, we studied county-level penetration of language assistance programming over 10 years (1997–2006) for Spanish-speaking persons with limited English proficiency covered under Medi-Cal. We used linear regression with county fixed effects to control for ongoing trends and other influences.

Results. When county mental health plans contracted with community-based organizations, those implementing language assistance programming increased penetration rates of Spanish-language mental health services under Medi-Cal more than other plans (0.28 percentage points, a 25% increase on average; P < .05). However, the increase was insufficient to significantly reduce language-related disparities.

Conclusions. Mental health treatment programs operated by community-based organizations may have moderately improved access after implementing required language assistance programming, but the programming did not reduce entrenched disparities in the accessibility of mental health services.
Lifetime Socioeconomic Inequalities in Physical and Cognitive Aging
Authors: Hurst Louise , Stafford Mai , Cooper Rachel , Hardy Rebecca , Richards Marcus , Kuh Diana
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We examined the relationship between childhood and adult socioeconomic position (SEP) and objectively assessed, later-life functioning.

Methods. We used the Medical Research Council’s National Survey of Health and Development data to examine performance at 60 to 64 years (obtained in 2006–2011) for a representative UK sample. We compared 9 physical and cognitive performance measures (forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, handgrip strength, chair rise time, standing balance time, timed get up and go speed, verbal memory score, processing speed, and simple reaction time) over the SEP distribution.

Results. Each performance measure was socially graded. Those at the top of the childhood SEP distribution had between 7% and 20% better performance than those at the bottom. Inequalities generally persisted after adjustment for adult SEP. When we combined the 9 performance measures, the relative difference was 66% (95% confidence interval = 53%, 78%).

Conclusions. Public health practice should monitor and target inequalities in functional performance, as well as risk of disease and death. Effective strategies will need to affect the social determinants of health in early life to influence inequalities into old age.
Oral Health Care for Children in Countries Using Dental Therapists in Public, School-Based Programs, Contrasted with That of the United States, Using Dentists in a Private Practice Model
Authors: Mathu-Muju Kavita R. , Friedman Jay W. , Nash David A.
Published: July 2013

The United States faces a significant problem with access to oral health care, particularly for children. More than 50 countries have developed an alternative dental provider, a dental therapist, practicing in public, school-based programs, to address children’s access to care. This delivery model has been demonstrated to improve access to care and oral health outcomes while providing quality care economically.

We summarize elements of a recent major review of the global literature on the use of dental therapists, “A Review of the Global Literature on Dental Therapists: In the Context of the Movement to Add Dental Therapists to the Oral Health Workforce in the United States.”

We contrast the success of a school-based model of caring for children by dental therapists with that of the US model of dentists providing care for children in private practices.
The Mortality Toll of Estrogen Avoidance: An Analysis of Excess Deaths Among Hysterectomized Women Aged 50 to 59 Years
Authors: Sarrel Philip M. , Njike Valentine Y. , Vinante Valentina , Katz David L.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We examined the effect of estrogen avoidance on mortality rates among hysterectomized women aged 50 to 59 years.

Methods. We derived a formula to relate the excess mortality among hysterectomized women aged 50 to 59 years assigned to placebo in the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial to the entire population of comparable women in the United States, incorporating the decline in estrogen use observed between 2002 and 2011.

Results. Over a 10-year span, starting in 2002, a minimum of 18 601 and as many as 91 610 postmenopausal women died prematurely because of the avoidance of estrogen therapy (ET).

Conclusions. ET in younger postmenopausal women is associated with a decisive reduction in all-cause mortality, but estrogen use in this population is low and continuing to fall. Our data indicate an associated annual mortality toll in the thousands of women aged 50 to 59 years. Informed discussion between these women and their health care providers about the effects of ET is a matter of considerable urgency.
Effects of Proximate Foreclosed Properties on Individuals’ Weight Gain in Massachusetts, 1987–2008
Authors: Arcaya Mariana , Glymour M. Maria , Chakrabarti Prabal , Christakis Nicholas A. , Kawachi Ichiro , Subramanian S. V.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We assessed the extent to which living near foreclosed properties is associated with individuals’ subsequent weight gain.

