bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of a motor skill checklist for 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children
Authors: Peersman W. , Carton W. , Cambier D. , De Maeseneer J. , van Waelvelde H.
Published: May 2011

Background  Early identification of children with developmental co‐ordination disorder is important. Teachers may be very useful in this identification process. The objective of this study was to develop a motor skill checklist (MSC) for 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children to be completed by teachers, and to establish the psychometric properties of this new instrument.

Methods  An MSC of 28 functional items was constructed in close consideration with clinical experts and teachers. In regular schools, 366 pre‐school children were rated with the MSC by their teachers (n= 111). To determine test–retest reliability, each teacher completed 4 weeks later the MSC again for one randomly selected child. In 22 classes with two teachers sharing the job, both teachers were asked to fill in the questionnaire. A subgroup of children was also tested with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M‐ABC; n= 122). All teachers were invited to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the MSC.

Results  The internal consistency of the MSC was high. The test–retest reliability was good. Inter‐rater reliability was adequate except in the 5‐year‐old children. There was a strong correlation between the checklist and the M‐ABC, establishing concurrent validity. Most teachers judged the MSC as easy or rather easy to complete.

Conclusions  The MSC is a reliable, valid and useful instrument to identify and assess young children with motor difficulties.
Fibrinogen concentrates for bleeding trauma patients: what is the evidence?
Authors: Meyer M. A. S. , Ostrowski S. R. , Windeløv N. A. , Johansson P. I.
Published: May 2011

Introduction  A balanced transfusion of red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets are recommended for massively bleeding trauma patients. Fibrinogen concentrates could potentially lessen or replace the need for fresh frozen plasma and/or platelet transfusions.

Objective  To provide a review of the literature covering the application of fibrinogen concentrates in trauma care.

Methods  PubMed and Cochrane database search, ‘fibrinogen’ and (‘concentrate’ or ‘trauma’), not ‘congenital’, 10 years.

Results  Only four papers were identified. None were randomized controlled trials. The main conclusion of these papers was that administration of fibrinogen sometimes together with prothrombin complex concentrate might improve haemostasis in trauma patients resuscitated with synthetic colloids.

Conclusion  Evidence for the use of fibrinogen concentrate to trauma patients with massive bleeding is lacking. Well‐designed prospective, randomized, double‐blinded studies evaluating the effect of fibrinogen concentrate, as the only intervention, are urgently needed.
Factors associated with fainting – before, during and after whole blood donation
Authors: Bravo M. , Kamel H. , Custer B. , Tomasulo P.
Published: May 2011

Background  Whole blood (WB) donation encompasses several periods during which some donors faint. Identification of factors associated with fainting during each period should guide intervention strategies. Reducing faint reactions may reduce donor injuries and disability.

Methods  Blood donation was divided into three periods: Period 1 – registration; Period 2 – phlebotomy; and Period 3 – post‐phlebotomy. Period 3 consists of two sub‐periods (3A – on‐site and 3B – off‐site). For each Period, stratified rates of fainting in relation to various donor and donation characteristics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with fainting were conducted. Donor injuries in each period were also analysed.

Results  Of the 956 766 donors registered in 2007, 554 534 (58%) donated WB. There were 43 fainting episodes and two injuries in Period 1 and 1520 faints and 73 injuries in Periods 2 and 3. Regression analyses showed that youth and donor first‐time status are associated with fainting in all periods; but most significantly in Period 1. Small estimated blood volume is notably not a factor in Period 1 but is significant in Periods 2 and 3. The highest injury rate is seen in Period 3A (0·07 and 0·09/1000 donations) for male and female donors, respectively.

Conclusions  Variability in factors associated with fainting across defined periods of the donation process suggest differing underlying mechanisms and the possibility that interventions for the reactions most associated with injury during each time period can be designed. The highest rate of injury per donation occurred in ambulating donors.
Effect of synthetic and plant‐extracted aphid pheromones on the behaviour of Aphidius colemani
Authors: Ameixa O. M. C. C. , Kindlmann P.
Published: May 2011

Parasitoid females use several chemical cues to locate hosts. A better knowledge of how they respond to a complex of these cues in a small range may help us to understand how to manipulate the parasitoids in the field. Here, the response of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani to a mixture of odours of synthetic and plant‐extracted nepetalactone (a component of aphid sex pheromone) and to (E)‐β‐farnesene (aphid alarm pheromone) was investigated. The behavioural responses of A. colemani to three semiochemical groups with different concentrations were studied in a square arena. Parasitoid females were significantly attracted by the semiochemicals, when their concentrations were high, in which case the females spent more time in squares with semiochemicals. The majority of females preferred plant‐extracted nepetalactone, when it was in high concentration, but they consistently did not respond to (E)‐β‐farnesene.
Determination of antidermatophytic effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum
Authors: Al‐Janabi Ali Abdul Hussein S.
Published: May 2011

