bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of hospitalist presence and hospital‐level outcome measures among medicare patients
Authors: Jungerwirth Robert , Wheeler Stephanie B. , Paul John E.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Hospitalists have been shown to lower patient costs through better resource utilization and decreased length of stay, but it is unclear whether hospitalists are associated with quality of care. We examined the association between the presence of hospitalists and 30‐day predicted excess all‐cause hospital mortality and readmissions among Medicare patients admitted to a hospital with any of 3 conditions: heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia.

METHODS

Using national hospital‐level, case mix‐adjusted, risk‐standardized, 30‐day all‐cause excess mortality and readmission data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we used descriptive and bivariate statistics to illustrate trends across hospitals. Using multivariable ordinary least squares regression to control for hospital‐level characteristics, we then estimated the association between the presence of hospitalists and predicted hospital mortality and readmission.

RESULTS

After multivariable adjustment, the presence of hospitalists was associated with lower probability of readmission for all 3 target conditions. No significant associations for any of the target conditions were found in all‐cause mortality models.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalists are already integral to the delivery of inpatient care at most institutions. This study, however, showed an association at the national level of the presence of hospitalists with an important and timely quality measure: reduction of readmission rates. Future research is indicated to explore specific causation pathways for the impact of hospitalists on quality of care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:1–6. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. Part VII
Authors: Nafie Laurence A.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of advances in the field of Raman spectroscopy as reflected in articles published each year in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy as well as in trends across related journals publishing in this research area. The context for this review is derived from statistical data on article counts obtained from Thomson Reuters ISI Web of Knowledge by year and by subfield of Raman spectroscopy. Additional information is gleaned from presentations featuring Raman spectroscopy presented at the International Conference on Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy in Kobe Japan in August 2013 and at SCIX 2013 sponsored by the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, October 2013. Papers published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy in 2012 are highlighted in this review and reflect topics and advances at the frontier of Raman spectroscopy, a field that is expanding rapidly as a sensitive photonic probe of matter at the molecular level in an ever widening sphere of novel applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiation therapy for advanced and metastatic melanoma
Authors: Fogarty Gerald B. , Hong Angela
Published: November 2013

Radiation therapy (RT) is an important modality in cancer treatment. However, the general perception is that melanoma is radio‐resistant. High quality clinical trials are helping to establish the place of RT in select scenarios of advanced disease at primary, regional, and distant sites. New RT techniques need to be integrated with effective new systemic therapies within a multidisciplinary environment to ensure optimum patient outcomes. It is important that radiation oncologists embrace this opportunity. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:370–375. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of aging on hypopharyngeal safe volume and the aerodigestive reflexes protecting the airways
Authors: Dua Kulwinder S. , Surapaneni Sri Naveen , Kuribayashi Shiko , Hafeezullah Mohammed , Shaker Reza
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Studies on young volunteers have shown that aerodigestive reflexes are triggered before the maximum volume of fluid that can safely collect in the hypopharynx before spilling into the larynx is exceeded (hypopharyngeal safe volume [HPSV]). The objective of this study was to determine the influence of aging on HPSV and pharyngo‐glottal closure reflex (PGCR), pharyngo‐UES contractile reflex (PUCR), and reflexive pharyngeal swallow (RPS).

Study Design

Comparison between two groups of different age ranges.

Methods

Ten young (25 ± 3 standard deviation [SD] years) and 10 elderly (77 ± 3 SD years) subjects were studied. PGCR, PUCR, and RPS were elicited by perfusing water into the pharynx rapidly and slowly. HPSV was determined by abolishing RPS with pharyngeal anesthesia.

Results

Frequency–elicitation of PGCR and PUCR were significantly lower in the elderly compared to the young during slow water perfusion (47% vs. 97% and 40% vs. 90%, respectively, P < .001). RPS was absent in five of the 30 (17%) slow injections in the elderly group. In these elderly subjects, HPSV was exceeded and laryngeal penetration of the water was seen. The threshold volume to elicit PGCR, PUCR, and RPS was significantly lower than the HPSV during rapid injections. Except for RPS, these volumes were also significantly lower than HPSV during slow injections.

Conclusions

PGCR, PUCR, and RPS reflexes are triggered at a threshold volume significantly lower than the HPSV in both young and elderly subjects. Lower frequency–elicitation of PGCR, PUCR, and RPS in the elderly can predispose them to the risks of aspiration.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 124:1862–1868, 2014
Etiology, diagnosis, and management of facial palsy: 2000 patients at a facial nerve center
Authors: Hohman Marc H. , Hadlock Tessa A.
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the range and incidence of facial palsy etiologies in cases presenting to a tertiary facial nerve center, and to review the broad and evolving spectrum of diagnostic and management approaches to the condition.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Records of patients referred for facial weakness between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed for cases of facial palsy. Cases of muscle dysfunction and primary hemifacial spasm were excluded. The remainder were analyzed by age, sex, and diagnosis. Diagnostic and treatment strategies were reviewed.