Methods. We linked health and address information on 2068 Framingham Offspring Cohort members (7830 assessments) across 5 waves (1987–2008) to records of all Massachusetts foreclosures during that period. We used counts of lender-owned foreclosed properties within 100 meters of participants’ homes to predict body mass index (BMI; defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and the odds of being overweight (BMI ≥ 25), adjusted for individual and area-level covariates.

Results. Mean BMI increased from 26.6 in 1987–1991 to 28.5 in 2005–2008; overweight prevalence increased from 59.0% to 71.3%. Foreclosures were within 100 meters of 159 (7.8%) participants’ homes on 187 occasions (1.8%), in 42 municipalities (21%). For each additional foreclosure, BMI increased by 0.20 units (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03, 0.36), and the odds ratio for being overweight associated with proximity to a foreclosure was 1.77 (95% CI = 1.02, 3.05).

Conclusions. We found a robust association between living near foreclosures and BMI, suggesting that neighbors’ foreclosures may spur weight gain.
Food Sources of Saturated Fat and the Association With Mortality: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: O’Sullivan Therese A. , Hafekost Katherine , Mitrou Francis , Lawrence David
Published: July 2013

We summarized the data related to foods high in saturated fat and risk of mortality. We searched Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ProQuest for studies from January 1952 to May 2012. We identified 26 publications with individual dietary data and all-cause, total cancer, or cardiovascular mortality as endpoints.

Pooled relative risk estimates demonstrated that high intakes of milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter were not associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality compared with low intakes. High intakes of meat and processed meat were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality but were associated with a decreased risk in a subanalysis of Asian studies. The overall quality of studies was variable.

Associations varied by food group and population. This may be because of factors outside saturated fat content of individual foods. There is an ongoing need for improvement in assessment tools and methods that investigate food sources of saturated fat and mortality to inform dietary guidelines.
Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Adolescent Boys and Maternal Utilization of Preventive Care and History of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: Hechter Rulin C. , Chao Chun , Sy Lina S. , Ackerson Bradley K. , Slezak Jeff M. , Sidell Margo A. , Jacobsen Steven J.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. We examined whether maternal utilization of preventive care and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) predicted quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4) uptake among adolescent boys 1 year following the recommendation for permissive use of HPV4 for males.

Methods. We linked maternal information with electronic health records of 254 489 boys aged 9 to 17 years who enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan from October 21, 2009, through December 21, 2010. We used multivariable Poisson regression with robust error variance to examine whether HPV4 initiation was associated with maternal uptake of influenza vaccine, Papanicolaou (Pap) screening, and history of STIs.

Results. We identified a modest but statistically significant association between initiation of HPV4 series and maternal receipt of influenza vaccine (rate ratio [RR] = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07, 1.26) and Pap screening (RR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.26). Boys whose mothers had a history of genital warts were more likely to initiate HPV4 (RR = 1.47; 95% CI = 0.93, 2.34), although the association did not reach statistical significance (P = .1).

Conclusions. Maternal utilization of preventive care and history of genital warts may influence HPV4 uptake among adolescent boys. The important role of maternal health characteristics and health behaviors needs be considered in intervention efforts to increase vaccine uptake among boys.
Affect Attunement during Mother-Infant Interaction: How Specific Intensities Predict the Stability of Infants' Coordinated Joint Attention Skills
Authors: Rollins Pamela R. , Greenwald Lisa C.
Published: July 2013

Associations between mother-infant affect attunement (AA) at 6 and 9 months and infant coordinated joint attention (CJA) at 12 months were examined. Fifteen dyads were videotaped at 6, 9, and 12 months during object-mediated play interactions. Videotapes were coded for intensity of matched AA at 6 and 9 months. Low-intensity affect matches at 6 and 9 months were positively associated with CJA; whereas moderate-intensity affect matches had a negative association. Results suggest shared, pleasurable, low-intensity emotional states support social-cognitive development; whereas moderate-intensity AA may be a hindrance. Between 6 and 9 months, AA may shift from understanding others' emotions to understanding others' attentions; and mutual regulation of low-intensity emotional states may facilitate infant processing capabilities.
Investigating the Relationship between Adult Attachment Style and Belief in the Paranormal: Results from Two Studies
Authors: Rogers Paul
Published: July 2013