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common pharmacological agents. They have three primary therapeutic properties including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐pyretic and analgesic effects. Seven NSAIDs were tested against two species of dermatophytes. Percentage inhibition was determined for effective agents. Diclofenac, aspirin and naproxen showed more potential to inhibit the growth of dermatophytes. Epidermophyton floccosum revealed susceptibility to more number of the tested agents than Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In conclusion, many NSAIDs may have a high potential to inhibit the growth of dermatophytes, while some of the agents belonging to this pharmaceutical group used in this study showed a potential activity on tested fungi.
The hemorrhage caused by sporadic‐type cerebral amyloid angiopathy occurs primarily in the cerebral sulci
Authors: Takeda Shigeki , Hinokuma Kaoru , Yamazaki Kazunori , Onda Kiyoshi , Miyakawa Teruo , Ikuta Fusahiro , Arai Hiroyuki
Published: May 2011

We examined a solitary hematoma in a patient with sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The hematoma affected the middle frontal sulcus, cerebral cortex (CC) and subcortical frontal white matter (sfWM). We embedded the hematoma in four paraffin blocks, each of which was cut serially into 6‐µm‐thick sections. The first section and every 18th section from each block were subjected to Elastica‐Goldner (E‐G) staining, and the distribution and diameter of the ruptured blood vessels (rBVs) were examined. The rBVs were then marked on diagrams representing each E‐G‐stained section. The present study yielded the following important findings: (i), early‐ and recently ruptured Aβ‐positive arteries were present mainly in the intrasulcal hematoma (ISH), rather than in the CC; (ii) many early‐ruptured arteries in the ISH were larger in diameter than those in the CC; and (iii) ruptures of the cortical arteries, even near the cortical surface, did not occur so frequently and the ruptured vessels were small in size. We concluded that in patients with subcortical hematoma caused by sporadic‐type CAA, successive rupturse of the meningeal vessels, mainly arteries, occur in the cerebral sulcus initially, followed by formation of an ISH and development of a fresh hemorrhagic or anemic infarct in the CC surrounding the ISH, the latter in most cases then extending into the brain parenchyma through the necrotic CC at the depth of the sulcus, finally creating a secondary hematoma in the subcortical white matter.
Inactivation of Merlin in malignant mesothelioma cells and the Hippo signaling cascade dysregulation
Authors: Sekido Yoshitaka
Published: May 2011

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor arising primarily from pleural or peritoneal cavities, which is caused by asbestos exposure after long latency. One of the most frequently mutated genes detected in MM cells is the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene which is located at chromosome 22q12. The NF2 gene encodes Merlin, an ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) protein. The underphosphorylated form of Merlin is active and acts as a tumor suppressor by regulating several distinct cellular signaling pathways. One of the downstream pathways regulated by Merlin is the Hippo signaling pathway, which is conserved from Drosophila to mammalian cells and plays important roles in organ size control and cancer development. Recent studies have identified alterations of the components in the Hippo signaling cascade in MM cells, including overexpression of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and inactivation of large tumor suppressor homolog 2 (LATS2). Dysregulation of the Merlin‐Hippo signaling cascade is one of the frequent and key events of MM cell development and/or progression. Thus, a strategy to normalize this signaling cascade may be the rationale for developing a new target therapy against MM.
Histiocytic sarcoma of the parotid gland region
Authors: Akiba Jun , Harada Hiroshi , Kawahara Akihiko , Arakawa Fumiko , Mihashi Hiroyuki , Mihashi Ryouta , Ohshima Koichi , Yano Hirohisa
Published: May 2011

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a malignant neoplasm showing the morphological and immunophenotypic features of mature histiocytes. Reported herein is a case of HS of the parotid gland region. A 53‐year‐old woman noticed a swelling of the right preauricular area. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology showed an admixture of pleomorphic atypical cells and mature lymphocytes. She underwent total parotidectomy. Grossly, the tumor was located at the parotid gland to subcutaneous tissue, and showed infiltrative growth with massive necrosis and hemorrhage. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of marked pleomorphic cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Bizarre multinuclear giant cells were scattered and intermingled. Tumor cells were positive for CD68 (KP‐1 and PG‐M1), CD163, S‐100 protein, CD1a, CD4 and CD31, but negative for CD3, CD20, CD21, CD79a, DEC205 and langerin, immunohistochemically. Monoclonal proliferation of B cells was not confirmed on polymerase chain reaction for IgH. The patient had recurrent lesions in the pelvis and stomach 5 months after parotidectomy and died of the disease 10 months after the operation.
Primary ovarian twin pregnancy with one fetus progressing to term: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Tiwari Priyadarshini , Meel Sonia , Lele Arvind
Published: May 2011

A case of primary ovarian twin pregnancy is presented. A 30‐year‐old woman, gravida 3 para 2, was admitted to Medical College Hospital, Jabalpur, for postdated pregnancy with intrauterine fetal demise. Ultrasonography showed a break in the continuity of the uterus suggestive of a ruptured uterus. On laparotomy, twin ovarian pregnancy was discovered. One fetus was postdated, showing signs of maceration. The bones of the other fetus were discovered in the sac, suggestive of an autolysed fetus of approximately 26 to 28 weeks of gestation.
Descriptive study of blood transfusion practices in women undergoing cesarean delivery
Authors: Goundan Aditi , Kalra Jasvinder Kaur , Raveendran Ainharan , Bagga Rashmi , Aggarwal Neelam
Published: May 2011

Aim:  To study the blood transfusion practices in women undergoing cesarean delivery at a tertiary care centre in northern India.