Results

There were 1,989 records that met inclusion criteria. Bell's palsy accounted for 38% of cases, acoustic neuroma resections 10%, cancer 7%, iatrogenic injuries 7%, varicella zoster 7%, benign lesions 5%, congenital palsy 5%, Lyme disease 4%, and other causes 17%. Sixty‐one percent of patients were female. Mean age at presentation was 44.5 years (±18.6 years). Diagnoses were revealed primarily by history, though serial physical examinations, radiography, and hematologic testing also contributed. Management strategies included observation, physical therapy, pharmacological therapy, chemodenervation, facial nerve exploration, decompression, repair, and the full array of static and dynamic surgical interventions.

Conclusions

Bell's palsy remains the most common facial palsy; females present more often for evaluation. Comprehensive diagnostic investigation is mandatory in atypical cases, and thorough management must be multidisciplinary. The algorithms presented herein outline a single center's approach to the facial palsy patient, providing a framework that clinicians caring for these patients may adapt to their specific settings.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 124:E283–E293, 2014
Tumor‐Targeted Redox‐Responsive Nonviral Gene Delivery Nanocarriers Based on Neutral‐Cationic Brush Block Copolymers
Authors: Li Yang , Liu Tao , Zhang Guoying , Ge Zhishen , Liu Shiyong
Published: November 2013

Novel neutral‐cationic brush block copolymer, poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate‐co‐folic acid methacrylate]‐b‐poly[2‐(2‐(2‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropanoyloxy)‐ethyl) disulfanyl) ethyl methacrylate‐g‐2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate], P(OEGMA‐co‐FAMA)‐b‐P(BSSMA‐g‐PDMAEMA), is synthesized via consecutive controlled radical polymerizations. Containing disulfide linkages bridging backbone and side chains in the cationic brush block and cancer cell‐targeting ligands (folic acid) in the neutral hydrophilic block, the diblock copolymer is employed as a tumor‐targeted redox‐responsive degradable nonviral gene delivery vector. P(OEGMA‐co‐FAMA)‐b‐P(BSSMA‐g‐PDMAEMA) brush block copolymers can condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) efficiently via the formation of electrostatic polyplex micelles. Under reductive milieu, pDNA can be released due to the cleavage of disulfide linkages and accordingly pDNA‐binding cationic PDMAEMA side chains. In addition, the brush block copolymer exhibits low cytotoxicity and the corresponding polyplex micelles show relatively high gene transfection efficiency.

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Ionic Supramolecular Networks Fully Based on Chemicals Coming from Renewable Sources
Authors: Aboudzadeh Ali , Fernandez Mercedes , Muñoz Maria Eugenia , Santamaría Antxon , Mecerreyes David
Published: November 2013

New supramolecular ionic networks are synthesized by proton transfer reaction between a bio‐based fatty diamine molecule (Priamine 1074) and a series of naturally occurring carboxylic acids such as malonic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid. The resulting solid soft material exhibits a thermoreversible transition becoming a viscoelastic liquid at high temperatures. All the networks show an elastic behavior at low temperatures/high frequencies, with elastic modulus values ranging from 4.5 × 106 to 4.5 × 107 Pa and soft network to liquid transitions Tnl between −10 and 60 °C. The supramolecular ionic network based on cationic Priamine 1074 and anionic citrate shows promising self‐healing properties at room temperature as well as relatively high ionic conductivity values close to 10−6 S cm−1.

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MALDI of synthetic polymers with labile end‐groups
Authors: Charles Laurence
Published: November 2013

Mass spectrometry is increasingly used in the field of synthetic polymers as a fast and accurate technique for end‐group analysis. More particularly, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) has gained much popularity because it allows quite simple mass spectra to be obtained, displaying a single distribution for each polymeric species present in the sample, in contrast to electrospray ionization (ESI) which readily promotes multiple charging for most polymers. A soft ionization process, ensuring the integrity of the species upon transfer into gas phase ions, is however mandatory for polymer end‐group analysis since information about the chain terminations mainly rely on the m/z values measured for polymer adducts. As compared to ESI, MALDI is sometimes suspected to be a quite “hard” ionization technique, leading to spontaneous dissociation of ionized species either in the source or during their flight time. This issue is of particular concern for polymers carrying so‐called fragile end‐groups arising from their mode of synthesis. In particular, controlled radical polymerization (CRP) processes, one of the most important advances in the field of polymer science during the last 20 years, allow the production of polymers with well‐defined molecular distribution and low polydispersities, but they are all based on the low dissociation energy of the chemical bond between the last monomer and the terminating group. As a result, if macromolecules are activated while being ionized, this end‐group is prone to fragmentation and ions measured in the mass spectra do no longer reflect the original chain composition. However, different results are reported in the literature about the ability of MALDI to generate intact ions from CRP synthetic polymers. This article reviews MALDI MS data reported for synthetic polymers produced by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT), and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP), the three most studied CRP techniques. The general principle of each polymerization process, which defines the structure of the end‐groups in both targeted macromolecules and species arising from eventual side‐reactions, is first briefly presented. An overview of MALDI data reported for samples obtained upon polymerization of different monomers are then commented for each polymerization techniques with regards to the success of the ionization method to generate intact cationic adducts and its propensity to distinguish in‐source fragments from polymerization side‐products. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 33: 523–543, 2014.
Progress in Understanding of the Interactions between Functionalized Polyolefins and Organo‐Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Coiai Serena , Pérez Amaro Lucía , Cicogna Francesca , Dintcheva Nadka Tz. , Liguori Francesca , Barbaro Pierluigi , Passaglia Elisa
Published: November 2013