Two studies examine the relationship between adult attachment style and various types of paranormal belief. In Study One, 157 participants completed a popular measure of paranormal belief, demographic items, and a four-category measure of adult attachment style. With participants' gender and qualifications controlled for, fearfully attached adults had stronger global as well as specific beliefs in superstitions, Spiritualism, precognition, a New Age philosophy and to a lesser extent psi. In Study Two, 136 participants completed the same paranormal belief and demographics questionnaires, but this time a four-way continuous attachment measure. With demographics again controlled for, preoccupied adults displayed a stronger belief in all paranormal types except psi, superstitions, and extraordinary life forms. In addition, fearful adults were more disposed to believing in precognition and superstition. The role paranormal belief plays as a compensatory and/or controlling mechanism for coping with non-secure adult attachment is discussed. Methodological issues are also considered.
A Theoretical Justification for Using Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) to Augment Accounting-Related Interviews
Authors: Pickard Matthew D. , Burns Mary B. , Moffitt Kevin C.
Published: July 2013

In today's increasingly complex business environment, accounting firms face additional pressures regarding cost reduction, engagement scope, and attention to quality. This paper proposes that embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are particularly well suited to automate and augment accounting interviews to save costs, streamline the interviewing process, and maintain quality. An ECA is an autonomous computer interface capable of human-like interactions such as interviews. This paper describes how an ECA can be used to augment accounting-related interviews and the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. This paper also presents the ECA Self-Disclosure Model with propositions of how self-disclosure can be influenced by an ECA through reciprocal behavior and rapport building. The model and propositions are supported by the computers-as-social-actors (CASA) paradigm (Reeves and Nass 1996). This paper concludes by discussing limitations of ECA use in the real world and by recommending how the model and propositions can be tested empirically in future research.
Enhancing the Business Value of Business Intelligence: The Role of Shared Knowledge and Assimilation
Authors: Elbashir Mohamed Z. , Collier Philip A. , Sutton Steve G. , Davern Michael J. , Leech Stewart A.
Published: July 2013

Business intelligence (BI) systems have attracted significant interest from senior executives and consultants for their ability to exploit organizational data and provide operational and strategic benefits through improved management control systems. A large body of literature indicates that organizations have largely failed to use their business intelligence investments effectively to exploit the wealth of data they capture in their ERP systems. As a result, BI has too often failed to support organizations' managerial decision making at both the strategic and operational levels and, thus, failed to enhance business value. Whether and how organizations achieve business benefits from their BI investments remains unclear. This study draws on the strategic alignment and IT assimilation literature to develop a research model that theorizes the importance of BI systems assimilation, and the need for shared knowledge among the strategic and operational levels as the drivers of BI business value. Results from the study confirm the crucial role of BI assimilation in translating organizational resources into capabilities that enhance the business value of BI. The findings also contribute evidence on the importance of shared domain knowledge and the interrelations between senior business, IT executives, and operational-level managers for enhancing BI assimilation.
Nitric Oxide Directly Promotes Vascular Endothelial Insulin Transport
Authors: Wang Hong , Wang Aileen X. , Aylor Kevin , Barrett Eugene J.
Published: July 2013