Methods:  This was a prospective study conducted in 1769 women who underwent cesarean section at a tertiary centre hospital from May 2008 to November 2009. A comprehensive predesigned proforma was filled in for each woman. Data related to antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal events was recorded and compared between women receiving blood transfusion during cesarean section and women not receiving blood transfusion.

Results:  The cesarean section rate was 26% and the blood transfusion rate was 12.21%. The overall crossmatch transfusion ratio in our study was 5.46:1. After multiple regression logistic analysis factors, like placenta previa (OR 15.19, 95% CI 9.28–24.82), anemia (OR 9.93, 95% CI 5.17–19.06), blood loss >1000 mL (OR 5.97, 95% CI 4.32–8.24), abruptio (OR 4.18, 95% CI 2.02–8.62), intraoperative complications, like uterine incision extension, uterine atony, hysterectomy (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.70–4.24), general anesthesia (2.48, 95% CI 1.70–3.61) and inadequate antenatal supervision (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.05–2.42) were found to be significantly associated with a higher risk for blood transfusion during cesarean section.

Conclusion:  Routine crossmatching of blood for all women prior to cesarean section needs to be reviewed. Cesarean sections performed on women with high risk factors for blood transfusion can have sudden and significant blood loss and thus adequate blood arrangement prior to cesarean section is justified only in this group of women and not in all women.
Placental and maternal serum inhibin A in patients with preeclampsia and small‐for‐gestational‐age
Authors: Shen Zongji , Cai Li‐Yi , Suprapto Iwan‐Satyagraha , Shenoy Pooja , Zhou Xiping
Published: May 2011

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of inhibin A simultaneously in the maternal serum and placental extract in preeclampsia (PE) with or without small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) and normal controls at term, and to evaluate the relationship among changes in serum and placental inhibin A according to the severity of PE and PE with or without SGA.

Material and Methods:  This study involved 40 pregnant women; normal (n = 20), and PE (n = 20), the latter of who were classified into (i) mild (n = 10) and severe PE (n = 10); (ii) PE with SGA (n = 7) and without SGA (n = 13). Inhibin A concentrations were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the maternal serum and placental extract. Inhibin‐α subunit in the placenta was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and its intensity was graded by a semiquantitative scoring method.

Results:  There was a positive correlation in inhibin A concentrations between the serum and placental extract (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Both maternal serum and placental inhibin A in PE groups were significantly higher than in controls, but there was no severity‐dependent increase of inhibin A when compared with mild and severe PE. There was no difference in inhibin A levels between PE with and without SGA. Moreover, the inhibin‐α subunit was predominantly abundant in the cytoplasm of the syncytiotrophoblasts, where the PE groups showed higher staining intensity than the controls (P < 0.000).

Conclusion:  Serum inhibin A level might be a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of PE.
Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling: Pregnancy outcome
Authors: Deffieux Xavier , Faivre Erika , Senat Marie‐Victoire , Gervaise Amélie , Fernandez Hervé
Published: May 2011

Aim:  To report pregnancy outcome following prophylactic transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling in a population of high‐risk pregnant women.

Materials and Methods:  A retrospective study with a continuous series of 57 women presenting with prior failure of McDonald cerclage (n = 47) and/or absent portio‐vaginalis of the cervix (n = 10).

Results:  Cervicoisthmic cerclage was performed between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation (median 14 weeks' gestation). No intraoperative complication occurred. Preterm labor treated with parenteral tocolysis occurred in 14 women (24%). Cesarean delivery was systematically performed. Median gestational age at delivery was 37.2 weeks' gestation (interquartile range: 36.5–38.0). Overall neonatal survival rate was 94%.

Conclusion:  Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling may be considered as an effective alternative to the transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage in women presenting with previous cerclage failure.
WMD Terrorism: Defining ‘Mass Destruction’ in US Law
Authors: Bentley Michelle
Published: May 2011

This article examines the definition of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ in US law. Specifically, a number of high-profile terrorist incidents have resulted in prosecution on the grounds of WMD use, despite the fact that the weapons employed do not fit a ‘typical’ understanding of WMD as exclusively nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological devices. In discussing this apparent contradiction, it is concluded that there exists no essentialist concept of WMD and that definitional understandings vary as a result of discrete institutional contexts and the strategic manipulation of language by political actors. This will be discussed with reference to the conviction of 9/11 terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui.
Condorcet's Jury Theorem and the Optimum Number of Voters
Authors: Brennan Jason
Published: May 2011