The dispersion of organo‐layered double hydroxides (O‐LDH) in functionalized polyolefins (POs) is investigated. Two different polyethylene matrices (maleic anhydride (MAH) and diethyl maleate functionalized) are tested and a hydrogenated fatty acid modified LDH is used. The attention is focused on evidencing the interaction between the functional groups of the polymer and the O‐LDH through FT‐IR. Moreover, a combination of solvent fractionation, morphological, and rheological characterizations enables to gain a deeper insight into the structure of these composites. In particular, the formation of bridging bonds between the particles and MAH functionalized macromolecules is assumed, possibly due to the formation of ionic clusters, characteristics of ionomers, with formation of crosslinked/aggregated structures.
The Use of Instantaneous Distributions in Polymerization Reaction Engineering
Authors: Soares João B. P.
Published: November 2013

This article shows how the method of instantaneous distributions can be used to model the microstructures of polymers made under different polymerization conditions. The three main distributions investigated are the distributions of chain length (CLD), chemical or comonomer composition (CCD), and long chain branching (LCBD). It is also explained how the method of instantaneous distributions can be combined with reactor models to calculate the cumulative distribution of polymers made in reactors having different residence time distributions, spatial and time gradients. Finally, the usefulness of this mathematical modeling technique is illustrated in several case studies involving olefin polymerization. Extensions for free‐radical polymerization are covered in the appendices.
Birth defects in medically assisted reproduction pregnancies in the city of Barcelona
Authors: Gutarra‐Vilchez Rosa , Santamariña‐Rubio Elena , Salvador Joaquin , Borrell Antoni
Published: November 2013

Objective

To assess the association between the use of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) and birth defects (BD) in newborns and terminations of pregnancy in pregnant women registered in Barcelona in the period 1992 to 2007.

Methods

We studied 1905 cases and 2722 controls in a retrospective population‐based case–control study. Cases comprised any newborn presenting at least one major BD, as well as any pregnancy terminated because of BD. Controls were newborns without BD. Exposure was MAR. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by means of logistic regression to assess the association.

Results

The MAR was demonstrated to be associated with BD, after adjusting for probable confounders (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.4 to 2.5). Regarding MAR modalities, this association was statistically significant only for assisted reproduction techniques (ART) (aOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.8 to 4.1). In the stratified analysis by structural BD categories, frequencies for all categories were increased after ART with the exception of head‐face‐neck‐eye defects, none after artificial insemination, and digestive‐abdominal wall defects in ovulation induction.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a strong association between ART and BD, with an almost threefold increased risk for overall BD after ART, as compared with natural conception. Increased associations were also observed for almost all structural BD categories. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of a phosphinated acetoxybenzoic acid and its application in enhancing Tg and flame retardancy of poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Lin Ching Hsuan , Huang Chu Ming , Wang Meng Wei , Dai Shenghong A. , Chang Hou Chien , Juang Tzong Yuan
Published: November 2013

A new phosphinated acetoxybenzoic acid, 1‐(4‐acetoxyphenyl)‐1‐(4‐carboxylphenyl)‐1‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz<1,2> oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)ethane (3), was prepared by a three‐step procedure. Phosphinated copolyesters based on the acidolysis and polycondensation of (3) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared. The crystallinity of copolyesters decreased gradually with the content of (3), as shown in wide‐angle X‐ray diffractograms and differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal mechanical analysis show Tg increased with the content of (3). UL‐94 flame retardant test shows that the flame resistance of PET was enhanced with the content of (3), and a copolyester with UL‐94 V‐0 grade can be achieved with a phosphorus content as low as 1.43 wt %. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 424–434
A Fraction Containing Kaempferol‐3,4′‐dimethylether from Larrea divaricata Cav. Induces Macrophage Activation on Mice Infected with Candida albicans
Authors: Martino Renzo , Canale Fernando , Sülsen Valeria , Alonso Rosario , Davicino Roberto , Mattar Aida , Anesini Claudia , Micalizzi Blas
Published: November 2013