Insulin resistance strongly associates with decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and endothelial dysfunction. In the vasculature, NO mediates multiple processes that affect insulin delivery, including dilating both resistance and terminal arterioles in skeletal muscle in vivo. However, whether NO directly regulates vascular endothelial cell (EC) insulin uptake and its transendothelial transport (TET) is unknown. We report in this article that l-NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) pretreatment blocked, whereas l-arginine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) each enhanced, EC uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled insulin. SNP also partly or fully reversed the inhibition of EC insulin uptake caused by l-NAME, wortmannin, the Src inhibitor PP1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, SNP promoted [125I]TyrA14insulin TET by ∼40%. Treatment with insulin with and without SNP did not affect EC cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, and the cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP did not affect FITC-insulin uptake. In contrast, treatment with insulin and SNP significantly increased EC protein S-nitrosylation, the colocalization of S-nitrosothiol (S-NO) and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), and Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 and inhibited PTP1B activity. Moreover, a high-fat diet significantly inhibited EC insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and FITC-insulin uptake that was partially reversed by SNP in rats. Finally, inhibition of S-nitrosylation by knockdown of thioredoxin-interacting protein completely eliminated SNP-enhanced FITC-insulin uptake. We conclude that NO directly promotes EC insulin transport by enhancing protein S-nitrosylation. NO also inhibits PTP1B activity, thereby enhancing insulin signaling.
Polymerization Shrinkage Stress Kinetics and Related Properties of Bulk-fill Resin Composites
Authors: El-Damanhoury HM , Platt JA
Published: July 2013

The present study assessed the polymerization shrinkage stress kinetics of five low-shrinkage light-cured bulk-fill resin composites: Surefil SDR flow (SF, Dentsply), Tetric EvoCeram Bulkfil (TE, Ivoclar Vivadent), Venus Bulk Fill (VB, Heraeus Kulzer), x-tra fil (XF, Voco), and experimental bulk fill (FB, 3M ESPE). Filtek Z250 (FZ, 3M ESPE) was used as a control. Real-time shrinkage stress of investigated composites was measured using a tensometer; maximum shrinkage stress, stress rate (Rmax), and time to reach maximum stress rate (tmax) were recorded. Flexural strength and modulus were measured using a standard procedure, and curing efficiency of 4-mm long specimens was determined using bottom/top percentage Knoop microhardness. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni multiple range tests at a significance level of α=0.05. Results of shrinkage stress, Rmax, and tmax of all bulk-fill materials were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of the control except for XF. All tested bulk-fill materials were able to achieve acceptable curing efficiency (≥80% bottom/top percentage) at 4-mm depth. In conclusion, this study reports a significant reduction in polymerization shrinkage stress while maintaining comparable curing efficiency at 4 mm for some bulk-fill composites and supports their potential use in posterior clinical situations.
Effect of Simulated Tooth Temperature on the Degree of Conversion of Self-adhesive Resin Cements Exposed to Different Curing Conditions
Authors: Arrais CAG , Chagas CL , Munhoz A , Oliveira M , Reis AF , Rodrigues JA
Published: July 2013

Objectives

This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of two commercial, self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) polymerized at simulated prepared tooth surface temperatures and under different curing conditions.

Materials and Methods

RelyX U100 (U100, 3M ESPE) and Maxcem Elite (MX, Kerr Corporation) were mixed at 25°C and applied to the surface of a horizontal attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit, which was near room temperature (RT, control) (25°C) or heated to simulate prepared tooth surface temperatures (28°C and 32°C) and then attached to an infrared spectrometer. The products were polymerized using one of three conditions: direct light exposure through a glass slide (DLE), exposure through a 1.5-mm thick ceramic disc overlay (CO) (A2 shade, IPS e.max, Ivoclar Vivadent), or self-curing (SC). FTIR spectra were recorded for 12 minutes (1 spectrum/s, 16 scans/spectrum, resolution 4 cm−1) immediately after application to the ATR. The DC was calculated using standard techniques of observing changes in aliphatic-to-aromatic peak ratios before and 12 minutes after curing, as well as during each 1-second interval. DC data (n=7) were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test (p=0.05).

Results

Both simulated tooth temperatures significantly increased DC in all groups of MX and in the CO and SC groups of U100 compared with the RT control. For MX, the self-cure groups exposed to tooth temperatures showed DC values similar to those of the CO groups. For U100, the CO groups showed higher DC values than SC groups regardless of temperature. Time-based conversion profiles ranged according to product, temperature, and curing mode.

Conclusions

Causing SARCs to polymerize at simulated tooth temperatures increases DC of SARCs compared with room-temperature curing values, mainly in the SC mode.