Many political theorists and philosophers use Condorcet's Jury Theorem to defend democracy. This article illustrates an uncomfortable implication of Condorcet's Jury Theorem. Realistically, when the conditions of Condorcet's Jury Theorem hold, even in very high stakes elections, having more than 100,000 citizens vote does no significant good in securing good political outcomes. On the Condorcet model, unless voters enjoy voting, or unless they produce some other value by voting, then the cost to most voters of voting exceeds the expected epistemic benefits to the common good of their casting a vote. Anyone who is committed to democracy on the basis of the Jury Theorem ought also to hold that widespread voting is wasteful, at least unless he or she can provide some further justification of mass democratic participation.
The Coalition and the UK Housing Market
Authors: Hall Ian
Published: May 2011

With its origins in the collapse of the US sub-prime market, the global financial crisis might more accurately be termed a global housing crisis. Over the last decade, most developed countries experienced house price inflation; however few matched the UK, whose boom started earlier and was more sustained. A taxpayer-led recovery stopped a UK price correction in its tracks; however it will be argued that these measures only delayed momentum towards a reduced housing market under the Con–Lib Dem coalition.
Talking about Just War: Obama in Oslo, Bush at War
Authors: O'Driscoll Cian
Published: May 2011

Boasting origins in the Roman Empire, the just war tradition furnishes us with a set of principles for addressing the moral-legal questions that war raises. Recently, the just war was the subject of controversy following President Obama's very public ruminations on the subject in the course of his 2010 Nobel Peace Prize address. Many popular commentators seemed to assume that Obama's ‘turn’ towards the just war marked something new. This article inquires, first, whether this turn is really as novel as these commentators suppose and, second, whether the prominence of just war ideas in Obama's discourse is evidence of a civilising trend at work or just another case of empty moral talk in international affairs.
Compulsory Turnout: A Compelling (and Contingent) Case
Authors: Machin Dean
Published: May 2011

Politics has published a variety of articles recently on compulsory voting including Saunders' argument against it. This article argues against Saunders and makes some general claims. I show that there is a democratic values-based case for voter compulsion and that the case for compulsory turnout is not ‘parasitic’ on the case for compulsory voting as has been alleged. In making my argument I show that there is no general case for (or against) political compulsion. Instead, arguments must be predicated on the particular characteristics of different political systems.
ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL RESERVE HOARDING IN KOREA
Authors: JO GAB‐JE
Published: May 2011

Since the Asian financial crisis, Korea's accumulation of international reserves has substantially exceeded benchmark levels. The present paper examines the interaction between international reserve hoarding and mercantilist motives, in the context of Korea's policy of maintaining export competitiveness through exchange rate management. An estimation of cointegration and error correction has found that in both the long term and the short term, Korea has stockpiled reserves as a result of heightened concerns regarding export competitiveness. The short‐run dynamics entail precautionary motives that have contributed to reserve accumulation. A variance decomposition test suggests that the mercantilist motive has been the main driver of reserve accumulation.
ANNOUNCEMENT, OBSERVATION AND HONESTY IN THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS GAME
Authors: DENANT‐BOEMONT LAURENT , MASCLET DAVID , NOUSSAIR CHARLES
Published: May 2011

In this paper, we study the effect of pre‐play announcements and ex‐post observation of decisions on voluntary public good provision. We find that requiring announcements, in conjunction with making contribution decisions public, has a significantly positive effect on the average level of contributions. Those treatments, in which announcements are elicited, permit the truthfulness of subjects' announcements to be measured. We find that high contributors are more honest, the truthfulness of others is reciprocated with greater honesty and announcements are more honest when contribution decisions are observable.
CATCHING‐UP AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS OF THE ASEAN ECONOMIES
Authors: LEE YOUNG HOON , CHENG MING YU
Published: May 2011

Total factor productivity growth of the five ASEAN founding members is estimated by decomposing total factor productivity growth into technical efficiency and technological progress. By using the stochastic frontier model with individual‐specific temporal pattern of technical efficiency for the period of 1981–2003, the present paper identifies the unique temporal pattern of productivity changes in each country, to analyze the relationship between country characteristics and the inherent efficiency and productivity changes. The empirical results indicate that over the study period, growth in Singapore and Malaysia was largely driven by both technological progress and input accumulation, whereas growth in Thailand was induced by an improvement in technical efficiency and through input accumulation.
ILLEGAL DISPOSAL AND WASTE COLLECTION FREQUENCY
Authors: FERRARA IDA
Published: May 2011

A model of household refuse production is presented in which the implications of the presence of dumping incentives for the public choice of garbage collection frequency under a user fee system are analysed. Insofar as governments wishing to balance their waste collection service budgets can set the marginal benefit of collecting garbage equal to its marginal cost, no externality arises through pick‐up frequency. However, when the expected punishment for dumping is zero or independent of its extent, the public provision of refuse collection frequency turns out to be negatively affected by the amount of garbage that individuals dump and, therefore, intervention in the management of household waste is required. The optimal policy is found to consist of taxes on consumption goods and subsidies for curbside (or legal) disposal and recycling that are directly linked to collection costs.
Incapacity, the Labour Market and Social Security: Coercion into ‘Positive’ Citizenship
Authors: Larkin Philip M.
Published: May 2011