Larrea divaricata Cav. is a plant growing in South America. Both the infusion and a derived fraction (F1) of L. divaricata have proved to have immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, F1 can activate macrophages obtained from mice infected with Candida albicans. In this work, F1 was administrated to infected animals, and the state and type of activation of resident macrophages were studied. Results showed that F1 was able to activate macrophages obtained from infected mice by both classical and alternative pathways, probably by inducing a translocation of nuclear factor kappa‐B. F1 increases not only the lysosomal activity of macrophages but also the production of phagosomal superoxide anion as a consequence of the activation of the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) complex. F1 induced an increase in the macrophage capacity to kill the fungus, which was reflected in a decrease in the levels of colonization of organs. A main flavonoid, kaempferol‐3,4′‐dimethylether, was identified in F1 by HPLC. This compound increased in vitro production of nitric oxide in heat‐killed C. albicans‐stimulated macrophages. The flavonoid could thus be considered one of the responsible molecules mediating the overall effects of F1 on the immune system in infected animals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On classical q-deformations of integrable σ-models
Authors: Delduc F. , Magro M. , Vicedo B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract

A procedure is developed for constructing deformations of integrable σ-models which are themselves classically integrable. When applied to the principal chiral model on any compact Lie group F, one recovers the Yang-Baxter σ-model introduced a few years ago by C. Klimčík. In the case of the symmetric space σ-model on F/G we obtain a new one-parameter family of integrable σ-models. The actions of these models correspond to a deformation of the target space geometry and include a torsion term. An interesting feature of the construction is the q-deformation of the symmetry corresponding to left multiplication in the original models, which becomes replaced by a classical q-deformed Poisson-Hopf algebra. Another noteworthy aspect of the deformation in the coset σ-model case is that it interpolates between a compact and a non-compact symmetric space. This is exemplified in the case of the SU(2)/U(1) coset σ-model which interpolates all the way to the SU(1, 1)/U(1) coset σ-model.
The pathogenic relevance of the prognostic markers CD38 and CD49d in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Brachtl Gabriele , Piñón Hofbauer Josefina , Greil Richard , Hartmann Tanja Nicole
Published: November 2013

The interactions of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with the microenvironment in secondary lymphoid tissues and the bone marrow are known to promote CLL cell survival and proliferation. CD38 and CD49d are both independent prognostic risk parameters in CLL with important roles in shaping these interactions. Both are reported to influence CLL cell trafficking between blood and lymphoid organs as well as their survival and proliferation within the lymphoid organs, thereby impacting the pathophysiology of the disease. The expression of CD38 and CD49d is associated in the majority of cases, and they exist as part of macromolecular complexes. Here, we review the current evidence for the individual and associated contributions of these molecules to CLL pathophysiology.
A Unified Framework for the Comparison of Treatments with Ordinal Responses
Authors: Lu Tong-Yu , Poon Wai-Yin , Cheung Siu Hung
Published: November 2013

Different latent variable models have been used to analyze ordinal categorical data which can be conceptualized as manifestations of an unobserved continuous variable. In this paper, we propose a unified framework based on a general latent variable model for the comparison of treatments with ordinal responses. The latent variable model is built upon the location-scale family and is rich enough to include many important existing models for analyzing ordinal categorical variables, including the proportional odds model, the ordered probit-type model, and the proportional hazards model. A flexible estimation procedure is proposed for the identification and estimation of the general latent variable model, which allows for the location and scale parameters to be freely estimated. The framework advances the existing methods by enabling many other popular models for analyzing continuous variables to be used to analyze ordinal categorical data, thus allowing for important statistical inferences such as location and/or dispersion comparisons among treatments to be conveniently drawn. Analysis on real data sets is used to illustrate the proposed methods.
The causes of the Egyptian youth's participation in the Egyptian spring of 2011 and June 2013
Authors: Yehia Salah El Din Aida M.
Published: November 2013

The youth of Egypt wanted not just a better future, but a better present. They had a dream. They were looking for real change that would help them, as well as the rest of society, to attain their goal of a good life. Thus, the young people's participation in the Arab Spring was viewed as a necessity and not as a surprise by their nation. There was a difference between the types of young people who participated in the 25 January 2011 revolution and those who participated on 30 June 2013. Moreover, the reasons for their participation in both the 2011 revolution and the 2013 one were also different. Yet what is common to both is that the youth believed in themselves, their ability to bring about change and their dream.
Bringing Politics to the Youth: How to Generate Interest in Electoral Politics
Authors: Kyranakis Konstantinos , Nurvala Juha-Pekka
Published: November 2013

According to recent studies, young people are interested in politics in a broad sense but are disengaged with electoral politics. The falling turn-outs in European Parliament elections, especially among young people, are creating problems with the legitimacy of our political governance system. The authors suggest six pragmatic measures to address the disengagement of young people from electoral politics. The measures presented are designed to support a bottom-up approach towards building lasting interest in electoral politics among young people, while keeping in mind the changes in youth values and possible ways to participate in politics.
Ein- und Ausschliessungspraktiken als Konstituierung von Grenzen
Authors: Heite Catrin , Pomey Marion , Spellenberg Charlotte
Published: November 2013

Grenzen haben symbolische und soziale Bedeutung, reproduzieren durch moralisierende Zuschreibungen soziale Ungleichheiten und generieren Ein- und Ausschlüsse bestimmter Personen(gruppen). Grenzen bzw. eine grenzanalytische Perspektive sind für die Sozialpädagogik deshalb relevant, weil sie Aufschluss geben über normative Ordnungsvorstellungen sowie die eigene sozialpädagogische Beteiligung hieran. Normative Ordnungen ziehen Grenzen zwischen krisenhaftem Sein und idealem Sollen und bringen soziale Wirklichkeiten hervor. Durch so konstituierte Grenzverhältnisse von Wirklichkeit und Möglichkeit lassen sich auch empirisch Grenzziehungen rekonstruieren, die Ein- und Ausschlüsse hervorbringen. Dies wird im Artikel exemplarisch für die sozialpädagogische Handlungspraxis herausgearbeitet und normative Ordnungen von „guter“ und „schlechter“ Elternschaft rekonstruiert. Eine grenzanalytische Perspektive macht damit (Un)Möglichkeiten des (Anders-)Seins als kontingente und normativ plausibilisierte Ausschließungen erkennbar und legt sozialpädagogische Wirklichkeitskonstruktionen samt ihrer Konsequenzen in ihrer Bearbeitbarkeit offen.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Prevention of Retained Surgical Items
Authors: Goldberg Judith L. , Feldman David L.
Published: November 2013

Retention of a surgical item is a preventable event that can result in patient injury. AORN's “Recommended practices for prevention of retained surgical items” emphasizes the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach for prevention. Procedures should include counts of soft goods, needles, miscellaneous items, and instruments, and efforts should be made to prevent retention of fragments of broken devices. If a count discrepancy occurs, the perioperative team should follow procedures to locate the missing item. Perioperative leaders may consider the use of adjunct technologies such as bar‐code scanning, radio‐frequency detection, and radio‐frequency identification. Ambulatory and hospital patient scenarios are included to exemplify appropriate strategies for preventing retained surgical items.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Sterilization
Authors: Graybill‐D'Ercole Patricia
Published: November 2013

Any hospital or facility in which surgery and other invasive procedures are performed should have accommodations for cleaning, decontaminating, disinfecting, and sterilizing instruments, equipment, and other essential supplies that are used for patient procedures. Sterilization is essential to reducing or preventing the risk of surgical site infections. This is a collaborative process and should include all health care providers who handle these instruments, including perioperative nurses. The revised AORN “Recommended practices for sterilization,” which became effective June 15, 2012, includes updates on sterilizing single‐use items, inspecting critical items before sterilization, using low‐temperature hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization methods, and immediate use steam sterilization. This RP document is the first AORN document to be evidence rated and accepted for inclusion in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Guideline Clearinghouse.
A trajectory equation for walking droplets: hydrodynamic pilot-wave theory
Authors: Oza Anand U. , Rosales Rodolfo R. , Bush John W. M.
Published: November 2013

We present the results of a theoretical investigation of droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrating fluid bath. An integro-differential equation describing the horizontal motion of the drop is developed by approximating the drop as a continuous moving source of standing waves. Our model indicates that, as the forcing acceleration is increased, the bouncing state destabilizes into steady horizontal motion along a straight line, a walking state, via a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. Predictions for the dependence of the walking threshold and drop speed on the system parameters compare favourably with experimental data. By considering the stability of the walking state, we show that the drop is stable to perturbations in the direction of motion and neutrally stable to lateral perturbations. This result lends insight into the possibility of chaotic dynamics emerging when droplets walk in complex geometries.
Coffee consumption and total mortality: a meta-analysis of twenty prospective cohort studies
Authors: Je Youjin , Giovannucci Edward
Published: November 2013

Coffee consumption has been shown to be associated with various health outcomes, but no comprehensive review and meta-analysis of the association between coffee consumption and total mortality has been conducted. To quantitatively assess this association, we conducted a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE databases for all articles published through June 2013 and reviewing the reference lists of the retrieved articles. Pooled relative risks (RR) with 95 % CI were calculated using a random-effects model. We identified twenty studies of coffee consumption and total mortality, including 129 538 cases of deaths among the 973 904 participants. The RR of total mortality for the high v. low category of coffee consumption was 0·86 (95 % CI 0·80, 0·92). The pooled RR for studies using ≥ 2–4 cups/d as a cut-off for the high category was similar to that for studies using ≥ 5–9 cups/d as the cut-off. By geographical region, the inverse association tended to be stronger for the eight studies conducted in Europe (RR 0·78, 95 % CI 0·70, 0·88) and three studies carried out in Japan (RR 0·82, 95 % CI 0·73, 0·92) than for the nine studies conducted in the USA (RR 0·92, 95 % CI 0·84, 1·00). The inverse association was similar for men (RR 0·81, 95 % CI 0·73, 0·90) and women (RR 0·84, 95 % CI 0·79, 0·89). A weak, but significant, inverse association was found with moderate coffee consumption (1–2 cups/d; RR 0·92, 95 % CI 0·87, 0·98). High decaffeinated coffee consumption was also found to be associated with a lower risk of death, but the data are limited. Our findings indicate that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of total mortality.
Sandstone composition of the Upper Jurassic Emuerhe Formation from the Mohe Basin, China
Authors: ZHANG MING MING , LIU ZHAO JUN , FANG SHI , SUN QIU SHI
Published: November 2013