The article examines the likely evolution of the social security system in the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. This recent legislation is paradigmatic of the new ideology and modes of thought which currently form the foundation of the modern welfare state, an institution increasingly viewed as a facilitator for individual self‐sufficiency, as opposed to its traditional role of providing temporary financial support in periods of need. In addition, it is likely that the Act has promoted at least some changes in the concept of citizenship, in particular the contemporary emphasis on responsibilities as much as on rights. The article considers whether the Act itself has succeeded in meeting the rhetorical claims made for it by legislators during the passage of the Welfare Reform Bill through Parliament. The question of whether the Act contains a punitive or even coercive element is also examined.
Putting plant resistance traits on the map: a test of the idea that plants are better defended at lower latitudes
Authors: Moles Angela T. , Wallis Ian R. , Foley William J. , Warton David I. , Stegen James C. , Bisigato Alejandro J. , Cella‐Pizarro Lucrecia , Clark Connie J. , Cohen Philippe S. , Cornwell William K. , Edwards Will , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Gonzales‐Ojeda Therany , Graae Bente J. , Hay Gregory , Lumbwe Fainess C. , Magaña‐Rodríguez Benjamín , Moore Ben D. , Peri Pablo L. , Poulsen John R. , Veldtman Ruan , von Zeipel Hugo , Andrew Nigel R. , Boulter Sarah L. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Campón Florencia Fernández , Coll Moshe , Farji‐Brener Alejandro G. , De Gabriel Jane , Jurado Enrique , Kyhn Line A. , Low Bill , Mulder Christa P. H. , Reardon‐Smith Kathryn , Rodríguez‐Velázquez Jorge , Seabloom Eric W. , Vesk Peter A. , van Cauter An , Waldram Matthew S. , Zheng Zheng , Blendinger Pedro G. , Enquist Brian J. , Facelli Jose M. , Knight Tiffany , Majer Jonathan D. , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel , McQuillan Peter , Prior Lynda D.
Published: May 2011

See also the Commentary by Johnson and Rasmann
The effect of instrument alignment on peripheral refraction measurements by automated optometer
Authors: Ehsaei Asieh , Chisholm Catharine M , Mallen Edward A H , Pacey Ian E
Published: May 2011

Citation information: Ehsaei A, Chisholm CM, Mallen EAH & Pacey IE. The effect of instrument alignment on peripheral refraction measurements by automated optometer. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 413–420. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00838.x

Purpose:  Interest in peripheral refraction measurement has grown in recent years in response to the insight it may provide into myopia development. In light of the likely increase in the clinical use of open‐field autorefractors for peripheral refraction measurements, the question of instrument alignment and its impact on the accuracy of refraction measurements is raised. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and precision when an open‐field device was moved away from alignment with the corneal reflex towards the pupil margins, and to determine the optimum alignment position for peripheral refraction measurements.

Methods:  Autorefractions were performed on the right eyes of 10 healthy participants using the Shin‐Nippon NVision‐K 5001 autorefractor. At least five measurements were taken with the subject fixating a distance target in the primary position of gaze, and then four peripheral fixation targets located along the horizontal meridian (10° and 20° eccentricities in the nasal and temporal retina). Measurements were taken at seven alignment positions across the pupil for each fixation angle. Refraction was recorded as the spherical and cylindrical power.

Results:  The central objective refraction achieved under cycloplegia based on the autorefraction result for the whole sample, ranged between −5.62 D and +1.85 D for the value of sphere, with a maximum astigmatism of −1.00 D. Acceptable alignment position range varied with fixation angle but was −1.0 to +1.0 mm in width across the pupil. Peripheral refraction measurements centred on the entrance pupil were as reliable as those centred on the corneal reflex.

Conclusions:  Our data suggest that for peripheral refraction measurements, there is a range of acceptable positions and operators can be confident of the validity of results obtained if aligned half way between the pupil centre and corneal reflex. The alignment becomes more critical at greater eccentricities.
A novel noncontact method to assess the biomechanical properties of wound tissue
Authors: Chao Clare Y. L. , Zheng Yong‐Ping , Cheing Gladys L. Y.
Published: May 2011