The sandstone composition analysis carried out on the samples from three different sections (western section, middle section and eastern section) of the Upper Jurassic Emuerhe Formation in the Mohe Basin, northeastern China, reveals that the Okhotsk orogenic belt and the Ergun massif basement are the source areas for the Emuerhe Formation. The source area of the western section and the A segment of the middle section is the Okhotsk orogenic belt. The tectonic attributes of the Okhotsk orogenic belt are those of a dissected arc. The transportation distance of clastic rocks from these sections gradually lengthened, and the uplift rate of the Okhotsk orogenic belt gradually increased. The source area of the eastern section and the B segment of the middle section is the Ergun massif basement. Compared with the Okhotsk orogenic belt, the tectonic attributes and uplift rate of the Ergun massif basement are different from the former. The attributes of the Ergun massif basement are those of basement uplift. The transportation distance of clastic rocks from the eastern section and the B segment of the middle section gradually shortened, and the uplift rate of the Ergun massif basement gradually decreased. These conclusions are consistent with the characteristics of a foreland basin. Thus, we can draw the conclusion that the Mohe Basin belongs to the foreland basin.
Childhood dietary patterns and later obesity: a review of the evidence
Authors: Ambrosini Gina L.
Published: November 2013

A range of individual nutrients and foods have been suggested to increase obesity risk in childhood, but the evidence is inconsistent. Dietary patterns that summarise the whole diet may, however, be more informative. The aim of the present paper was to systematically review the current evidence pertaining to overall dietary patterns in childhood and later obesity risk. Studies eligible for review identified childhood dietary patterns using an empirical method, i.e. principal components analysis, factor analysis or reduced rank regression, and reported their prospective associations with an obesity-related outcome. Literature searches identified 166 studies and of these, seven met the eligibility criteria. Despite differences between studies, a common dietary pattern was identified in all seven studies that was high in energy-dense, high-fat and low-fibre foods. The quality of studies varied, however; the four studies reporting positive associations between this type of dietary pattern and later obesity risk were of consistently higher quality than those reporting null associations. The balance of evidence from this systematic review indicates that dietary patterns that are high in energy-dense, high-fat and low-fibre foods predispose young people to later overweight and obesity. It also highlights that examining multiple dietary factors within a dietary pattern may better explain obesity risk than individual nutrients or foods. However, more prospective studies are needed and dietary pattern research requires greater rigour and focus, to further clarify the role of dietary factors in the aetiology of obesity and inform future interventions.
From explorer to expert: Sir William Martin Conway's ‘delightful sense of something accomplished’
Authors: Jones Mary Katherine
Published: November 2013

In 1896, Sir William Martin Conway led an expedition to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, then a terra nullius. It was the first expedition to cross the interior of the main island, Spitsbergen. Was Conway an ‘expert’ explorer or an enthusiastic amateur, or something in-between? This article examines Conway's comparisons of Arctic versus Alpine in his expedition narrative, The first crossing of Spitsbergen, and his portrayal of expedition members’ expertise and shortcomings. Distinctions between Arctic explorers, travellers and tourists at that time are assessed, as is Conway's occasional tendency to highlight the polar aspects of his homeland while perceiving the island of Spitsbergen in a notably English light. Conway's expert status developed with the subsequent publication of journal articles and No man's land, the first history of Svalbard. In the latter, his simplicity of style and form, and the pronounced British bias of the main narrative, contrast with the scholarly breadth and focus of the final reference sections, which acted as a catalyst for subsequent international bibliographical and cartographical compilations relating to the region.
EXAMINER Executive Function Battery and Neurologic Morbidity in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Schatz Jeffrey , Stancil Melita , Katz Tal , Sanchez Carmen E.
Published: November 2013

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is blood disorder with a high risk for cerebral vascular morbidities that impact neurocognitive functioning. Specific cognitive abilities are known to be more sensitive to neurologic effects of SCD than IQ scores, yet there is little consensus about which measures to use to assess neurocognitive functioning. We evaluated the ability of the Executive Abilities: Methods and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research (EXAMINER) Battery to detect neurologic effects in SCD. Thirty-two youth with SCD and sixty demographically-matched comparison youth completed the EXAMINER Battery and selected tests from the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability, 3rdedition (WJ-III). Neurologic severity was examinedviaclinical history for morbidities and midsagittal corpus callosum (CC) area. Results indicated cognitive performance decreased with increasing neurologic morbidity across all cognitive measures; two of four EXAMINER factors were related to CC area. The association with clinical history and midsagittal CC area appeared at least as large for the Examiner Battery scores as for the WJ-III measures. The Examiner Battery showed sensitivity to neurologic history and white matter effects in SCD; this new measure compares favorably to established measures of disease-related neurocognitive effects, but would benefit from further development. (JINS, 2014,1, 1–12)
Early gestation screening of pregnant women for iodine deficiency disorders and iron deficiency in urban centre in Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Authors: Joshi K. , Nair S. , Khade C. , Rajan M. G. R.
Published: November 2013

Pregnancy is a special condition where many metabolic changes may occur because of increased requirement of essential micronutrients such as iron and iodine. Foetal thyroid starts producing its own thyroid hormones after 12 weeks of gestation. Therefore, the first trimester is very crucial for meeting thyroid hormone requirements of the mother and foetus. Iodine deficiency and iron deficiency may affect mental and physical growth of the foetus. Hence, it is very important to establish a programme on the screening of pregnant women for thyroid dysfunction tests along with established iron status assessment. Thus, the study was aimed to screen the pregnant women for iodine deficiency disorders and iron deficiency during early gestation, situational analysis on thyroid insufficiency and iron deficiency in pregnant women (gestational age <15 weeks) in urban Vadodara, Gujarat.n= 256 healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were selected. The thyroid hormone was estimated by RIA, UIE using simple microplate technique and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration by acid hematin method. Median thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), total thyroxine (TT4) and UIE concentrations were 1.88 μIU/ml, 0.83 ng/dl, 10.24 μg/dl and 297.14 mcg/l, respectively. There was a significant correlation between TSH, FT4and month of gestation. Mean Hb concentration was 9.27 ± 1.09 g/dl. The prevalence of iodine insufficiency (based on UI) was 16.79% and iron deficiency was 91%. Screening programme for iodine deficiency during early gestation should be implemented along with the existing programme of haemoglobin estimation at first prenatal visit. This would help prevent damage to the developing brain and growth of the foetus and also to trace at-risk pregnant women.
Genetische Diagnostik bei Krebserkrankungen
Authors: Cobilanschi Joana
Published: November 2013

Krebserkrankungen sind genetisch bedingt, aber nur ca. 10% der Krebserkrankungen sind erblich und nur für einen Teil der erblichen Tumorerkrankungen sind die verursachenden Genveränderungen bekannt. Die tumorprädisponierenden Genveränderungen können mittels genetischer Analysen detektiert werden, wobei die Voraussetzungen hierfür, die Kostenübernahme durch die Krankenversicherung und die allfälligen individuellen Konsequenzen, im Rahmen einer ausführlichen genetischen Beratung diskutiert werden müssen. Die prädiktive Diagnostik stellt hierbei eine besondere Situation dar. Die Feststellung einer erblichen Tumorprädisposition erlaubt Aussagen über das spezifische Lebenszeitrisiko für verschiedene Tumorarten sowohl für bereits erkrankte als auch für gesunde Mutationsträger. Ferner ermöglicht der Nachweis eines krankheitsverursachenden Gendefektes eine an das jeweilig mutierte Gen angepasste, optimierte Tumorvorsorge mit allenfalls unmittelbar lebensverlängernder Wirkung. Zunehmend sind auch auf den jeweils gestörten Pathomechanismus individuell zugeschnittene Therapien in Erprobung.
CT Perfusion and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cremers Charlotte H P , van der Schaaf Irene C , Wensink Emerens , Greving Jacoba P , Rinkel Gabriel J E , Velthuis Birgitta K , Vergouwen Mervyn D I
Published: November 2013

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is at presentation a diagnosis per exclusionem, and can only be confirmed with follow-up imaging. For treatment of DCI a diagnostic tool is needed. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the value of CT perfusion (CTP) in the prediction and diagnosis of DCI. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify studies on the relationship between CTP and DCI. Eleven studies totaling 570 patients were included. On admission, cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time-to-peak (TTP) did not differ between patients who did and did not develop DCI. In the DCI time-window (4 to 14 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)), DCI was associated with a decreased CBF (pooled mean difference −11.9 mL/100 g per minute (95% confidence interval (CI): −15.2 to −8.6)) and an increased MTT (pooled mean difference 1.5 seconds (0.9–2.2)). Cerebral blood volume did not differ and TTP was rarely reported. Perfusion thresholds reported in studies were comparable, although the corresponding test characteristics were moderate and differed between studies. We conclude that CTP can be used in the diagnosis but not in the prediction of DCI. A need exists to standardize the method for measuring perfusion with CTP after SAH, and optimize and validate perfusion thresholds.
Facile synthesis of nickel network supported three-dimensional graphene gel as a lightweight and binder-free electrode for high rate performance supercapacitor application
Authors: Huang Haifu , Xu Lianqiang , Tang Yanmei , Tang Shaolong , Du Youwei
Published: November 2013

A Ni network supported 3d graphene electrode was synthesized by a nickel etching process, and exhibited high rate capability for supercapacitor applications.
Multilinguistic Components of Spelling: An Overview
Authors: Barber Angela
Published: November 2013