A novel noncontact optical coherence tomography based air‐jet indentation system was developed for characterizing the biomechanical properties of soft tissue in a noncontact way. This study aimed to measure the stiffness of diabetic foot ulcer tissues by using this air‐jet indentation system, and examining the test/retest reliability. Eight subjects with diabetes (seven males, one female), with a total of 10 foot ulcers between them, participated in the study. A total of 20 measuring sites located at the central wound bed (n=10) or peri‐ulcer areas (n=10), respectively, were evaluated with the air‐jet indentation system. Four cycles of loading and unloading, each with a duration of approximately 36 seconds at an indentation rate of 0.08 mm/s, were carried out for each indentation trial. The test/retest reliability was examined at all measuring points. The average stiffness coefficient of the peri‐ulcer area (mean±SD: 0.47±0.15 N/mm) was significantly larger than that of the central wound bed area (mean±SD: 0.35±0.23 N/mm; p=0.042). A high value for test/retest reliability was shown (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.986; Pearson's correlation: r=0.972, p<0.001). Our preliminary findings showed that the peri‐ulcer area had greater stiffness than the central wound bed. This greater magnitude of hardness and inelasticity at the peri‐ulcer region may scatter part of the contractile forces for wound contraction during the healing process. We found the novel air‐jet system to be a reliable tool for characterizing the stiffness of soft tissues around the wound in a noncontact way.
A Durability Study of a Paracorporeal Pulsatile Electro‐Mechanical Pneumatic Biventricular Assist Device
Authors: Choi Hyuk , Lee Heung‐Man , Nam Kyoung Won , Choi Jaesoon , Lee Jung‐Joo , Kim Ho Chul , Song Seung Joon , Ahn Chi Bum , Son Ho Sung , Lim Choon Hak , Son Kuk Hui , Park Yong Doo , Jeong Gi Seok , Sun Kyung
Published: May 2011

In 2002, the paracorporeal pulsatile electro‐mechanical pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) began to be developed by the Korea Artificial Organ Center at Korea University under a Health & Medical Technology Research and Development program which finished in 2008. In vitro durability testing was conducted on the paracorporeal pulsatile pneumatic VAD to determine device durability and to evaluate device failures. The 1‐ and 2‐year reliability of the paracorporeal pulsatile pneumatic VAD was shown to be 91.2% and 54.9%, respectively, with an 80% confidence level. Failure modes were analyzed using fault tree analysis, with customized software continuously acquiring data during the test period. After this period, 21 in vivo animal tests were done, with 14 cases of left atrium to left ventricle (LV) inflow cannulation (36Fr)/outflow grafting to descending aorta, and seven cases of apex cannulation of LV to descending aorta (12 mm). The longest postoperative day (182 days) in Korea was recently recorded in in vivo animal testing (bovine, 90 kg, male, 3.5–4.0 L/min flow rate, and 55 bpm).
Comparison of Retention and Strain Energies of Stud Attachments for Implant Overdentures
Authors: Petropoulos Vicki C. , Mante Francis K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose: The retentive forces and the strain energies absorbed during dislodging of implant overdenture stud attachments are useful parameters to consider in the selection of attachments. The purpose of this study was to compare the retentive forces and strain energies of the Nobel Biocare standard ball, Nobel Biocare newer generation ball (Yorba Linda, CA), Zest Anchor, Zest Anchor Advanced Generation (Escondido, CA), Sterngold‐Implamed ERA white, and Sterngold‐Implamed orange attachments (Attleboro, MA) on an implant‐retained in vitro overdenture model.

Materials and Methods: The attachments were tested using two permanently placed Brånemark system implants on a test model attached to an Instron machine. Each attachment had one part embedded in a denture‐like housing, and the other part screwed into the implants. Dislodging tensile forces were applied to the housings in two directions simulating function: vertical and oblique. Eight tests were done in two directions with six specimens of each attachment. Retentive forces generated and strain energies absorbed during displacement were determined. A 1‐way ANOVA followed by the Tukey studentized range test was used to determine groups that were significantly different at the p < 0.05 level.

Results: The Zest Anchor Advanced Generation attachment had significantly the highest retentive vertical and oblique forces [37.2 (5.5) N and 25.9 (3.2) N, respectively]. The Zest Anchor had the lowest vertical force [10.8 (4.2) N], and Nobel Biocare Standard had the lowest oblique retentive force [10.6 (3.0) N]. The Nobel Biocare Standard Ball attachment had the highest strain energies [29.7 × 10−3 (11.9 × 10−3) J, 30.3 × 10−3(14.3 × 10−3) J, respectively, in the vertical and oblique directions]. The Sterngold‐Implamed ERA White and Zest Anchor had the lowest strain energies [5.3 × 10−3 (3.2 × 10−3) J and 4.5 × 10−3 (1.1 × 10−3) J, respectively, in the vertical and oblique directions].

Conclusion: The retentive forces and strain energies of implant overdenture stud attachments are different and should be considered during prosthesis selection.
Pulmonary Gas Exchange and Plasma Lactate in Horses with Gastrointestinal Disease Undergoing Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy: A Comparison with an Elective Surgery Horse Population
Authors: McCoy Annette M. , Hackett Eileen S. , Wagner Ann E. , Mama Khursheed R. , Hendrickson Dean A.
Published: May 2011

Objective:To characterize pulmonary gas exchange and arterial lactate in horses with gastrointestinal disease undergoing anesthesia, compared with elective surgical horses, and to correlate these variables with postoperative complications and mortality.

Study Design:Prospective clinical study.

Animals:Horses undergoing emergency laparotomy for acute intestinal disease (n=50) and healthy horses undergoing elective surgery in dorsal recumbency (n=20).

Methods:Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at predetermined intervals on horses undergoing a standardized anesthetic protocol. Alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient was calculated. Predictive factors for postoperative complications and death in colic horses were determined.