Spelling is a window into a student's individual language system and, therefore, canprovide clues into the student's understanding, use, and integration of underlyinglinguistic skills. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should be involved in improvingstudents' literacy skills, including spelling, though frequently available measures ofspelling do not provide adequate information regarding critical underlying linguistic skillsthat contribute to spelling. This paper outlines a multilinguistic, integrated model of wordstudy (Masterson & Apel, 2007) that highlights the important influences of phonemicawareness, orthographic pattern awareness, semantic awareness, morphologicalawareness and mental graphemic representations on spelling. An SLP can analyze anindividual's misspellings to identify impairments in specific linguistic components andthen develop an individualized, appropriate intervention plan tailored to a child's uniquelinguistic profile, thus maximizing intervention success.
Word Study: A Multilinguistic Approach for Spelling Instruction
Authors: Bell Elisabeth C. , Cron Deborah A. , Jones Cheryl Gudmundson , Borneman Dea A.
Published: November 2013

This paper describes the multilinguistic spelling assessment and treatment protocol for aseventh-grade male student using a collaborative approach between a speech-languagepathologist and librarians. Working together, the team used internet search tools toprovide authentic reading and writing materials for generalization of acquired word studyskills. Specific goals and activities were tailored to meet the student's needs byintegrating 5 linguistic awareness components of word study instruction.
Don't Blow This Therapy Session!
Authors: Lof Gregory L. , Ruscello Dennis
Published: November 2013

Blowing exercises and other nonspeech oral motor exercises (NSOMEs) are commonly used therapeutic techniques for children with repaired cleft palate and velopharyngeal inadequacy. Blowing exercises have a long history in the field, dating back to the early days of speech-language pathology when clinicians relied upon expert opinion to influence clinical practice. However, for more than 60 years, NSOMEs such as blowing have been questioned and many empirical studies have been conducted that demonstrate the ineffectiveness of these exercises. This article provides reasons why NSOMEs, mainly blowing, should not be used in therapy. It also traces the history of blowing exercises and then summarizes some of the seminal research articles that show that they do not work. Effective evidence-based treatments for compensatory errors are also reviewed.
LDF (less dirty first): dirtiness‐aware cache replacement policy for PCM main memory
Authors: Yoo S. , Lee E. , Bahn H.
Published: November 2013

A new last‐level cache replacement policy for systems with a phase‐change memory (PCM) main memory is presented. The proposed policy aims at reducing the write traffic to PCM by considering the fine‐grained dirtiness of cache blocks when making a replacement decision. Experimental results show that the proposed policy reduces the write traffic to the PCM by 26 and 17% on average and up to 52 and 33% compared to not recently used and re‐reference interval prediction, respectively.
Controlled accuracy approximation of sigmoid function for efficient FPGA‐based implementation of artificial neurons
Authors: del Campo I. , Finker R. , Echanobe J. , Basterretxea K.
Published: November 2013

A controlled accuracy approximation scheme of the sigmoid function for artificial neuron implementation based on Taylor's theorem and the Lagrange form of the error is proposed. The main advantages of the proposed solution are two: it provides a systematic way to guarantee the required accuracy and it reuses the circuitry of the linear part of the neuron to compute the sigmoid function. The sigmoid derivative is also available for artificial neural networks with online learning capabilities.
Radiation pattern simulation of antenna array problem with perfectly electrically conducting object in arbitrary shape using novel hybrid method of equivalence principle algorithm and physical optics
Authors: Zhang Kaizhi , OuYang Jun , Yang Feng , Zhang Jian , Luo Wei
Published: November 2013

A hybrid method combining the equivalence principle algorithm (EPA) with physical optics (PO) is proposed to solve electromagnetic radiation of an antenna array with perfectly electrically conducting (PEC) object of arbitrary shape. The main idea of this approach is based on the domain decomposition method which is a scheme for multi‐scale problems. An EPA can simulate antenna array accurately, and PO is an asymptotical method to obtain current distribution on a PEC object of arbitrary shape as an electrically large problem. For an antenna array with identical elements, the equivalence principle operator only needs to be calculated and be stored once. Compared with the original EPA, this approach performs with higher efficiency and fewer iterations with acceptable accuracy. Numerical results demonstrate the feasibility of the hybrid method.
Compact in‐phase power divider integrated filtering response using spiral resonator
Authors: Song Kaijun , Ren Xue , Chen Fulong , Fan Yong
Published: November 2013

A compact in‐phase power divider with filtering response is presented in this study. Spiral resonators are meant to realise compact size and bandpass‐filtering response. To improve the frequency selectivity of the presented power divider, a source–load cross‐coupling is introduced by placing input and output coupling lines. An in‐phase power divider with passband‐filtering response has been designed, fabricated and measured. The measured return loss and insertion loss of the fabricated power divider are 22 and 1.3 dB at 2.45 GHz, respectively. The 3 dB operating bandwidth of the fabricated power divider is 175 MHz. The total area of the fabricated power divider is 0.15λg × 0.3λg. The measured results verify the predicted attractive features.