Results:Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) varied widely among horses in both groups. PaO2significantly increased in the colic group after exteriorization of the ascending colon. PaO2and alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient were not significantly different between groups, and neither were correlated with horse outcome. Arterial lactate in recovery ≥5 mmol/L was associated with a 2.25 times greater relative risk of complications and lactate ≥7 mmol/L was associated with a 10.5 times higher relative risk of death.

Conclusion:Colic horses in this population were not more likely to be hypoxemic than elective horses, nor was gas exchange impaired to a greater degree in colic horses relative to controls. Arterial lactate sampled immediately after anesthetic recovery was predictive for postoperative complications and death.
Close Together but Worlds Apart? Residential Integration and Interethnic Friendship in Houston
Authors: Britton Marcus L.
Published: May 2011

Why—and under what conditions—is residential integration positively associated with interethnic friendships between adults in large, diverse metropolitan areas? Both macrostructural and contact theories predict such an association. Yet integrated neighborhoods sometimes resemble “worlds of strangers” ( Lofland, 1973 ), in which much interaction involves fleeting contacts that may increase the salience of stereotypes. Some prior research suggests that a positive association between integration and interethnic friendship may obtain even under such less than ideal circumstances. By analyzing how the association between integration and friendship varies among Anglos, Blacks, and Latinos, this article offers a more nuanced perspective informed by group position theory. Net of selection bias and more intensive forms of intergroup contact, living in an integrated area is only positively associated with having interethnic friendships when integration provides exposure to groups that occupy privileged positions in the larger society's racial–ethnic hierarchy relative to a resident's own group.
“Out” in Columbus: A Geospatial Analysis of the Neighborhood–Level Distribution of Gay and Lesbian Households
Authors: Hayslett Karen L. , Kane Melinda D.
Published: May 2011

Research on urban growth and vitality suggests that gay men concentrate in high quality of life cities, indicated by high–tech development, diversity, and city amenities. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the degree to which theories of urban renewal and economic development—including Florida's creative class—can explain the neighborhood–level distribution of lesbians and gays within a city. Using 2000 U.S. Census data, tax parcel data, and other data sources, we conduct multivariate spatial regression to investigate the distribution of lesbians and gays in Columbus, Ohio, and their relationship to diversity, openness, and amenities. While the neighborhood distribution of gay men is associated with many of these characteristics, lesbian housing patterns are not. We do, however, find both lesbians and gays concentrate in tracts with other gay and lesbian households and that gay residential patterns are influenced by gay concentration in neighboring tracts suggesting that geographic clustering may also be a protective mechanism.
Neighborhoods, Niches, and Networks: The Religious Ecology of Gentrification
Authors: Cimino Richard
Published: May 2011

This article examines the interaction between congregations and the process of gentrification in the sections of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. Gentrification has been thought to encourage secularization, but the various waves of newcomers that have arrived in Williamsburg–Greenpoint and the subsequent relocation of the area's long–time residents has not dissipated religious life as much as segmented it as congregations seek to fill and exploit various niches to meet religious needs and reaffirm their identities. I create a typology based on a study of 30 congregations that delineates the characteristics of three major niches: lifestyle enclaves, neighborhood–social center congregations, and ethnic and religious enclaves. While most congregations seek both to adapt to and exert agency during gentrification, their different repertoires of theology, organizational history, and access to networks and resources suggest they can only fill specific niches.
Why Environmentally Constrained Towns Choose Growth Controls
Authors: O'Neill Karen M. , Rudel Thomas K. , McDermott Melanie H.
Published: May 2011

Growth controls and growth management are nearly as common as progrowth boosterism in parts of the United States. Growth machine and associated urban regime theories propose that mobilized, upper–income communities are most likely to pursue growth management. Yet other types of communities now also attempt to manage growth. To explain this anomaly, political economy approaches must be supplemented. We assess the explanatory power of the cultural landscape concept founded, in part, on conditions of the built and natural environment. We studied four towns ranging in income and in proportion of developed land in New Jersey's Highlands, a rural–urban fringe region. In three towns, including a lower–income farming town, policies evolved to interpret features like steep slopes or farms as posing barriers to intensive development. In revealing this interpretive shift, the cultural landscape concept complements political economy theories by explaining why even unlikely towns may choose to manage growth.
An Examination of REIT Dividend Payout Policy
Authors: Boudry Walter I.
Published: May 2011

This paper proposes a new methodology for decomposing real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends into discretionary and nondiscretionary components. By examining the tax characteristics of dividends, I am able to accurately measure the discretionary component of a REIT's dividend. This methodology provides new insights into our understanding of REIT dividend payout policy. Unlike previous studies that find limited explanations for discretionary dividend payouts, I find a systematic explanation. Discretionary dividends tend to be large on average making up between 18% and 35% of a REIT's total dividend and display considerable variation through time and across firms. The main determinant of these discretionary dividends appears to be dividend smoothing. There is an inverse relationship between discretionary and nondiscretionary dividends. Even if a REIT has excess cash flow it could distribute in discretionary dividends, it will tend not to do so if it has a high dividend payout due to its nondiscretionary dividends. In this sense, REITs appear to use discretionary dividends to smooth their payout ratios.
Preparation of Lithium Aluminum Titanium Phosphate Electrolytes Thick Films by Aerosol Deposition Method
Authors: Popovici Daniel , Nagai Hideyuki , Fujishima Seigo , Akedo Jun
Published: May 2011

Aerosol deposition method was used as an alternative deposition technique in crystalline electrolyte deposition process. Crystalline Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 thick layers were successfully deposited on stainless‐steel substrates and X‐ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and AC impedance techniques were used to characterize these films. The density of the deposited films was between 83% and 86% of the theoretical density and Vickers hardness was calculated to have values between 260 and 280 Hv. Bulk and total conductivities were 3.62 × 10−3 and 1.12 × 10−6 S/cm, respectively, and DC conductivity was <10−10 S/cm for a wide range of film thicknesses. Improvement in total conductivity of the Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 samples is still needed to make these films more suitable for all‐solid‐state Li‐ion batteries.
Building Solidarity with Subjects and Audience in Sociology and Documentary Photography
Authors: Kay Tamara
Published: May 2011

This article is part of a panel discussion addressing the sociological relevance of Sebastião Salgado’s work as well as documentary photography in general.

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The risk to normal and photosensitive individuals from exposure to light from compact fluorescent lamps
Authors: Moseley Harry , Ferguson James
Published: May 2011

Background/purpose: The incandescent electric light bulb has been in widespread use since the early part of the 20th century. There is now a strong move underway to improve lighting efficiency to cut carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, many countries have introduced legislation to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs, and these are largely being replaced with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The rate at which CFLs are replacing the traditional bulbs has caused alarm among patients with light‐sensitive skin disorders as there has been very little informed discussion regarding the safety of these new lamps for this group of patients. The purpose of the present paper is to review the available literature to assess the likely impact of CFLs on the skin of normal and photosensitive individuals.

Methods: All data sources were identified through searches of MEDLINE and a manual literature search.

Results: The spectrum of light emitted by CFLs is different from incandescent light. In particular, some CFLs emit short wavelength UV radiation at 253.7 nm. Most published reports show that the short wavelengths can be eliminated by the use of a double envelope. There are very little data examining directly the risk to photosensitive individuals. In one study, a patient with chronic actinic dermatitis had a severe erythematous reaction from an exposure of only 2.5 min' duration.

Conclusion: CFLs present a low level of risk to individuals of normal sensitivity but they are potentially harmful to photosensitive patients. We recommend the use of double envelope lamps, and consideration given to the adoption of a ‘UV‐safe’ classification scheme.
Seasonal cutaneous sarcoidosis: a photo‐induced variant
Authors: Wong Sharon , Pearce Claire , Markiewicz Dorota , Sahota Anshoo
Published: May 2011

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease, with cutaneous involvement in up to 35% of cases. Owing to its heterogeneous clinical presentation, sarcoidosis is often referred to as the ‘great imitator’ of dermatological disease. A rare variant of photosensitive cutaneous sarcoidosis has been infrequently reported in the literature. We describe an unusual case of recurrent, photo‐distributed cutaneous sarcoidosis presenting only during the summer months.
Diallyl sulfide protects against ultraviolet B‐induced skin cancers in SKH‐1 hairless mouse: analysis of early molecular events in carcinogenesis
Authors: Cherng Jaw‐Ming , Tsai Kuen‐Daw , Perng Daw‐Shyong , Wang Jeng‐Shing , Wei Cheng‐Chung , Lin Jung‐Chung
Published: May 2011

Background: Diallyl sulfide (DAS) has been shown to have a preventive effect against various cancers.

Aims and objectives: We evaluated the protective effects of DAS in regression of ultraviolet B (UVB)‐induced skin tumor formation in SKH‐1 hairless mice and its underlying early molecular biomarkers.

Methods: We examined the efficacy of DAS in UVB light‐induced skin lesion in SKH‐1 hairless mice and the associated molecular events.

Results: Mice irradiated with UVB at 180 mJ/cm2 twice per week elicited 100% tumor incidence at 20 weeks. The topical application of DAS before UVB irradiation caused a delay in tumor appearance, multiplicity, and size. The topical application of DAS before and immediately after a single UVB irradiation (180 mJ/cm2) resulted in a significant decrease in UVB‐induced thymine dimer‐positive cells, expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and apoptotic sunburn cells, together with an increase in p53 and p21/Cip1‐positive cell population in the epidermis. Simultaneously, DAS also significantly inhibited nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) levels.

Conclusions: The protective effect of DAS against photocarcinogenesis is accompanied by the down‐regulation of cell‐proliferative controls, involving thymine dimer, PCNA, apoptosis, transcription factors NF‐κB, and of inflammatory responses involving COX‐2, PGE2, and NO, and up‐regulation of p53, p21/Cip1 to prevent DNA damage and facilitate DNA repair.